Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to United Nations Human Rights Council

1.1: The Mechanization and Mandate of UNHRC

1.2: Necessary Human Rights Documents

Chapter 2: Agenda 1: Addressing Human Rights Violations in the Context of Climate

Change

2.1: Definition of Key Terminologies

2.2: A Deep Dive into the Agenda

2.2.1 UNHRC Resolutions on Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change

2.2.2 The Geneva Experts Meeting

2.2.3 Discussions on Climate Hypocrisy

2.2.4 Conflict and Crimes

2.2.5 Indigenous People

Chapter 3: Do Other UN Entities Adress HR Violations in the Context of Climate

Change?

Chapter 4: Agenda 2: Addressing Disparity in the Exercise of Human Rights between

the Global North and the Global South

4.1 Definition of Key Terminologies

4.2 North-South Relations and the Contrast

4.3 The Interconnection between Human Rights and Foreign Policy

4.4 Veto Power

4.5 The Non-binding Nature of Human Rights Agreements

4.6 Economic Rights and the UN’s Progress in this Regard

4.7 The Rights of Women and Children

Chapter 5: Guidelines on How to Track Progress of UN Member States in the

Implementation of Human Rights Instruments
Chapter 6: Conclusion

Chapter 7: Position Paper Guidelines

Chapter 8: Sample Working Paper

Chapter 9: Guidelines to Draft Resolution

Chapter 10: References

Chapter 11: Further Readings

Chapter 1: Introduction to United Nations Human Rights

Council
The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system
responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe
and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on
them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require
its attention throughout the year. The Council’s office is located in Geneva. Formerly known
as the United Nations Commission on Human Rights., UNHRC, comprised of 47 Member
States, offers a multilateral setting for discussing national circumstances and human rights
abuses. It reacts to crises involving human rights and offers suggestions for improving their
application locally.

While researching about the council, it is imperative that the delegates remember that the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provides the Council with
secretarial, technical, and substantive assistance .

1.1: The Mechanization and Mandate of UNHRC

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) has been
authorized by the UN General Assembly to promote and protect everyone's capacity to fully
realize and retain their human rights. These rights were established by international human
rights laws and treaties, the United Nations Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights:

UN Human Rights was created by the General Assembly in 1993 through its resolution
48/141 which also details its mandate. UN Human Rights Council:

❖ Promotes and protects all human rights for all

❖ Serves as an international forum for dialogue on human rights issues with UN

officials and mandated experts, states, civil society, and other participants;

❖ Adopts resolutions or decisions during regular sessions that express the will of the
international community on given human rights issues or situations. Adopting a
resolution sends a strong political signal which can prompt governments to take action
to remedy those situations;

❖ Holds crisis meetings known as special sessions to respond to urgent human rights
situations, 36 of which have been held to date;

❖ Reviews the human rights records of all United Nations Member States via the
Universal Periodic Review;

❖ Appoints the Special Procedures, independent human rights experts who serve as the
eyes and ears of the Council by monitoring situations in specific countries or by
looking at specific themes; and Authorizes commissions of inquiry and fact-finding
missions, which produce hard-hitting evidence on war crimes and crimes against
humanity. (1)

To understand the structure of the council, we encourage you to focus on the following
diagram:
Figure 1: The structure of UNHRC (Universal Rights group.org)

As one can see in the figure, the Council consists of different mechanisms and entities, as set
out in the Council’s 'Institution-building package' (Resolution 5/1) of 2007. The Universal
Periodic Review (UPR), a State-led mechanism that regularly assesses the human rights
situations of all United Nations Member States. Then there are the Special Procedures, which
involve individuals or groups, not employed by the UN, who speak out on themes such as
education, health, free speech, and human trafficking, as well as on country situations
including Ukraine, DPRK, Eritrea, and Iran, among others. The Advisory Committee serves
as the Council’s “think tank,” providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human
rights issues. The Complaint Procedure allows people and organizations to bring human
rights violations to the attention of the Human Rights Council. (2)

The Council has a Bureau which consists of a president and four vice-presidents who
represent each of the five regional groups, and who serve for a year in accordance with the
Council’s annual cycle (January – December). Staff from the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serve as the secretariat for the Council providing
its members with technical, substantive and administrative support. In addition to the member
States of the Council, observers, which include non-member States, inter-governmental
organizations, national human rights institutions, and non-governmental organizations

(NGOs), also participate actively in Council sessions. Texts may be adopted by the Council
with or without a vote being recorded. A majority of Council members must agree with a
draft paperwork in order for it to be adopted by a vote. Voting is limited to Council members
alone. The Council's judgments are not enforceable by law. In order to address a broad
variety of thematic and national human rights concerns, the Council has so far adopted nearly
1,750 documents.

1.2: Necessary Human Rights Documents

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was approved by the UN
General Assembly on December 10, 1948, bolstered the global human rights movement. (3)
The Declaration, which was drafted as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples
and nations," lays out fundamental civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights that
every person should have for the first time in history. Over time, it has come to be recognized
as the core principles of human rights that all people ought to uphold and defend. The
so-called International Bill of Human Rights is made up of the UDHR, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as its two Optional Protocols, and the
International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

As you bolster your research for being a part of the council, the Executive Board encourages
you to take a deep dive into certain human rights documents. The discussions will take place
based on various dimensions of these documents and from time to time, as we explore the
magnitudes of our discussions these following documents will be relevant. Furthermore, the
delegates are highly encouraged to be aware of their respective stances on these human rights
instruments as corresponding to the agendas. However you do not need to explore all the
intricacies of these documents. Finding out which portion of these documents are relevant to
the two agenda is what’s important.
Sl. No. Name of the Human Rights Instrument Date of Adoption

1 Universal Declaration of Human Rights 10 Dec 1948

2 Geneva Convention 12 Aug 1949

3 The 1951 Refugee Convention 28 July 1951

4 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 21 Dec 1965

Racial Discrimination

5 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 16 Dec 1966

6 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 16 Dec 1966

7 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination 18 Dec 1979

against Women

8 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or 10 Dec 1984

Degrading Treatment or Punishment

9 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 27 Jun 1989

10 Convention on the Rights of the Child 20 Nov 1989

11 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All 18 Dec 1990

Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

12 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child 25 May, 2000
 on the involvement of children in armed conflict

13 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 12 Dec 2006

14 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 13 Sep 2007

15 International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from 23 Dec 2010
Enforced Disappearance

Chapter 2: Agenda 1: Addressing Human Rights

Violations in the Context of Climate Change
2.1: Definition of Key Terminologies
Human Rights: The UN defines human rights as rights inherent to all human beings,
regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human
rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of
opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is
entitled to these rights, without discrimination. Due to a broad explanation of Human Rights
in the previous chapter, we hope by now the delegates are well aware of International Human
Rights Laws, Economic, social and cultural rights, Civil and political rights, Human Rights
Conventions, UDHR and so on.

Climate Change: The phrase "climate change" describes long-term changes in weather
patterns and temperatures. Large volcanic eruptions or variations in the sun's activity may be
the cause of these changes. The use of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, however, has been
the primary cause of climate change since the 1800s. Several UN entities are actively
working on climate change and agendas related to it such as United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and so on.

