Topic: Improving Accountability at the United Nations
Country: Chad
Delegate Name: Morgan Locke
School: Grand Rapids City High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Chad position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
The United Nations has long been a helpful institution to the Republic of Chad, one that can be depended upon and one that can depend upon Chad in return. However, the Republic of Chad takes issue with several problems that are becoming all too common at the United Nations: firstly that member states often flout the decisions made by their fellow members—often without consequence. Member states are more likely to participate and care about the process of discussing issues only affecting their own country. It is clear that these issues of disobedience and nonparticipation. The Republic of Chad is just one part of the United Nations, but is affected by almost every decision that is made. The Republic of Chad eagerly looks forward to discussing the issue of reform at the United Nations, but would also like to put forward several principles that should guide any attempt at reforming the institution.
Often member countries try to take advantage over how plans are implemented. An example of this would be the Oil-for Food program. This was a program started by the UN Security Council, which allowed Iraq to sell oil only for basic necessities for its people as a consequence of Iraqi aggression during the First Gulf War. Saddam Hussein exploited the resolution in order to get around the original intent of this program and ended up making $10.9 billion for illegal oil smuggling, and $1.7 billion through surcharges and kickbacks. There has not been a set action plan from the United Nations on how to handle situations like these. This allows for nations to play the system, and get away with breaking policies. Stronger enforcement is clearly needed in the United Nations if its words are to carry any true meaning.
Whatever decision is made at this meeting, the Republic of Chad strongly believes that punishment for criminal violations that have already been established as being the United Nations’ responsibility must be left to the UN for multiple reasons. One is that often member states are unwilling or unable to try those guilty of international crimes. Therefore, the intervention of a strong international institution (the United Nations) is needed. Furthermore, allowing nations to handle cases on their own incentivizes corruption and backroom deal-making in the nation’s government that violates citizens’ rights.
As for the United Nations Peacekeeping initiatives, there must be a strict penalty for abuses of power. In both the Republic of Chad and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, investigators discovered the abuse and sexual assault happening to the people of that region by United Nations peacekeepers. The Republic of Chad reaffirms its outrage at the fact that at least a portion of those who were sent to this with the mission of protecting others left as villains who terrorized the populace. Part of the job the United Nations has is to ensure peace and security for people around the world, and if this behavior continues, the United Nations’ message is completely compromised and the ideals laid out in the United Nations Charter are no more than words on paper.
The UN was created to make the world a more peaceful place, but when a violent act happens, often the United Nations fails to intervene. To make sure that other countries do not break policies and are held accountable for their actions, the United Nations has to be willing to enforce more severe consequences. Chapter 7 in the United Nations Charter lists the consequences to be enforced on nations who are aggressive, and what could happen to them if they do not adhere to the policies. Once again, the Republic of Chad wishes the United Nations to understand that stronger enforcement is needed. With an improved system of cooperation, member states will see an improved international institution that can truly help make the entire world a better place.
