UN Final
According to reports in the UN Wire, the Prosecutor's Office of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating reports of possible war crimes committed in Afghanistan. There are allegations against the Taliban, Afghan Police and various other actors there, including members of the US military. The US opposes the involvement of the ICC. Since the US is not party to the ICC, how could this situation possibly lead to indictments against members of the US military?
https://www.voanews.com/a/millions-afghans-submit-war-crimes-claims/4257196.html **
What roles does UNESCO play in attempting to advance human rights?
When, at the end of the Second World War, UNESCO was created in the wake of the International Commission of Intellectual Cooperation, it was based on the conviction that intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind, and the respect for justice and human rights are essential to build lasting peace. These universal values of human rights are at the heart of UNESCO's mandate which explains why its contribution in the elaboration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been considerable.Its declared purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter
What was the policy of "apartheid" and what roles did the United Nations play in attempting to eliminate it?
(in South Africa) a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race. In the decades that followed the world body would contribute to the global struggle against apartheid by drawing world attention to the inhumanity of the system, legitimizing popular resistance, promoting anti-apartheid actions by governmental and non-governmental organizations, instituting an arms embargo, and supporting an oil embargo and boycotts of apartheid in many fields. https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/apartheid.shtml
If you were advising the UN Secretary-General on what reforms he (or she) might advocate to the UN membership to improve the effectiveness of the organization, what five measures do you think ought to have priority? Why?
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How useful and important do you consider international efforts to establish courts to hold individuals criminally responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide? Is this an appropriate task for the international community?
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While the US President generally is responsible for foreign policy, including policy toward the United Nations, the US Congress actually can play major roles here, how?
-Congress controls the budget -Refusal to authorize payment of U.S. dues in order to force compliance with U.S. wishes US Congress is responsible for many laws being passed regarding international intervention and domestic policy. The UN is responsible for foreign aid and intervention as well as funding different operations across the globe. State governments pass legislature on the state level and the citizens of a particular state elect these officials to pass popular laws and provide funding for education, healthcare and other state institutions. Separation of powers- Congress has power over the budget Judiciary- i.e. Seattle went against Trump's executive order to bar immigrants from 7 countries from entering
What roles does UNICEF play in the effort to advance human rights?
A human rights-based approach to programming means for UNICEF that the ultimate aim of all UNICEF-supported activities is the realization of the rights of children and women, as laid down in the CRC and the CEDAW. Human rights and child rights principles guide the organization's work in all sectors and at each stage of the process. These principles include: universality, non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to survival and development, the indivisibility and interdependence of human rights, accountability and respect for the voice of the child. UNICEF programmes of cooperation support those who have obligations to respect, protect and fulfil rights, by helping them develop their capacities to do so. And UNICEF helps those with rights to develop their capacity to claim their rights.
According to the UN Wire, Nils Melzer, the current UN special rapporteur on torture, has just issued a special report on migrants, criticizing government policies globally but with particular criticism for Australia. Why would the special rapporteur on torture issue a report on migrants?
According to Nils Melzer's special report, the major reason migrants were exploited and abused (basically tortured) was the policies of states that sought to deter people from migrating and punish those who did. "The primary cause for the massive abuse suffered by migrants in all regions of the world, including torture, rape, enslavement, trafficking and murder, is neither migration itself, nor organised crime, or the corruption of individual officials, but the growing tendency of states to base their official migration policies and practices on deterrence, criminalisation and discrimination, rather than protection, human rights and non-discrimination," Melzer said. "States have initiated an escalating cycle of repression and deterrence designed to discourage new arrivals, and involving measures such as the criminalisation and detention of irregular migrants, the separation of family members, inadequate reception conditions and medical care, and the denial or excessive prolongation of status determination or habeas corpus proceedings, including expedited returns in the absence of such proceedings. "Many states have even started to physically prevent irregular migrant arrivals, whether through border closures, fences, walls and other physical obstacles, through the externalisation of their borders and procedures, or through extra-territorial 'pushback' and 'pullback' operations, often in cooperation with other states or even non-state actors." Migration policies that expose migrants to foreseeable risks of torture or ill-treatment "are conclusively unlawful and give rise to state responsibility for the ensuing harm", Melzer said.