2.2: A Deep Dive into the Agenda

The first recognition of climate change having human rights concerns were recognized by
UNHRC was not a long time ago. With the resolution A/HRC/RES/7/23, (4) adopted on
March 28 th, 2008 UNHRC officially recognized that the environmental turbulence that
climate change brings hinders the realization of fundamental, internationally recognized
human rights – including those protected by the International Covenant on Economic, Social,
and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The UN Charter, UDHR and other international human rights instruments suggest that states
have a duty to cooperate to prevent the violation of human rights, including the duty to take
effective action in the fight against climate change. (5) Furthermore, States must take
adequate measures to respect and protect human rights when working to mitigate climate
change or adapt to its impacts. One may stumble upon the question that if UNHRC was not
the first UN entity or even any UN entity wasn’t the first to recognize climate change human
rights concerns, then who/what did? In 2005, the Inuit (an indigenous people of the Arctic
and subarctic regions of North America )directly presented the connection between CC and
HR to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). (6) With the help of
Center for International Environmental Law and Earthjustice, the Inuit from Canada and the
US filed a petition claiming that the rights of the Arctic's indigenous peoples had been
severely impacted by climate change, which was largely caused by the US. The IACHR
scheduled a "thematic hearing" to start looking into the relationship between CC and HR
generally, even though it chose not to move forward with the petition in 2006. In addition to
helping to extend and refocus the terms of the climate change debate, the Inuit's campaign
prior to the IACHR shed light on the connection between CC and HR.

In November 2007, representatives of the Small Island Developing States, including the
Maldives, signed the Malé Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change.
(7)The Declaration notes that the environment provides the infrastructure for human
civilization, and that the impacts of climate change pose the most immediate, fundamental
and far-reaching threat to the environment, as well as individuals and communities around the
planet.

2.2.1 UNHRC Resolutions on Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change

Resolution Symbol Date of Adoption

A/HRC/RES/7/23 2008-03-28

A/HRC/RES/10/4 2009-03-25

A/HRC/RES/18/22 2011-09-30

A/HRC/RES/26/27 2014-06-27

A/HRC/RES/29/15 2015-07-02

A/HRC/RES/31/8 2016-03-23

A/HRC/RES/32/33 2016-07-01

A/HRC/RES/35/20 2017-06-22

A/HRC/RES/38/4 2018-07-05

A/HRC/RES/41/21 2019-07-12

A/HRC/RES/44/7 2020-07-16
 A/HRC/RES/47/24 2021-07-14

A/HRC/RES/48/14 2021-10-08

A/HRC/RES/50/9 2022-07-07

A/HRC/RES/53/6 2023-07-12

A/HRC/RES/56/8 2024-07-10

A/HRC/RES/57/31 2024-10-11

For the betterment of the discussions ahead, the delegates are highly encouraged to take a
look at these resolutions.

2.2.2 The Geneva Experts Meeting

Center for International Environmental Law and Friedrich Ebert Stifung sat with leading
environmental experts and representatives from human right organizations in 2009 and
discussed the climate impacts on human rights. (8)The meeting adressed the importance of
UN Human Right Treaty Bodies to include HR violations in the context of climate change.
The following is a framework they developed:
Figure 2: Rights Implicated by Climate Change

2.2.3 Discussions on Climate Hypocrisy

There has been numerous discussions on various platforms about the stark disparity in carbon dioxide
emissions between wealthy nations and poorer countries, illustrating a significant climate hypocrisy.
According to a study by the Center for Global Development Studies, for instance, the average Briton
emits more CO2 in just two days than a person from the Democratic Republic of the Congo does in an
entire year, with Americans emitting 585 times more than the average Congolese. By the end of
January 2022 it was predicted that , the UK’s emissions alone will surpass the annual emissions of
citizens from 30 low- and middle-income countries. This inequality raises critical questions about the
commitments made by wealthy nations to combat climate change, particularly as they pledge to cease
funding fossil fuel projects in developing countries while simultaneously expanding fossil fuel
development domestically. (9)

Euan Ritchie from the Center for Global Development (CGD) criticizes this approach as hypocritical,
arguing that it undermines the energy access needed for poorer nations, which have contributed the
least to climate change. Approximately 940 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to
electricity, and African leaders stress the importance of utilizing natural gas as part of a diverse energy
mix to achieve net-zero goals. The debate surrounding energy solutions is contentious, with some
experts arguing that banning fossil fuel projects in developing countries is a form of colonialism that
hampers their development. They advocate for a balanced approach that allows for economic growth
while transitioning to cleaner energy sources. It is therefore often said that high-emitting countries
bear the primary responsibility for addressing the climate crisis, given their historical and ongoing
contributions to global emissions. The conversation about energy consumption and development in
Africa is crucial, as it emphasizes the need for equitable energy access and development opportunities
that do not compromise the ability of poorer nations to grow economically while also addressing
climate change. Certain Developed Nations are also held accountable for not fulfilling their Paris
Agreement commitments. This complex interplay between emissions, energy access, and development
highlights the urgent need for a more equitable global approach to climate action that recognizes the
differing responsibilities and needs of countries at various stages of development.

2.2.4 Conflict and Crimes

Climate change and environmental degradation increase the risk for conflicts, both directly and
indirectly. The direct pathways include resource scarcity and behavioral factors, with food insecurity
encouraging antisocial behaviors. Diminished economic capacity and displacement are some of the
indirect pathways to heightened tensions. This interplay of food insecurity and conflict may destroy
agricultural systems and supply chains, leading to increased poverty. Consequently, crime rates may
rise, particularly in vulnerable areas, as individuals resort to desperate measures, perpetuating a cycle
of violence and insecurity.

Environmental degradation often comes along with resource scarcity, and it increases the likelihood of
conflict and crimes, especially in the Global South, where livelihoods are dependent on
climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture. The uneven distribution of scarce resources creates
conditions for power struggles among social and political groups, leading to radicalization and
intergroup conflicts. Moreover, climate change weakens state institutions and provides opportunities
for crime, particularly after disasters that disable state control. Political repercussions of these
conflicts cannot be ignored.
 2.2.4.1 Syria

There are numerous discussions on the linkage between climate change and the outbreak of the Syrian
civil war, emphasizing how environmental factors contributed to social unrest and conflict. The prime
example would be the severe drought that struck Syria from 2006 to 2011, which was one of the worst
in the region's history and significantly impacted agricultural production. This drought, attributed in
part to climate change, led to widespread crop failures and the loss of livestock, devastating the
livelihoods of rural farmers. As agricultural conditions deteriorated, many farmers were forced to
abandon their land and migrate to urban areas in search of work. This mass migration resulted in an
influx of people into cities like Damascus and Aleppo, exacerbating existing socio-economic issues
such as unemployment, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure. The sudden increase in population put
immense pressure on urban resources, leading to rising tensions among residents. The government’s
failure to effectively address these challenges, coupled with rising food prices and a lack of job
opportunities, fueled public discontent. (10)

While climate change was not the sole cause of the Syrian conflict, it acted as a "threat multiplier,"
intensifying pre-existing vulnerabilities and grievances within the population. The combination of
environmental stressors and socio-economic instability created a volatile situation that ultimately
contributed to the outbreak of protests in 2011, which escalated into a full-blown civil war.

