Topic: Reducing the use of Indiscriminate Weapons in Conflict
Country: Burkina Faso
Delegate Name: Megan Mueller
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Burkina Faso position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
International humanitarian law holds that the targets of military combat may only be parties involved in the conflict, and there must be clear distinction between civilians and combatants in said conflict (though civilians choosing to participate in hostilities may also be considered a military objective). Currently, use of indiscriminate weapons such as anti-personnel landmines, chemical weapons, and biological weapons is considered to be a war crime. However, usage of equipment such as nuclear and incendiary weapons are not. Because of massive civilian casualties that result from the usage of such arms, serious social and economic problems can arise for the local populace. The delegation of Burkina Faso would like to see a serious reduction in the use of indiscriminate weapons during warfare.
As a committee, it is our job to decide how to accomplish this. In what ways can we change the use of these weapons? Can we place restrictions on the size of stockpiles that a nation may hold? Do we reevaluate what weapons we classify as indiscriminate? A good resolution will involve education of indiscriminate weapons and the reason they are classified as such. In order to be successful, we must find ways to include and recognize the progress that other nations have made in reducing the use of these arms. Without the help of more advanced nations who have already been successful in reducing indiscriminate weapons, we will not be able to come to a resolution for other nations to adhere to.
As a nation that does not possess nuclear weapons, Burkina Faso finds it important to Burkina Faso that we reach a resolution that reduces the use of weapons with indiscriminate statuses. We need to determine where the line between conflicts that require indiscriminate weapons and those that don't and make it extremely clear. Through focused debate and productive caucus, our delegation is sure that a successful resolution can be passed. We look forward to working with our fellow delegates to come up with the next step in lessening this global issue.
