Syria

Topic: Syria
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Tom Allen
School: Roeper School

The Arab Spring (recent revolutions in the Middle East and Northern Africa) has been a troubling issue for our world in the past year. As the Security Council of the U.N, we are posed with the task of finding solutions for this worrying problem. In this committee we will work to find a way to solve the current problem in Syria.

Currently, the longstanding Syrian government remains in power. President Basher al-Assad is still alive and in control of Syria. The revolution in Syria has also not seen the emergence of a leading rebel group like Libya’s NTC. The peaceful opposition of the Syrian people has been violently oppressed by their government and the people are finally acting out. The constitution of Syria, written in 1973, bans any political parties in opposition to the ruling Ba’ath Party. It further allows for the institution of emergency rule, which has been in effect since the drafting of the constitution. Emergency rule allows the government to censor the press and punish dissidents. These laws clearly disregard the UN’s UDHR.

The Syrian people are crying out for their rights. But since the beginning of the uprising in March, more than 3,000 people have been killed by the Syrian government. To solve the problem in Syria, less is better. The situation requires less involvement for better results. Foreign military interference in Syria will only damage the nation’s economic structure and further promote instability; yet something needs to be done about the violence inflicted upon the people of the nation. Delegates from Brazil, India, and South Africa have recently traveled to Syria to foster negotiations by the government with protesters. This demonstrates the limitation of what can be done by foreign nations, although neighboring nations, particularly Turkey, have expressed increasing concern at the situation. In addition, a recent Arab League conference in Morocco has condemned the actions by the government, and has offered measures that the Syrian government should take to end the crisis.

Syria is in a delicate position and anything more than talks could make things worse. The Syrian government has offered concessions to the protesters, including a lift of the emergency powers and a legalization of more than one political party, but the Arab League has found these measures insufficient. Progress is being made and negotiations with the Assad administration are the only viable means to a peaceful Syria. Trade embargoes and military intervention will not stop the violence against the citizens or stop the government from fighting their people. The previous talks with the IBSA and the Syrian Government spurred the offering of concessions from the government, and further negotiations will promote even more progress.

Brazil believes that the immediate actions United Nations Security Council should take regarding Syria are to release a statement condemning the Assad administration, and to attempt to foster negotiations between the Syrian government and protesters with the mediation of willing nations found acceptable to both parties. Brazil is eager to work with all nations seeking peaceful and incremental resolution of anti-governmental protests in Syria as a key step to help resolve Revolutions in the Middle East. The recent outbreak of pre-electoral violence in Egypt is a sign of how important it is for the Security Council to address the Syria situation to help bring about stability in the entire region of the Middle East and North Africa.

Topic: Syria
Country: China
Delegate Name: Rima Mandwee
School: Mattawan High School

The political unrest in the Middle East that began in Tunisia has spread to altering regimes all throughout the region. Although each uprising has its own atmosphere, the revolts have one thing in common: each nation's own attempt to claim democracy. One nation whose revolts have brought upon special attention is Syria, mostly because of its lack of public sentiment. China, as a country which believes in the non-intervention tactic for internal affairs of a nation, stands firm in advocating peaceful political dialogue in Syria without the intervention of other nations or the United Nations.

The uprisings in Syria followed the wave of Arab unrest as of January 2011, specifically when residents protested the torture of students who had put up anti-government graffiti. Revolts in the Middle Eastern nations, especially Syria, causes much international tension, as Syria plays a big role in the region, having geographic importance as well as having been caught in much of the Middle Eastern conflicts. China and Syria have maintained strong relationships based on expanded trade and close bilateral ties. After years of close relations, Syria has made evident hopes that China would one day use its position as a permanent member of the Security Council to allow for Syria to work over comprehensive peace agreements, if ever needed (in the past, referencing peace agreements with Israel). As a close Syrian ally, China fully supports and expects the Syrian government to keep its promises on beginning the process of reformed politics. China fully supports the negotiation efforts. If the United Nations intervened, China believes the entire Middle East would become chaos by the struggle of Western “democratization.”

