Topic:
Country: Peru
Delegate Name: Thien Truong-Phan
Delegate: Thien Truong-Phan
School:Williamston High School
Country: Peru
Committee: DISEC
Topic: Indiscriminate Weapons
Breaking the term “indiscriminate weapons” into its individual definitions, we get “done at random or without careful judgment” and “a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.” This means that, by definition, an indiscriminate weapon causes harm to people without any form of judgment behind it. Landmines, cluster munitions, and chemical agents are all examples of indiscriminate weapons, and they pose numerous ethical concerns in warfare. For one, these weapons fail to distinguish combatants and civilians, consequently causing many civilian deaths. Secondly, the remnants of these weapons continue to plague areas for years after a conflict, whether it be undetonated landmines, or the lasting effects of chemical warfare. Thirdly, indiscriminate weapons take human decisions and morality of killing someone out of the equation.
There have already been somewhat successful policies and treaties signed between many countries through the UN, such as the Ottawa Treaty (1997) and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (2008). These are good steps in the right direction, however, more action is needed. This is still a very relevant issue across the world, especially in war-stricken/war-torn countries. In 2023 alone, 219 lives were lost due to cluster munitions, with the large majority being civilian children. Regions such as Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen have witnessed continued use of these weapons, often targeted in densely populated areas. Peru has and will continue to demonstrate a firm commitment to disarmament and the protection of all civilians. As a signatory to the Ottawa Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Peru has taken steps towards a better and safer world. In 2023, Peru completed the destruction of its remaining stockpile of cluster munitions, reaffirming its dedication to humanitarian disarmament efforts. Although Peru itself is not heavily affected by landmines or cluster munitions, the nation recognizes the devastating impact these weapons have had on countries across the globe.
Peru believes that the steps forward are complex, but with proper discourse and discussion between many countries, a proper solution can be reached. Peru believes that there could be many possible answers to the issue at hand. Strengthening international law, better enforcing compliance, and expanding clearance efforts are all examples of steps that can be taken. More importantly though, victim assistance and education for civilians are also some things that we as a committee should consider whilst coming up with a solution. Peru believes that the 3 main aspects for a good solution are disarmament, prevention, and remediation. Peru looks forward to working with many countries in this committee to solve this pressing issue.