Explain why the application and approval of Palestine as a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proved such a controversial matter. Do you think the recent US withdrawal from UNESCO was reasonable in light of that? Why or why not?
At the time there has already been several ongoing conflicts so tensions were high In 2011, the year they were approved, negotiations in the states were unsuccessful Conflict broke out immediately after the approval 2007 clashes Basically the whole backstory of the Arab-Israeli conflict, most or all arab states back Palestine and opposes Israel, and then more Western states support Israel and oppose palestine The United States argues that United Nations agencies should wait for a resolution of the Palestinians' application for full membership in the United Nations as a whole. Palestinian statehood should emerge from negotiations with Israel, not from acts by third parties or international groups.
In what ways might the International Maritime Organization (IMO) the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Telecommunications Union (ITU) all be involved in issues of global governance?
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialized agency, established by States in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). ICAO works with the Convention's 192 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector. These SARPs and policies are used by ICAO Member States to ensure that their local civil aviation operations and regulations conform to global norms, which in turn permits more than 100,000 daily flights in aviation's global network to operate safely and reliably in every region of the world. In addition to its core work resolving consensus-driven international SARPs and policies among its Member States and industry, and among many other priorities and programmes, ICAO also coordinates assistance and capacity building for States in support of numerous aviation development objectives; produces global plans to coordinate multilateral strategic progress for safety and air navigation; monitors and reports on numerous air transport sector performance metrics; and audits States' civil aviation oversight capabilities in the areas of safety and security. ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies - ICTs. We allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide. ITU is committed to connecting all the world's people - wherever they live and whatever their means. Through our work, we protect and support everyone's fundamental right to communicate.
According to the UN Wire, the Security Council recently extended sanctions and an arms embargo on the Central African Republic. Briefly explain why the Security Council considered this necessary.
Central African Republic has been wracked by violence between Muslims and Christians since predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew the Christian president in March 2013 and seized power. Despite peaceful elections in early 2016, sectarian violence has moved into the impoverished country's central and southeastern regions, prompting warnings of a national conflict roaring back to life. The U.N. Security Council condemned ongoing violence and instability in Central African Republic on Tuesday in a resolution extending an arms embargo on the country and sanctions on individuals and entities for a year. The resolution adopted unanimously by the council also condemns acts of incitement to violence that undermine peace, especially "on an ethnic or religious basis," and says for the first time that those responsible could face sanctions. The council also reiterated that sanctions can be imposed for a host of other reasons including undermining peace or security in CAR, violating international human rights and humanitarian law, directing or committing acts involving sexual or gender-based violence, and supporting criminal networks. The CAR sanctions blacklist currently includes 11 individuals and two entities — a diamond-purchasing organization and the Lord's Resistance Army, which the resolution says remains active in the country's southeast "having carried out the killing and abduction of civilians, including children and women." The resolution notes "with concern" that sanctioned individuals are traveling in the region in violation of a travel ban and that "funds, financial assets and economic resources of listing individuals and entities have still not been frozen" as required. As for the arms embargo, he said that "armed groups unfortunately are still present on a large part of the territory and continue to get supplies" of weapons and ammunition illegally from neighboring countries. Armed groups "also make the most of the illicit trade in natural resources to get rick," Delattre said. The resolution expresses concern "that illicit trafficking, trade, exploitation and smuggling of natural resources including gold, diamonds, and wildlife has a negative impact in the economic and development of the country, and that it continues to threaten peace and stability of the CAR."
Explain the obstacles the United Nations has encountered in attempting to take more effective actions with regard to the conflict and its consequences in Syria. Do you see ways to overcome those obstacles?
Conflict- US and Russia Conflict- HR, state sovereignty
Explain the nature of the "Global Compact" of the United Nations. Do you think this program is likely to shape significantly the behavior of transnational corporations (TNCs)? Why or why not?