2.2.4.2 South Sudan

South Sudan is marked by a fragile environment characterized by floods, ongoing violence, and
severe underdevelopment. Since gaining independence in January 2011, the country has faced
significant challenges, including ethnic violence and a devastating civil war that resulted in severe
human rights abuses and ethnic massacres. Although a unity agreement was reached in 2018, leading
to the formation of a coalition government, violence from armed militia groups persists at the
community level, disproportionately affecting the young population, with about half under the age of
18. (11)

Additionally, South Sudan is highly vulnerable to climate change, with poorer nations in tropical
regions expected to suffer the most from its impacts. The country is predominantly covered by arid
and desert lands with low fertility due to limited water resources and frequent droughts.
Climate-related extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, are becoming more frequent and
intense, significantly affecting livelihoods and communities.

The combination of conflict and climate change has led to increased displacement, both internally and
externally. While the end of conflicts typically allows refugees to return home, severe climate events,
particularly floods, often destroy lands and resources, leaving many without a place to return to.
Furthermore, the influx of migrants and refugees from neighboring countries, such as the Central
African Republic, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, adds to the strain on
resources. This situation can exacerbate violence and ethnic tensions as competition for limited
resources intensifies.

2.2.4.3 Yemen
According to 2023 UNEP report, temperatures across Yemen have been skyrocketing for at least six
decades and is expected to do so until 2025. With the increase of rainfall variability, a decline in
spring rains, the disruption in traditional farming setting contribute to it’s rank as the seventh most
water-scarce nation globally. The harsh reality of climate change is more than just an environmental
challenge—it is a formidable force that deepens Yemen’s conflicts. (12) For decades, water scarcity
has sparked tribal conflicts that historically have started because of limited precious resources.
Violence tied to land and water disputes has led to thousands of deaths annually, a reminder of the
human cost of resource scarcity. Climate change has raised the stakes even higher. (reference)

Decades-long water scarcity has fueled tribal clashes, and recent climate disasters have further
strained resources and infrastructure. Cyclones Chapala, Mekunu, and Tej have caused widespread
destruction, displacing thousands and damaging vital infrastructure. These events have compounded
the suffering of a population already grappling with conflict and poverty. The increasing frequency
and intensity of these climate disasters highlight the urgent need for global action to address climate
change and support vulnerable communities like Yemen.

2.2.4.4 Ukraine
War, energy, and climate change are evidently hand in hand in the case of Ukraine, starting with the
destruction of Kakhovka dam last year and how a chain of events followed. To elaborate, the United
Nations Environment Programme and the subsequent environmental assessments have made it clear
that killing the dam was an environmentally destructive act because the killing of the dam resulted the
formation of a plethora of issues that included waste along ecological damage to several protects areas
to name a few. It should be noted that the flood that occurred because of the dam destruction killed
tens of thousands of animals companion, farm and wildlife included, as most of these poor animals
drowned in the waters. Yet the positives emerge to subdue the downsides as organizations such as
VWB in Ukraine were able to provide targeted operations in searches and rescue to these floods,
evacuating these animal’s towards the auspices of shelters. It is equally crucial to point out how dam
collapse adversely impacted access to drinking water and sanitation.

620 km² of land including the national parks and monuments were destroyed after the breach of the
Kakhovka dam in June 2023 which can be said to be unprecedented. It can be noted that before the
full scale war that took place in Ukraine in 2022, the country was in line with its commitments and
targets regarding its climate goals such as the Paris agreement but due to the war, the tranquility
Ukraine had within the nation has been changed and has caused a decrease in these bonds. The
delegates are highly encouraged to research on other conflicts around the war and how climate change
is exacerbating the human rights implications in conflict areas.

2.2.4.5 Myanmar
Myanmar has seen another lengthy and fierce battle since the military took over in a coup in February
2021. In September 2024, the United Nations human rights office released its most recent report,
which stated that 3.3 million people had been displaced and that over 5,000 civilians had been killed.
At the same time, Myanmar is among the nations most susceptible to climate change, with over 5
million people residing in coastal and low-lying areas. Interactions between conflict and climate make
both issues more complex.

Communities of internally displaced people in Myanmar are becoming more and more vulnerable to
the effects of climate change. Increasing resource extraction, frequently uncontrolled and enabled by
armed groups, has also deteriorated the environment and made populations even more vulnerable to
the effects of climate change.

Out of 183 nations, Myanmar is the second most vulnerable to extreme weather occurrences
according to the 2021 Global Climate Risk Index. Climate change is a serious danger to livelihoods
and sustainable development since it is causing more frequent heatwaves, floods, cyclones, droughts,
and rising sea levels that affect production, food security, and land shortages. In addition to having
abundant natural resources, Myanmar is home to some of Southeast Asia's largest surviving
contiguous biodiverse rainforests, which are essential for stabilizing the world climate because they
absorb carbon dioxide. Indigenous groups have been using local ecological knowledge systems to
conserve these woods for many centuries. However, conflict dynamics, extractive industries, and
top-down conservation measures have continuously weakened these systems.

In the words of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Mr. David Boyd
,“Myanmar is severely ill-prepared to deal with the fast-approaching effects of climate change. The
devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall in northwestern Myanmar in May 2023,
followed by the junta’s shameless obstruction of aid delivery to cyclone-impacted communities, were
dark reminders of the consequences of the world’s failure to address both climate change and the
Myanmar military’s oppression and human rights violations,”

2.2.4.5 Somalia
As Somalia experiences its worst drought in recent memory, conflicts over natural resources are
significantly worsened by climate change. Violence has resulted from competition for basic resources
like firewood as communities deal with food shortages and water scarcity. Animals have been
severely damaged by drought, and many have been compelled to engage in illicit businesses like
making charcoal, which are frequently run by extremist organizations like al-Shabaab. These groups
take advantage of the situation to recruit young people and impose levies on resources. Due to the
disruption of pastoralists' customary movement patterns, this rivalry has heightened tensions between
communities and led to violent conflicts..

Long-term solutions to climate change and conflict are desperately needed, since projections show
considerable temperature increases and decreased water availability in the ensuing decades. In order
to repair water catchment systems and empower women in resource management discussions, the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union have started a EUR 6 million
project to create management tools and dispute resolution procedures for impacted communities. The
project aims to reduce climate-related conflicts and develop a repeatable model for other susceptible
areas by interacting with communities and gathering information on pastoralist movements. The
world must immediately dedicate its efforts to secure significant financial support for Somalia's
successful climate adaptation initiatives.
 2.2.4.6 Afghanistan
In 2022, Afghanistan endured its worst drought in 30 years and now faces its fourth consecutive year
of drought. Rain-fed agriculture supports at least 60% of the population, but shifting rain and snow
patterns are seriously undermining livelihood practices, exacerbating disease, hunger, and food
insecurity.

