Topic: UN's Role of Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict within a Nation
Country: Sudan
Delegate Name: Jane Van Velden
School: Ann Arbor Community High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Sudan position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The *Universal Declaration of Human Rights* (UDHR) adopted by the United Nations sixty years ago states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” However, all over the world there is separation by race, class, religious beliefs, ethnicity, or another status. This separation has led to multiple conflicts, including the current Darfur crisis. The Sudanese government is committed to bringing an end to this long and bloody civil war between the Northern and Southern provinces. The government of Sudan is confident this ethnic conflict can be resolved with time.
The Republic of Sudan believes that in order to end sectarian and ethnic conflicts the government of the country must be responsible for the course of action taken. While we respect the opinions of the countries of the United Nations, we believe beyond discussion the UN should have no additional role. The UN should be a place for discussion, not enforcement. President Omar al-Bashir stated that he will not allow any UN peacekeeping forces to enter Sudan and denounced any such mission as "colonial forces." If the United Nations wants any additional role they must allow their peace keeping missions to establish a joint force with the African Union.
In cases where other nations and/or the UN have had an additional role there has been a negative influence and reaction. In 2007 the UN passed resolution 1590, a resolution which called for meetings between Northern rebel forces and the Sudanese government. The rebel forces have shown little commitment towards peace and we believe this resolution only further agitated them. Initial ethnic divisions were further accentuated by the British policy of ruling the north and south of Sudan under separate administrations. The British government in Sudan passed laws making it illegal for people living above the 10th parallel to go further south and for people living below the 8th parallel to go further north. These laws only deepened the growing rift between the people of Sudan and made the conflict worse.
Recently the Sudanese government has made strides towards peace, with the Darfur Peace Initiative exercised by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The Republic of Sudan is confident that the Darfur Peace Initiative will effectively help to bring about peace. The initiative includes $250 million in development projects through out the Darfur region as well as a promise of national elections. The Republic of Sudan is committed to this peace initiative and spreading religious and ethnic tolerance throughout the nation.
In order to prevent religious and sectarian conflict, the United Nations must work together to spread tolerance. Each country should decide the course of action to be taken in their nation. The Republic of Sudan looks forward to the continuation of spreading the UDHR and tolerance throughout the world.
