Introduction
Hello, my name is Lynette Mendoza and I will be your Head Chair for this year’s MVHS MUN 30th annual Conference of Novice Security Council. Here at Mission Viejo High School, I have taken the task of being actively involved inside and outside of campus. I am currently involved with Varsity Cross Country, Track, Diablitos, MUN Mid-Secretariat, and Virtual Enterprise. I am also involved with several prestigious clubs called National Honors Society and the California Scholar Federation. I am president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Leo’s Club where I am committed to making opportunities for students who are looking to make a difference. Outside of school, I am involved with Red Cross, CHOC, World Vision, and Salvation Army where I am seeking to make a difference beyond the campus that I attend school. I am also the vice president of the MVHS MUN Charity called 20 wells where we strive to raise money and awareness for unsanitary water in Africa that kill thousands of individuals each day. On my free time I enjoy going to the beach with my younger brother, attending museums, scrapbooking, and writing music. In the fall of 2013, I am hoping to attend the University of Washington with a major in Nursing and pre-med.
This year I am excited to be the chair of the Novice Security Council because I am extremely passionate about the MUN program. MUN is the opportunity to take a problem, analyze the issue, and come up with an articulate solution. I owe my confidence and my ability to be an excelling individual to the program of MUN and I can only hope that I am able to spread my passion for MUN to other delegates. Remember that you are able to take a vision of solving a problem, and making a solution to it. It all starts with a dream and you can make yourself the reality. I hope you enjoy the conference and I look forward to the solutions you bring to solving world problems. Good Luck! May the chairs be ever in your favor!
- Background of Topic
Syria is one of the several countries that have struggled with many of the same challenges that have caused distress in other Arab autocracies, such as high inflation, limited mobility, and corruption, lack of political freedom, repressed security forces, and high unemployment. Due to these factors, the Syrian authoritative government has created a large opposition within its society. Since 1963, the Syrian government has been dominated by the Baath Party that is hosted by the Al Asad family in which a major corruption was allocated within the region. Despite this ruling, religious sects and political orientation have been the determinants of the division within Syria. In the 1980s, suppression of certain religions was activated by the government, thus killing thousands of civilians from the Sunni Muslim community. With this, ethnic and sectarian communities became a main source of political alliances and relationships. Through this, the socio economic differences among the workers within the country had to compete with the elite and compete for certain discrete areas within the community. The authoritarian government, the Syrian leaders often found it necessary to adopt policies and accommodate power centers within the diverse sections in order to minimize the conflict between certain identities.
With the government being taken by President Asad in 2000, the governments has offered and retracted the aspect of limited political reform, and have formed complex rivalries with super powers across the globe such as the United States and other non-Arab allies. Syria has developed a long-standing partnership with Russia and has remained as a diplomatic relation due to Russia being the only regime’s remaining defenders. As of 2011, Syria is now in armed conflict between forces loyal to the Syrian Government and rebel fighters opposed to the government’s rule. Since the major conflict arising in 2011, U.S officials and other analysts have concluded that an estimate of 25,000 Syrians have killed in this conflict and is now demanding a resolution to avoid an ongoing crisis. Domestic and international pressure is being called upon political change and to end violence against the civilians in Syria. The Syrian government has offered limited reforms and has yet to see the apparent frustration of the society toward its government.
The UN has recommended that civilians use non-violent petitions, but the government continues to accuse the public of carrying out bombings and assassinations that target infrastructure, security, and civilians. Therefore, accounts of human rights are being abused by the government and also the civilians with the majority attributed to security forces and military units. The United Nations Security Council is being pressured by the United States to call for an effort to end the violence within Syria and make an effort to improve the international policy coordination on Syria. A year later, the administration and the U.S. officials continue to debate various proposals regarding the continuous violence. Syria is characterized by contradictions and miscommunication, and the United Nations Security Council has yet to find a solution to the violence occurring against the civilians and the government.
- United Nations Involvement
The United Nations Security Council has yet to come to a conclusive resolution to help relieve the violence in Syria, but countries and other NGO’s have supported the cause in various ways. There is an international concern toward the Syrian conflict, and the countries have unified in condemning the government’s response to the overall violence and the corrupt measures regarding political reform and socioeconomic reform. Western Counties have formed a debate regarding this issue, but countries such as China and Russia have concluded to be isolated from the entire conflict. In November 2011, the Arab League announced that the Syrian Government has agreed to end its violence and make amends with the society; the Syrian government has yet to honor this agreement. The European Union strongly condemned this issue in August 2011, and has recognized the necessity for the President of the Syrian government to step down from position. The European Union suggested military operations and formed an alliance with the Gulf Co-Operation Council in order to criticize the excessive violence and made security, stability, and unity as the main goal for the future Syria. The United Nations later on in August, condemned the widespread of violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by Syrian authorities, and gave an effort of economic and social sanctions within the country. Countries of the Arab League have voted against the United Nations in completing a peaceful resolution for Syria, and the continually conflict continues to be debated in conference.
- Bloc Positions
The United States government has ruled against military intervention but has pressed the idea of sanctions within the region. This has created diplomatic tensions with Russia and China.
The European Union is a main source of ninety percent of Syria’s oil before supporting the enforcement of sanctions. The EU has agreed to freeze all imports to the Syrian Central Bank until the Syrian government agrees to stop the violence against civilians and to avoid any military enforcement with weaponry.
The Arab League failed in attempt to monitor the conflict in Syria, and have made leading efforts to the isolate the Syrian government from the league.
Iraq has stated that the border between the two countries has been used as a method of battle and relief throughout the conflict in Syria, and has encouraged the idea of international border control to avoid further conflict in other countries.
Israel has avoided getting involved in the conflict. The country has refused to call for the president to step down in ruling but the ambassador agrees that the Syrian ruler Assad has no more authority to govern.
Russia is concerned that the UN resolution of sanctions and other enforcements is just a mere effort to overthrow the Syrian government. In Russia’s defense to this position, the country has a naval base and is a steady supply of weaponry for both countries.
China is also in opposition to the sanctions and other enforcements suggested in conference, China believes that the measures that could be taken will lead to a military intervention and force the government of Syria to change.
- Possible Solutions
The most recent solutions that have been presented are the initiated plans to resolve the Syrian Civil war. The Arab League has created a peace plans with Russia in order to establish a multi-national conference to find solutions. The UN has called for Assad to step down from power in the government and since then, the UN has not taken any further action. Syria would need political and military transaction to be completely changed, along with the people of the country to be monitored by those who have observed the prior issues. Over 340,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and are running into neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. These people need refugees to aid and to host shelters for those are running from the Conflict in Syria. Refugees are running shorts of water, food, and medicine and other basic needs. The UN needs to provide humanitarian aid for the refugees and the families that are suffering from the conflict. Syria also needs provisions on illegal weaponry and other illegal transactions within that country that cause violence.
- Guiding Questions
What are some possible solutions that will not violate the human rights of the Syrian government and civilians in Syria?
What are some possible organizations that can contribute to the peace efforts in Syria?
What are some possible solutions to either changing the Syrian government or enforcing security within the country?
- Works Cited