Topic: 2024-Balancing Human Rights
Country: Mozambique
Delegate Name: Jasmeher Singh
Republic of Mozambique
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL)
With the emergence of terrorist groups/attacks internationally, the UN needs to devise a plan of action to help prevent terrorism while also protecting human rights. Mozambique recognizes that preventing counterterrorism starts with reforming the technology and regulations put in place due to counterterrorism which often allows vulnerable people to be negatively affected. People like journalists often lose their freedom of speech through these counterterrorism tactics, and it’s essential to remember that civilians should be positively impacted by stopping the rise of terrorism and not negatively affected. Also, it’s important to remember while making our resolutions that we must ensure that there needs to be a more diverse and open way to fight counterterrorism.
Mozambique is aware of the high amounts of terrorism in our nation with 314 terrorist acts happening in 2021. ISIS Mozambique (ISIS-M) has been conducting many terrorist attacks over the last couple of years in Mozambique, and this is one of our growing concerns. So many civilians have been hurt, and/or killed due to these acts of terrorism and we believe that it’s essential to stop counterterrorism. One change that Mozambique has started to implement when trying to slow down the spread of terrorist attacks is that we have focused on more policies on domestic terrorism. Previously, we had only policies on international terrorism and our stance on that, but we are also working within our own country to combat counterterrorism. Now if people are found committing terrorist attacks, they will be sent to prison for 8 to 12 years, which is the maximum sentence for those living in Mozambique. Other nations internationally have helped Mozambique counterterrorism such as SADC, Portugal, Rwanda, and the EU. Mozambique understands the importance of combating international terrorism, and we ensure that we will help fight for this cause.
One of our biggest concerns regarding fighting counterterrorism is the citizens of the nation. As a republic that’s had millions of citizens displaced due to terrorist actions, we fully understand the importance of taking action on such issues of terrorism. We have personally started strengthening security around the borders of Mozambique where many people who were formerly displaced are now coming back home. Also, we have tried to stop as much corruption as we can and financial bribing that help fund these terrorist groups such as ISIS in our nation and we urge others to do the same. Moreover, our efforts have included being a part of the National Working Group of Voluntary Principles of Safety which has brought together civilians, stakeholders, the government, the private sector, and international support to help us counterterrorism. Ultimately, we believe that nations need to come together and bring diverse options for combating counterterrorism while also having favorable human rights. Mozambique looks forward to working with other nations on this topic.
Works Cited
Hummel, Kristina. “The Enduring Counterterrorism Challenge in Mozambique.” Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, Combating Terrorism Center, 23 Mar. 2023, ctc.westpoint.edu/the-enduring-counterterrorism-challenge-in-mozambique/.
“Mozambique – United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 7 Dec. 2023, www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2021/mozambique/.
“Mozambique – United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 7 Dec. 2023, www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/mozambique/#:~:text=Significant%20human%20rights%20issues%20included,widespread%20civilian%20deaths%20or%20harm%2C.
