United Nations Human Rights Council Agenda: The Right to Privacy.
Privacy is a fundamental human right recognized in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights and in many other international and regional treaties. Privacy underpins human dignity and other key values such as freedom of association and freedom of speech. It has become one of the most important human rights issues of the modern age. The various issues such as sovereignty, personal interest v. societal interest, national security, etc. reflects the growing importance, diversity and complexity of this fundamental right. Even with the adoption of legal and other protections, violations of privacy remain a concern. In many countries, laws have not kept up with the technology, leaving significant gaps in protections. In other countries, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been given significant exemptions. Finally, in the absence of adequate oversight and enforcement, the mere presence of a law may not provide adequate protection. Hence today, the human Rights Committee sits forth to decide the agenda in greater detail with special focus on the nuances and the intricacies of the theory of privacy itself!
Agenda: The Right to Privacy.
Privacy is a fundamental human right recognized in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights and in many other international and regional treaties. Privacy underpins human dignity and other key values such as freedom of association and freedom of speech. It has become one of the most important human rights issues of the modern age. The various issues such as sovereignty, personal interest v. societal interest, national security, etc. reflects the growing importance, diversity and complexity of this fundamental right. Even with the adoption of legal and other protections, violations of privacy remain a concern. In many countries, laws have not kept up with the technology, leaving significant gaps in protections. In other countries, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been given significant exemptions. Finally, in the absence of adequate oversight and enforcement, the mere presence of a law may not provide adequate protection. Hence today, the human Rights Committee sits forth to decide the agenda in greater detail with special focus on the nuances and the intricacies of the theory of privacy itself!
United Nations Security Council Agenda: Reforms of the Security Council, with Special Reference to Veto Powers of Permanent Nations
The United Nations Security Council, the principal organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security, has been faced with criticism since its establishment in 1946. The most criticism has been directed at the infamous “power of veto”, namely the ability of the five permanent members of the Council (USA, Russia, France, UK, and China) to quash any non-procedural matter with their negative vote, irrespective of its level of internationals support. Various discussions have taken place in recent years over the suitability of the Security Council veto power in today's world. Key arguments include that the five permanent members no longer represent the most stable and responsible member states in the United Nations, and that their veto power slows down and even prevents important decisions being made on matters of international peace and security. Due to the global changes that have taken place politically and economically since the formation of the UN in 1945, widespread debate has been apparent over whether the five permanent members of the UN Security Council remain the best member states to hold veto power. While the permanent members are still typically regarded as great powers, there is debate over their suitability to retain exclusive veto power. It is exactly this debate that the Security Council will be simulating in this conference this time around!
Agenda: Reforms of the Security Council, with Special Reference to Veto Powers of Permanent Nations
The United Nations Security Council, the principal organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security, has been faced with criticism since its establishment in 1946. The most criticism has been directed at the infamous “power of veto”, namely the ability of the five permanent members of the Council (USA, Russia, France, UK, and China) to quash any non-procedural matter with their negative vote, irrespective of its level of internationals support. Various discussions have taken place in recent years over the suitability of the Security Council veto power in today's world. Key arguments include that the five permanent members no longer represent the most stable and responsible member states in the United Nations, and that their veto power slows down and even prevents important decisions being made on matters of international peace and security. Due to the global changes that have taken place politically and economically since the formation of the UN in 1945, widespread debate has been apparent over whether the five permanent members of the UN Security Council remain the best member states to hold veto power. While the permanent members are still typically regarded as great powers, there is debate over their suitability to retain exclusive veto power. It is exactly this debate that the Security Council will be simulating in this conference this time around!
United Nations General Assembly-Disarmament and International Security Committee
Agenda: Responsibility to Protect Civilians against excessive force in conflict areas.
‘Protection of Civilians’ is rooted in International Humanitarian Law which calls on belligerent actors to minimize harm to civilians and civilian property in the conduct of hostilities including from excessive and disproportionate attacks/force. It also calls for the protection of civilians from violence. There are numerous actors involved in protecting civilians. National governments bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that their populations are effectively protected, and all parties to conflict – governments and armed groups – have an obligation to prevent harm to civilians in the conduct of hostilities. There has been, enough times though where the governments have not kept up with their duty and civilians have suffered the brunt of a war and sometimes being directly exposed to conflicts. It thus becomes a very pertinent issue regarding the work of the DISEC, which should stretch itself to its limits to find a probable, pragmatic and possible solution in this case.
Agenda: Responsibility to Protect Civilians against excessive force in conflict areas.
‘Protection of Civilians’ is rooted in International Humanitarian Law which calls on belligerent actors to minimize harm to civilians and civilian property in the conduct of hostilities including from excessive and disproportionate attacks/force. It also calls for the protection of civilians from violence. There are numerous actors involved in protecting civilians. National governments bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that their populations are effectively protected, and all parties to conflict – governments and armed groups – have an obligation to prevent harm to civilians in the conduct of hostilities. There has been, enough times though where the governments have not kept up with their duty and civilians have suffered the brunt of a war and sometimes being directly exposed to conflicts. It thus becomes a very pertinent issue regarding the work of the DISEC, which should stretch itself to its limits to find a probable, pragmatic and possible solution in this case.