Topic: Improving Political Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: John Dood
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Germany position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
Conflict Resolution is one of the more prominent purposes of the United Nations. In 1948, when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was formed, along with the United Nations, the first prosecutions were those of Nazi war criminals from Germany. The Federal Republic of Germany greatly regrets the atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler and his staff. The United Nations’ successful resolution of World War II is a key factor in its continued prominence. Germany places its full support in the current mechanisms of the United Nations to resolve national and international conflicts, and urges member nations to put faith in the International Criminal Court. (ICC)
When an international or national conflict are the fault of one man, or woman, current mechanisms are able to handle and resolve the conflict. The UN and ICC's successful charging of Saif Al-Islam Al-Gaddafi is a testament to the UN's ability to resolve conflicts. As long as member nations remain faithful to the judicial process and aid in extradition of criminals in accordance with the ICC and ICJ’s mandates, they should be able to handle conflicts. In order to increase the effectiveness of the ICC, more member nations need to support it and participate. For example, further cooperation from Libya in the Gaddafi investigation could lead to the successful prosecutions of men who violated many people’s basic human rights.
In the case that conflicts are not of the fault of one man but the doing of a group, the UN intercedes through its support for regional bodies. It partners with a regional body, pledging support to a mission organized by that regional body; this was the case in Somalia with the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). The UN must continue to upkeep its high reputation for devoted respect of national sovereignty. Some regional bodies, like the African Union can aide in conflict ridden areas without infringing on the national sovereignty of the member nations of the local body. Regional bodies are crucial for the resolution of conflicts because they make effective mediators. When the UN endorses regional bodies to act as mediators, agreements can more easily be made than when the UN directly intercedes.
If a conflict is of international scope, the Security Council can, and will, demand that the conflicting nations cease. If this directive is not heeded, the Security Council can have other member nations intercede in a militaristic manner.
Germany also advocates for monetary support of NGO’s in areas that have are in conflict or have the potential to become violent. The outreach through food, education, and other commodities can greatly alleviate the unrest in a region, therefore helping to quell or prevent bloodshed altogether. Germany has adopted this policy at a national level; its Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) gives developmental aid to foster safe growth in at-risk nations.
Germany has great confidence in the currently implemented methods for conflict resolution in the United Nations. The Security Council, the ICJ, and the ICC, are highly effective in, and well equipped to handle injustices. As evidenced by the laudable handling of the situations in Syria and Libya, the UN is well equipped to handle international crisis.
