Topic: Protecting Civilians in Conflict Zones
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Luke Schafer
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
Our world has been roiled by conflict for the past few decades. While many combatants have died, the majority of the people who have perished in conflict zones have been innocent civilians. There have been brutal accounts of violence against non combatants in recent conflict from in Syria to Rwanda to Nigeria. In each of these conflicts there were, or are, inadequate protections to ensure the safety of those not actively participating in the conflict. For example in Syria, it is entirely unacceptable that the Syrian Regime, backed by Russia and Iran, targeted their civilians with gas attacks and that the international community by and large stood by and watched. Another issue is the targeting of doctors and other social workers who are trying to aid the people affected by the crisis. There was a Security Council Resolution passed in 2016 intended to end attacks upon hospitals. However, more must still be done as evidenced by the fact that, according to the Red Cross, from 2011-2014 there were nearly 2400 attacks upon those trying to provide health care. This is unacceptable and many countries share in the blame, not just those in an active conflict zone.
The United Kingdom has been engaged in many wars throughout its history, thank goodness not recently, but as a result of this we have a high level of expertise when dealing with this issue. Our government unequivocally condemns attacks on civilians and hospitals in conflict zones. The United Kingdom carries out drone strikes in the Middle East to kill terrorists, but we are very proud that our attacks have lead to very minimal collateral damage. This is a record that most other nations have not able to attain and it is a result of our military’s extreme caution when authorizing a strike. It is unfortunate however, that not all countries in the world are able to match this same regard for the safety of noncombatants. The United Kingdom has made their displeasure known with Syria’s attacks upon their civilians and for Russia’s enabling that allows the Syrian Regime to get away with this crime. This disregard for civilians as well as Saudi Arabia’s attacks in Yemen are something that we would like to see discussed in committee. Overall the UK knows that this is a very complex series of issues, but it is our hope that the UN will pass a resolution that encompasses the various facets of the topic.
The United Kingdom has many ideas for ending this crisis and for protecting civilians, and one of those solutions deals with punishing those states responsible for targeting civilians. For example when Syria gassed their own innocent civilians, the UK would like the international community to take a hard stance against the aggressor. The UK also treats the targeting of hospitals by those in war zones to be entirely unacceptable. Any government that is found intentionally targeting hospitals should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of international law. The United Kingdom is also aware that this isn’t a black and white issue, terrorists will often use hospitals for protection and while this is a despicable act, the UK believe that it is not a viable excuse for bombing a place of refuge. Overall the United Kingdom wishes to see a resolution that results in increased protections for civilians in conflict zones, while punishing those nations and non state actors who violate these protections.
