Cleveland Council on World Affairs
Model UN Conference
Jr. Model UN Conference, Jan. 8-9, 2014
UNHRC Position Papers - Topic B
Submitted by Ireland
School: University School
Committee: Human Rights
Topic B: Internally Displaced Persons
In this world, there are over 28 million IDP’s in over 40 countries as of 2012, and the
country of Ireland has worked endlessly to solve this problem. IDP’s are defined by the UN
Guiding Principles on Internal displacement, “those who have been forced to obliged to flee or
to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to
avoid the effects of armed conflict disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally
recognized State border.” Ever since the problem increased in 1997, Ireland and the human
rights committees have been playing an increasingly important role in solving the issue. IDP’S
are legally bound to stay in their country, even though it was their government who probably
caused them to be displaced. But they have to remain under their government’s protection.
The larger countries are the ones to have more IDP’s than others. People who have been forced
to move by natural disasters are also considered IDP’s too. Some countries with the most IDP’s
are Africa and recently Syria. In the country of Ireland, there are no Internally Displaced
Persons, but the Republic of Ireland would like it to be that way in all countries.
The country of Ireland has always been helpful to other countries. Ireland has put away
differences and has worked together with many countries. Ireland has worked hard through
many of its former wars to have no IDP’s in their territory. As of 1950, Ireland agreed to be
“sufficient legal safeguards” of the countries. Ireland is in place for the protection if IDP’s
became an issue in their own land. Ireland was one of the first countries trying to solve the IDP
problem. Even though there are no Internally Displaced Persons in Ireland, it still is a worldwide
problem.
There are several solutions to this problem, and Ireland supports them. One of the best options
to reduce the number of IDP’s is to create a sanctuary somewhere within each country.
Although most of the countries with IDP’s are large, it is one of the best options. Another good
way is to move the IDP’s into a different and safer country nearby. To further prevent the
problem, there should be a caution of war and where to strike. If countries keep on striking
down on cities and towns then the number of IDP’s will continue to grow. Too many deaths
have happened, and if there is not a solution to this then more will die.
http://www.unhcr-centraleurope.org/en/who-we-help/internally-displaced-people.html
http://irishantiwar.org/node/2105
http://legislationline.org/topics/subtopic/45/topic/10/country/23
Submitted by: Venezuela
School: University School, David Malkin and Alex Akins
Committee: UNHCR
Topic B: Internally Displaced Persons
An Internally displaced person, also known as an IPD, is someone who has been forced to leave
their home but still live in their country. These people are referred to as refugees. The Genevabased Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) provides us with the latest statistics
that there were 28.8 million IPD’s around the world in 2012. Among the world, IPD’s are the
most vulnerable people. They have no sanctuary to go to but to stay within their countries.
According to the UNHCR, ‘IDPS, legally remain under the protection of their own government,
even though that government might be the cause of their flight. As citizens, they retain all of
their rights and protection under both human rights and international humanitarian law.’ The
UNHCR also states that, “Millions of other civilians who have been made homeless by natural
disaster are also considered as IPD’s. IDP’s are a growing population. They have needs that
need to be addressed. The council must seek methods and outline goals to meet the needs of
this global issue”.
In Latin America, there are already actions being taken and lead by the Mexico Plan of Action
and the Brasilia Declaration. This plan’s goal is to provide people of concern with access to
territorial protection and political asylum procedures. The council states that the ‘UNHCR will
ensure access to affordable health, education, livelihood activities and other essential services
for people of concern. Reducing protection risks, in particular discrimination, sexual and
gender-based violence (SGBV) and child recruitment will also be priorities.’
In Venezuela, we have Venezuelan IPD’s leaving the country, and Columbian refugees entering.
Venezuela’s richest export is not only oil but also its people. When the former President Hugo
Chavez fired 22,000 people, including the country’s leading oil experts, about 4,000
Venezuelans applied for asylum in the United States of America. In 2007, it was estimated that
300,000 Venezuelan immigrants lived in the United States and many of them weres
undocumented.
