The Human Rights Council concerns itself with the violations of basic human rights, as defined by The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, around the Earth. It is one of the General Assembly committees but it also has an indirect influence on the Security Council as it often resolves the same conflicts.
TOPIC 1: The ongoing issue of ethnic violence in the Arab world and Africa
Middle Eastern and especially African countries today face greater challenges to peace and stability than ever before. They are a volatile mix of insecurity, instability, corrupt political institutions and poverty, and therefore lack the political will to maintain previous peace agreements. Moreover, the conflicts in these countries are mostly between ethnic groups, not between states. The most common conflict patterns include the demand for ethnic and cultural autonomy, competing demands for land, money and power, and conflicts taking place between rival ethnic groups which often result in ethnic cleansing or even genocides. Furthermore, many countries do not account for several ethnic groups as lawful to receive citizenship, healthcare or education, stirring up yet another dispute.
TOPIC 2: Addressing the problem of women’s rights violations in Iran
Iranian women’s lives were turned upside down following the 1979 Iranian revolution. The series of riots culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty, and with it, the freedom and equality of Iranian women were shattered. The once-European-like country abruptly became an orthodox Islamic state, requiring all women to wear hijabs and severely restricting their access to education.
For over 40 years, Iranian men and women have fought valiantly against the restrictions.
The murder of Mahsa Amini by Iran’s Morality Police in September 2022 heightened the situation, bringing a stream of protestors to the streets, resulting in thousands arrested and hundreds dead.
COUNTRY MATRIX:
Beginner: Central African Republic, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Federal Republic of Germany, French Republic, Republic of Yemen, State of Eritrea, Syrian Arab Republic, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Intermediate: Arab Republic of Egypt, Azerbaijani Republic, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Libyan ARab Jamahiriya, Repulic of Lebanon, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, State of Israel, Sultanate of Oman
Advanced: Federal Republic of Nigeria, Islamic Republic of Iran, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Iraq, Russian Federation, Turkey, United States of America