Topic:
Country: Jordan
Delegate Name: Meira Gable
The rise of sectarian conflicts throughout the globe are creating difficult political situations, with ties to historical and religious events. Particularly in the Middle East with the proliferation of conflicts in the past 15 years known as the Arab Spring. In large part these conflicts are sectarian, being based on religious differences. The rise of ultraconservative terrorist groups have fueled the already growing feelings of unrest and discontent with central governments. When these tensions burst forth into conflict, it presents a situation that poses risks to all sectors of society. The imminent threat of government collapse in regions like the Middle East, has the potential to affect global economics and resource access as well as sow division in international politics. Moving forward, addressing how to deescalate sectarian conflicts is crucial to promoting security in the Middle East and across the world.
Sectarian conflict has played an important role in the current societal climate of Jordan. Since the Syrian civil war, Jordan has had a rapid influx of Syrian refugees. As of 2015, only about 70% of the population was Jordanian, with nearly 15% being Syrian and 6% being Palestinian. Conflict in the Middle Eastern region based on sectarian grounds has also had a profound effect on the Jordanian economy and infrastructure. With already limited resources, the relentless stream of refugees is straining resources even more. Especially in this regard, finding sustainable and long term solutions for sectarian conflicts and the radical feelings of sectarianism that caused them in the first place is essential to combating this crisis. Jordan has already made attempts at finding solutions to current crises, supporting a step-by-step plan to help put an end to the Syrian civil war. In addition to this, Jordan has partnered with the U.S. in the fight against Daesh. Jordan has also been taking steps to reduce religious stigmatization and increase religious tolerance.
Dealing with the aftermath and consequences of this type of crisis is just as important as preventing them from beginning in the first place. Establishing systems to help handle refugees and internally displaced persons must be at the front of the decision making of this committee. Tied in with this is the creation of more comprehensive solutions to end sectarian conflicts, an example of which would be the two-state solution proposed for the nearly century long tension between Israel and Palestine. Similarly, many Arab nations have backed plans for Syrian peace as mentioned previously, at the center of which is the dismantling of militia groups such as Hezbollah and reducing the power these groups hold. Finally, when it comes down to it, mitigating the number of sectarian conflicts comes down to mitigating radical sectarian sentiments. This is not an easy task, but one that must be attempted in order to establish a full solution to this crisis.
The Jordanian delegation is looking forward to working with the delegates of this committee to find a productive and successful solution in order to deescalate current sectarian conflicts and prevent them from beginning in the first place.
