SYMUNC 2025: Human Rights in Conflict Zones

Introduction

• SYMUNC 2025 will simulate a key UN body focused on human rights
• "Deliberation upon the Human Rights Violations in Conflict Zones" is the critical agenda

Points to Remember

• Procedural rules ensure organized and efficient debate, following UNA USA Rules
• Delegates should not hesitate to speak due to procedure concerns
• Foreign policy is a vital aspect of Model UN, differentiating it from other formats
• Violating foreign policy without reason is a major error
• The Executive Board facilitates debate
• Delegates constitute the committee
• The Executive Board may ask questions for clarification
• The Background Guide is for research and not for evidence during the conference
• Credible evidence sources include UN documents, international organizations (OIC, NAFTA, SAARC, BRICS, EU, ASEAN, ICC), and government reports
• Reports from NGOs working with UNESCO, UNICEF, and other UN bodies are accepted
• Wikipedia and newspapers such as The Guardian, Times of India etc are not accepted

Valid Evidence

• State-operated News Agencies reports can support or oppose the owning state, but other countries can deny them
• Examples include RIA Novosti (Russia), IRNA (Iran), BBC & Reuters (UK), Al Jazeera (Qatar), Xinhua News Agency (PR China)
• Government Reports, like State Operated News Agencies reports, can be denied by other countries, but may be accepted by the Executive Board as credible
• Government Websites like the US State Department, Russian Federation's Ministry of Defense, and various nations' Foreign Affairs ministries can be used
• Permanent Representatives to the UN Reports and multilateral organizations like NATO are valid
• All UN Reports are credible for the UNHRC Executive Board
• UN Bodies like the UNGA, UN Affiliated Bodies like UNICEF, International Committee of the Red Cross, and Treaty Bodies like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are considered valid

About the Committee

• The UNHRC is a cornerstone for promoting and protecting human rights
• Established in 2006 by UN General Assembly resolution 60/251
• Mission: To promote and protect human rights worldwide, addressing violations and making recommendations
• Scope is comprehensive and tackles thematic human rights issues
• Comprising 47 Member States elected by the General Assembly based on equitable geographic distribution
• Members serve staggered three-year terms, ineligible for more than two consecutive terms to ensure fresh perspectives
• The UNHRC is based in Geneva, Switzerland
• It holds at least three regular sessions annually, critical for dialogue and resolutions
• The UNHRC partners with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• The OHCHR offers support, engaging with independent human rights experts for thematic and country-specific perspectives

Mandate

• The UNHRC's mandate safeguards human rights globally
• It promotes universal respect and protects fundamental freedoms, irrespective of race, color, sex, language, religion, origin, or status
• The mandate is based on non-discrimination
• Responsibilities include responding to emergencies, fostering dialogue, and promoting human rights standards globally
• Examining, monitoring, and reporting on human rights in specific countries/major phenomena

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

• The UPR is a unique process involving a review of human rights records of all UN Member States
• States declare actions taken to improve human rights
• UNHRC also collaborates with Special Procedures and experts
• The Council aims to highlight violations, make recommendations, and assist states in addressing issues
• Recommendations are made to the UN General Assembly
• Aims to develop international law
• The UNHRC influences states through public pressure

Power of UNHRC

• The UNHRC influences the international arena through its capacity to address human rights issues
• It brings systemic problems to the global stage
• Its powers shape international discourse and policy
• Making recommendations to the UN General Assembly refines international human rights laws
• The recommendations draft new treaties, amend existing laws, and create guidelines for domestic policies
• The UNHRC coordinates with various UN bodies to ensure human rights are integrated into UN programs
• Special Procedures of the UNHRC empower independent human rights experts to investigate, monitor, and recommend solutions
• The UNHRC legitimizes concerns and mobilizes international opinion by spotlighting violations
• Public exposure can lead to international scrutiny, diplomatic pressure, or sanctions
• The UPR allows for the examination of human rights records of all UN member states
• It promotes improvement and sharing best practices, promoting transparency and accountability

