Topic: Dealing with Civil and Political Unrest
Country: New Zealand
Delegate Name: Adam Decker
School: Vicksburg High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All New Zealand position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
New Zealand is one of the worlds most peaceful countries and has generally low crime rates. The delegation of New Zealand believes that political unrest and human rights go hand on hand due to its belief of peaceful protest and rights of justice. Internal disruption within a country can be caused by a government neglecting its citizens and refusing to meet its people’s needs. A goal of the United Nations is to improve human rights and the special political committee can adhere to this idea by organizing boards that represent the general public. However, with enforced human rights it is crucial to have a fortified legal system.
New Zealand’s experience of political unrest comes from the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty gave Britain Sovereignty over New Zealand and granted the Māori natives the rights of British subjects.This treaty is considered to be the founding document of New Zealand as a nation and is celebrated as a holiday. Even though approximately 540 chiefs agreed to this treaty it has still sparked much debate and confusion in todays times. This disagreement is due the major differences between English and Māori translations of the treaty. New Zealand's government has worked with Māori groups to peacefully solve this age long dispute.
New Zealand’s military is a peacekeeping body in the pacific and has most recently been involved in the iraq war. Recognizing the fact that many undeveloped countries lack the resources to form a military or protection group, it is important for developed countries to take a role in protecting other nations from threats. The transformation and growth of a developing country can be a difficult process with many challenges. The United Nations can secure these countries futures and prevent them from being oppressed by other nations.
