Topic: 2024-Indiscriminate Weapons
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Matthew Keith
Delegate Name: Matthew Keith
Country: Brazil
Committee: DISEC
Topic: Private Military Contractors
Indiscriminate weapons are a subset of weaponry that cannot be directed at a specific military purpose. They’re typically designed with the intent of causing serious harm without a purpose and include the likes of landmines, chemical agents, and unguided missiles. The use of these weapons is highly controversial, as they typically do more damage to civilians than they do good for a cause.
Brazil recognizes the importance of cracking down on indiscriminate weapons. Brazil ratified the Mine Ban Treaty under the Ottawa Convention in 1999 which prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines. Brazil was also a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as well as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) which both strive to Ban weapons that violate humanitarian law. In addition, Brazil is also looking into the future, participating in the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) which discusses the regulation of autonomous weapons such as drones.
Brazil actively participates in post-conflict clearance. Brazil played a major role in the UN mine clearance effort in Haiti during 2004, also known as MINUSTAH. This organization works closely with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to dispose of dormant explosives and protect communities. Brazil also makes an effort to support neighboring countries in these efforts and has invested funds into researching ways to safely and effectively discard explosives.
Brazil acknowledges the growing adoption of technology in the use of warfare. To stay ahead, Brazil has called for an outright ban of autonomous weapons through the CCW, believing it is necessary to ensure public safety. Brazil is also keen on highlighting the potential risk of AI weaponry and wishes to globally discuss ways in which the misuse of AI can be prevented. Like many other countries, Brazil has banned the development of nuclear weapons in its constitution and works with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure compliance.
Bibliography
https://docs-library.unoda.org/General_Assembly_First_Committee_-Seventy-Eighth_session_(2023)/Brazil_en.pdf
https://meetings.unoda.org/ccw-/convention-on-certain-conventional-weapons-group-of-governmental-experts-on-lethal-autonomous-weapons-systems-2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction
