Virginia Tech Model United Nations Conference November 3rd-5th, 2017

1946 COMMISSION ON HUMAN

RIGHTS

BACKGROUND GUIDE

Introduction

The United Nations was founded a year ago (1945) on the principles of preventing

another worldwide conflict such as, World War II. The Economic and Social Council was

thereafter created to be responsible for coordinating the economic, social, and related work of 15

UN specialized agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions. The

United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) serves as one of the functional

commissions of this Council. The UN Charter in Chapter X Article 68 outlines the formation of

this sub-committee for the promotion of human rights signed and agreed upon by all 55 UN

Member states.

The UNCHR is meeting today to develop the originating framework of this commission.

Taking from the several horrific instances of murder, rape, massacres, enslavement, burnings,

medical torture, chemical warfare, human experimentation, military use of children, cannibalism,

etc. the brutality of men, women, and children across the world has reached a devastating level.

With examples from previous wars this committee is assembled to assess, deliberate, and create

legislation that suggests ways to decrease these atrocious acts. It is important for this committee

to recognize the importance of sovereignty with states who may be committing these actions.

Without accusing and condemning states that may have performed these acts as a government,
Virginia Tech Model United Nations Conference November 3rd-5th, 2017

this body should not only promote human rights, but assist in the legislation of treaties between

nations as well. Furthermore, it may serve in the best interest of this body to take the assessments

of atrocities and present the General Assembly with a list of freedoms humans are given agreed

upon by the clear majority of the members within this body. This body will then examine,

monitor, and publicly report instances of these freedoms being violated in several countries and

territories.

UNCHR also provides information on the advances of human treatment as well.

Emphasizing the various ways in which certain areas around the world work to improve the

quality of life of humans in their communities.

Topics

Topic A: Evaluating potential Human Rights infringements by technological developments

In recent times, human rights activists have been made very aware of technologys

downside. By examples seen in World War II with Nazi experiments we see advancements in

technology resulting in the dehumanization of citizens for the purpose of science. What specific

advancements have led to this dehumanization? Can they be regulated? Should there be a law

that limits the use of certain technologies in international conflict?

Topic B: The Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous people

Throughout time we have seen the eradication and exploitation of indigenous people in

several countries. With the current Pilbara Strike occurring in Australia with indigenous pastoral

workers protesting for higher wages and fair labor treatment, Native American abuses in the
Virginia Tech Model United Nations Conference November 3rd-5th, 2017

United States, and frequent issues between European colonizers and native Africans the need for

an evaluation of indigenous peoples rights becomes a major concern for the world community.

Topic C: Labor Rights of People

This brings us to the next topic with establishing a basis for work across the world.

During World War II multiple exploitations of people were going on to develop military

machinery in factories, provide materials for military personnel, and to create consumer products

in 3rd world countries. The committee would assess the ongoing labor conditions of people and

give suggestions grounded in the freedoms of humans established beforehand.

Topic D: War Crimes Committed During WWII

There were a number of war crimes involving Allied and Axis personnel that led in some

instances to courts-martial (military courts). Some have been crimes under the law of war in

operation at the time were, for a variety of reasons, not investigated by the Allied powers during

the war, or they were investigated and a decision was taken not to assess, or prosecute