HKMUN 2012 Conference Booklet Press Corps Team 24th-25th February, 2012
STAFF PAGE The HKMUN Conference Booklet was brought to you by the Press Corps Team this year. They are: Vanessa Yu Natasha Lau Max Wilkinson Shoumit Sarkar Harriet Newman Sophie Fraser Kyra Mckenzie April Cheung Yip Wing Siu Erica Ho Hilaire Wong Jane Lui Karen Hsu Lawanya Rathninde Sharon Wong Brandan Mok It was a pleasure to witness and observe the fantastic debates in this year’s conference. Enjoy! Lorraine Leung Director of Press Corps
A QUICK LOOK AT ISRAEL-PALESTINE RESOLUTIONS The Israel-Palestine GA on topic 1 caused many resolutions to be discussed and re-considered. The main submitters for these resolutions were the delegation of the United States of America, Saudi Arabia and Argentina who discussed how Israel and Palestine could become stable countries with strong peacekeeping forces. The delegation of the UK made many valid points and questioned many of the other delegations of each resolution. During the delegation of India’s general speaking, an interesting point was made how there may be several flaws in resolution 1.2 such as clause 1.a) suggesting that “Israel forcefully remove all settlements that could be considered a part of a future Palestinian state”. The delegation of India stated that it was highly impractical to evade. However, the PLO supported resolution 1.2 as it requested all Israeli’s to withdraw from Palestine to become an independent state. The PLO stated that if this resolution was passed then Israel and the Palestinian area would be at peace.
Unfriendly amendment 1.2.2 was not passed due to voting against by the majority of the committee. The delegation of Israel had many thoughts on acts of violence and constantly questioned the resolutions. The delegation of Saudi Arabia inputted strong aims of resolution 1.2 and believed it would be the best resolution for the peace of Israel and Palestine. The delegation of UK inquired about the process of the evacuations, the Israel delegate also intervened investigating how this would be done in such a short time, which Saudi Arabia had given 3 months to do. Resolution 1.1 and 1.2 and 1.3 did not pass as many delegations voted against these resolutions and many of the resolutions were abstained by most of the delegates.
During this Topic 2 General Assembly discussing the Self Determination of Tibet, Taiwan and Kosovo delegations expressed their agreement or concern in regard to the resolutions put forward. The People’s Republic of China called for peace in regard to the Kosovo situation however disagreed with foreign influence and involvement with such political situations. The Peoples Republic of China emphasized how Global powers should not intervene in domestic issues of China’s referring to Tibet and Taiwan. France opposed China’s position in regard to Tibet, and urged China to allow self determination within both Taiwan and Tibet. France also emphasized the need for the peoples own democracy
F L E S T N A !” N W O E I T A “W N I M R E T DE , ET - TI B O , V O S O -K AN W I A -T
The U.S.A expressed concern over the violation of human rights in China and called for China to recognize Tibet and Taiwan as independent states. Israel was also in favour for the self determination of Kosovo, Taiwan and Tibet. Israel believes Taiwan and Tibet should cease to be under Chinas rule and form S.A.R’s. The State of Israel also expressed concern over the suppression of human rights within China. North Korea however was not in favour of the independence of Tibet or Taiwan and was in support of China, their argument being that both states have benefited greatly from China’s economic growth. At the end of the General assembly the resolutions were narrowed down to 2.1 and 2.2 which will be discussed in tomorrow’s General Assembly.
“Only SUICIDAL SOLDIERS like landmines” - Anonymous A quick look at the SOCHUM debate: Convention of Landmines The convention on the probation on the use of stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and on their destruction was signed on 3rd of December 1997. All the countries are against the government stock-piling of land mines and think that the use of land mines is to INJURE soldiers, not kill them. But often this is not the case the most people die after explosions due to flying pieces of shrapnel. The main parties of this treaty are the USA, Angola and Canada. The USA is the only no signatory who has released explicit information on the stats and details on their stockpiles. The only place where they HAD mines were North Korea but they were soon removed after a resolution in 2004. Currently, the delegates of USA wish to remove all American mines from around the world to reduce humanitarian threat in battle. Angola, one of the most heavily mined country, and though it isn’t a signatory member of the treaty, the country has faced several problems with meeting deadlines, which officials have partially attributed to lack of funding. Canada, a signatory of the treaty, has led several fields, including bilateral establishments. Almost every country is in favor of the ban of land mines. There were a few against while very few abstained.
The Issue of Domestic Migrant Workers - Reporting from SOCHUM Domestic migrant workers are people who work outside a country that they are a national of. The International Convention on Domestic Workers, adopted last week, states that domestic workers around the world who care for families and households, must have the same basic labour rights as those recognized for other workers: reasonable hours of work, weekly rest for at least 24 consecutive hours, a limit on payment in-kind, clear information on the terms and conditions of employment, as well as respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. The delegates provided the legal provisions in their country for the protection of domestic workers. The two international conventions were enthusiastically received by many member states and this was a good first step. The states pressed forward with the ratification and legal recognition of all the articles and clauses. Because of the highly interlinked nature of these issues, the countries had to work together to strengthen diplomatic bonds to solve the problems of deportation and mutual assistance to those who have been abused. Philippines, the world’s greatest exporter of labour wanted to negotiate with other parties to bring a change to the current conditions. They wanted workers to be considered as legal citizens of the country. Along with negotiations with the UAE, a deal was made to treat foreign works fairly and humanely. The setting up of labour unions was encouraged and women workers have to be supported more.