According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the most common
shock that Afghan households report experiencing is drought, which rose from 39% in 2021 to 64% in
2022. More than half of the population lives in 25 of the 34 provinces that currently face severe or
catastrophic drought conditions. The ravages of four decades of conflict, which have left half the
population in acute hunger, including six million people on the verge of famine, and growing
economic difficulties have made this situation worse. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather
patterns, and protracted droughts have a major negative influence on agriculture and food security,
making climate change a major cause of displacement. Approximately 1.1 million Afghans are
anticipated to return from neighboring countries in 2023, according to the Humanitarian Response
Plan (HRP), mostly as a result of political issues such forceful expulsions that exacerbate the already
difficult migration situation. Families are forced to relocate in drought-affected areas like Nimroz and
Zabul, where displacement is particularly severe. There, they frequently face increased protection
risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like women and girls.

Resource scarcity intensifies the relationship between conflict and climate change, resulting in more
violent disputes over land and water. As communities vie for limited resources, historical injustices
and ethnic complexity fuel these confrontations. In response to these issues, local efforts have become
crucial, with grassroots groups putting sustainable farming methods and efficient water management
into practice. Significant barriers, such as a prohibition on women working for NGOs, impede the
humanitarian response and make it more difficult to provide aid efficiently.

2.2.5 Indigenous People

Loads and loads of indigenous people living around the globe are especially vulnerable to the adverse
impact of climate change. (13) Populations living in the arctic often face dire consequences of global
warming. Their ability to secure adequate food, water and shelter but most imortantly, their loss of
land that are integral parts of their identity are in distress. Sea level rise and floodings on a regular
basis hinder Settlements on low-lying deltasor foodplains, such as those in Andes and Humalayas.
 Chapter 3: Do Other UN Entities Address HR Violations
in the Context of Climate Change?
1. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):

- Human Rights-Based Approach: The global community is increasingly bringing towards

understanding the human rights context of climate change and allows a reduction of risk to be
calculated and quantified on a human rights–based approach. Consequently, policies adopted
to mitigate climate change or cope with its effects and policies adopted to reduce risk
associated with climate change should include protection and respect of human rights.

- Loss and Damage Fund: This fund, created during COP27, seeks to assist developing nations
struggling with climate disasters. This is a historic move in dealing with climate change from
a human rights perspective.

2. UN Environment Programme (UNEP):

- Human Rights Guidance Tool: This tool outlines the specific aspects of a person’s rights that
need to be respected and protected when investment or lending decisions are made by finance
practitioners.

- Human Rights Resource Kit: This kit provides practical advice that organizations and
companies need to help them in the identification and mitigation of human rights impacts and
risks.

3. UN Development Programme (UNDP):

- Human Development: UNDP's work on human development relates climate change for
climate change has become an integral factor of any work involving human development.
They provide aid in climate vulnerable nations to adapt to the adverse climate change effects
while ensuring no one is left behind in the development processes.

- Climate Change Adaptation: Mitigating the impacts of climate change is a focal point in
UNDP’s work and this includes projects to promote and protect human rights as well.

Apart from the discussions mentioned in this study guide, the delegates are highly encouraged to read
UN Security Council Meeting Records relevant to Human Rights in the context of climate change.
 Chapter 4: Agenda 2: Addressing Disparity in the
Exercise of Human Rights between the Global North and
the Global South
4.1 Definition of Key Terminologies
Global South: Post World War 2, the Global North and Global South theory emerged into the
discussions of geopolitics enthusiasts. These terms entail a method of grouping countries
based on their defining characteristics with regard to socioeconomics and politics. According
to UNCTAD, the Global South broadly comprises Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean,
Asia (excluding Israel, Japan, and South Korea), and Oceania (excluding Australia and New
Zealand). (14) The majority of nations in the Global South are frequently characterized as
having low standards of living, which include, among other things, low incomes, high rates of
poverty, rapid population expansion, subpar housing, few educational options, and weak
health systems. The term “Global South” was first used as a more cosmopolitan, neutral term
subservient to ‘Third World countries’ however countries that are classified in this image by
both governmental and developmental agencies are also able to ‘carry’ words and logic such
as ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries. Many countries in the global south some of which
have been colonized or are presently colonized politically and economically are also
described as having been recently industrialized or are industrializing.

Global North: The terms "Global North" and "Global South" are not strictly geographical,
and are not "an image of the world divided by the equator, separating richer countries from
their poorer counterparts. (15) As UNCTAD describes, the global north stands in direct
contrast to the global south and in broad terms comprises Israel , South Korea, Japan , New
Zealand and the Northern regions of America and Europe. To be more specific, industrialized
countries of the world constitute the global north, whereas developing and least developed
countries of the world constitute the global south.
 4.2 North-South Relations and the Contrast
Many challenges, especially the consequences of globalization, are challenging contemporary
democracies and it is important to note that for people to enjoy equal representation at the
global level, the autonomy and sovereignty of the states ought to be respected. In the words
of George Katrougalos, the Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and
Equitable International Order, “The importance of bridging the geopolitical divide that
impedes the development of a democratic international order cannot be overstated.’’ (16)

Throughout the chronicles of time, there have been several polymaths and experts who have
refused to agree with the narrative that there are tons of socioeconomic and political
difference between the North and the South. The terms of the relationship, or the agenda, so
to speak, is set by the North or the powerful Western states. The North chose control of and
or cooperation with, states of the South in order to deal with the challenges posed by the
South and to achieve their national interest. Development aid, military pressure, and
diplomatic interventions are some of the traditional tools used to ensure powerful states’
interest vis-à-vis the South (Ayoob 2007; Haider 2011). Over time, the world has witnessed
the North to take control of the geopolitical landscapes. Bessa (2009) for instance, argues that
the North has currently redefined resettlement of refugees “as an exclusive protection tool
and instrument of international cooperation”. Another newly emerged or emerging
instrument certainly is human rights as the West is increasingly using human rights as a
foreign policy tool.

Lees (2012) for example, argues that these inequalities are caused by what he calls “deep
structure” of the international system . Some of the states in the Global South are currently
emerging as powerful international entities and are beginning to possess capacity to challenge
the predominance of the Northern states in the international system. China, India and Brazil
are some of the cases in point (Mickelson 2009). This certainly is one reason why relations
between the North and South are becoming intense and the Global South is beginning to
capture the attention of powerful states and international commentators.

4.3 The Interconnection between Human Rights and Foreign

Policy
The link between human rights and foreign relations has been an important topic in
international interactions, especially from around the middle of the 1970s. The United States,
the United Kingdom, and other European countries have actively defended the observance of
human rights in the third world region. However, according to certain geopolitical experts,
more often than not, their commitment to the ideals of humanity is clouded by national
security and interest concerns.

In January 1977, the US, with its President Jimmy Carter, started regarding the promotion
and protection of human rights as an important element in shaping its foreign relations. (17)
However, even that administration was condemned for its weakness and naivety, and of
course the President subsequently had to reconcile the pursuit of human rights and the
protection of national security. The US has continued the rhetoric of promoting human rights,
but on the ground, it has not matched its words with actions, often in the name of wider
security interests.

