Topic: Universal Jurisdiction in Crimes against Humanity
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Stuart Wilson
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The United Kingdom believes that the national sovereignty of each nation must be respected and upheld. That being stated, the UK beliefs that there are circumstances in which outside intervention from other nations and The UN may be necessary. If it is determined that the nation in question is taking actions or enforcing laws or regulations that are directly oppressive or abusive to its people or to other nations, without just cause, then that nation’s sovereignty may be put aside for the good of its people or other nations.
The United Kingdom firmly supports the defense of human rights. If it is determined that a nation is violating these rights and that action must be taken to stop it, then the UK believes that the UN has the right and responsibility as an international entity to intervene and take command of the situation. For example, if a nation is abusing its people or performing crimes against humanity to the point that the UN has outwardly expressed disapproval, the United Kingdom believes that the United Nations may obtain jurisdiction over that nation. With this jurisdiction, the UN may responsibly and collectively mediate the situation in that nation. The appointed jurisdiction may take president over the current governing body if necessary to insure the protection of human rights and the end of humanitarian crimes.
Because the UN is an international organization, the UK believes that international laws and restrictions for nations, especially those concerning the protection of the rights of humanity shall be held in a higher position of authority than the individual laws of any nation that may be in violation of these international laws. While the United Kingdom believes that this jurisdiction over individual nations is a possible and legitimate course of action, the UK still stresses the importance of each nation’s sovereignty. To explain, the UK believes that each nation’s laws must first be observed and respected before they may be overridden. If it is determined through a due process of examination and determined by the UN that the nation’s laws must be over-ridden, however, the UK respects this as a method to insure international law.
Crimes against humanity and oppression of human rights are serious issues that the UK believes it is the right and duty of the UN to combat and correct. Therefore, universal jurisdiction may be necessary if so determined as an action against a nation’s violations.
