Topic: UN's Role of Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict within a Nation
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Nicholas Triantafillou
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Russia position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The Russian Federation recognizes the threat sectarian and ethnic conflicts pose to human rights in many nations worldwide. Ethnic minorities in nations throughout the world have been repeatedly suppressed, often with violence or even genocide. The United Nations as a body must learn from the tragedies in Rwanda, the former Yugoslav Republic, Iraq, and many other nations to better protect the rights of ethnic groups and to prevent sectarian violence worldwide.
Diplomacy is the most important tool the United Nations has in preventing human rights abuses as a result of sectarian and ethnic conflicts. Once a potential breach of these rights has been identified by the United Nations, the Russian Federation believes that nations in and around the region where conflicts are taking place should be given the first chance to resolve the situation. Surrounding nations are likely to have similar ethnic populations, and, as such, will more fully understand the conflict at hand. There is no need for imperialist nations from the opposite side of the globe to step in and strip nations of their sovereignty when other countries in the region could handle the conflict more successfully. Only when regional efforts fail should the United Nations intervene, and even this action should be as limited as possible to resolve the situation.
Unfortunately, many of the hotspots for sectarian and ethnic conflict are located in regions where the ability of neighboring nations to deal with outbreaks of violence is severely limited by poverty, food shortages, and internal turmoil. The genocides in Rwanda, the Sudan, and other African nations have been difficult to deal with, as the nations surrounding the conflict regions have limited means to promote peace and protect refugees. In the Middle East, the prevalence of both internal ethnic violence and deep-rooted conflicts between countries has prevented nations from helping others in the region. Only in such extreme cases, when regional efforts fail, should the United Nations take action. Even then, we must ensure that the surrounding nations support our actions. In the words of former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, the crisis in the Sudan is “a potent reminder that the Security Council could build peace and stability only where there was sustained local political support.” We must take these wise words into account when dealing with sectarian and ethnic conflicts throughout the world.