In the neighboring Columbia, people have been suffering for four decades due to internal
conflicts and illegal drug trade. In 2009, about 200,00 Columbian refugees fled to Venezuela.
Most of them are unregistered and live in remote areas.
We recommend the that Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela follow the examples of Honduras,
Ecuador, Paraguay, and Panama (Venezuela’s neighboring countries in Latin America) accede
the accords of 1954 Status of Stateless Persons Convention, or at the bare minimum develop
statelessness determination procedures to ensure that stateless person are identified and
provided with administrative and legal assistance.
In Central America and Mexico, the intensification of activities of transnational criminal
organizations, irregular armed groups and human smugglers and traffickers has spurred much
displacement and created a more complex environment in which to deliver protection.
Works Cited:
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c23.html
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c146.html
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e493166.html
Submitted by: Lebanon
School: Monticello M.S
Committee: United Nations Refugee Agency
Delegates: Maria and Suvedini
Topic B:
Repatriation and Resettlement
Syrian refugees make up a quarter of Lebanon's population. Now the country's fragile systems
are stretched and tensions are rising. Charities and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are
battling to get 70,000 children into schools, and to get families living in temporary homes. We
are facing another harsh challenge, the winter snows are only weeks away. As you enter the
military checkpoints on the way into Wadi Khalid, local mobile phones bleep with an unsolicited
text: "The Ministry of Tourism welcomes you to Syria”. This part of northern Lebanon, which
juts like a knucklebone into Syria, is so close to the war that the villagers can watch the rockets
land and piles of smoke rising across the hillsides. Children have swarmed up on to the first
floor of shells of half-built houses and are pointing excitedly to where the outlying villages of
homes begin. Lebanon has dealt with many refugees before, but now it is too much to handle.
Due to the current war in Syria, families have fled to near-by countries for shelter, which in this
case, is mostly in Lebanon.
Lebanon remains in relative peace, but the influx of Syrians is putting a strain on our resources,
and anger is beginning to grow. Our nation has not yet finished rebuilding after our own civil
war. Lebanon remains vulnerable to the demographic changes that mainly Sunni Muslim
Syrians are bringing. A permanent demographic shift could imperil fragile religious balances
that are currently in political limbo. Being run by an interim government, with elections
overdue, Lebanon operates a confessional system. Key government offices are reserved
proportionally for representatives of religious factions. The cost of living in Lebanon is far much
higher than Syria’s living expenses. Our water and electricity scarcities have been now
dangerously low because of refugees who have brought nothing. Even if some refugees
managed to bring things with them, they have seen their belongings disappear at a terrifying
rate. Even though there has been extreme kindness from the Lebanese towards the refugees,
some have found a way to make a few easy bucks off of the Syrian war. Landlords are getting
rents for inhabitable properties, stables, and outhouses. Others have found a way to use
refugees as cheap labor. But those who are trying to keep their family stable are losing out.
Resentment is rising.
Although our Government has adopted a protection and, humanitarian-oriented response to
the Syrian influx, the absence of a legal or administrative framework leaves Syrian and nonSyrian refugees vulnerable to arrest, detention and deportation. Improving the protection
environment for Syrian refugees and other foreign people in Lebanon are therefore a priority
for UNHCR, and a more predictable operational understanding is being sought with the
Lebanese Government. The UNHCR’s goal for 2014 for the Syrian refugees is to empower
favorable protection and environment, security from violence and exploitation, basic needs and
essential services, community empowerment and self-reliance, and durable solutions where
the resettlement is realized. We propose neighboring countries (that are not currently having
problems with their resources) to help keep our resources in tact by doing simply one thing.
Giving shelter, food, or water for our Syrian or other foreign refugees until our refugee crisis is
resolved.
Submitted by: Czech Republic
Committee: UN Human Rights Council
Topic B: Internally Displaced Persons
School: Ford Intermediate School
Delegate: Emily Slusarz
Many countries, internally displaced persons rates are climbing higher and higher every
year. An internally displaced person is someone who is forced to flee his or her own home but
who remains within his or her own country’s borders. They are often referred to as refugees,
although they do not fall within current legal definition of refugee. At the end of 2006 it was
estimated there were 24.5 million internally displaced persons in some 52 countries. The
largest internally displaced persons population is Africa with some 11.8 million in 21 countries.