For most of the past three decades, multinational corporations viewed the United Nations with growing hostility. Recently, though, the UN Secretary General has invited corporations to become partners of the UN and some fifty giant firms have signed on. Secretary General Annan and his team made it clear that they saw the corporate partnerships as a promising new way to attract political and financial support for the UN, including possible changes in Washington. They also touted the "know-how" corporations could bring to the UN to help it tackle development in the world's poorest countries. The UN leaders saw themselves as "realists" who were ready to deal with slightly unsavory corporations in the same way that they regularly deal with less-than-ideal governments. They believed that a corporate-dominated world was already a "reality" and that if they did not accept this reality the UN would be assured of irrelevance The Compact proposes nine principles for corporations in the fields of human rights, labor rights and environmental protection. The principles are worthy but vague. For instance, signatories agree to "make sure their own corporations are not complicit in human rights abuses." The UN promises it will undertake no monitoring. Nor will the companies be under any enforcement procedure or any formal process of scrutiny. Annan's speech says much about his rationale and also about the bargain he was offering to his listeners: I propose that you, the business leaders gathered in Davos, and we, the United Nations, initiate a global compact of shared values and principles, which will give a human face to the global market.
Explain the systems of international accountability normally used with regard to the major UN human rights treaties. Do you consider these useful? Why or why not?
Human Rights council has 47 member countries elected by the general assembly by majority vote for three-year terms They must undergo Universal Periodic Review, which is a review of the human rights records of all United Nations members every four years This is useful because we cannot rely solely on a country's testimony for information regarding their practices, because they will exaggerate or lie in their own favor It isn't as useful as it could be because it takes so long (four years) to execute the next investigation Investigations often not thorough enough Universal periodic review: review of the human rights records of all United Nations members every four years -Countries report on how they are doing in relationship to human rights issue -Human rights NGOs have the right to submit alternative information to the council · Committees receive periodic reports from states party to the particular conventions, consider those reports and info from other sources (including NGOs) and make recommendations to states party, the General Assembly, and other bodies o Specific committees (Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights of the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Committee on the Rights of the Child of the Convention on the Rights of the Child... etc.) · Special procedures: independent experts, appointed by the Council to serve as special rapporteurs (representatives), special representatives or working groups. They examine, monitor, receive complaints or other information, advise and publicly report on human rights situations in particular countries or territories, or on major phenomena of human rights violations · Complaint procedure: the council receives complaints from individuals or groups claiming to be victims of human rights violations or from others (ie. NGOs) having direct and reliable knowledge of violations. The complaints can be neither manifestly ill-founded nor anonymous and must reveal a consistent pattern of gross and reliably attested violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Domestic remedies must have been exhausted or there must be clear reason to believe they would be futile. The complaint procedure , until the Human Rights COuncil acts, is confidential. o "Weak complaints procedure" according to professor · Systematic complaints: racism, inadequate detention facilities Explain the nature and functions of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human
What problems were encountered when the United Nations imposed comprehensive economic sanctions on Iraq in the 1990's after the first Iraq War (Desert Storm)?
In the early 1990s, many policy makers saw comprehensive economic sanctions, imposed under Resolution 687, as an ethical and non-violent policy tool. Though Iraq sanctions produced some significant disarmament results, they failed to achieve all their policy goals and they have deeply harmed powerless and vulnerable Iraqi citizens. The Security Council implicitly accepts such a negative assessment, since it no longer uses comprehensive economic sanctions in other security crises.
Explain why the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were created at the end of World War II.
Initially, the member had a fixed exchange rate for their currencies (with restrictions on the ability to change the rate) based upon the U.S. dollar, with the U.S. backing the dollar with gold As a result of the 1971-1973 international financial crisis, when the US decided to no longer back the US dollar with gold, there have been floating exchange rates based upon the market with periodic IMF intervention to prevent extreme fluctuations or financial collapse From the 1980s until recently, the IMF placed strong "structural adjustment" requirements on the countries receiving assistance. This emphasis has eased up somewhat but is still part of the IMF approach and is part of the controversy surrounding its activities*
Explain the nature and significance of the principle of the "Common Heritage of Mankind" as a norm for areas beyond the traditional jurisdiction of territorial states and why that norm might be controversial.
