FEATURE A Tale of Misplaced Jingoism?
Rhea Sachdeva talks about the raising intolerance and jingoism in the country. One word that has been basking in the lime light through headlines in national newspapers, blogs and on television shows; the one word that has been trending far too long as a social media hashtag in this country is intolerance. This unanticipated issue of discussion, pervading almost all dinner tables and newsrooms of the world’s largest democracy has much to do with the rousing of the ever present social and political insecurities manifesting themselves in the present, amidst great diversity. But what gave rise to this comprehensive national chorus of intolerance in the first place? The gravest triggers lie in a scattered array of events. From the ludicrous beef ban, the brutal Dadri lynch case over beef consumption, the Shiv sena’s tantrums over the celebrations on Valentine’s day to the Pakistan-boycott and the mayhem of censorship that has broken lose every now and then. India, has had it all. The recent refusal to accept Indo-Pak Cultural exchange in light of the absence of a public condemnation by the Pakistani actors, and the most infamous case of Kanhaiya Kumar, highlights the fading existence of a civil society that allows difference of opinion and of dissent; the questions that demand an urgent answer are staring this nation in its face – Has India really become intolerant? Is the country spiralling into some form of totalitarianism? An argument that often meets these questions is, just as- one swallow does not a summer make, these regrettable incidents should be seen as isolated acts. But with rising radicalism and the shrinking liberal space, it seems what India won’t tolerate especially is, being called intolerant.
Today we are at a stage where expression with a varied point of view from the mainstream is viewed with hostility and there are boisterous demands for bans, as a solution. However, it is the need of the hour that the populace must realize that they are the eventual game changers. The powerful Indian needs to use up his minute, to think about the power of his words. A conscious realization of this dogmatism is the only weapon in this combat. “Our tradition teaches tolerance; our philosophy preaches tolerance; our Constitution practises tolerance; let us not dilute it.” Said Justice Chinnappa Reddy in a Supreme Court judgment pronounced in 1986. Even in the most progressive nations, cultures and communities, maintaining the progress made, is a non-stop effort. India is braced on the threshold of a traverse into the probable dangers of authoritarianism if it forgoes its historic commitment to dissent. It is essential that the latter triumphs
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CITIZEN’S DIALOGUE Ignite the Cliché. Enlighten the Mind
Journalist Vidit Singh writes on the ever increasing phenomena of Communal Violence in the country today. Giving Credit where it’s due, Reservations in India is perhaps the most talked about topic in the country right now, while people have conflicting opinions about the topic. Politicians are seen dressed in White, speaking for and against Reservations in Educational Institutes and Workplaces. For some, it is seriously a conversation stirrer. Now assuming that the arguments are widely known for both in favor and against of reservations. This Citizen’s Dialogue Agenda aims to act as a Pendulum, swinging between cause and effect of a custom that has become mundane now-a-days Communal Violence.
into account the system of Reservation, the segregation has been made now as SCs, STs, OBCs and Generals. Indeed, the purpose of this provision was upliftment and empowerment of the deprived classes. Communal Violence is often lead by a war against the privileged and the less privileged but, lets question, has its purpose been solved? Is it being exploited? Do we need to have equality or equity in the society?
The aspects of Communal Violence aren’t limited to just Reservations though; the topics also include the disturbing fiasco of Beef Ban in our country among many others. In the We might expect some whistle blow worthy arguments to times we live in, it is very essential to have cultural as well be presented here about what people benefit and detri- as religious harmony among us for the nation to develop. ment from Reservations. As the leading Thackeray once said Big steps, and preceded by small ones, nothing can stop a ‘India stands divided, not just in its gender or religion but united country to emerge out lustrously among the world. also in things too miniscule to observe’; it is our duty to stand Talking about Beef Ban, considering how people term it as diverse not divided, however the situation is uneven. Taking ‘touchy’, captioning it ‘Debatable’ sounds more expedient. The nation saw widespread protests from different communities regarding ‘Beef Ban’ however, it is always too soon to pass a judgment, as a committee or community for that matter, analyzing the matter and understanding every aspect of it is the requisite. It would not only open new horizons to understand both the sides of the coin but also help raise a voice against Communal Violence. What better to say:You can’t fight hatred with hatred and expect anyone to listen to you. You can only try to lessen it with humour, wit, truth and common sense. If that doesn’t work run like hell, while they throw rocks at you.