About the Agenda

• "Deliberation upon Human Rights Violations in Conflict Zones" addresses the impact of armed conflicts
• The guide provides a research framework, highlighting key themes, historical context, methodologies, and recommendations
• The aim is to serve researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups

Human Rights Violations

• Human rights violations occur when states, non-state actors infringe upon internationally recognized rights and freedoms
• These violations are severe in conflict zones due to lawlessness and violence

Common Types of Violations in Conflict Zones:

• Extrajudicial Killings/Summary Executions: Unlawful killings without due process, often by government forces or rebel groups
• Example: Targeting political opponents or ethnic groups
• TORTURE: Intentional infliction of severe pain for confessions, intimidation, or punishment, prohibited under CAT
• Forced Displacement: Forcible removal of civilians due to conflict, ethnic cleansing, bombardments, or military occupations, leading to refugee crises
• Sexual Violence: Widespread and systematic violence to terrorize communities, employed for ethnic cleansing or dominance
• Example: Rwandan Genocide, Bosnian War
• Enforced Disappearances: Abduction by state or armed groups, used to silence opposition and instill fear, violating international treaties
• Child Soldiers: Recruitment of children as combatants violating human rights and depriving them of their future, addressed by Optional Protocol to CRC
• Use of Prohibited Weapons: The use of weapons banned by international treaties due to their indiscriminate and inhumane effects
• Examples: sarin gas, cluster munitions, and anti-personnel landmines
• Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure: Bombing or targeting civilian structures, leading to mass casualties
• Often considered war crimes under the Geneva Conventions
• Example: Deliberate targeting of hospitals in the Syrian Civil War
• Denial of Humanitarian Aid: Blocking access to food, medicine, used as a weapon of war to starve populations
• Example: Siege tactics used in Yemen and Syria

Aspects of Conflict zones

• A conflict zone is any geographic area experiencing ongoing armed conflict
• Characterized by lawlessness, breakdown of governance, and heightened human rights abuses

Types of Conflict Zones

• Active Battlefields in Civil Wars/Insurgencies: Nations engaged in prolonged internal conflicts, e.g., Syria, Sudan, Ukraine
• Occupied Territories During Military Occupation: One state controls another's territory, e.g., Palestine, Crimea
• Prolonged Refugee Camps in War-Torn Regions: Refugees live in dire conditions lacking basic rights
• Example: Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh
• Areas Under Siege by Armed Groups or Governments: Entire cities cut off from supplies, leading to mass starvation
• Example: Blockade of Mariupol during Russia-Ukraine conflict

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights Law

• Human rights in conflict zones are governed by international law
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL), or the laws of war, regulates armed conflict and minimizes suffering

Key legal frameworks

• The Geneva Conventions (1949) protects civilians, prisoners of war, and the wounded
• Additional Protocols (1977) extends protections in non-international conflicts
• Key Principles of IHL:
• Distinction: Civilians must be distinguished from combatants
• Proportionality: Attacks must not cause excessive civilian harm
• Necessity: Use of force must be necessary for a legitimate military aim
• Humanity: Unnecessary suffering must be avoided
• International Human Rights Law (IHRL) protects rights at all times, including conflicts

Key instruments of International Human Rights Law (IHRL)

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948)
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966)
• International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966)

International Criminal Law (ICL)

• Holds individuals accountable for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutes major violators
• Example cases: Slobodan Milošević (Yugoslavia) and Omar al-Bashir (Sudan)

Historical and Contextual Understanding

• Understanding the history of human rights violations in conflict zones is essential for formulating international responses, legal frameworks, and humanitarian interventions

Historical Precedents

• World War II and the Holocaust were horrific examples of systematic human rights violations, resulting in the genocide of six million Jews by Nazi Germany and persecution of minorities
• Forced labor camps, experimentation, and mass executions led to post-war frameworks, including UDHR in 1948
• The Geneva Conventions (1949) expanded protection for civilians in war
• The Bosnian War from 1992-1995 marked ethnic cleansing against Bosniaks and Croats, leading to the Srebrenica genocide, where over 8,000 Muslim men and boys died
• Widespread mass rapes were a weapon of war, and the Siege of Sarajevo involved civilian starvation and sniper attacks
• The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was created, setting a precedent for prosecuting war crimes
• The Rwandan Genocide in 1994 had ~800,000 Tutsi civilians and moderate Hutus massacred by Hutu extremists in 100 days and international actors failed to intervene
• The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established for prosecuting genocide, war crimes, and sexual violence
• The Syrian Civil War (2011-Present) involves chemical weapons attacks and mass casualties
• Human rights abuses include extrajudicial killings, torture, forced disappearances, and targeting medical facilities, resulting in mass displacement
• The conflict involves international actors which exacerbate regional instability