It represents the notion that certain global commons or elements regarded as beneficial to humanity as a whole should not be unilaterally exploited by individual states or their nationals, nor by corporations or other entities, but rather should be exploited under some sort of international arrangement or regime for the benefit of mankind as a whole.
Explain how the UN Secretary General, although not representing any government or state, can help to shape the nature and effectiveness of the UN and its operations
Manager of the organization Responsible for providing leadership to the Secretariat, preparing the UN's budget, submitting annual report on the General Assembly, and to oversee studies conducted at the request of other major organs Article 99 of the Charter: "to bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which is his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security" Nominated by Security Council- political and secret Well placed to serve as a neutral communications channel and intermediary for the global community Each UNSG is different, different personalities/interpretations of Charter I.e. Dag Hammarskjold (second UNSG) credited with inventing preventive diplomacy I.e. Kofi Annan (seventh UNSG)- activist
Explain the kinds of problems, according to the UN Wire, that Rohingya refugees are facing living in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
More than half a million Rohingya refugee children are estimated to have fled to Bangladesh. The report by the U.N. children's fund says that these children face multiple dangers, including the imminent threat of floods, landslides and waterborne disease outbreaks during the upcoming monsoon and cyclone seasons, as well as the exploitation and early marriages that arise from living in congested, slumlike conditions. "Water and sanitation, and shelter continues to be far from optimum, increasing the risk of rapid spread of several communicable and water borne diseases," the Regional Director said, stressing the need to accelerate efforts to address the key determinants of health on a priority. The upcoming rainy season and the risk of cyclone and floods, increase the vulnerability of these people to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and hepatitis, and vector borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya.
Explain why the UN Security Council has imposed targeted sanctions on North Korea and why it decided to strengthen those sanctions. Why is it difficult to make those sanctions effective?
North Korea has engaged in a broad range of actions that have drawn international condemnation. Chief among these are the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology. North Korea signed on to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1985 but withdrew in 2003, citing U.S. aggression for the decision. North Korea's leadership (the Kim dynasty) deems the acquisition of nuclear weapons as the sole means to guarantee its survival. They consider U.S. aggression in conjunction with South Korea and Japan to be a threat to North Korea's existence. Several rounds of bilateral and multilateral negotiations aimed at denuclearizing North Korea have failed. A nuclear North Korea poses an existential threat to its Asian neighbors and a growing threat to the United States. With few foreign policy options, world powers have relied on economic and financial sanctions to isolate the Kim regime and draw it back into denuclearization discussions. In December of last year, the UNSC passed Resolution 2397 drafted by the U.S. as the toughest sanctions yet. Sanctions have been continually strengthened in response to North Korea's continued nuclear tests and acts of aggression. The most recent UNSC sanctions further strangle North Korea's energy supplies and tighten restrictions on smuggling and the use of North Korean workers overseas. The effectiveness of sanctions has been limited for several reasons. Enforcement is the biggest challenge as it is the responsibility of individual states. National authorities may have meager financial resources to inspect shipments at ports of entry, carry out complex investigations, and perform other enforcement activities. Black market activities that often go undetected ensure that shipments elude customs scrutiny and official reporting. China, which accounts for 90 percent of North Korea's trade, may have little or no political motivation to enforce certain sanctions. A recent report by UN experts revealed that China was serving as the lead facilitator of black market North Korean trade, and that Chinese companies were allowing North Korean banks to remain connected to the global financial system. Furthermore, some foreign policy experts say UN sanctions against North Korea tend to be weak because of the compromises required to garner Chinese and Russian backing. China and Russia, permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto power, fear outcomes associated with regime change in North Korea. Finally, North Korea has vowed to maintain its nuclear arsenal at all costs. Sanctions have devastated the North Korean economy and their people, but it will take years for sanctions to have a meaningful impact on the decisions of the political elite.
Explain how the activities of the World Health Organization might be important even to countries with highly developed and successful health care systems, such as those in Western Europe.
Obesity, mental health, etc. **
How could the first Gulf War (Desert Storm) be regarded as a UN collective security operation while the more recent Iraq War was not?
