Human Rights Council
Beginner Committee
Chair Introductions
President - Eleanor Moru Ding
Hi delegates!
My name is Eleanor, I'm currently a sophomore at Shanghai High School International Division, and it is my honor to serve as the President of the Human Rights Council for SMICMUN IX. I started MUN in 8th grade, and this year's SMICMUN marks my sixth conference. I fell in love with MUN not only because of the debate style or the writing, but because of the people I met and the experiences I had. I hope that through this conference, we are able to instill that same experience and love for MUN into you. During this conference, I will be focusing on the topic of Addressing the Disruption of Humanitarian Aid Distribution in Conflict Zones. The deliberate obstruction of assistance to civilians denies them of their fundamental right calls for immediate attention, which is where you come in.
I look forward to hearing your solutions, and see you all in November!
Deputy President - Akul Thota
My name is Akul Thota, and I'm honored to be chairing the Human Rights Council at this year's SMICMUN conference.
This is my second year in MUN, and during this time I've participated in four conferences as a delegate, most notably BEIMUN and CISSMUN, where I've represented countries in a variety of committees. However, this will be my first time chairing. I strongly believe that this year's conference will be a valuable learning experience for everyone, including myself.
I'm really looking forward to meeting you all, please feel free to reach out and I'll be more than happy to help!
Deputy President - Kailin Zhu
Hello delegates! I'm Kai Lin, and you can feel free to call me Kai or Kailin.
I have had much experience in conferences, and I know that no committee is fun without chill chairs, and lively delegates. During this year's SMICMUN, I hope all delegates in HRC can go all in, putting in their best effort, having fun, and most importantly, improving after every day of the conference to be able to find progress at the end!
Committee Topics
Upholding Human Rights of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
Fleeing from Myanmar's Rakhine state, around 750,000 Rohingya refugees have relocated to Bangladesh. While providing temporary shelter and aid, refugee camps for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are collapsing in their protection of human rights: child recruitment into militia groups, sexual assault, forced marriage, torture, and other forms of violence are commonly reported. Especially as armed militia groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army continue their activities from within, refugee camps are becoming increasingly turbulent. Without proper and safe mechanisms for refugees to report human rights abuses to Bangladeshi authorities, these conditions are spiraling. As major donors such as the U.S. reduce aid, an urgent response is needed to protect the human rights of refugees in Bangladesh.
Chair Reports Coming Soon
Combatting the Oppression of Marginalized Groups in Myanmar in the Midst of Conflict
Combatting the oppression of marginalized groups in Myanmar throughout conflict is critical for protecting vulnerable populations and constructing the foundations for enduring peace. Moreover, conflict exacerbates existing discrimination, resulting in severe human rights violations, displacement, and targeted violence against ethnic and religious minorities. The international community must prioritize immediate humanitarian and protection mechanisms, support local human rights defenders, document atrocities for accountability, and exert diplomatic and economic pressure on perpetrators. Sustained international engagement is crucial to provide humanitarian aid, advocate for inclusive political solutions, and support justice initiatives. Addressing oppression is fundamental for ensuring the safety and rights of all people in Myanmar are not violated through violence and prejudice.
Chair Reports Coming Soon
Addressing the Disruption of Humanitarian Aid Distribution in Conflict Zones
Addressing the disruption of humanitarian aid distribution in conflict zones is vital for saving lives, alleviating suffering, and upholding international humanitarian law. Conflict often deliberately or incidentally obstructs life-saving assistance, leading to famine, disease, and preventable deaths among civilians, especially the most vulnerable. Stakeholders must focus on negotiating humanitarian access and ceasefires, ensuring the neutrality and safety of aid workers, utilizing innovative delivery methods such as cross-border or remote operations, and strengthening legal frameworks against the weaponization of aid. International cooperation is essential to facilitate diplomatic channels for access, provide adequate funding for resilient aid operations, and hold parties accountable for violations. Ensuring unimpeded aid delivery guarantees that civilians caught in conflict are not denied their fundamental right to life-saving assistance.
Chair Reports Coming Soon