Global Impact

• Human rights violations in conflict zones have far-reaching consequences, affecting the direct victims and international community
• The UNHRC plays a crucial role in monitoring, reporting, and advocating for justice

Displacement of Population

• Conflict leads to the forced displacement of millions of people
• Examples: Syrian refugee crisis, Rohingya exodus, and Sudanese conflict
• The UNHRC works with UNHCR to protect displaced populations, advocating for safe resettlement and refugee rights

Psychological Trauma and Long-Term Effects

• Survivors of war crimes often suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety
• Children in war zones experience severe psychological distress, affecting development and education
• UNHRC collaborates with WHO and UNICEF for support, rehabilitation, and reintegration policies

Regional Instability and Migration Crises

• Ongoing conflicts contribute to regional destabilization and increasing tensions
• Large-scale refugee movements strain economies
• The UNHRC emphasizes diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and cooperation with host nations
• Many conflicts are exacerbated by foreign interventions, arms trade, and military alliances
• The UNHRC advocates for accountability regarding arms sales, monitoring violations of international humanitarian law
• UN Peacekeeping forces play a role stabilizing post-conflict regions, but challenges remain

Economic and Environmental consequences

• Conflict destroys infrastructure, setting back development
• Economic collapse follows war, with poverty, famine, and unemployment
• Environmental degradation results from war
• The UNHRC supports post-conflict reconstruction

Legal and Institutional Frameworks

• Human rights violations necessitate legal frameworks and conventions to protect civilians, POWs, and ensure accountability

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights Law in Conflict Zones

• Geneva Conventions (1949) and Additional Protocols (1977, 2005) protect individuals not participating in hostilities and are crucial in limiting suffering
• First Geneva Convention (Protection of Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field) includes:

Provisions of the First Geneva Convention

• Article 3 (Common Article 3): Prohibits murder, torture, cruel treatment, and hostage-taking of persons not taking active part in hostilities
• Article 12: Ensures humane treatment of the wounded and sick
• Second Geneva Convention (Protection of Wounded, Sick, and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea):
  • Article 12: Affirms protection of wounded and sick at sea
  • Article 18: Mandates search and rescue operations for shipwrecked combatants and civilians
• Third Geneva Convention (Treatment of Prisoners of War - PoWs):
  • Article 4: Defines categories of persons entitled to PoW status
  • Article 13: Prohibits inhumane treatment and outrages upon personal dignity
  • Article 118: Requires release/repatriation of POWs without delay
• Fourth Geneva Convention (Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War):
  • Article 27: Protects civilians against violence, intimidation, and degrading treatment
  • Article 32: Prohibits physical suffering and medical/scientific experiments
  • Article 33: Prohibits collective punishment and reprisals against civilians
  • Article 49: Prohibits forced displacement of protected persons

Additional Protocols I & II (1977)

• Article 48 (Protocol I): Protects civilians by mandating distinction between civilian and military targets
• Article 51 (Protocol I): Prohibits indiscriminate attacks on civilians;
• Article 75 (Protocol I): Guarantees fundamental human rights in times of conflict
• Article 85 (Protocol I): Defines grave breaches, including willful killing and torture, as war crimes
• Article 4 (Protocol II): Prohibits violence against persons not taking direct part in hostilities
• Article 5 (Protocol II): Ensures humane treatment of persons whose liberty is restricted
• Article 13 (Protocol II): Grants civilians general protection against military operations

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948)