Speaker Karel Kovanda stated, “The Czech Republic had been preparing an integration
programme for those who won’t be able return to their home country or leave for third
countries,” then added, “The United Nations should play a more active role in monitoring
situations which might lead to mass refugees and IDP (internally displaced person) waves, in
adopting measures to prevent them and in coordinating international assistance to refugees
and IDPs.” One of the solutions the UN has brought up is the collaborative approach. The
collaborative approach is a system set up internationally to address the needs of IDPs. But
nearly every independent evolution found it to be deficient. So the UN decided to take another
approach. They formed the cluster approach; the cluster approach is a system in which the
different humanitarian partners have a certain section in which they help people get food,
water, and shelter.
The Czech Republic’s solution is to have a program that has bordering countries take in
the IDPs. This way when the people flee and try to return to their country but then become
classified as refugees, they can go to bordering countries. This goes into the responsibility of
host nations are to take in the IDPs and refugees. When people flee, host nations will be
responsible to take in the IDPs under the code of law. This means also the IDPs will also have
the same rights as the citizens in that country; otherwise they will be violating the law. This
way IDPs will become refugees and they ca have a the same rights as they did in their home
country.
To be sure another solution the Czech Republic has is to develop a system in which
when there is a fight or war going on in a country they’ll send in trained troops to line the
border and record when somebody leaves the country. To do this, they would need to develop
a system where they can identify everyone. The troops would ask them for identification, so
they can record the information, but this is only if there leaving the country. If they leave the
country and decide to return then they will have the information to inform whoever is in
charge. This way if they don’t leave the country, they will not have them on record and they
can be treated as normal citizens. This way IDPs will be able to lead normal, healthy, and happy
lives.
Bibliography
OHCHR News. Rep. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.
UN News Center. Rep. UN, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013
Wikipedia. Rep. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Nov. 2013. Web. 22 Dec. 2013.
The World Factbook. Rep. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.
Submitted by: The Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Committee: United Nations Human Rights Council
Topic B: Internally Displaced Persons
School: Hathaway Brown School
Delegates: Lekha Medarametla
and Roxana Moazami
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic located in South Asia.
Pakistan seceded from India in 1947 and consists of four provinces and four federal territories
with a capital of Islamabad. Internally displaced persons (IDP's) have been a problem in South
Asia as well as Pakistan for many years, but in the last decade, the number of IDP's have
increased in Pakistan and many other parts of the world.
Statistics show that in January 2013, there were a total of about 845,000 IDP's in Pakistan, with
about 94% assisted by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). In
December 2013, there were about 1,100,000 IDP's, with about 73% assisted by the UNHCR.
There was a 21% decline of assistance from the UNHCR from January 2013 to December 2013.
About 90% of IDP's choose to live in host communities or rented houses instead of provided
camps, where assistance could be more easily provided. These IDP's are not registered, and are
excluded from assistance. There are abundant amounts of unregistered IDP's in Pakistan, and
the number is still increasing. This poses a big and growing problem, because as the number of
IDP's are increasing, the assistance provided for them is declining. However, many IDP's have
been registered by the government and provided with food, temporary shelter, essential
services, and other items.
Countries surrounding Pakistan, such as Afghanistan and Iran, also have many IDP's, and IDP's
from those countries may take refuge in Pakistan, resulting in more refugees in Pakistan.
However, the Pakistan government provides some assistance to these refugees, who were once
IDP's in a different country. Pakistan supports other nations as well on the issue of internal
displacement. On July 3, 2012, Pakistan supported the return of IDP's and Refugees to their
homes in Georgia.
