The Human Rights Council is a committee of 47 states and is
responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights issues around
the globe. This committee discusses all the human rights issues and situations
that require its attention throughout that particular year. This model
consisted of 45 states and its agenda was ‘Repatriation of refugees with
special emphasis in the MENA region”.
The committee began on day one with the delegate of China
raising a motion to set the agenda and begin the General Speakers List (GSL).
Most of the Speeches in the GSL focused on the current scenario and the
challenges faced by their own countries. The Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, the
Citizenship Amendment Act in India and Britain’s exit from the European Union were
also. Brought up and discussed. Solutions were offered by a few delegates
ranging from collaboration with NGOs to collaboration with private institutions
and even changing the mandate of the UNHRC itself. Many states focused on their
country’s achievements involving refugees or their problems with them. The very
definition of the terms refugee and repatriation were questioned and
reiterated. Various Moderated Caucuses occurred with topics ranging from the
various challenges faced by refugees to legal framework surrounding
repatriation.
On the second day, the GSL was continued followed by a
Special Speaker’s List (SSL) on the main agenda. The SSL gave all the delegates
a chance to put forth their stances and suggestions within 60 seconds. The
delegates were to use the SSL as their closing remarks. They focused on their
country’s actions in the issue along with what they planned to do or
suggestions for the Council. The delegate of the UK even offered to pledge 250
pounds annually towards collaborative funds with detailed calculations after
assessing the budget. Opinions ranged from both the host country and the home
country of a refugee sharing the burden and responsibility to putting it all on
either of the two countries or putting it all on the home countries with
financial aid from third parties using tripartite agreements. The SSL was
followed by documentation where the delegates had to put their findings and
solutions into position papers.
After two days of lobbying, the
council ended up being divided into three groups. One led by Syria, the others
by Chad and the third by Turkey. The delegate of Syria went on to win the
coveted ‘Best Delegate’ prize, followed by the delegate of Chad who won the
‘High Recommendation’ prize and the delegate of Turkey won a Special Mention.
It was evident that the delegates who lobbied and raised the most points on
floor were the eventual winners of the competition.
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