SAINT
IGNATIUS
COLLEGE PREP
SIMUN XIV
Saint Ignatius Model United Nations
Chicago, IL – November 8th, 2015
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Topic Background Guide
A Letter From Your Chair
Dear Delegates,
Hello, my name is Julia Downey. I am a senior here at Saint Ignatius, a member of the
SIMUN executive board, and your chair for SIMUN XIV. Last year I chaired the African Union
committee and had a lot of fun and I hope this committee will be amazing as well. Even though it
is my seconded year chairing a committee, I am not a perfect chair. So, I hope everyone will be
supportive and bear with the Dias and I if we run into any issues.
Since SIMUN XIV is a training conference their will also be many delegates in our
committee who are experiencing their first model UN experience and may be a little lost. If this
will be your first committee ever, do not worry! Model UN is something you can only learn by
experience and if you pay attention to other more experienced delegates and participate actively
in the committee you will be a pro in no time. However, if you are an experienced delegate, try
to help out people around you if they are confused about political procedure. The Dias and I will
be available at any time if you are confused or need clarification. If you send a note up to us or
come up during an un-moderated caucus we will do our best to help you. Any delegates can also
email me with any questions prior to the conference regarding how the conference will run or
position papers.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Committee will be structured uniquely. No
resolutions will be passed in committee; instead, delegates will draft directives, friendly
amendments, and non-friendly amendments to amend the Cassin draft of the declaration. Then,
at the end of the committee, we will hopefully pass a final draft of the declaration. I will provide
some links for those of you who are unfamiliar with directives and amendments. I would suggest
printing out some examples to look off of when you write your own in committee. Also, if we do
finish our first topic with enough time to move onto the second topic, we will be writing
resolutions. You will also be required to turn in a position paper at the start of committee.
Position papers should be at least one page single-spaced with a work cited for each topic. These
papers should out line your countries position on the topic and how you plan on solving it.
Again, if you have any questions email me at julia.downey@students.ignatius.org. I wish you all
the best of luck!
Dear delegates,
Welcome to SIMUN XIV! My name is Savita Gupta and I am a junior here at SICP. Less
than two years ago, the very concept of Model UN was a completely foreign idea. My real
participation in the SIMUN began last year, with my first conference at LYMUN, and has since
then culminated with my first award in SIMUN's most recent international jaunt to Alkmar, the
Netherlands. All to say, I am thrilled to be working with all of you this year as your political
officer. SIMUN XIV. Please do not hesitate to contact the Dias or I with any questions you
might have, and I look forward to working with all of you.
Regards-Savita Gupta
savita.gupta@students.ignatius.org
Some Helpful Links:

For writing position papers: http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-toparticipate/model-un-preparation/position-papers/sample-position-paper

For friendly and unfriendly amendments: http://www.unausa.org/global-classroomsmodel-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/resolutions/friendly-and-unfriendlyamendments

For writing directives (see page 17): http://www.stamun.org/munguide.pdf

For writing resolutions: http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-toparticipate/model-un-preparation/resolutions and http://www.unausa.org/globalclassrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/resolutions/sampleresolution
Topic One
The Cassin Draft
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
took over a year to draft and the final product was
the combination of various drafts and amendments
by countries. One of the most famous drafts of this
declaration was the draft written by René Samuel
Cassin of France. Cassin was a jurist, humanitarian, and internationalist as well as one of the
world’s foremost advocates of the legal and moral recognition of the rights of man. Cassin’s
draft was the second draft of the declaration, which introduced the underlying structure of the
Universal Declaration of human rights. He worked from a first draft that was prepared by John
Peters Humphrey. The structure Cassin used for his draft was heavily influenced by the Code
Napolean, including a preamble and introductory general principles.
Cassin compared the Declaration to the portico, or entrance of a building, of a Greek
temple, with a foundation, steps, four columns and a pediment. Articles 1 and 2 are the
foundation blocks, with their principles of dignity, liberty, equality and brotherhood. The steps
represent the seven paragraphs of the preamble, setting out the reasons for the Declaration. The
main body of the Declaration forms the four columns. The first column (articles 3-11) constitutes
rights of the individual, such as the right to life and the prohibition of slavery. The second
column (articles 12-17) constitutes the rights of the individual in civil and political society. The
third column (articles 18-21) is concerned with spiritual, public and political freedoms such as
freedom of religion and freedom of association. The fourth column (articles 22-27) sets out
social, economic and cultural rights. Finally, in Cassin’s model, the last three articles of the
Declaration provide the pediment, which binds the “structure” together. These last articles are
concerned with the duty of the individual to society and the prohibition of the use of rights in
contravention of the purposes of the United Nations.
Then the Cassin draft was submitted to the
Commission on Human Rights and was to undergo
editing in the Commission before the further drafts
could be considered by the Third Committee of the
United Nations. The draft was finally set before
the General Assembly of the United Nations to be
discussed and edited. This is where our committee will pick up; you as delegates will be required
to debate the articles and principles of the draft, edit the draft with directives, and subsequently
pass a final declaration.
Many controversies arose while writing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The
first major controversy related to the very origin of human rights, the discussion between the
supporters of the concepts of natural rights and positive rights. Natural rights are rights bestowed
by God and nature. These rights are not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any
particular culture or government, and are therefore universal and inalienable. Natural rights are
considered beyond the authority of any government or international body to dismiss. Positive
rights are the polar opposite of natural rights and are rights, which humans acquire as a result of
a rational agreement. The “positive” in positive rights refers to the fact that to satisfy these rights,
other people must provide them. They require actions from others, instead of inaction. Also,
positive rights or positive liberty is enhanced by the ability of citizens to participate in their
government and have their voice, interests and concerns recognized as valid and acted upon.
The second controversy was between the
positions of the Marxist theory of the Soviet Bloc
and the liberal theory of the Western World. In
philosophical aspect, the Soviet Bloc criticized the
individualist stance of the issue, arguing on favor of
the collectivism approach, where the rights of the
collective dominate that of an individual. In
political aspect, the Soviet Union and its satellites, facing the mounting accusations in the
violation of the human rights argued that the declaration is a mere formality if it did not consider
the warranties of the economical and social rights.
A third controversy surfaced while debating the legal status of the declaration. A majority
of countries active in writing the Universal Declaration considered the document to be mainly of
moral character. Meaning that countries and governments were just to look at the declaration as a
guideline for operating justly. In this case, The United Nations would not be able to actively
enforce the document. At the same time, some participants argued in favor of adding certain
legal aspects in terms of international law. This would allow the document to be enforced if
countries did not uphold the morals and rights provided by the declaration.
Questions to Consider:

