Topic: Combating the Rise of Xenophobic Violence
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Vincent Hayes
School: Ann Arbor Community High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Venezuela position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The *Universal Declaration of Human Rights* states, “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
Although this doctrine was adopted in 1948, the world has fallen quite short of this goal. Acts of xenophobic violence occur in all states and it is the responsibility of the international community to ensure that all peoples are treated with equality and respect. Despite collaborative efforts at combating human rights violations across the world, such as Mr. Githu Muigai’s assignment of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the United Nations has been incapable of eradicating the frequent violent and xenophobic acts that minorities or immigrants must face every day around the world.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been historically known as a safe haven for persecuted groups to settle and start new, worry-free lives safe from the ice cold clutches of racial and xenophobic intolerance. Before its colonization, Venezuela was a culturally-diverse land made up of up to five different prevalent cultures that lived in social harmony. Venezuela believes that in order to prevent future xenophobic acts, nations must strictly preach love and tolerance amongst their denizens. If someone if found guilty of an intolerant or xenophobic action, they must receive the maximum punishment applicable for their charges so they can be an example of what repercussions one will face if they are to commit an act of xenophobic violence. Nonetheless, Venezuela recognizes that such a drastic global change cannot happen overnight. Venezuela would like to assist the world in promoting international, intolerance of intolerance.
The most recent major acts of xenophobia took place in July 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Two consecutive days of perpetual xenophobic violence caused thousands upon thousands of Zimbabwean immigrants to flee in hopes of sparing their lives. These atrocities bring to mind the not so ancient anti-foreigner xenophobic riots of 2008 that took place in South Africa which led to the deaths of over sixty people and the displacement of more than 200,000. These reoccurring acts of intolerance are just a reminder to us that we cannot remain seated while the citizens of our fellow member nations harm immigrants for no better reason than the difference of heritage.
In order to prevent future xenophobic violence, member nations must work side-by-side to build a culture of support, equality and community. Fundamentally, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela looks too vehemently offer its unequivocal support, in any beneficial form possible whatsoever, to member nations that are inflexibly committed to ending xenophobic violence on all visible fronts permanently.