There is also the aspect that some European countries, including the United Kingdom, have
been rather aggressive in promoting human rights, which has, however, been the case with
national interest factors in the background. For instance, international political studies
suggest that Britain has been thoroughly reproached for being too moderate in speaking
about human rights inside countries with too strong business partnership linkages like South
Africa. Likewise, France has been charged with her hypocrisy in regard to human rights,
supporting many dictatorships in Africa whilst calling herself a defender of human rights.
Australia, as another member of the Global North, has been less vested in advancing human
rights in the South mainly because of its geographic position and the geopolitical
circumstances. Australia has also been faulted for its cozy relations with human rights
abusers like Indonesia and China and unwillingness to censure human rights violations.

In broad terms, this chain of thoughts suggests that there is indeed a sense of concern for
human rights in the Western countries, but such concerns are often modified by
considerations of national security and interest. For example, human rights are frequently
invoked in the course of pursuing some national interests, and countries are hesitant to
condemn human rights violations in relation to countries that are key economic or strategic
partners. There are three dimensions to this linkage between human rights and national
interest:

1. Human rights are used as a weapon against enemy or unfriendly states to achieve
national interests.

2. Countries resist condemning or criticizing human rights violations in countries with

which they have. close ties or strategic interests.

3. Human rights slogans are louder when the impact on national interests is absent or
mild.

4.4 Veto Power

The international human rights system has been able to make tangible strides in recent years,
with a growing focus on prevention and redress of violations, and a better disposition on the
part of great powers to help. However, despite these advances, global governance in the
respect of assuring human rights has not only continued to remain at best suboptimal but has
also suffered some setbacks.

United Nations, or UN as it is popularly known, is still the overarching agency of the world
when it comes to creating international standards and endorsing attempts at enforcing them.
UNHRC has been overhauled to comprise of a UPR mechanism which examines the
adherence of states to human rights treaties. However, the UNHRC has often been accused of
being obsessed with the question of Israel while overlooking gross violations in other
countries.
The UNSC has more legal authority of enforcing measures against violators of human rights,
however, the proceedings of this body oftentimes are politicized and modified on the basis of
strategic considerations. (18) Any Security Council resolution can be vetoed by any of its five
permanent members and historically China and Russia have been flagbearers of veto power
on numerous human rights matters. In their respective neighborhoods, regional organizations
and powers appear to rescue and protect human rights with increasing efficiency. Regional
organizations like the OAS, EU and AU Apart from adopting human rights as part of their
Charter, they have also set up courts where a citizen appeals in the event that a country
commits violations against human rights.

Civil society has succeeded greatly in human rights, through the intervention of non
governmental organizations who mobilize and provide them with data and concern on the
issue. NGOs also depend on international organizations for funding, administrative
assistance, and expertise. Local NGOs have a better understanding of the needs of the local
population than international NGOs, and many American NGOs are beginning to form joint
ventures with foreign NGOs in which local NGOs are given majority ownership of the
venture.

However, there are further limitations regarding the protection of human rights.
Implementation in many areas is still obstructed by corruption, and lack of leadership within
African countries has also delayed processes of institutionalization. Historically they have
registered slow progress on human rights issues, but the Arab League has performed a
reversal of its historical inertia by supporting action against Libya and sanctioning Syria. For
further research in this area, the delegates are encouraged to focus on human rights violations
in the context of contemporary conflicts around the world and what role are the UNSC
permanent and non-permanent members playing in this regard.
 4.5 The Non-binding Nature of Human Rights Agreements
Over the years, numerous human rights agreements, conventions and treaties have taken
place, sometimes in the endorsement of the United Nations and at times regionally. The very
existence of UNHRC is a testament to the HR legacy of this world. However, the non-binding
nature of UNHRC resolutions as well as HR conventions and agreements is a major reason
for the disparity in the exercise of human rights between the global north and the global
south. Unless a resolution is approved by the UN Security Council or one of the few regional
bodies having enforceable authority over member states, governments are not required to
abide by or implement it. Similar to this, the actual impact of the numerous treaties,
conventions, and protocols that have been established over the past fifty years is debatable,
despite the fact that they suggest substantial advancements in human rights standards. (19)

First, major actors like the United States have not ratified many of the conventions, including
the Rome Statute and the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Their Families.
Second, despite the rise in calls for stronger human rights standards, agreement on their
application and adherence has lagged. In particular, the global South has tended to preserve
economic, social, and cultural rights, whereas the global North has mostly concentrated on
strengthening civil and political rights. Third, states frequently employ reservations,
understandings, and declarations to avoid duties, particularly those of legally enforceable
documents, even after ratifying a rights document. They do this to prevent bad press or the
possibility of crises from even somewhat intrusive surveillance systems. A good example is
Saudi Arabia. Although the kingdom has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Riyadh is still free to deny women their
fundamental rights because one of the convention's articles specifies that it is not applicable
in cases where it disagrees with sharia law. In a similar vein, many have claimed that by
citing intricate RUDs, the US has compromised its already meager human rights obligations.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, for instance, was
adopted by Washington with the caveat that it would not supersede the freedom of speech
guaranteed by the US Constitution and would not necessitate the prohibition of hate groups
like the Ku Klux Klan.
 4.6 Economic Rights and the UN’s Progress in this Regard
For decades, the global North and South have been debating whether nations' positive
commitments to provide economic and social advantages or their negative obligations to
prevent limiting political and civil liberties should take precedence. However, the argument
has just undergone a little but significant change.

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted guidelines outlining state obligations to
protect human rights, business obligations to respect them, and a shared role to provide
remedies to those who have been deprived of them, marking a significant advancement in the
international community's efforts to address economic and social rights. Another notable
achievement is the UN Global Compact, which lists voluntary standards for corporate
conduct including environmental stewardship and human rights. Nevertheless, putting these
rules and ideas into practice is still difficult. The majority of businesses' decisions to respect
human rights norms are still voluntary and driven by market incentives rather than ethical
considerations. By bringing attention to corporate violations of human rights and
collaborating directly with companies on corporate responsibility, civil society may
significantly contribute to reducing these difficulties.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and the UNHRC's mandate on toxic waste are just a few of
the areas where the international community has made progress in addressing economic and
social rights. A variety of parties have been involved in these initiatives, including civil
society organizations, philanthropic organizations, private sector businesses, and UN
agencies. Global governance initiatives have also turned their attention to modern slavery,
child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. Other initiatives, such as the U.S. Victims of
Trafficking and Violence Protection Act and the Palermo Protocol to the UN Crime
Convention on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), have complemented the ILO's efforts to address
forced labor and the most severe forms of child labor through conventions and preventive
programs.
In order to combat child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking, nations, NGOs, and
intergovernmental organizations have formed partnerships, and the UNHRC has also
authorized special rapporteurs on both human trafficking and modern slavery. Companies are
also participating in global governance initiatives, shifting from sector-specific to
cross-sectoral collaborations.