Should the Universal Declaration of Human Rights be based off of natural rights or
positive rights?

Does your policy align with the liberal theory of the Western World or the Marxist theory
of the Soviet Bloc?

Should the Universal Declaration be considered a document of mainly moral character or
should have legal aspects in terms of international law?
Helpful Links:

http://research.un.org/en/undhr/draftingcommittee

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

I would suggest printing this document out and bringing it with you to committee:
http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/CN.4/95

https://davegj13.wordpress.com/2010/06/12/natural-law-vs-positive-law/
Topic Two
Measures for Implementation
Once the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is passed, the United Nations must
develop resolutions to ensure the Universal Declaration is observed and implemented. The
Declaration was the result of the experience of the Second World War. With the creation of this
document the international community is vowing to never again allow atrocities like those of
conflict happen again. The world should never again have to experience a holocaust like the one
conducted by Nazi Germany or a war resulting over 60 million casualties. However, the trouble
is making sure the world continues to follow the Universal Declaration of Human rights years
and decades after it was written.
The Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights sets forth the basic
principles bearing on research in genetics and biology and the application of its results. In order
to guarantee the application of these principles, the Declaration recommends that they be made
known, disseminated and given shape as measures, especially in the form of legislation or
regulations. The Declaration also specifies the measures that Member States should take for its
application. The implementation of the Declaration is all the more urgent since scientific
progress in genetics and biology is accelerating and both giving humankind hope and creating
ethical dilemmas.
The measures for implementation will also depend on how the declaration is written.
While writing the declaration, the committee will be tasked with deciding whether or not the
Universal Declaration should be considered a document of mainly moral character or should
have legal aspects in terms of international law. This decision will greatly change how the
committee will enforce the declaration. So, when writing your position papers and deciding your
strategy for committee, keep in mind the link between the two topics. Also, how you will tackle
each based on how the committee votes.
Questions to Consider:

Should the Universal Declaration be considered a document of mainly moral character or
should have legal aspects in terms of international law?

What should your country do in particular to implement the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights?

Should particular measures be set country-to-country or world wide?
Helpful Links:

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/hreduseries/hereandnow/Part-5/8_udhr-abbr.htm

http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/udhr/udhr.html
Works Cited
"Declaration on Human Rights Defenders." Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. N.p., n.d.
Web. 19 July 2015.
General Services Administration. Eleanor Roosevelt and United Nations Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. Digital image. The National Archives Catalog. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July
2015.
"Natural Law vs. Positive Law." Uncommon Sense. N.p., 12 June 2010. Web. 19 July 2015.
"Photo Stories: 60th Anniversary of Human Rights." UN News Centre. United Nations, n.d.
Web. 19 July 2015.
"Positive Rights." Positive Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2015.
"René Cassin - Biographical." René Cassin - Biographical. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2015.
"United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law." United Nations Audiovisual Library
of International Law. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2015.
"United Nations Official Document." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 19 July 2015.
"United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, History: United for Human Rights."
United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, History: United for Human
Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2015.
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948." Humanium Together for Childrens Rights. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 19 July 2015.
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights." SpringerReference (2011): n. pag. Web. 9 June 2015.
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UDHR, Declaration of Human Rights, Human
Rights Declaration, Human Rights Charter, The Un and Human Rights." UN News
Center. UN, n.d. Web. 09 June 2015.
"Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights 11 November 1997."
Standard-Setting
at UNESCO Conventions, Recommendations, Declarations and Charters Adopted by
UNESCO
(1948 - 2006), Volume II (2007): 696-702. Web.