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY (DISEC) Home- a nefarious haven -Divya Dhyani
Home is a universal term, irrespective of nationality and race, gender or creed; it is a place where one finds relief. Ironically, today, this term is comprehended with a different connotation altogether. To many, their very home has become a place of fear, disgust and grave apprehensions. Struggling amidst mass destruction, brutal deaths of loved ones and alienation in their own home countries, victims of armed conflict are losing their will to live. Among a multitude of countries, some intrinsic human rights have brutally been infringed upon while also being invariably neglected and overlooked. Nigeria is no different. The deadly clashes between the security forces of Nigeria and the militant group Boko Haram have ensured grinding situations for the innocent civilians. And amidst these brawls, neither of the parties have been held accountable for human rights crimes across Nigeria. According to Human Rights Watch research, “Nigerian security forces failed to take all feasible precautions to protect the civilian population in their military operations against Boko Haram.” Syria as a ferment of conflicts has witnessed the wrath of Syrian political forces as well as the non-state actors in bringing
alive the ‘spirit’ of humanitarian crisis that levitates over their land. The Syrian government over the years has conducted indiscriminate airstrikes, that audaciously defied the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2139. Similarly, defying the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2014, the Syrian government used chemicals in several barrel bomb attacks. With all its resolutions to bring to an end all of this wrongful violence on its masses, the Syrian government has failed to put to bed, the gross injustice that has emerged in the country’s civil war. In Afghanistan, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) was established under the Bonn Agreement of 2001, as a national human rights institution to protect and promote human rights and to investigate human rights abuses and war crimes. However, it has itself indulged in activities of grave human rights violations over the years, while refusing to acknowledge the same. Due to the conflicts that don’t seem to end, Palestine witnesses the Israeli government resort to severe discriminatory restrictions on Palestinians’ human rights along with social, political and economic rights. Israeli authorities have also arbitrarily detained peaceful Palestinian demonstrators, including children. There are certain paradoxical questions that shall govern the discussion that will take place in the conference. An amalgamation of productive deliberation and diplomatic discussion is expected in order to serve the aspirations of this committee.
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY (DISEC) “In the time of war, law falls silent.” -Dipanshi Agarwal
The General Assembly shall discuss upon the rights of the civilians. It becomes imperative to narrow down to one definition of ‘human rights’ that resonates with all ministers before deliberating upon the resolutions to undo annihilation. Furthermore, improving compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law, ensuring accountability for violations, strengthening the protection of civilians from the use of explosives in populated areas and improving humanitarian access to people in need are other topics of importance. In case of refugees, the discussion could lead to the questioning of the protection of the rights of these refugees, steps that should be taken to ensure their safety and security and how to inculcate a feeling of acceptance and tolerance within the residents of the country. Some other areas that will require deliberation include con-
flicts related to sexual violence. Rapists anticipate that their victims will not have the means, courage or support required to testify against them, especially during conflict. Sexual violence was deliberately used as a weapon in various conflicts in 2015. Oppression of the rights of journalists and other media personnel is situations of armed conflict; protection of health and education in situations of armed conflict; accountability of targeted killings, including those with drones; accountability for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law from perspective of states with emphasis on State responsibility, individual responsibility, victims’ right with respect to international crimes and other forms of Justice individually should also find room for debate.
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IMPORTANCE OF UN Why Do the United Nations Exist?
Priyanshi writes about the role and the importance of the United Nations in current World scenario. The spiel of conflicts between nations is not something novel but can be traced back since International politics came into existence. The aftermath of World War I and World War II further added to the atrocities of nations and its citizens. After the failure of League of Nations in maintaining peace and stability among the states, UN was established in 1945 after adopting UN charter in San Francisco. Since then, it has emerged as one of the major international organization working in field of countering conflicts and thereby, creating peace and stability throughout the world. Mere absence of war can never be bestowed as world peace, for it to be sustained it is essential to recognize the worth of individual dignity, the fundamental rights of the citizens, promotion of social progress and creation of better standard of life. Prevention is always better than reconstruction and with this principle; UN has emerged as most vital organization in contemporary world and is irreplaceable by any other organization because of its inherent contribution in the maintenance of world’s peace, security and cooperation. The Security Council, the General Assembly, all play com-
plementary roles in fostering peace and security. United Nations carries out activities in principal areas of conflict prevention, peace making, and peace building. It creates an atmosphere of balance of power between the nations and provides them with their internal autonomy as well. The Balance of Power is certainly the material force behind the very idea of peace and security and where one nation can check the countervailing power of the other nations so that none of the two can actually pose a threat to the security of the other nation. Today, the world as a whole is facing issues of global concerns like that of terrorism which can only be dealt with international cooperation. Since its inception, the UN has often been called upon to prevent altercations from being accelerated into war between the nations, it provides a platform for peaceful settlement of the disputes through discussions and negotiations wherein the nations are bound to follow protocols set forth them. The United Nations today, stands to prevent the member states from war and aggression, resolving conflicts between the members, fostering social progress, protecting the human rights, ensuring conformity of all member states with international law and its obligations, disarmament, with the ultimate aim of promoting economic and social growth of all its member states. May be it cannot act as a coercive force on the states but it does help in keeping a check on the unlimited use of national power of one state over the other.
