The United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee (also known as the Legal Committee or C6) is one of six main committees of the General Assembly of the United Nations. It deals primarily with legal matters and is the primary forum for the consideration of international law and other legal matters concerning the United Nations.
TOPIC 1: Establishing guidelines to ensure that countries’ air and maritime space are respected
Respecting countries’ air and maritime space is an important aspect of international law and diplomacy. Countries have sovereignty over their airspace and territorial waters, which means that other countries must respect their borders and obtain permission to enter. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) establishes the legal framework for maritime boundaries and territorial waters. Similarly, countries have sovereignty over their airspace, which extends up to a certain height above their territory. This means that other countries must obtain permission to enter their airspace or risk violating their sovereignty.
Respecting a country’s airspace and territorial waters is important for maintaining peaceful relations and avoiding conflicts. However, there are situations where countries may need to enter another country’s airspace or waters, such as for emergency or humanitarian reasons. In these cases, it is important to follow established protocols and obtain permission from the country in question. However, in recent months we have seen countries ignore international law and violate other countries’ air and maritime space as a show of power or a provocation. What should the UN do to help enforce international law and make sure these provocations don’t escalate and lead to a potential conflict?
TOPIC 2: Ensuring the freedom of the press
Freedom of the press is a fundamental human right that allows journalists and media organizations to operate independently, disseminate information, and hold those in power accountable. It emerged during the Enlightenment era and is widely recognized as a crucial pillar of democracy. It encompasses the right to gather and report news, express opinions, investigate and publish stories of public interest, and protect sources. However, it is not absolute and can have limitations. Press freedom may be curtailed through censorship, government control, or attacks on journalists in some countries. Efforts to protect and promote press freedom include international agreements and advocacy by civil society organizations, media watchdogs, and journalists’ associations. Upholding and defending freedom of the press is essential for fostering open societies, promoting accountability, and ensuring access to diverse and reliable information.
COUNTRY MATRIX:
Beginner: Canada, Federative Republic of Brazil, Islamic REpublic of Pakistan, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Syrian Arab Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Islamic REpublic of Iran, the Republic of India, the Republic of Korea, Turkey
Intermediate: Kingdom of Thailand, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Republic of Iraq, the Kingdom of Netherlands, the Republc of Finland, the Republic of Poland
Advanced: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, French Republic, Japan, People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, Taiwan (observer), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America