If/as the United Nations continues to attempt resolutions proposing international intervention in Syria, China will continue to veto these plans. No matter what intervention Western nations or the United Nations tries to ensue, leader of the Popular Front for Change, Qadri Jamil, has declared openly that he and his party reject all forms of foreign intervention. The people of Syria should and will decide the country's future, without foreign intervention, but with China's full support.

Topic: Syria
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Duyen Nguyen
School: Fishers High School

The Republic of Colombia has not experienced any direct relations with the Syrian Arab Republic. Although affiliations between both countries are nearly nonexistent, Colombia strongly agrees and supports propositions made from those of allied nations of our Republic. Noting that Syria has experienced extreme periods of violence and turmoil in the country since the al-Assad family regime, Colombia calls upon this committee to ameliorate the statute of Syria to become a properly functioning democracy.

Fully aware of the Syrian Uprising and the suspension of the Syrian membership in the Arab League, the Republic of Colombia would like to express its views to the those matters. The suspension of Syria’s involvement with a United Nations entity, the Arab League, will only hinder only progression towards the halt of violence in the Syrian country. Colombia calls upon the discussion of the unrest with the representative of Syria, Bashar Ja’afari. Furthermore, Colombia would like to call upon committees such as Legal Committee in the efforts to discuss how Syria would pertain to the subject of “Universal Jurisdiction of Crimes against Humanity”.

The Republic of Colombia fully supports strong militaries and the military involvement in countries. However, the military participation has been over stepping boundaries in Syria by provoking violence led by the government as well as violence started by the revolt of the Syrian people, as seen with the retaliation of the United States Embassy making an appearance in the country of Syria. Recognizing this, Colombia strongly believes any actions made by this committee should take Article XXI into consideration while passing resolutions to alleviate the country of its havoc.

The Republic of Colombia would like to draw the attention of this committee to Articles III, V, XII, XIV, and XXVII of the Charter of the United Nations; these articles shall be kept in mind when drafting resolutions by this committee. The primary goal of this Security Council meeting should be how to implement a properly functioning government for the Syrian Arab Republic; quite possibly a democratic form of government similar to the one of Colombia and some of our allies because the voice of the people seem to be powerful throughout the uprising in the country of Syria.

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Topic: Syria
Country: France
Delegate Name: Bob Wang
School: Forest Hills Northern High School

The events that have occurred and are currently occurring in Syria can only be described as horrifying and inhumane. As protestors, part of the Arab Spring, grew in countries such as Egypt and Libya, they also began to build in Syria as well. However, unlike in Egypt and Libya, Syria demonstrated a much tighter, and much more violent, control over the protestors. Beginning on the 15th of May, 2011, the Syrian government under the rule of Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, began to respond to the protestors with brutality, violence, and force, which left over 3,000 civilians dead and thousands wounded, tortured, disappeared, and arbitrarily arrested as of September 2011. Furthermore, reports from the Human Rights Watch and the International Federation for Human Rights detail that orders from President Bashar al-Assad’s government have cut off access to and communication with several cities, deployed tanks and troops to meet protestors, and deprived cities of access to food, water, and medical supplies as well as restricting access to hospitals. All these events have not only caused the unnecessary deaths of thousands of civilians, but have also caused approximately 12,000 Syrians to flee to Turkey.

The French Republic has had many relations with the Syrian Arab Republic in the past, which started with the French Mandate of Syria. After Syria gained its independence in 1946, ties between France and Syria have remained strong but are also sometimes strained due to differences in the Syrian policy in Lebanon. However, current relations with Syria, in response to the current situation, have deteriorated. Syria’s continued actions of violence and the bloodshed of innocent civilians go against the French Republic’s values of the universal rights of every man to liberty and equality, as stated in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

The UN Security Council has already issued a statement condemning the actions of Syria. France, along with fellow countries Britain, Germany, Portugal, and more, not only have led the charge against Syria brutal responses, but have also drafted a Resolution that endorses Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s statements that denounces the violence and demands an immediate end to the force used against protestors along with independent investigations into alleged crimes that have occurred. However, due to uncertainties from countries, such as Russia and China, the Resolution was not passed.