• Sets fundamental human rights standards
• Article 3: Right to life, liberty, and security of person
• Article 5: Prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment
• Article 9: Protection from arbitrary arrest and detention
• Article 13: Right to freedom of movement and residence
• Article 25: Right to an adequate standard of living

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1966)

• Treaty ensures protection of fundamental freedoms and rights during war
• Article 6: Right to life-states must not arbitrarily deprive life, even in armed conflicts
• Article 7: Prohibition of torture and degrading treatment
• Article 9: Protection from arbitrary detention
• Article 10: Humane treatment of prisoners and people deprived of liberty
• Article 14: Right to a fair trial-important for accountability in war crimes tribunals
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (1966):
• This treaty guarantees economic, social, and cultural rights
• Article 11: Right to an adequate standard of living
• Article 12: Right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
• ICCPR and ICESCR ensure human rights protection in conflicts

International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rome Statute (1998)

• The ICC prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity -Article 6: Defines genocide and its punishable act -Article 7: Defines crimes against humanity -Article 8: Lists war crimes -Article 25: Establishes individual criminal responsibility

Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) (1984)

• Prevents torture and inhumane treatment -Article 1: Defines torture as intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering -Article 2: States must take measures to prevent torture -Article 3: Prohibits extradition to states where torture may occur

Responsibility to Protect (R2P) (2005)

• A UN-endorsed global commitment to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity -States have primary responsibility to protect populations -The international community must assist states in protecting their populations -The UN may intervene when states fail to prevent atrocities

UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security

• Examples: UNSCR 1325, 1820, 1888
• Focus includes protecting women and girls in armed conflicts
• Prevention of gender-based violence
• Inclusion of women in peace processes
• Protection of women’s rights in conflict zones

Methodologies for Studying Human Rights Violations in Conflict Zones

• It requires a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies combined
• UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) mandates a rigorous approach to ensure accuracy, credibility, and ethical integrity in documenting violations

Data Collection Techniques

• Primary Sources: Direct Evidence from Conflict Zones
• Eyewitness Testimony is a first-hand account of atrocities
  • Psychological Trauma makes recalling details difficult
  • Risk of Bias is the possibility memory distortion, political bias, or coercion
  • Safety of Witnesses is the persecution and need for requiring confidentiality

UN Investigations

• These occur through structured interviews, focus groups, and anonymous reporting mechanisms by deploying Fact-Finding Missions (FFMs) and Commissions of Inquiry (CoIs)

Field Investigations involve physical assessments of crime scenes, interviews with affected populations, and forensic documentation

-Hostile Environments involve ongoing violence, government restrictions, or poor infrastructure -Security Risks for Investigators occur because of threats, arrest, or attacks towards human rights and journalists in hostile regimes -Tampering of Evidence can happen to distort the narrative

Satellite Imagery & Geospatial Analysis

• Satellite imagery plays a crucial role in monitoring large-scale human rights violations
• Interpreting Images requires advanced geospatial analysis techniques -Limited Temporal Data happens because some satellite images may not capture real-time events, -Restricted Access occur because High-resolution imagery is often controlled by governments or private companies -Organisations like UNITAR and Amnesty International use geospatial analysis to track destruction of civilian structures and verify attacks on humanitarian facilities

Social Media & Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) generates vast amounts of digital evidence

-Misinformation & Deepfakes makes verifications critical -Anonymity of Sources occurs as Many posts are unverified or anonymous -Censorship & Content Removal happens sometimes -Al tools and metadata analysis help identify geolocation, timestamps, and authenticity of digital content through with the UN’s Digital Verification Corps (DVC)

International Bodies

-These institutional Documentation occurs through quantitative and qualitative assessments of conflict-related human rights violations -Government Influence can impact investigations because Some states may reject UN findings -Delays in Reporting becomes worse depending on the timing of publications -These reports serve as legal references in tribunals

Academic Research & Publications provides historical context

-Access to Primary Data limit research findings -Political Bias can influence research -Application in UN Investigations: -Universities and think tanks collaborate with international legal bodies to provide analytical frameworks for understanding systematic human rights abuses

Legal Documents & Judicial Investigations include critical trial evidence in war crimes

-Political Resistance hinders jurisdiction -Lengthy Legal Processes delay justice for victims

