Topic: Combating the Rise of Xenophobic Violence
Country: Spain
Delegate Name: Elizabeth Butterfield
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Spain position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
One of the key fundamentals of the U.N. is to promote peace between nations, and intervene in situations of hate crimes. However, the Kingdom of Spain believes that xenophobic violence within the country is not being properly addressed by the U.N. Since the early 1990’s, the Kingdom of Spain has experienced a large influx of immigrants. The foreign population in Spain has risen to more than 12% in the past 20 years, from just under 1% in 1991 (Eurostat). Many people have immigrated illegally into the country. The government has found it difficult to regulate this immigration, and law enforcement is not trained to handle situations of illegal immigration. Immigration has also created racial tensions. Many racist groups have killed people and openly demonstrated their discrimination towards particular races. Organized acts of violence and terrorism have been demonstrated. Without invasive action from the U.N, the Kingdom of Spain will continue to have violent internal attacks as the situation grows more out of hand.
Spain has addressed the issue of xenophobic violence and created the Spanish Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia. The observatory’s main focus is on collecting data through public surveys to assess situations of racism. The observatory has also worked to provide training for law enforcement officials in matters of equal treatment of all races, and started regulations against racism in the media (UN Chronicle). Although this idea has been set into motion, there has been no evident response. It is apparent that many diverse ethnic groups do not “mix” with society, and many Spaniards maintain ethnocentric viewpoints. According to the UN Chronicle, it is also apparent that people associate immigration in Spain with trouble and crime. As a way to promote overall equality, the Kingdom of Spain has passed the Gender Equality Law, the Marriage Law, the Law of Dependents, and the Law on Gender Identity. Two organizations, The Foundation for Pluralism and Tolerance, and the State Council of the Roma People, were created to recognize and handle integration issues. Through the enactment of all of these laws and organizations, Spain has taken initiative in the fight against racial discrimination and xenophobic violence. The Kingdom of Spain has taken these measures, yet still faces many challenges.
The Kingdom of Spain feels that to truly integrate Spanish society and further suppress xenophobic violence, it is necessary for the General Assembly to make recommendations. With the various ethnic groups living in Spain, Spain finds it important to educate not only Spaniards about equality and acceptance, but different races within the country as well. The situation in the country has remained more stable in recent years, but it cannot be expected to remain this way given the country’s history. The Kingdom of Spain believes that having diplomats from the U.N. occupying parts of the country would aid in the assurance of peaceful pursuits. Having the U.N. take more specific actions towards Spain will help prevent any further violence and terror threats.