President Bush chose to go to war against Iraq in 2003 without authorization from the Security Council The 1991 Gulf War: Authorization given Iraq invades Kuwait (UN member state) in the summer of 90 Unity of P5 (including Soviet Union- long time ally of Iraq) facilitated the passage of 12 successive resolutions during four month period, activating Chapter VII of Charter Resolution 678 authorized member states to "use all necessary means" to reverse the occupation of Kuwait Right at the end of Cold War, indicated beginning of stronger UN 2003 Gulf War: Authorization denied UN unanimously passed a resolution reinforcing the inspection regime of imposed after the UN and giving Iraq a final chance to provide full information on its WMD and missile programs. Did not authorize the use of force against Iraq yet. Despite reports of cooperation, US and GB sought security council authorization in 2003 for military action to disarm Iraq Withdrew draft of resolution b/c of opposition from other P5 members and non permanent members Decision to go to war with Iraq in 2003 in defiance of the majority of the security council challenged authority of UN
Why do you think the Treaty on Ozone Depletion and the related Montreal Protocol were less controversial and more successful than the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the subsequent Kyoto Protocol?
Pressure on lesser powers- refrigerators vs. fossil fuel industry**
What roles does the ILO play in the effort to advance human rights?
Promotes rights at work, encourages decent employment opportunities, enhances social protection and strengthens dialogue on work related issues. It set labour standards Develops policies and devises programmes promoting decent work for all women and men International labour standards serve as guidelines for national authorities to put labour policies into action Reps and workers have an equal voice with governments they work with in formulation its policies Established in 1919, it was founded on the premise that universal lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice. Was the first specialized agency of UN in 1946 Compose of three bodies: International labour conference- Brings together government-employer and worker delegated from member countries every year. It send standards and acts as a forum where social and labor questions of importance are discussed Governing body- directs operations, prepares the programme, budget, and examines cases of non-observance of ILO standards International labour office which is the permanent secretariat of ILO Most important org in economic rights
Your text indicates a strong growth in UN peacekeeping from 1988 through the early 1990s. Explain what happened during this period leading to this growth.
Rebirth of peacekeeping occurred because Russia and united states began to work together again. Also change from traditional peacekeeping to multi-dimensional peacekeeping. Traditional peacekeeping had proved to only effective in places where there was already a ceasefire agreement because it was more about monitoring. The UN realized that multi-dimensional peacekeeping was more effective. Multi-dimensional is also seen as post-conflict peacekeeping and after the Cold War ended with the separation of countries like the former Yugoslavia this was needed even more to make sure that a country did not erupt back into war. To add onto traditional peacekeeping, multi-dimensional peacekeeping also attempts enforcement such as disarming or demobilizing troops, state building, and peacebuilding. Also many countries after the cold war had humanitarian crisis's and were on the brink of civil war, things that traditional peacekeeping was not able to deal with but multi-dimensional peacekeeping was. Peacebuilding new part of multi-dimensional peacekeeping: external forces to prevent a state from erupt or return to war. End of cold war
Under what circumstances, if any, do you think the United States should be constrained by and restrict its own behavior to operate within UN treaties, norms, decision-making and monitoring? Explain your reasoning?
Shouldn't have much more of a say in matters than other countries do Power of the veto is obstructive. The US should restrict its own behavior when the UN votes against US plans for international intervention.
Explain the nature of the "structural adjustment" policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and why they were so controversial.
