Topic:
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Savannah Badra
Delegate: Savannah Badra
Country: Philippines
Committee: SPECPOL
Topic: Determining the Legitimacy of Secession Movements
Williamston High School
The United Nations is built upon one key principle; The idea of National Sovereignty. Without this accepted framework, there would be no cooperation between nations and the economic and social advancements of the 77 years since the formation of the United Nations would have never been possible.
The right of self determination is encompassed by this principle, and without a solid framework on how to best preserve the rights and freedoms of all peoples, The United Nations would fail to serve one of its main purposes outlined in its charter.
The Philippines, along with other post-colonial nations, knows what it means to be subjected unwillingly to the rule of an authority which does not represent its people nor their ideals. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee has worked since its creation to prevent the wrongs of the colonial era from being repeated, especially when it comes to independence movements. The Philippines would not be able to exist in the free and representative state it currently stands without the hardships and resulting blood spilled as a result. The Philippines supports the right of all peoples to petition for greater self autonomy, and wishes to greater empower all, in order to truly move past the damaging colonial era.
The Philippines supports a resolution that would clearly outline the grounds for secession, as previous measures have not clearly established guidelines for starting the process. Guarantees must be made in order to prevent modern-day imperialism, including guidelines that would discourage violent suppression of these secession movements. However, this does not mean that this cannot be achieved through peaceful and diplomatic discussions. The Philippines looks towards nations that have felt the suffocating grip of colonialism, such as Colombia, Brazil and Nigeria.