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HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Paint the Town in Shades of Pride
Why paint the town red, when you can do so from the motley of colors of the rainbow?
-Prisha Saxena
On October 11 2016, the United States of America observed the 27th National Coming Out Day, to recognize members of the of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. ‘Coming out’ is a figurative term for the self-disclosure of one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. But even in the USA, which is remarkably accepting of the LGBT (+) community, coming out is still a strenuous personal journey, attributable to the discrimination faced by the community, in various spheres of their life. And in conservative, Non-Western countries, this discrimination is amplified in a crescendo. Sexual orientation is a recent notion in human rights, laws and practices, and countries, which is yet to catch up with concepts of gender equality, and provision of other basic human rights, which is where the LGBT community and their rights become awfully neglected. With the lack of knowledge/awareness, and fallacious misconcepts about homosexuality, an inimical and hostile environment for people of diverse sexual orientation, and gender identity in many countries has also formed. The LGBT community does not ask for additional rights, but wishes to be treated with respect, with their basic human rights safeguarded, like their heterosexual counter ‘pairs’. But they have often been refused these, with laws allowing arbitrary arrests of gay/bisexual persons, denial to form a family, inequality before the law, inhuman degrading by police practices, and even death penalties
for sodomy. Thus, like the LGBT community itself, the important matters to be discussed for the furtherance of the upliftment of the community are diverse and myriad. In the UNHRC, major issues of decriminalization of homosexuality and marriage equality should be discussed comprehensively, with special emphasis laid to the situation in recognized homophobic countries. Measures to proliferate the awareness about sexual orientation, gender identity, and gay rights should be discussed, the economic and social effects of gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination should be conferred. Loopholes in existing laws which are allowed for the continued discrimination of the community can be constrained and corrected should be reviewed as well, and countries consenting for the blatant dehumanization and discrimination of the LGBT community should be indicted and questioned.
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HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Zeroes to zero in on -Pauline Awungshi
On June 30, 2016, The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to “Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation, and gender identity,�. The resolution is intended to be a coherent and comprehensive identification of the obligation of States to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The UN Human Rights Commission urged all countries which had not yet done so to enact laws protecting basic LGBT rights. While LGBT rights in the United States are considered amongst some of the most advanced in the world. In four landmark rulings between the years 1996 and 2015, the Supreme Court overruled a state law banning recognition based upon homosexuality, dropped sodomy laws nationwide and made same-sex marriage legal nationwide. USA is expected to have a supportive stance on this resolution. LGBT people in Russia, on the other hand, face several legal and social challenges. Although same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults in private was decriminalized in 1993, same-sex couples are ineligible for the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Russians is against the acceptance of homosexuality and have shown support for laws discriminating against homosexuals. Despite increasing criticism from international entities, Russia remains mostly unshaken and is expected to have a disconfirming attitude towards the resolution. The LGBT community in China faces alarming levels of discrimination and harassment in society, a reality unescaped by the fact that there is no legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Recent polls have found that 60% of the public support legislation against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The government continues to ignore recommendations from United Nations treaty bodies and numerous civil society groups for legislation to protect the LGBT community. China is therefore expected to have a reticent and an unsupportive attitude towards the resolution. These rights, in Germany have evolved significantly over the course of the last decades. The worst historical period being during Nazi Germany when anti-homosexual laws were extended. Although same-sex marriage is not legal in Germany, registered partnerships for same-sex couples have been legal since 2001. Several other rights have also been made available to the LGBT community during the past few years. A poll in 2013 indicated that 87% of Germans viewed that homosexuality should be accepted by society. The country of Germany is expected to have a partially supportive attitude towards the resolution. In the United Kingdom, before and during the formation of the UK, Christianity and homosexuality colluded with each other Same-sex sexual activity was characterized as sinful, was outlawed and punishable by death. LGBT rights first came to prominence following the decriminalization of same-sex sexual activity across the UK between 1967 and 1982. Since the turn of the 21st century, LGBT rights increasingly strengthened in support. Today, LGBT citizens have most of the same legal rights as non-LGBT citizens and the UK provide one of the highest degrees of liberty in the world for its LGBT communities. The UK is expected to have a supportive stance on the resolution. France has been seen as traditionally liberal and some of the most advanced in Europe. After granting same-sex couples domestic partnership, France became the thirteenth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2013. Recent polls have indicated that a majority of the French support same-sex marriage and in 2013, another poll indicated that 77% of the French viewed that homosexuality should be accepted by society, one of the highest in the world. The Country of France is expected to be taking a supportive stance on this resolution. It will be interesting to note how the ministers, taken together, zero in on solutions in light of the same.