Ethical Considerations

-Witnesses must be safeguarded from retaliation, persecution, or harm -UNHRC protocols emphasize anonymity and secure data storage

• Forensic verification and AI-based authentication improve reliability Investigator's balance transparency and discretion to prevent harm

Case Studies of Human Rights Violations in Conflict Zones

• The UNHRC plays a pivotal role documentations through investigations The Syrian government, led by Bashar al-Assad, has been accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes through

Human Rights Violations by the Assad Regime

• indiscriminate attacks on civilians,
• targeting of medical facilities:
• Violating international humanitarian law: -UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have confirmed the use of sarin and chlorine gas against civilian populations
• Arbitrary detentions and torture: Security forces and intelligence agencies have detained thousands of individuals

The role of Foreign Actors in Exacerbating the Crisis

-Russia supports the Assad regime -Turkey operations displace Kurdish populations -Iran supports Assad with military advisors and funding

• Al-Qaeda-linked groups are known for summary executions
• Kurdish Forces (YPG/PKK-affiliated) are known for conscription of child soldiers and displacement of Arab communities

UNHRC’s Response

-Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria investigate abuses

• General Assembly created the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to collect evidence for future prosecutions
• Limited accountability due to allies blocking

The Rohingya Crisis (2017) was an event of Ethnic Cleansing and Human Rights Violations

-Myanmar's military (Tatmadaw) launched "clearance operations" against the Rohingya Muslim minority -Mass killings and extrajudicial executions as Over 10,000 Rohingya were killed -Sexual violence as widespread rape and sexual slavery -Burning of villages displaced over 740,000 Rohingya creating one of the world's largest refugee crises

The UN found evidence of genocide led by international criminal court

• The ICC and International Court of Justice (ICJ)
• The UNHRC condemns actions military sanctions and arms embargoes due to Limited accountability

The Yemeni Civil War (2014-Present)

-war has caused over 377,000 deaths (direct and indirect) -Airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and the UAE have resulted in mass civilian casualties bombing schools, hospitals, and markets -Houthi violations include indiscriminate shelling, arbitrary detentions, and recruiting child soldiers

• The war has caused the worst humanitarian crisis with 21 million Yemenis in need

Blochearts and Starvation causes restricted food and contributing to famine

-The US, UK, and France have been criticized for arms sales to Saudi Arabia that fuels attacks

Addressing Human Rights Violations in Conflict Zones

• Includes preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, accountability and justice, mechanisms, post-conflict rehabilitation

Diplomatic Solutions prevents escalating violence through

• Preventive Diplomacy encourage dialogue, the UN peace talks and mediate tensions
• Conflict Prevention Mechanisms use PBC by stopping violence and early warnings Regional Diplomacy helps neighboring countries play a role as well

International Pressure can be exerted through economic

• Along with the UNGA which imposes sanctions (travel bans, asset freezes, trade restrictions) on violators of international
• Diplomatic Isolation happens as some countries violates rights from international organizations
• The UN sanctions against after the Rohingya genocide aimed to stop atrocities

Conflict Mediation assists the maintaining

Stability through peace Efforts in reconciliation's Disarmament helps former conflictants

Humanitarian assistance mitigates issues through disaster relief

• Requires military operations
• Healthcare Services provides emergency and helps victims
• The UNHCR mandates Aid workers

Accountability and Justice prevents future lawless acts

• Tribunals
• Leone: The ICC (Leone's special court)

Truth and Reconciliation Commision

• Reparations and Compensation helps heal decades of Violence

Post conflict rehabilitation needs a legal system

• Judicial Reforms are measures to ensure lasting peace
• Human Rights Monitoring Bodies track
• Rwandas Gacaca helped reconciliation

The future requires

• The ICC and its efficiency
• The legalities of courts need expansion against conflicts
• Technological influence needs real monitoring tools to capture crime with data analysis
• Better protection
• Independent and safe aid delivery
• Greater funding

The promotion of Peace, Education, and preventive diplomacy

• Social equality is important
• Community and political support in justice systems
• The reduction of war leads to reconciliations