Topic: Determining the Legitimacy of Secession Movements and Obligations of Parent States
Country: Saudi Arabia
Delegate Name: Benjamin Brewster
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Saudi Arabia position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Saudi Arabia is a very devout Islamic nation, and in our beliefs, we place a very heavy emphasis on the rule of law. This stems from the systematic institution of our religion, and subsequently from our way of life; and because of this, our country is structured specifically with these beliefs and practices in mind. For that reason, alongside the immense faith and trust we have placed into the United Nations system of international bureaucracy, we believe that the United Nations Security Council should have the ultimate authority on matters relating to the legitimacy of secession movements, as well as the obligations to parent states.
As a devoutly Islamic nation, and as a state positioned in the Middle East region, Saudi Arabia has witnessed first hand the devastating effects that can be wrought on a nation, a region, and the world at large when self appointed Western leaders overextend their welcome and influence. By drawing lines and determining where people belong based solely on an agenda, as opposed to clear and present fact and the pre-standing status quo, this system of cultural appropriation can deal a devastating blow to the stability of a given people or region. For this reason, we believe that having internationally appointed world leaders make these decisions within the context of the United Nation’s internationally recognized legitimacy is the best way to set an agreeable international precedent, and that is exactly what the Security Council brings to the table.
Similarly, we believe the Security Council’s current duties and responsibilities make them the most logical and most qualified candidates for the job. This is especially evident when you consider the most recent internationally backed secession movement, that of South Sudan. Since the UN played a pivotal role in the transformation of South Sudan into its own, independent state, the Security Council has already effectively dealt with these issues before. It intervened in the conflict between North and South Sudan by employing ground troops to protect civilians and to ease the transition of power from one government into that of two. Saudi Arabia believes that these are the kinds of skills that are imperative to the duties we are convening to discuss, and look forward to the opportunity to openly debate this topic, and to come to an agreement on the best way to proceed.