Structural Adjustment Policies are economic policies which countries must follow in order to qualify for new World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans and help them make debt repayments on the older debts owed to commercial banks, governments and the World Bank. Although SAPs are designed for individual countries but have common guiding principles and features which include export-led growth; privatisation and liberalisation; and the efficiency of the free market. SAPs generally require countries to devalue their currencies against the dollar; lift import and export restrictions; balance their budgets and not overspend; and remove price controls and state subsidies. structural adjustment programs - called SAPs - require liberalization of the economy so that markets can function more easily and the recipient countries are more open to foreign investment. The impacts of these programs have been limited with a few success stories, and in the main produced negligible or negative impacts. Worst hit are the poor and vulnerable, who suffer unemployment, job insecurity, rising prices, reduced services, and ecological marginalization. Politically, SAPs signal a further erosion of sovereignty for developing countries and they create parallel governments run by unaccountable technical experts. This centralization is set against claims to decentralize control and decision-making to the localities. SAPs have changed name in the last decade, but are set to stay a key part of the international development scene. http://oro.open.ac.uk/18995/2/5F79E13A.pdf https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02925114 https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/apr/16/jamaica-decades-debt-damaging-future
Sudan is not a state party to the Rome Treaty which establishes and determines the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), yet the President and others in Sudan have been indicted by the ICC. At the same time, there have not been follow-up trials. How could the indictments happen but there not be trials?
Sudan is not a State Party to the Rome Statute. However, since the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC in Resolution 1593 (2005) on 31 March 2005, the ICC may exercise its jurisdiction over crimes listed in the Rome Statute committed on the territory of Darfur, Sudan, or by its nationals from 1 July 2002 onwards. Sudan is member of UN, must adhere to Security Council
What measures has the United Nations taken to try to cope with the problems of "terrorism"? Why has the development of adequate responses been so difficult?
The General Assembly has been working since 1972 to define terrorism for the UN and to create framework to combat it. 9/11 created a turning point and helped the UN to create a more concerted effort to battle terrorism. There had been many attempts after 1972 to try and pass resolutions to combat terrorism, but there was a problem of defining terrorism in terms of the UN. 2006 is when the General Assembly first adopted a strategy to provide a more comprehensive global framework to combat terrorism with the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy. This strategy was built around 4 pillars- addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, preventing and combating terrorism, building state capacity, and defending human rights while combating terrorism. The security council on the other hand did not begin dealing with terrorism until the 1990s. This was because the US decided to push for sanctions against Libya, the Sudan, Afghanistan, and Al Qaeda for supporting terrorism. In 1992, this started with sanctions against Libya to pressure them into releasing the two men involved in the bombing of the Pan Am flight. These sanctions lasted until 2003 when Libya finally released the two men. Then sanctions against the Taliban finally came in 1999, an arms embargo, aviation and financial sanctions, a travel ban, and ban on the chemical used to turn opium into heroin. The sanctions did not do much until the US invaded in 2001. Sanctions major approach for the security council to terrorism. Most important Resolution 1373 which was adopted after 9/11, unprecedented bc obliged all states to block the financing and weapons supply of terrorist groups, freeze their assets, prevent recruitment, deny them safe haven, and cooperate in information sharing. This also established the Counter Terrorism Committee. Member states have to submit a report of their counterterrorism efforts under this resolution too.
Explain the nature and purposes of the International Seabed Authority and the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
The International Seabed Authority is an intergovernmental organization through which its members organize and control activities on the deep ocean floor in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, particularly with a view to administering the mineral resources of that area The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to adjudicate disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the Convention. The Tribunal is composed of 21 independent members, elected from among persons enjoying the highest reputation for fairness and integrity and of recognized competence in the field of the law of the sea. The Tribunal has jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, and over all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal (Statute, article 21). The Tribunal is open to States Parties to the Convention (i.e. States and international organisations which are parties to the Convention). It is also open to entities other than States Parties, i.e., States or intergovernmental organisations which are not parties to the Convention, and to state enterprises and private entities "in any case expressly provided for in Part XI or in any case submitted pursuant to any other agreement conferring jurisdiction on the Tribunal which is accepted by all the parties to that case" (Statute, article 20).
Explain the central purposes and main characteristics of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Do you think that agreement is likely to be successful? Why or why not?
The Paris Agreement's aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building framework will be put in place, thus supporting action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries, in line with their own national objectives. The Agreement also provides for enhanced transparency of action and support through a more robust transparency framework. There will be a global stocktake every 5 years to assess the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement and to inform further individual actions by Parties.
