Topic: UN's Role of Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict within a Nation
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Sam Calloway
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Pakistan position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The United Nations is an international body that has a moral and pragmatic duty for peacekeeping. Peacekeeping is defined by the United Nations as a way to help countries create conditions for peace that have otherwise been torn apart by conflict. This help comes in many forms, including law reform, and economic and social reorganization. Ultimately, the goal of the United Nations is to protect human beings from discrimination or danger on the basis of race or religion. It is the duty of the United Nations to assist in resolving conflict in nations that are faced with sectarian and ethnic violence.
One such nation is Pakistan. Pakistan joined the United Nations on September 30th, 1947, and throughout their history Pakistan has been faced with sectarian violence. Sectarian violence does not always derive from religion, but in Pakistan the violence erupted between two major sects of Islam, the Shia and the Sunni. The conflict began over who should lead the state of Medina after the death of Muhammad. This tragic incident caused deep conflict in Muslim society and the two rival organizations were established. Sectarian violence in Pakistan has become increasingly impossible to ignore, and, as a result, there have been a number of unfortunate consequences, including Pakistan’s possession of nuclear weapons.
Another dangerous consequence is that the religious and ethnic organizations representing their respective sides are increasingly using violent methods, including terrorism, to achieve their goals. As a result of the Afghan war in South Asia, Pakistan began backing militant groups such as the Taliban. These groups are often fueled through drug trafficking operated by the drug mafia in Pakistan. Drug trafficking is now the most important source of finance for most militant groups. Terrorism certainly poses a threat to Pakistani peace and to world peace.
The United Nations has a moral obligation to utilize its power to achieve world peace. However, the reality is that Pakistan, and many parts of the world, are faced with endless turmoil and violence. The problem with sectarian and ethnic conflicts is that they threaten the life of millions of people. Pakistan is just one example of these kinds of conflicts. Therefore, it is the duty of the United Nations to represent our global community and to intervene with a vigilant resolution to end the ethnic and sectarian violence in Pakistan.