The important points of overcoming internal displacement are the causes of displacement and
re-settlement afterwards. Causes of internal displacement such as natural disasters can not be
avoided, but efforts to help victims, such as rescuing and setting up temporary camps to help
people should be made. However, other causes of displacement, such as civil wars, armed
conflict, and situations of violence can be stopped, and should be stopped. As a result, resettlement should be a focus in helping IDP's, as well as assistance, though it is often an
arduous task. Pakistan believes that the United Nations should provide money towards the
stated causes to contribute to the well being of not just IDP's in Pakistan, but in other countries
as well. Pakistan has been an active member of the United Nations since 1947, and looks
forward to contributing towards the rising issue of IDP's to benefit countries around the world.
Position Paper
Submitted by: Ethiopia.
School: Roxboro Middle School
Committee: United Nations Human Rights Council Delegates: Madalyn Shelt and Abra Lisowski
Topic B: Internally Displaced Persons
There are places all around the world in which there are Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs). An IDP can be defined as a person that is forced by wars, natural disasters, drought,
poverty and domestic violence to flee to another part of their own country. Many IDP's are put
into IDP camps by their own government or in some cases the United Nations. The global total
of IDPs in December 2011 was 28.8 million according to UNHRC. At the end of 2012 the UNHRC
has cared for 15.5 million of these people. One of the main problems with IDP camps is that
they do not have adequate protection for the IDPs. Pakistan's largest IDP camp was attacked in
March 2013. Ten civilians and one aid worker were killed, many were hurt by the bombs set off
inside the camp. A human rights expert with the United Nations Human Rights Council said that
" the death of innocent people is unacceptable." In this respect IDPS are one of the world's
largest problem. Governments around the world should address this problem and make sure
that people all around the world feel safe in their own countries.
The government in Ethiopia recognizes the problem of IDPs as an issue they must address.
There are many man-made disasters such as violence between ethnic groups, this has gone on
for decades, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, (IDMC). The areas that
are having disputes with Ethiopia were Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz which are in west
Ethiopia. In 2012 there were 3.8 million people that were displaced by natural disaster. The
natural disasters that cause people to move like, droughts and floods this leads food insecurity
and this all results in stress on households, according to the IDMC. Most IDPs in Ethiopia don't
go to camps set up by the United Nations and their own government they go to relatives homes
to live. The United Nations high commissions for refugees says that their goals for Ethiopia are
more non-governmental organizations in the refugee program, stabilize the emergency phase
of it's response to Sudanese and Somali refugee influences and to give standard relief items to
refugees.
The government of Ethiopia realizes and addresses the problem of IDPs and is working hard to
fix it. We need to be ready for things that we can't and can control. Having food, water, proper,
medical attention and shelter is something that we must have ready for when these disasters
strike. We can't control natural disasters and it it extremely hard and almost impossible to
control wars. If the United States and Ethiopian government aren't ready for these disasters it
will be hard to help at such a short moment notice. Ethiopia enjoys the United States helping
out with these disasters and wants to keep their bond with them close. By running canned food
drives and clothing drives in America when disaster strikes in Ethiopia we can get them the
things that they need. If we help out we can drop the number of IDPs in Ethiopia drastically.
Submitted by: Burkina Faso
Committee: United Nations Human Rights Council
Topic B: Internally Displaced Persons
School: Roxboro Middle School
Delegate: Georgie Jolivette
Internally Displaced Persons (IDP's) are among the most vulnerable people in the world.
They are not considered refugees because they have not crossed an international border to find
sanctuary but have fled inside their home country. IDPs are legally under protection from their
own government, even if they have fled because of human rights violations, armed conflicts,
and generalized violence. In many cases the government is often responsible for their refuge.
By the end of 2011, there were an estimated 26.4 million IDPs around the world, with the UN
helping about 15.5 million in 26 countries. Millions of people are also considered Internally
Displaced People when displaced by natural disasters and forced to flee. In 2011, around 14.9
million were internally displaced because of hurricanes, tornadoes, and other deadly forces of
nature. Most are all across Asia and UNHCR shares responsibility to help these people in need.