4.7 The Rights of Women and Children

The rights of women and children have gradually progressed over the years, with the United
Nations (UN) system playing a vital role in advocating for and safeguarding these rights. The
UN has evolved from merely establishing norms and standards to taking a more proactive
stance, urging national governments to implement these measures. Despite these
advancements, women still encounter significant obstacles, such as limited representation in
leadership roles and legislative bodies. The UN estimates that women constitute less than
10% of global leaders and under one-fifth of parliamentarians. Additionally, the Arab Spring
has raised concerns regarding its effects on gender equality.

While efforts to improve the economic and social wellbeing of women and children have
seen some success, they remain vulnerable due to tightened national and international aid
budgets. The UN Development Program's initiative to commission reports by Arab experts
linking gender inequality to reduced development in the Arab world marked a significant step
forward. The establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of
Women (UN Women) has also been a noteworthy development. This entity gained further
momentum with the appointment of Chile's Michelle Bachelet as its inaugural leader.

The crucial role of women in peacebuilding and consensus has been acknowledged as well.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 highlighted that women are often not adequately
consulted or included in peace processes. The United States, along with thirty-two other
countries, has published National Action Plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace, and Security to
coordinate governmental efforts in implementing UNSCR 1325. There has also been progress
in addressing the serious issue of violence against women. The International Criminal
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) set a precedent by declaring that targeted rape
constitutes a crime against humanity. However, this practice continues largely unchecked in
several nations. The recognition of prostitution of girls and sex trafficking of women as acts
of violence is beginning to gain attention.

Chapter 5: Guidelines on How to Track Progress of UN

Member States in the Implementation of Human Rights
Instruments

UN Human Rights instruments, for example, the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights have specific committees tasked to monitor implementation of these
instruments by its State parties. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
(CESCR) is the body of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by its State parties. The
Covenant enshrines economic, social and cultural rights such as the rights to adequate food,
adequate housing, education, health, social security, water and sanitation, and work. The
delegates can measure the progresses in the following ways:

1) Visit the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, go to Treaty Bodies and explore the progress of State Parties in
implementing the treaties.

2) Visit the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, go to Instruments and Mechanisms, click Human Rights
Indicators, view the data sheets and explore the publications and reports
outlining the progress
 3) Find out the countries that expressed unwillingness in ratifying or signing
these HR instruments, analyze the reasons and come up with conclusions as
aligned with respective foreign policies.

Figure 3: Ratification of 18 HR Treaties

To explore the status of each of these 18 treaties and to have a detailed look at this one as well, visit
this link: https://indicators.ohchr.org/

Chapter 6: Conclusion
It is imperative that the delegates dedicate their efforts towards both agendas. The first one
explores the dimensions of human rights violations in the context of climate change. As
states have an obligation to respect, protect, fulfil and promote all human rights for all
persons without discrimination, the absence of efforts in preventing human rights violations
caused by climate change is resembling dire consequences around the world and will worsen
as time goes by. The delegates are to explore where the current UN efforts are lacking behind,
how national laws are failing and so on. For the second agenda, it is imperative that the
delegates efficiently understand the HR instruments first, identify what causes the disparities
between HR exercise between Global South and Global North, explore how the current UN
efforts and National laws are progressing , which includes whether UNHRC needs a
renovation or not and finally how to come up with effective solutions to dispate these
disparities in accordance with their respective foreign policies.

Chapter 7: Position Paper Guidelines

A position paper in Model United Nations (MUN) is a document that outlines a delegation's
stance on topics being discussed in a committee. It helps delegates organize their ideas and
share their foreign policy with the committee. The following are the guidelines for a Position
Paper:

1. In a regular scenario, the Executive Board highly encourages the delegates to concise
the position paper within 2 pages. However, as this time we have two agendas at
hand, the position paper may extend up to three pages including the reference section.
The Executive Board expects the position paper to contain both of the agendas even if
the Council ends up adopting one of them.

2. It must have the country’s official name in the upper left corner, the Council’s name in
the following line, and the name of the two agendas on the third. The position paper
must contain three paragraphs. The first paragraph should provide a historical
overview from the country’s perspective and any noteworthy actions the UN has taken
on both the agendas. The second paragraph should explain the contemporary aspects
of the issues and how the country is involved or affected by them. The third paragraph
should provide the country’s official policy on the issues and proposed solutions.

3. Font: Times New Roman/Museo Sans/Open Sans.

4. Font Size: maximum 12.

 5. Alignment: Justified.

6. Line Spacing: maximum 1.15.

7. Emblem & Flag(optional): Emblem at left hand side & Flag at right-hand side or with
only Emblem at right-hand side.

8. Watermark(optional): Use the Council logo as the watermark.

9. Reference/Citation: APA 7th (If you’re unfamiliar with APA 7th referencing, just
write down the references as a list at the end.)

Sample Position Paper:

Committee: United Nations Security Council

Country: The Russian Federation

Agenda: Militarization of the Arctic

The Russian Federation has made the Arctic region a top priority since it is becoming more
and more significant in the geopolitical landscape the world has to offer. The Arctic is
important for Russia’s strategic interests, as the Strategy for Development of the Arctic
Zone of the Russian Federation and Provision of National Security for the Period up to
2035 (1) recognizes the significance of the Arctic for the strategic interests. The large-scale
plan for the development of the Northern Sea Route is currently being implemented in
accordance with article 234 of UNCLOS. We give top priority to the bilateral development
of ties with other countries while keeping the Russian Federation's national interests in the
Arctic in consideration. Our primary objective is the development and upgrading of
shipbuilding and ship repair facilities to build and maintain ships that navigate the seas of
the Northern Sea Route. The aforementioned strategy calls for “import independence of the
shipbuilding complex,” as we wholeheartedly condemn unilateral and European sanctions
on Russia. However, the economies of European countries are visible as clear as a day.
According to President Putin, "the German economy in Europe is almost in the red, while
the French economy is on the brink of recession." (2) The Russian Federation aims to
improve the components and structure of the Russian Federation Armed Forces and other
forces, military units, and agencies stationed in the Arctic zone. We plan on ensuring a
favorable operational regime in the Arctic zone, including maintaining the combat
readiness of groupings of troops of the Russian Federation Armed Forces and other forces,
military units, and agencies to meet current and projected military risks and military threats
to the Russian Federation in the Arctic, as per the 2035 strategy in accordance with Article
2 subsection 1 and article 33 of the UN Charter.

The first and foremost challenge the Russian Federation finds is the halt put by the other seven
Arctic States in the Arctic Council. The Arctic Council used to stand as a testament to the
promises the Arctic States owed to the region. The pause put by the other Arctic States to not
cooperate with Russia is without a doubt yet another example of NATO’S ILL intentions.
Furthermore, the West
Has not only undermined the world’s military-political stability by its actions but also has
compromised and weakened the key market institutions by its sanctions and trade wars. (3) We
condemn the sanctions imposed by the West on Russian Gas and Oil companies.