PATENT ABUSE - A DETAILED FEATURE ON THE ECONFIN DEBATE
Introduction “As the field of biotechnology continues to expand, as it has rapidly for the past two decades, it becomes increasingly important for patent system across the world to adapt to the influx of patent applications involving genetic materials and technology. Genetic patents present a challenge to patent systems due to the rapid pace of development of genetic technology, the myriad of specialized disciplines within genetic science and thus the overwhelming volume of invitations, as well as the inevitably global nature of the filed and its discoveries.” - HKMUN 2012: Chair Report on ‘Policies and restrictions on genetic patens’ ECOFIN) This particular matter was discussed because of the significant concerns of the ECOFIN (Economic and Financial Committe) because it is of their interest to find a solution on genetic materials and technologies for the future and its development but also because the extension and the development of the global patent system of the area of genetic concerns lies on the hands of all peoples and societies. This is about their welfare, governments, peoples and nations. ECOFIN’s target on this issue was to frame a set of policies and restrictions regarding patents involving genetic materials and technology.
UK vs. IRAN... ...OVER THE TWO PATENT RESOLUTIONS UK’s resolution on genetic patens: UK’s co-submitters are: Russia and the USA but its ideas also get supported by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel and Singapore. It has deep concerns about the current lack of a standardized international system given the global nature of the scientific technology and encourages all member nations to sign and ratify the 2001 Patent Law Treaty but also recommends on the one side the creation of the international Cooperative Patent System and on the other hand that the general guidelines for the ICPS of patent processing, while recognizing that specifics can be discussed later. The UK proposed global regulation to be adopted and mandated by the ICPS that differentiate between the usage of patented material for non-profit research and commercial purposes. Iran’s resolution on genetic patens: Different to the UK the cosubmitters are Afghanistan and Somalia and their ideas get supported by Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Iraq. Iran believes that fundamental components of life should not be treated as objects or subjected to the possession of any limited organization, individual or group of individuals. There for Iran suggests the implementation of a United Nations Committee for Biological Engineering and proposes the establishment of a UN Framework for Scientific Commons.
UK’s resolution: Passes
Iran’s Resolution: Does not pass
WHAT TO DO ABOUT...
This afternoon, the Security Council has adopted a resolution pushing for immediate action in the current crisis of famine, terrorism and piracy within Somalia and in the country’s surrounding waters. The council has expressed its unyielding intentions of introducing military intervention into the region if negotiations with terrorist group Al Shabaab, with its liaisons Al Qaeda, fail. The resolution was passed so that a twoweek cease-fire could proceed and peaceful negotiations attempt to take place with the terrorist organisations. The action was taken through the Council’s adoption of the resolution, by a vote of fourteen in favour and one against (France), with no abstentions. Primary opposition towards the original resolution brought forward by Kenya came from China and France, supplemented by Iran. The opposition insisted that the original resolution was severing the chance for peaceful negotiations with Al Shabaab. In particular, is Clause 5b, concerning “The right to deploy ground forces In the Somalian mainland to apprehend individuals or entities who have directly committed or who have been associated with acts of piracy.” Opposition believed that the condemnation of Al Shabaab
S O M A L I A ?
would cut off peaceful solutions. In addition, France also questioned the legitimacy of the Somali government, for having allowed such a terrorist organization to flourish to such a magnitude. Their claim was further enhanced when the delegates of Somalia were found to be in possession of fire-arms, posing a threat to other members of the council. However, the motion to expel Somalia from the discussion failed to pass, with the British delegation claiming that all representatives of the Security council had been escorted by they troops However, the Delegation of Somalia reminded the members of the Council that Al Shabaab is a terrorist organization, taking every opportunity to advantage themselves at the expense of the Somali people. Supporters of the resolution also emphasized that prior to Kenya’s intervention, Al Shabaab had demonstrated no intentions for carrying out peaceful negotiations, Hence, military intervention is essential for stability to return to Somalia. In addition, France was proven to have had been abusing their veto power to threaten other delegations and hence manipulate the results of the conference. As a result, the delegation of France was stripped of their veto right.
THE SITUATION IN IRAQ - Take A Look At The Security Council The Security Council began by debating the Situation of Iraq. Ultimately, a permanent state of peace, stability and freedom were what the delegates wanted in the future for Iraq. However there was controversy surrounding the means to do this. The resolution, submitted by the United States of America, deals with issues like providing aid to strengthen the Iraqi government, corruption, and communication between ethnic and religious bodies. However the main controversy surrounded Clause 7, regarding US peacekeeping forces being situated in Iraq under the control of the UN. Iraq, a new democracy, was firmly against this. They argued that sovereignty had to be respected, and that the Iraqi people would not respond to having foreign peacekeeping troops in their home, which would hinder self-determination. A delegate of Iraq said, “We think that it (the resolution) is constructive and comprehensive as it deals with issues such as corruption and humanitarian aid, but we are against the idea of establishing a peacekeeping troop which functions duplicate that of our national army.” This was the point brought forth again and again by those against the resolution. Other than that particular clause 7, there were no large flaws found in the US’s resolution. However at the end, after a number of amendments, Iraq, China, Russia, Brazil, Kenya and many other countries were against the resolution, believing that Iraq should take control of its own country instead of relying on a third party country, or the UN. United States, France and UK were for the resolution, believing that Iraq was still to weak to keep control of its people without the aid of a stronger country. The resolution did not pass.