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: Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen
Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, has been devastated by a war between forces loyal to the internationally-recognised government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and those allied to the Houthi rebel movement. Since March 2015, over 7,600 individuals have lost their lives, with 42,000 sustaining injuries, primarily due to air strikes by a Saudi-led multinational coalition supporting the president. The conflict and a blockade imposed by the coalition have triggered a humanitarian disaster, leaving 70% of the population in need of aid. More than 350,000 children under the age of 5 are suffering from acute malnutrition and 4.7 million are in need of educational assistance.
TOPIC 2: Preventing disappearances and extrajudicial executions
Disappearance and extrajudicial executions severely violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life and liberty. Originally associated with military dictatorships, enforced disappearances can now occur anywhere, transcending time, culture, or political contexts, often as a means of political persecution. Victims are deprived of their freedoms and protections, causing immense suffering for both the disappeared individuals, who may be tortured, and their families, who are left in agonizing uncertainty.
Extrajudicial executions breach the most basic human right: the right to life. These acts typically involve the rapid and unauthorized detention and execution of an individual, undermining justice systems and the state’s duty to protect its citizens’ lives and ensure the prosecution of offenders. Such killings reflect an abuse of authority and a disregard for the principles of fair and impartial justice.
COUNTRY MATRIX:
Beginner: Canada, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Norway, South Korea, Sudan
Intermediate: Belarus, Germany, India, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, UAE
Advanced: DPRK, French Republic, Iran, People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yemen