We aim to peacefully resolve international issues, related to the Arctic, proceeding from the
premise of the special responsibility of the Arctic states for the sustainable development of the
region and the sufficiency of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as
development of relations with foreign states on a bilateral basis, within the framework of
relevant multilateral structures and mechanisms, expansion, taking into account the national
interests of the Russian Federation. (4) Finally, the Russian Federation proposes the
reemergence and continuation of the Arctic Council. One of the most prominent ways of
ensuring the arctic indigenous communities have a stake in the decision-making process is the
category of Permanent Participants, status as Permanent Participants. The purpose of this
category is to enable the Arctic Indigenous Peoples to actively participate in the Council. The
Permanent Participants contribute significantly to the Council's work in all areas and have full
consultation rights on negotiations and decisions. The Arctic council, as the council is aware,
has been suspended as a symbol of western hegemony and as a means of offending Russia.
Once again, we ask the other Arctic States to resume the work of the Council and until they do
so, Russia will not be funding the endeavors of the Arctic Council. (5)

References:

1. Davis, A. and Holland, E. (2020). STRATEGY for Development of the Arctic Zone of
the Russian Federation and Provision of National Security for the Period up to 2035.
[online] Available at:
https://dnnlgwick.blob.core.windows.net/portals/0/NWCDepartments/Russia%20Marit
ime

%20Studies%20Institute/20201026_ENG_RUS_Arctic%20Strategy2035_final.pdf?s
v=2017- 04-

17&sr=b&si=DNNFileManagerPolicy&sig=JPiKWVeEv99KKXlrD599Z4zzdhZLpt2o
mVYXicVPvI 0%3D.

2. TASS (2024). France’s economy balancing on the brink of recession — Putin.

[online] TASS. Available at: https://tass.com/economy/1798977 [Accessed 15 Sep.
2024].

3. Mid.ru. (2024). Request Rejected. [online] Available at:

 https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1957107/ [Accessed 15 Sep.
2024].

4. President of Russia. (2023). Changes to Basic Principles of State Policy in the Arctic
until 2035. [online] Available at: http://en.kremlin.ru/acts/news/70570 [Accessed 15
Sep. 2024].

5. The Moscow Times (2024). Russia Halts Annual Payments to Arctic Council.
[online] The Moscow Times. Available at:
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/02/14/russia-halts-
annual-payments-to-arctic-council-a84074 [Accessed 15 Sep. 2024].

Chapter 8: Sample Working Paper

Working Paper 1.1

Committee: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Agenda: Addressing refugees, internally displaced people and mass migration due to environmental
Disasters.
Authors: Russian Federation, Canada, Kuwait, Finland, Italy, Egypt, Bangladesh, Australia, Finland,
Côte d’Ivoire, EquatorialGuinea, Brazil

1. Ensuring short-term and long term accommodation as well as providing allowance to the
internally displaced people and migrants.

2. Promoting the rights of internally displaced persons to employment, training, and re-training.

3. Registering internally displaced people as unemployed in case of impossibility of

employment.
4. Assisting internally displaced people in obtaining documents in order to restore their work
records.

5. Providing the children who have lost their parent(s) due to internal displacement with parental
care by building new orphanages and strengthening the existing ones.

6. Assisting internally displaced people in returning to their former residence after

reconstruction of their houses.

7. Free of charge legal aid for asylum seekers and stateless persons through counseling
activities.

8. Pregnant women and single mothers should be given special attention in cases of family
reunification and resettlement.

9. The issues of sexual abuse among people migrating due to climate disasters need to be
addressed by law. Punishment is to be provided to such offenders as well as training to the vulnerable
people. Sex education should be taught by engaging social workers in this cause.

10. Development and adaptation policies in potential countries which are sources of forced
climate migrants need to focus on reducing people’s vulnerability to climate change, moving people
away from marginal areas and supporting livelihoods that are more resilient.

11. Legal advice and guidance, and development of norms to support the enhanced protection of
the rights of displaced people in the context of climate disasters.

12. Promoting policy coherence to ensure that the issue of disaster displacement is effectively
mainstreamed.

13. National capacity to deal with internal displacement and mass migration to reduce future risk
will need to be systematically built and maintained by all of the countries. This includes policy
planning, implementation and follow-up at the highest level of government, combined with the
devolution of resources and decision-making to local authorities to enable them to help the internally
displaced people achieve durable solutions.

14. All the countries should acknowledge internal displacement and mass migration in relation to
climate change in their Nationally Determined Contributors (NDCs).

15. Green climate fund which has been raised by developed countries to collect 100 billion USD
by 2030 has to be mobilized to support internally displaced people and mass migrants.

16. Supporting national and local governments to mainstream migration into development plans
including localized SDGs.
17. Ensuring enhanced eco-technology to avoid oil spill tragedy during oil transportation across
countries.

18. The Annex I and Annex II nations under UNFCCC shall be required to provide financial and
infrastructural support to the LDGs where internal displacement and mass migration due to
environmental disasters is acute.

19. Governments of respective countries must take responsibility for their internally displaced
population and seek international assistance if necessary for the cause.

Chapter 9: Guidelines to Draft Resolution

United Nations resolutions are the formal expression of the opinion or will of the organs
which adopt them. They generally include two distinct parts: the preamble and the operative
part. The preamble sets out the considerations on the basis of which a decision is made, an
opinion is expressed or directions are given. The mechanism states the opinion or decision of
the body from which the resolution emanates. In a MUN setting, at the conference, delegates
will turn their position statements into a working resolution for discussion and debate
amongst members of other countries. Each resolution is a single sentence, with different
sections separated by semicolons and commas. So, there can only be one full stop (.) at the
end of the resolution. If there is a full stop anywhere in the document, that is where the
document ends. The language of the document will greatly influence its appeal. Wording
should be clear, concise, and specific; every clause should have a purpose. Three parts
comprise the resolution: the heading, the preamble, and the operative clauses.

● Everything mentioned in the draft resolution must be within the mandate of the
committee. Delegates are encouraged to include problems, solutions, and statements
that were discussed within the committee during the conference on the agenda.

● The solutions presented in the draft resolution should be comprehensive, detailed, and
preferably consist of the process in which the solution would be implemented. This
may include the entities that carry out or assist in the operations the solutions
mentioned, the timeframe in which the solution would be implemented, the location it
 would be implemented, the jurisdictions it would adhere to, and other relevant and
necessary specifications.

● In the sample Draft Resolution provided to in this document, you may notice the
writing “Draft Resolution 1.1.1”. This seemingly insignificant and meaningless
opening portion of the document however, does have some significance. It refers to
the agenda concerning the particular draft resolution, number of the draft resolution
that is being presented and number of amendments made to the draft resolution in
respective order.

● Following that there is a segment that specifies the sponsors and signatories of the
draft resolution. Sponsors are the initial drafters of a document, and are the
visionaries of the document’s ideas. They are expected to be fully supportive of it, and
may be called upon by the Dais to explain its contents. Delegates may become
particularly defensive in deciding who the Sponsors of a paper are, especially if they
feel a delegate did not make adequate contributions. Signatories are delegates who
assist, approve, or support a document, and wish to see it in the voting bloc.
Signatories may even vote against the draft resolution if need be.

