Which SLMUN 2019 Committee best fits you?
View(s):United Nations Human Rights Council
Established in 2006 by resolution A/RES/60/251, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations.
Responsible for the strengthening and protection of human rights across the globe, the UNHRC looks into a number of important rights, such as the freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women rights, LGBT rights as well as the rights of racial and ethnic minorities. In addition, the council also receives thematic and country specific reports through special procedures and from the office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.
From introducing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, a range of distinguished international documents, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the International Bill of Human Rights, recognises the importance of upholding the principals of the UNHRC. With a total number of 47 members, out of which includes 13 African, 13 Asian, 6 East European, 8 Latin American and the Caribbean, as well as 7 Western European and Other Group (WEOG) countries, each nation holds their respective seat for a term of 3 years and may go on to occupy their seat for a maximum of 2 consecutive years.
Human Rights Council, just as its name suggests, deals with Human Rights which have recognised internationally, especially by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are a couple of reasons for simulating HRC at SLMUN.
Apart from the obvious reason of familiarising the delegates with the procedure involved in a specialised Committee , the committee prioritises on discussing relatable human rights violations.
The discussion brought forth within the council can immensely contribute to breaking impenetrable stereotypes in the country. Moreover the subject matter can further educate delegates of the rights that they are entitled to by virtue of being a human. What is even more important is that Sri Lankans especially have had a prolonged close relationship with the UNHRC post-war and most people have been having a negative perception about what is done through the council itself.
Therefore this simulation allows the youth to see for their selves, how things work out within the human rights council.
The anticipated UNHRC conference topic at SLMUN 2019 is “Assessing the Impact of Electronic Surveillance on Human Rights” and we take this opportunity to introduce it to encourage engagement as delegates who would involve in thought provoking discussions in the foreseeable future!
In the modern generation, with the innovation of digital technologies, surveillance has become easier. Conducted through private and government sectors alike, through the use of digital devices and artificial intelligence, a person’s data is exploited, thus allowing them to not only monitor a person, but also analyze them, and even to a certain degree manipulate one’s behaviour.
From simply using the Internet on your phone or laptop, you can now ping ones location, insert a spyware programme without their knowledge, manually switch on the web camera when not in use, or even wiretap a conversation. In short, even at this very moment everything you say and do could be collected unknowingly by the state or an organisation and that’s a violation of your privacy
. Various international documents, including the 12th article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 17th article of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, identifies ‘the right to privacy’ as a fundamental human right. Having said that, this right applies to any act done online and offline. Infringing this right alone also infringes a wide array of other rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly and may even go on to discriminate an individual or a particular group, which also leads to inequality.
As a result, at this age, it is pivotal that each country takes steps to uphold this ‘right’.
SLMUN 2019 seeks delegates who have an inherent interest in advocating human rights, individuals who hold an interest on fundamental Rights to participate in this committee. Some of the skills expected of a UNHRC delegate would be a thorough understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ability to find solutions while being impartial and unbiased, knowledge on the legal frameworks established to protect human rights, knowledge on different non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations specialising in Human Rights.
If this is your area of interest do not hesitate to register soon as a delegate for UNHRC for SLLMUN 2019
Article to be continued next week…..
Registrations for SLMUN 2019 now Open!
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-Shabnam Hilal