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SECURITY COUNCIL Cuban Cigars to Cuban Missiles As the United Nations Security Council meets, Chinmaya Singh details out the words that construct diplomacy of the nations. The belligerent powers involved in the crisis were the Soviet Union and Cuba supported by the Warsaw pact and the United States of America along with Italy and Turkey supported by the NATO treaty. After the crisis, people were convinced that the communists were at their doors. Diplomatic relations between Cuba and Turkey were established in 1952 and were maintained even during the crisis. The Soviet Union also promised to remove the Russian missiles from Cuba only if the United States agreed to respect Cuba’s preeminence in its own territory. THE DONE AND TO BE DONE 1) The United States of America (USA) The decision to restore relations with Cuba had strong support in Latin America. The States decided to support Cuba as it involved a mutual benefit for both the countries. Even Latin America raised hands in support. Reasons being trade, security, support of Cuba and Latin American countries 2) Cuba Cuba’s decision to restore relations with USA was purely based on its own welfare involving the export of basic supply which was stopped due to the embargo placed by USA. A cordial relationship between Cuba and USA would be maintained if the embargo is lifted. 3) Turkey USA deployed its first nuclear weapon in Turkey in 1959 as a commitment towards Turkish defense. Turkey being an important member of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) never promoted the use of nuclear weapon against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and it had an upper hand as it shared borders with two countries of USSR. Turkey was in need of a strong and regional NATO ally. “There is no avoidance in delay.”
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SECURITY COUNCIL An arduous confrontation that led the world to the brink of a nuclear catastrophe
Journalist Ishita Goyal focuses on the background of the committee, Security Council, and the agenda in hand. One of the principal body of United Nations (UN), Security Council, is at the helm of maintaining international peace and governing and acting over the causes threatening the same as well as the security of the nations and its citizen. Standing on the threshold of possibility of commencement of a nuclear war over the the Cuban missile crisis that also grew to fame as “October war”, Security Council is a significant identity in combating the perils of the issue. October 14, 1962 brought new waves of revelations for Cuba when an American U-2 spy plane secretly captured the presence of nuclear missile sites built up by the Soviet Union in the Cuban region. It was declared that any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be considered an attack on the United States of America (USA) by the Soviet Union and hence it was demanded from the Soviet Union to remove all its ballistic missiles from the island. Many negotiations held to fathom the difficult situations eventually led the American President, John F. Kennedy, to have placed a
naval blockade, or a ring of ships, around Cuba. Sources claim that the intents behind quarantining the island were to prevent the Soviets from bringing in more supplies of military to the island. With such an event to have taken place in the history, there arises a need to deliberate on the issue and reach on a mutual conclusion that shall not compromise the international peace and facilitates vehement discussion on the prospective loopholes of the agenda and the untouched aspects of the situation. For instances, taking up the direct threats of the conflict, that broadly covers three major pretexts. Firstly, Concern of Soviet insecurity that throws light on the “missile gap” between the US and Soviet Union and the fear aroused within the Soviet Union due to the American missiles situated in Turkey. Secondly, the fear of an invasion of Cuba that with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operation meant to damage the Cuban government. Lastly, Development of weapon sites, which marks the speech that the Cuban President delivered at the UN general assembly persuading the idea of countering the USA’s growing lead in developing and deploying missiles. Not only this, but pondering over the course of the event and mulling over the significant decision taken up by the USA for its citizen living in Cuba is something to look forward to. Hence, the meeting of the countries is all set to take place.
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