In light of the terrible situation, the French Republic further emphasizes the necessity of swift action. For the Security Council to stay silent on such a tragedy would be intolerable. France urges other countries to rise up against violations against basic human rights and use all available leverage to encourage an end to Syria’s brutal responses, as action today will save many lives, prevent the situation from deteriorating any further, and send a clear message to others contemplating a similar response to peaceful protests.

Topic: Syria
Country: Gabon
Delegate Name: Andrea Clinton
School: Royal Oak High School

Though once projecting the image of a progressive mindset, al-Assad’s reputation as a legitimate leader is now absent in the eyes of the Gabonese Republic. The blatant military action his regime has taken against its constituents in the last months has not only enraged Gabon and the vast international community, but has been the basis for the most convoluted revolution this Arab Spring has seen thus far.

As evidenced by the recent veto of a Western-backed draft resolution condemning Syria's crackdown, in order for the Security Council to reach some sort of consensus we must set aside political and ideological differences to finally put an end to the unwarranted violence which the Syrian people have been constantly subject to. In determining how we can be most effective, we must consider the extent of which the general international community should be involved in taking down this regime. After the recent suspension of Syria from the Arab League (and the subsequent refusal of its terms from al-Assad’s government), it is evident that solely depending on their work may not be enough to push al-Assad to make an effort in cooperating. But should our role simply be symbolic? Or should we also provide physical and monetary assistance in any efforts they deem necessary?

In addition to determining our role in this conflict, we must work with the Arab League to ensure that the stability of regional relationships is not compromised by al-Assad’s ideological isolation. Already, the possibility of an alliance between Iran and Syria (and the disintegration of Syria’s relationship with Turkey) is fueling speculation and fear across the region.

Looking at the success of recent revolutions in the region, as we convene next week, we must also consider how a transitional government would be organized, so as to prevent additional problems. Syria could model a potential transitional government after what we have observed in other Arab nations, but would most probably have more success with a civilian run government.

In order to have the most successful and efficient outcome, the Security Council should also consider consulting with leaders of opposition forces which have been successful this year. Their insight would not only allow us to implement ideas which worked for them in their efforts, but it would also allow us to learn from their struggles and obstacles and devise a course of action which would minimize those factors. Hopefully with these efforts, and the strength and perseverance of the Syrian people, we will soon be discussing election results rather than death tolls.

Topic: Syria
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Lane Lesko
School: Ann Arbor Community High School

82, massacre of Muslim Brotherhood resistance fighters fighting against then president Hafez al-Assad in the city of Hama. July 2011, massacre of protesters in the city of Hama protesting now president Bashar al-Assad.

People in Syria are not happy with the al-Assad family, not father, not son. The Federal Republic of Germany agrees. The al-Assad family may not be allowed to keep treating their citizens like this.

According to BBC News Middle East Edition, there are not only busses of armed security forces and elite branches of the military attacking Syria’s people but also tanks, and helicopters. In August of 2011 the United Nations passed a resolution condemning the actions of Syria’s government. On August 18, Germany’s Foreign Minister Westerwelle issued a statement saying that Syria needs a fresh start in politics, and that president Bashar al-Assed has to go. He states that even after multiple appeals to the Syrian government in Damascus the mass arrests, torture, and violence still remain. He also says that, “The people of Syria have a right to live in peace, to freedom of opinion, and to respect for their basic human and civil rights.”

The fact that this is not self evident to the Syrian government is disgusting. In the August 22 United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva the council decided to dispatch a commission of inquiry to investigate human rights violations in The Syrian Arab Republic. This commission has yet to come up with a verdict.

To prevent further escalation of the situation in Syria nations must work to pressure the Syrian government and especially president Bashar al-Assad to step down, and end violence. This said, the Federal Republic of Germany condemns this violence, and will do whatever is within its power to put an end to this conflict; as well as, the oppressive regime in Syria.

