Topic: Protecting Humanitarian Workers in Conflict Zones
Country: Serbia
Delegate Name: Preston Purdue
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Serbia position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
Since the dawning of time, humans have been in conflict with each other. Also, other humans have looked on in pity, and, in times of great strife, sent help to the suffering. In dealing with conflict in the world, the UN has had many great effects in the ending results of conflicts. They have effectively changed history with their medical, military, and political aid. However, Serbia notes with alarm the frequency of which states and non-state actors attack peaceful workers in the conflicts of today’s world.
With this established, also keep in mind the wartime history of Serbia, and the fact that we were not the recipient of many humanitarian aid. However, in the regions surrounding Serbia, aid was sent to help in times of legitimate need. But occasionally this was interfered with because of the continuing conflict in the area, and workers were harmed. This was an especially big issue in Serbia, where a NATO intervention attempted to protect workers in other states from the raging violence prevalent in our country. But Serbia knows first hand the results of this supposed “humanitarian” intervention. Cities were leveled in the ‘protective’ airstrike, and our economy reduced to shambles. It is for this reason that Serbia urges the United Nations to take caution in international military intervention, even to protect Humanitarian Workers. We also urge the UN to take caution in deciding what circumstances prompt an actual humanitarian response, and what other situations could be resolved without the endangerment of workers or military intervention. If countries wish to have humanitarian aid to better their people, it is their duty to take responsibility for them. It is Serbia’s goal to have a request based system, so that if a needy country asks for help, and then help is deemed necessary, is granted to them by the UN. This way help is not forced upon non-needy countries, so humanitarian efforts are not hindered or hurt by rowdy forces. Serbia knows firsthand that foreign military intervention in the name of humanitarianism can often yield very inhumane results.