Without trying to list out all of the specific goals, explain what the aims or purposes were first of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and now of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs came into effect in January 2016, and they will continue guide UNDP policy and funding for the next 15 years. As the lead UN development agency, UNDP is uniquely placed to help implement the Goals through our work in some 170 countries and territories. Our strategic plan focuses on key areas including poverty alleviation, democratic governance and peacebuilding, climate change and disaster risk, and economic inequality. UNDP provides support to governments to integrate the SDGs into their national development plans and policies. This work is already underway, as we support many countries in accelerating progress already achieved under the Millennium Development Goals. Our track record working across multiple goals provides us with a valuable experience and proven policy expertise to ensure we all reach the targets set out in the SDGs by 2030. But we cannot do this alone. Achieving the SDGs requires the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations.
What guidelines would you suggest the UN follow in order to maximize the likelihood that its peacekeeping operations are successful? Explain your reasoning.
The UN communicate with the community receiving aid and experiencing the peacekeeping operations by the UN. I think the more communication between the peacekeepers and the community occurs the more likely the operations are to be successful. The unsuccessful UN peacekeeping operations usually occur due to lack of communication there for the necessary measures are not taken in order to promote peace and create political and social stability within aid seeking regions.
Why was the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment (the Stockholm Conference) considered a milestone in the evolution of global attention to environmental issues?
The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference) was an international conference convened under United Nations auspices held in Stockholm, Sweden from June 5-16, 1972. It was the UN's first major conference on international environmental issues, and marked a turning point in the development of international environmental politics. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, having met at Stockholm from 5 to 16 June 1972, having considered the need for a common outlook and for common principles to inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment
Explain the nature of the "Universal Periodic Review" of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Do you consider that process useful? Why or why not?
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations. Issue: states self-report However, NGO's and other organizations residing in the country have the ability to submit their own reports if contradicting evidence is found which increases the effectiveness of the review.
Explain the nature of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and how it differs from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world's trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was the first worldwide multilateral free trade agreement. It was in effect from June 30, 1948 until January 1, 1995. It ended when it was replaced by the more robust World Trade Organization.
Explain the nature and functions of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Do you think this High Commissioner and staff can have a significant impact on the observance of human rights? Why or why not?
The office is responsible for promotion and coordination, for mainstreaming human rights into the UN system, and for furnishing information to and supporting the work of relevant UN bodies. It serves as the secretariat for the Human Rights Council and supports the work of Special Procedures- special rapporteurs, independent experts, and working groups- appointed by the HRC to monitor specific human rights situations and problems Increasingly, OHCHR has assumed an operational role, providing technical assistance to countries in the form of training courses for judges and prison officials, electoral assistance, and advisory services of constitutional and legislative reform, among other things OHCHR offices all over the world → strengthen domestic institutions, provide compliance with international human rights standards, report abuses to high commissioner Small budget- only 3% of total UN budget Relies on voluntary contributions The effectiveness of the office depends in part on the legitimacy, personality, leadership skills, and initiative of the commissioner.
According to the UN Wire, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and hundreds of city planners are meeting for the first time this month in Edmonton, Canada. Why would the IPCC be meeting with city planners from around the world rather than country representatives?
The panel of scientists' growing interest in cities mirrors fledgling recognition among global leaders that breakneck urbanization must be steered on a path toward reducing planet-warming greenhouse gases, said Miller. The stakes are high: cities account for an estimated 75 percent of carbon emissions, according to U.N. figures.
Explain what "UN Women" is and what it seeks to accomplish.
UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women's equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on five priority areas: increasing women's leadership and participation; ending violence against women; engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes; enhancing women's economic empowerment; and making gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system's work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The entity works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a more inclusive world.
In what ways did the UN peacekeeping operations in East Timor indicate how such operations may involve both peacekeeping and peace-building?
UN provided interim civil administration Post-conflict peacebuilding- "external interventions that are intended to reduce the risk that a state will erupt into or return to war Peacekeeping- settle conflict, Peacebuilding- prevent conflict
Explain the nature of the United Nations Development Program and how it differs from the International Development Association of the World Bank Group.
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank that helps the world's poorest countries. Overseen by 173 shareholder nations, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing loans (called "credits") and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people's living conditions.