Topic: Syria
Country: India
Delegate Name: Issac Ross
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The problem in Syria between its president, Bashar al-Assad, his government, and the people of Syria has escalated to an uncontrollable point of destruction with roughly 3,500 reported deaths in total. The people of Syria are unhappy with its government and their president, asking him to step down. The people also want the ruling Baath Party to allow other political parties to run, equal rights for Kurds, and broad political freedom and have been protesting and rallying for over 7 months. Rallies have been happening in the major cities of Damascus, Homs, Hama, and many others. During these rallies the Syrian army was reported attacking, killing, and imprisoning civilians throughout the entire country with nearly 12,000 prisoners. Syria has expressed its objection of Western influenced or controlled intervention in the region, India also agrees that a Western led initiative should not take place but rather countries in the region should help.

India, because of its new placement of presidency in the United Nations Security Council, has been called upon by Syria and its government to place pressure on the Arab League for a fair and just way of solving the conflict in Syria. Syria hopes India will create a productive environment in the UNSC which will lead to an active Indian role in producing active negotiations to achieve comprehensive peace in the region. India has expressed the importance of restraining the violence and limiting or eliminating the government’s abuse of its people. India has recently abstained its vote, alongside Brazil and South Africa, on the recent UN draft resolution although many major Western countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France all pressured India into voting for the passing of the resolution. India has expressed the sheer importance of negotiating peace in the region with the countries involved in the region. Syria has decided to accept the terms of the Arab League’s new proposal of withdrawing Syrian troops from towns and cities as well as agreeing to cease the violence towards its civilians. Since the agreement, Syria has continued to attack protesters and other cities within the country.

Many of the countries within the Middle East region would agree to the terms of the Arab League’s proposal and would also agree to peaceful negotiations between countries in the region while leaving out involvement from the West. Many Middle Eastern and Asian countries do not like the idea of Western nations being involved in Middle Eastern problems. They often believe that Western countries are trying to gain control of the region and seek solutions to end conflict without their involvement.

Western countries on the other hand would oppose peace discussions at the cost that the Western countries are left out and are denied involvement in the region and its problems. Many Western countries, such as The United States, see a strong importance in being involved in the region either to maintain peaceful relations between the countries, or to gain or maintain power control.

Topic: Syria
Country: Lebanon
Delegate Name: Michael Stinavage
School: Mattawan High School

Acknowledging the dispute in Syria, Lebanon maintains its strong relationship with Syria. This being said, Lebanon will not support any sanctions against Syria. The suspension of commercial flights to Syria and halting relations with the central bank of Syria are among the sanctions.

The Lebanese Republic and Syria were created by France after World War I. These neighboring nations have had, at times, a troubling history together; however, the relation between these nations has endured. Lebanon supports Syria with the decisions that have been made and will be made to resolve the overbearing protests.

Lebanon does not feel that foreign action must be taken in the case dealing with the unrest in Syria. It is not the position of other nations to impose their notions within our neighboring friend’s boarders.

The Arab league’s decision to place a 500- member monitor team within Syria to track the occurrences is against the ideals of Lebanon. Syria would like to limit this number to 40, which Lebanon supports. Otherwise, this infringes too much upon Syria’s national sovereignty. Adnan Mansur, the Leanese foreign minister states, “Lebanon will not endorse any sanctions by the Arab League against Syria.” As well, Mansur claims, “We will decide whether to vote against or abstain depending on the talks in Cairo.”

Lebanon holds virtually all the members of the Arab League as allies, and hopes to come to an agreement that allows Syria to maintain its national sovereignty in this situation. The International Community can best achieve helping in Syria's dispute by not being involved and by allowing Syria to handle this conflict of interests.

Topic: Syria
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Katie Bollman
School: Williamston High School

In the past Nigeria has taken steps to strengthen its relationship with Syria, however we have been shocked and saddened by the wide-scale abuse of civilians by the Syrian government. Among other things, we condemn the use of government tanks in the streets and violent attacks against civilians.

As members of the United Nations it is our primary responsibility to promote peace throughout the world, but more than even that it is our responsibility to promote the safety of civilians from government –led attacks. This should begin internally however, and Nigeria would like to take this opportunity to once again urge the government of Syria to address the concerns of the United Nations and cease the ongoing violence against civilians. We join our fellow member of the United Nations in condemning these attacks.

While Nigeria firmly believes in national sovereignty, we do not see an investigation into the actions of this nation as being an infringement upon this sovereignty. For this reason, we believe that the first step that the United Nations needs to take in addressing this issue is by putting full efforts into the ongoing investigation of human rights violations throughout Syria.

Through all of this, we are still hopeful that peaceful progress can by made by the Syrian government, and we respect their sovereignty in making decisions and actions. The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the reported atrocities in Syria however but further action should be avoided for the time being. Syria maintains its status as a sovereign nation and it is not within the abilities of the United nations, nor is it advisable, to alter this sacred dynamic.

Topic: Syria
Country: Portugal
Delegate Name: John Bihn
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The Portuguese Republic is deeply disturbed by the ongoing events occurring in the Syrian Arab Republic. Since March 2011, dissidents of the Syrian government are being denied basic human rights as described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On October 6, the Human Rights Council announced that there have been over 2,900 known deaths in Syria since March, which have come at the hands of official Syrian government troops. Portugal recognizes that Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, has called for several reforms, and has claimed that his troops have retreated from several cities where protests are most prevalent. However, it is alarming that these reforms have not been put into place, and that violence continues after Assad’s promises of a cease-fire. This has been recognized by the Arab League, as evidenced in their suspension of Syria from the League until such measures have been taken.

Portugal approves of the measures taken by the Arab League, and also commends the Human Rights Council for passing multiple resolutions that condemn Syria’s human rights violations, most recently on November 21, 2011. But Portugal is fully aware of the additional need to send a unified message through the Security Council that the actions of Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian government are not condoned. The European Union, in conjunction with the United States, developed such a message in the form of a draft resolution last month. This text called for an end to violence and human rights violations, and supports the allowance for media and human rights officials to enter Syria. Regretfully, the text was vetoed by both Russia and China, which was followed by an increase in violence in Syria.

The nation of Portugal is disappointed with the veto of this text, but fully resolves to ensure that such an implicit approval of Assad’s tactics does not occur again. Tremendous efforts have already been made to develop an agreeable resolution for all members of the Security Council and Portugal is dedicated to continuing discussions in order to reach a unified conclusion. Additionally, the European Union is currently approving sanctions against Syria. Portugal realizes that the continued financial and material support of the Syrian government will only exacerbate this conflict, and encourages other nations to follow suit. Portugal’s ultimate goal is to see the prompt termination of the appalling and detestable events in Syria, and looks forward to productive discussions with other countries on this subject.

Topic: Syria
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Jillian Hamersma
School: Forest Hills Central High School

The unrest in Syria is merely a domestic dispute. The United States and Israel asked Russia not to supply Syria with weapons; however, Russia believes that it should be able to rightfully fulfill the contract. Russia does not see the concerns expressed by the United States thinking that these arms will fall into the hands of terrorists. This contract with Syria is a matter of economic rights with Russia; the contract is necessary to the prosperity of both countries. Russia’s commitment to Syria has been consistent despite “changes in the world.” President Assad himself has been quoted saying that Syria would "never forget how [Russia] stood by us.”

Russia needs Syria in order to bolster its presence in the Middle East and Syria needs Russia during its continuous conflict with Israel. The only problem is that the rest of the world is seemingly unwilling to give Syria the independence that it needs. Revolts based on demands for anarchy or more effective government are “domestic affairs” that should be dealt with internally. Moscow will continually decide to veto Syria resolutions because they are simply too overbearing.

The increasingly assertive China agrees with Russia on this verdict. The two nations of the “Big Five” do not see the necessity for sanctions against Syria. Other Middle Eastern countries should see and understand Russia’s view as well. Israel poses and threat to the area and Syria has been known to check Israel’s increasing power. Russia needs to continue having a foot in the area (i.e. by owning a naval base on Syrian territory) in order to provide at least some stability to the “Arab Spring” area. We are all concerned with Syrian rights; we just have different ideas over how to protect them.