They have been involved in recent crises such as 2008’s Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, the
Pakistan floods in 2010 and the Haiti earthquake also in 2010. In Myanmar, the escalating
conflict in Kachin State, and inter-communal conflict among residents of Rakhine State in June
2012 resulted in internal displacement as well as refugee fleeing to other countries. As Mother
Teresa wisely said " Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that
is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."
IDPs have been neglected and forgotten about for many years, but now things are changing for
these defenseless people. Ongoing peace negotiations between the Government and insurgent
groups in south-eastern Myanmar have increased the prospects for the return of internally
displaced persons (IDPs), as well as refugees from Myanmar in Thailand. After 22 years of
conflict, more than one million people in northern Uganda remain displaced from their homes.
The rebel army refuses to sign a peace deal and until there is peace, they remain in IDP camps,
living in fear and uncertainty. In Iraq, about one in every ten people were internally displaced in
2010 from a variety of ongoing issues. Change around the world is something we look forward
to, and hope for a faster resolution.
Burkina Faso continues to be concerned about Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as the
country is in the process of assisting the United Nations in eliminating IDPs around the world
and specifically in Burkina Faso. The government has issued 10,000 identity and travel
documents to refugees ages 18 and over and the government is aware that more needs to be
done. Their goal is to eradicate all IDPs in Burkina Faso and in the region. Countless neighboring
Malian refugees that deserve basic human rights were forced to move inside their country and
now have no food, money, or shelter. Burkina Faso would like to help but does not have the
resources to support their own country, let alone more people.
Burkina Faso is sympathetic to the world's plight with Internally Displaced Persons, as IDPs
have fewer rights than refugees, yet make up almost two-thirds of the people around the world
today who are seeking safety from violence. The government is prepared to help in any way
their country's economy can handle. Burkina Faso recognizes that their neighboring countries,
including Mali, have many IDPs and need support from Burkina Faso and the United Nations.
The country hopes to assist Mali and IDPs all around the world. The United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) advocates for Internally Displaced Persons and supports
their need for a peaceful home and life. In situations of forced displacement, UNHCR employs
advocacy to influence governments and other decision-makers, non-governmental partners and
the public at large to adopt practices ensuring the protection of those of concern to UNHCR.
The UNHCR and its partners also assist refugees and IDPs by providing life necessities in
emergency situations. Burkina Faso will continue to have faith in the UN and UNHCR to reduce
the number of IDPs across the world.
Resources
www.unhcr.org/pages/49c4899d6.html
www.doctorswithoutborders.org/events/refugeecamp/about/
ww2.valdosta.edu/vsu/stuorg/modelun/HRC%20Background%20Guide.pdf
Model UN- Preventing More Mali’s
India
Topic B
Abused families, reduced to shreds of their former lives, are being mistreated day after
day since that unimaginable day when everything changed. The 2012 crisis not only was
shocking for the typically peaceful Mali’s, it was also shocking for the rest of the world.
Separatist Tuareg rebels and al-Qaida seized control of Northern Mali, causing all sorts of harm.
Now neighboring countries within the region have a much higher risk of being attacked by
these rebels, who with much experience, could take a number of nearby countries. Everyone is
threatened, especially women and children with the prospect of rape and young soldiers,
forced beyond will. The fear of losing a family member was never closer, causing unwelcome
fear to strike deep within the community. Hospitals, aid agencies, and government buildings are
all demolished; Places that give were taken from unfairly, just like the people. With these
destructions, supplies are quickly running out, just another threat that will contribute to the
never ending list.
As the MEA, or Ministry of External Affairs, in India is increasing in representation and
stature, countries are looking more toward the country in times of crisis. This is the first time
being involved in the political process as well as reconstruction of any country, India displays
much more confidence versus any other crisis it was involved in. Currently, 100$ million has
been pledged to the Malians; One million will go to the current army for support and leverage
against the attacks. Being known as a horrible army against the attacks, the money will go for
training and stability against the marked enemy. The rest of the money will be for after the
situation sorts itself out and needs to rebuild from the damage made. Besides that, India has a
current position within the Support and Follow Up Group (SFG) that shows commitment to this
seemingly hopeless cause.