Heading: The heading identifies the committee, the resolution topic, the sponsoring
nation(s), and the organ of the UN the delegation is addressing.

Preambulatory Clauses: The preamble explains the purposes of the resolution. The
perambulatory clauses begin with present participles and often refer to past resolution
precedents and authorizations in the UN Charter for actions.

Operative Clauses: These are actionable solutions to the problems raised in the
preambulatory clauses. Operative phrases are action oriented. They should be written in
italics and with numbers before each operative clause. Sub clauses do not need to start with
operative phrases. However, operative sub clauses should still avoid vague language and be
action oriented.
Punctuation:

● Comma (,) should be used after pre-ambulatory clauses.

● Semi-Colon (;) should be used after Operative clauses.

● Full Stop (.) should be used at the end of the draft resolution.

Sample Draft Resolution:

Draft Resolution 1.1

Sponsored by: The Russian Federation, United States of America and Republic of Turkey

Signatories: The state of Palestine, the Republic of Yemen,the Republic of Latvia, the Republic
of Belarus, the Republic of India, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic
of South Africa, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of
Poland, and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

The General Assembly,

Recalling the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, 1951 convention on refugees and
it's subsequent 1967 protocol,

Recognizing natural disasters, climate change, harsh weather conditions, social and ethnic
discrimination, inequality, conflicts, unemployment, political persecution and unplanned
development as reasons behind Internal Displacement in the Eastern European Borders,

Acknowledging the social, ethnic, racial, linguistic, and gender based discriminations
Internally Displaced Persons (Hereinafter referred to as IDP) of Eastern European Borders
face after having to relocate from their land,

Further Recognizing the psychological trauma, physical and mental hardships, and economic
struggles that persists among IDP due to their involuntary displacement from their land,

Also Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of the minorities and vulnerable communities
among IDP related to culture, gender, ethnicity and language,

Further Acknowledging the importance of both short terms and long term solutions for IDP
emphasizing on their inclusion in the economy, access to healthcare, education, shelter and
cultural practices to ensure the stability of the region,

Reaffirming the necessity of a multifaceted adaptive approach in formulating a sustainable

resolution as well as humanitarian support to address the needs of the IDP in Eastern
European Borders,

1. Calls upon Eastern European states to increase and enhance their involvement in the
process of collecting data on the Internally Displaced Persons to maintain an up to
date database containing all the necessary details, including but not limited to
personal information, income status, health details, education details, shelter, duration
of displacement and cause of displacement, on the individuals who were Internally
 Displaced upon states’ consent and in order to do so, the member states can receive
assistance from regional and international bodies that expertise in such activities such
as the IDMC;

2. Encourages States to ensure that internally displaced persons, including children,

have access to a process to obtain appropriate identification documents that will assist
in maintaining the aforementioned database;

3. Requests United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide

IDPs with microfinance and entrepreneurship training to equip them with skills and
resources to start small businesses, generating income and self-reliance;

4. Urges states, regional bodies and concerned institutions to prioritize the social,
economic, and cultural factors in addressing the questions regarding IDP by
facilitating social and scientific research through institutes that are involved in social
and scientific research on IDP as well as entities involved in dealing with IDP to
understand the underlying factors that deteriorate, impact or influence the situations of
IDP, and also consider the findings in formulating any resolution;

5. Calls upon the UN bodies to provide a framework for the coordinated humanitarian
response for IDPs, taking into consideration the specific needs and vulnerabilities of
children and adults at all phases of internal displacement in accordance with the
regional frameworks and laws;

a. Encouraging the use of blockchain-based aid distribution to ensure

transparency and efficiency in aid delivery, reducing risks of corruption and
misuse,

b. Calls for the formation of a regional body dedicated to address the issue of
IDP of Eastern European Region;

6. Strongly Recommends member states to facilitate inter-communal understanding as

well as foster friendly relationship between the IDP and Host community by hosting
community discussions, disseminating factually accurate and humane cultural
information among the involved communities through traditional and digital
mediums;

7. Urges the states to implement necessary legislative measures to prevent ethnic, racial,
gender, linguistic, cultural and rights discrimination against IDP by taking appropriate
 steps to enforce their security and safety through the implementation of the relevant
international guidelines, state laws and egalitarian approach;

8. Calls upon states to prioritize adaptive measures such as creating employment

opportunities and relocation, with regard to rehabilitating climate or natural disaster
induced IDP for which UN bodies such as UNHCR, United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) can cooperate with the respective government in accordance to the
state law, regional and international framework;

9. Requests member States to strengthen their efforts to ensure the protection of and
assistance to IDP by adopting and implementing gender sensitive policies and
strategies, in accordance with national and regional frameworks, while recognizing
the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as an important international
framework for the protection of IDP;

10. Urges states to preserve ethnic identities and culture of the IDP by making necessary
arrangements to assist IDP to follow their culture and traditions, especially within
their temporary or relocated habitat, and refrain from practices that constitute cultural
domination;

11. Requests member states to provide the IDP impartial and unhindered access to
hygiene, healthcare, nutrition, education and legal services as per their needs and the
UNDP can assist the government bodies if the particular member state requiring the
assistance complies and requests for the assistance.
 Chapter 10: References
1. United Nations Human Rights Council. (2023). OHCHR | HRC | Welcome to the Human
Rights Council. OHCHR; United Nations Human Rights Council.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/about-council

2. OHCHR | Human Rights Council Subsidiary Bodies. (n.d.). OHCHR.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/other-sub-bodies

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Climate Regime, VoxEU eBook (CEPR and FERDI).

Chapter 11: Further Readings

1)https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.un.org/tec
henvoy/sites/www.un.org.techenvoy/files/GDC-submission_Southern_Alliance.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj
7uOb8oKKKAxVf1TgGHaU1MowQFnoECBkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1K09Zhd_oJWqzbhWXGm8yz
2)
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/hrindicators/CSA-2-0-Whats-next-for-gove
rnance-and-hr-statistics.pdf

3) https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/HRIndicators/Summary_en.pdf

4) https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/ClimateChange/COP21.pdf

5)https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc5749-report-independent-expert-promoti
on-democratic-and-equitable

6) https://indicators.ohchr.org/

7) https://www.spf.org/iina/en/articles/sakane_12.html

8) https://www.ipinst.org/2016/07/global-south-human-rights#3

9)
https://www.rescue.org/report/ukraine-reframing-narrative-climate-environmental-degradation-and-co
nflict

10)https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ciel.org/P
ublications/CC_HRE_23May11.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj1sNbKoKKKAxWZnGMGHQ71CrEQFnoECB
cQAw&usg=AOvVaw26fy8WuZCbuUs171wHJpM3

11) https://www.dw.com/en/how-climate-change-paved-the-way-to-war-in-syria/a-56711650

12)
https://www.ejiltalk.org/sdg-report-2020-the-civil-political-economic-social-cultural-and-development
-rights-crises-deepening-in-the-global-south/

13) https://www.spf.org/iina/en/articles/sakane_12.html