Russia has vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution on Syria multiple times. Russia also has an arms contract with Syria that proves the strong relations between the two. Israel will not agree with Russia’s stance; however, Russia’s unwavering position proves reliable. The one point of weakness on Russia’s part was abstaining and allowing the resolution on Libya to pass; now Libya is in a state of confusion and disarray. Russia will be hard to please on this Syrian issue as Russia votes with only the state of Syria in mind.

Topic: Syria
Country: South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is foremost concern is the long term stability of the Syrian Arab Republic, furthermore, stability that can be attained and maintained by Syria with the assistance of regional bodies. We must act towards Syria as we did towards Yemen in Resolution 2014 on October 11, 2011. Our first step must be to demand a ceasefire between the conflicting factions. In order for the second objective, dialogue, to be attained, arms must be laid down. If there is to be effective transition in Syria, it should not be forced on them by an international hand. Instead it should come from negotiations between the Syrian regime and the Syrian protestors who want to augment that regime. We should look to regional bodies to facilitate these negotiations and aid the government in its transition. In South Africa’s belief, it is in the interest of the Security Council to encourage the Arab League to continue its investment in the Syrian crisis, and that we should promote the League to formulate a regional solution to the issue. The Gulf Cooperation Council put forward a strategy for aiding the Yemeni crisis, supported unanimously by this Council, which has resulted in progress transitioning the government of Yemen and holds promise for the future. This sort of regional solution is one that South Africa strives for.

Humanitarian issues should not be ignored. We should condemn human rights violations perpetrated by all sides of the conflict. Additionally, we should request that the international community increase its humanitarian support of the Syrian people, request that the Syrian government allow humanitarian aid to be distributed to its people.

It would be irresponsible of the Security Council to condone United Nations military intervention into Syria. We have seen how the military intervention of the United Nations in Libya under the auspices of NATO was transformed from a peacekeeping mission to a regime-ouster. We cannot allow the Security Council to become the vehicle for forceful regime change. The road to stability in Syria must be a peaceful one. Any resolution we create should include a condemnation of all violence in Syria, a demand for a ceasefire, and support for a regional solution.

Topic: Syria
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Charles Rudner
School: Fishers High School

Concerned over the violence in Syria over the past year, the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has imposed various warnings and sanctions towards the nations undergoing the Arab Spring movement. Since Syria was a colony of France the United Kingdom’s presence in Syria didn’t begin until the late 1940s. Recently though with all of the reform movements, the United Kingdom has increased their interest in Syrian affairs. Finding that the Assad regime has continued for too long, the United Kingdom supports these reforms in favor of developing a functioning democracy that meets the needs of the Syrian people.

With the recent suspension of Syria’s membership in the Arab League, the United Kingdom finds that this is the last possible measure for the Arab League without violence to take against the Assad Regime in the hope that they will stop their military action against their citizens. For the United Kingdom, Bashar al-Assad has killed over 3,000 citizens who seek freedom from a nearly fifty year ban on rights like freedom of speech and press. We, as members of the Security Council must find a resolution to this tragedy.

In accordance with Article XXXI of the United Nations Charter, the United Kingdom seeks to discuss the Syrian Uprising with Representative Bashar Jaafari since any resolution on the topic would pertain directly to his represented nation. During this discussion there should be a focus on the UN’s necessary military involvement with the uprising and the security of the post-uprising government. Although the United Kingdom would support military involvement, the people would find it more suitable to have the peaceful resignation of al-Assad. Throughout the discussion, international involvement not only from the Security Council should be considered especially with committees such as Human Rights Committee.

If this discussion either results without a resolution or is avoided by Jaafari, the United Kingdom finds it necessary to implement an international arms sanction on Syria. The European Union has in fact already place a related sanction on Syria but the United Kingdom finds that if there is an international effort to keep Syria without weapons, the regime will soon be forced into negotiations with their citizens.

Freedom for the citizens of Syria is the Security Council’s primary goal, but in addition to this goal, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland deems it necessary that if there is to be unity after this uprising attention must also be spent on the security of the new government and preventing predominant parties like the Ba’ath Party from controlling the majority of the government.