How did the creation, nature and termination of UNEF I reflect some of the common characteristics of peacekeeping during the Cold War?
UNEF I was established to secure and supervise the cessation of hostilities, including the withdrawal of the armed forces of France, Israel and the United Kingdom from Egyptian territory and, after the withdrawal, to serve as a buffer between the Egyptian and Israeli forces UN Peacekeeping was born at a time when Cold War rivalries frequently paralyzed the Security Council. Peacekeeping was primarily limited to maintaining ceasefires and stabilizing situations on the ground, providing crucial support for political efforts to resolve conflict by peaceful means. Those missions consisted of unarmed military observers and lightly armed troops with primarily monitoring, reporting and confidence-building roles
Explain the nature and purposes of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
UNEP- The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Our mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. IPCC- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the international body for assessing the science related to climate change. The IPCC was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. The IPCC embodies a unique opportunity to provide rigorous and balanced scientific information to decision-makers because of its scientific and intergovernmental nature. Participation in the IPCC is open to all member countries of the WMO and United Nations. It currently has 195 members. The Panel, made up of representatives of the member states, meets in Plenary Sessions to take major decisions. The IPCC Bureau, elected by member governments, provides guidance to the Panel on the scientific and technical aspects of the Panel's work and advises the Panel on related management and strategic issues1 . IPCC assessments are written by hundreds of leading scientists who volunteer their time and expertise as Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors of the reports. They enlist hundreds of other experts as Contributing Authors to provide complementary expertise in specific areas. GEF- The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle our planet's most pressing environmental problems. Since then, the GEF has provided over $17 billion in grants and mobilized an additional $88 billion in financing for more than 4000 projects in 170 countries. Today, the GEF is an international partnership of 183 countries, international institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector that addresses global environmental issues. The GEF is... A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP of 18 agencies — including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, national entities and international NGOs — working with 183 countries to address the world's most challenging environmental issues. The GEF has a large network of civil society organizations, works closely with the private sector around the world, and receives continuous inputs from an independent evaluation office and a world-class scientific panel. A FINANCIAL MECHANISM for 5 major international environmental conventions: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. AN INNOVATOR AND CATALYST that supports multi-stakeholder alliances to preserve threatened ecosystems on land and in the oceans, build greener cities, boost food security and promote clean energy for a more prosperous, climate-resilient world; leveraging $5.2 in additional financing for every $1 invested.
France and Mexico (supported now by the UK and 120 other countries, as well as the High Commissioner for Human Rights) have proposed that the Permanent Five members of the UN Security Council voluntarily agree that they will not use the veto in situations involving mass atrocities or extreme human suffering. Similarly, a group of former leaders (including Kofi Annan and former President Carter) have called for allowing the use of the veto in such circumstances only if fully explained and an alternative solution proposed. Do you think those proposals for restraint on the use of the veto are likely to succeed? Why or why not?
Veto power reflects the unwillingness of either US or Soviet Union to accept UN membership without such a provision US and Russia use their veto the most, not open to giving up veto power
Normally the UN seeks to promote elections and provides monitors to ensure their fairness. However, according to the UN Wire, the UN envoy for Burundi has indicated to the UN Security Council that conditions are not appropriate for elections or for a referendum in May planned by the Burundi Government. Why?
https://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Time-not-ripe-for-Burundi-polls/1066-4321514-d5g2w2/index.html According to UN envoy Michel Kafando, Burundi is not ready to hold credible elections because the ruling party and its allies remain firmly in control of political life and tensions remain high, a UN envoy said Monday. In power since 2005, Burundi's current President is leading a push for a referendum in May on changes to the constitution that would allow him to run in elections in 2020. When Nkurunziza ran for a third term in 2015 and won, his victory sparked a crisis and violence that has left at least 1,200 dead and driven more than 400,000 into exile. Only the majority party and some other allied political groups are able to conduct unobstructed political activities. Despite a mediation set up by neighboring countries, the president refuses to hold talks with the opposition A UN commission of inquiry found that crimes against humanity have been committed in the violence in Burundi
