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Honorable delegates, in behalf of MUNCASXI 2016 we will like to give you the warmest welcome to the
Nuremberg Trials. We are pleased to have you in our committee, we are sure that you will have plenty
of fun with us and the knowledge you will gain will be useful for your future academic and personal life.
We want to introduce ourselves to create an idea of our academic development. First, as a member of
the chair we count with Manuela Flórez, a student from tenth grade. She has participated as a delegate
in MUNUR 2015, MUNCAS 2013 as delegate and in MUNCAS 2015 as logistics member; she has been
in the school for ten years, where she has stood out because of her good academic performance and
values. As a second member of the chair we count with María Paula Torres, student from tenth grade.
Her first participation in a Model of United Nations was in fifth grade as a floor messenger, then since
sixth grade she has been in every MUNCAS version participating as a delegate in multiple committees,
most of them has been in English because of her strength in this second language she participated in
MONUA 2016 as a delegate in African Union.
We look forward to meeting you delegates, to contribute to what is sure to be a memorable experience
for all MUNCAXI 2016 participants. If you have any doubt we are pleased to help you.
Manuela Flórez and Maria Paula Torres
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INTRODUCTION
As you know, this is a historical committee and will take place on November 20th 1945 in the city of
Nuremberg, Germany. You are now a lawyer from the allies, a defendant lawyer from the German
council, a member of the Nazi party or a witness from the trial. During the debate days you’ll have the
opportunity of changing history and you will learn about the Nazi crimes and their impact in our
international laws today. This committee has no need of any law knowledge, every single protocol of
the trial will be explained by the chair in this guide, we counted with the help of the Spanish Lawyer
Luisa Fernanda Aldana, who explained each of the aspects that will be mentioned during the trial.
1. Accused stand at Nuremberg Trials
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan unleashed World War II with the intention of establishing a permanent
dominion over Europe and Asia respectively, using the military apparatus. These two countries were
the most important members of the Axis alliance, which was based on anti-Communism and
dissatisfaction with the world order after World War I.
Under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany sought to obtain a vast new empire of "living space"
in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The Nazi
2. Hitler giving out a speech at Nuremberg,
leadership calculated that the realization of
Germany
German hegemony in Europe would require
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waging war and began planning a European war
from the day the Nazis came to power in late
January 1933. The Japanese Empire pursued a
policy of military conquests that had the support
of the emperor, the military and members of the
educated elite who sought dominance and
Japan's influence throughout East Asia and the
Pacific Ocean. In 1936, Germany and Japan
formed an anti-Communist front aimed at the
Soviet Union.
For several years the Germans led separate attacks just too violent to countries like Poland,
Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. To this we must add the conquest of territories violently and the
killing of Jews or Roma citizens of these territories with the excuse that did not belong to the Aryan race.
These killings were created within the laws of the German political apparatus that supported the
extermination of this ethnic group both outside
and within the territory; these laws also included 3. Territory occupied by the Nazis
the planning and execution of plans surprise attacks to territories with presence of Jews. WWII ended
in September 2nd 1945.
TRIAL CONTEXT
World War II ended in 1945 with the allies’ triumph, and a deep feeling for justice against the crimes
committed by the Nazi Party lead by
Adolf Hitler came along with it. This
same year, the victorious nations
lead the beginning of the legal
proceedings against the principal
leader of the genocide that ended
with the life of millions of Jewish.
Adolf Hitler had already committed
suicide. This was the first time a
victorious nation was judged by an
international court because of it’s
war actions, but it also was the first
time a nation committed a genocide
of the size.
The process of greater weight, given that the defendants were the heads, took place in Nuremberg, a
German city, against 24 survivors of Nazism, since November 20th 1945. As in charge of directing the
judgment and hand down the sentence, s the
4. Group of Jews in the Auschwitz concentration camp
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London Charter established an International Military Tribunal, which was composed of the following
permanent judges: Geoffrey Lawrence, the United Kingdom, Francis Biddle, United States, Henri
Donnedieu de Vabres, France, and Iona Nikitchenko, Soviet Union. Each of them had a substitute. The
chief prosecutor was Robert H. Jackson, USA judge. Those four countries (United States, Soviet Union,
Britain and France) were the first subscribers of the London Agreement of August 8, 1945, the then
other 19 states joined.
It was decided to conduct trials in the city of Nuremberg because the bigger and better crowds of
supporters of National Socialism were in the main square of this city. Nuremberg was seen as the source
of the Nazi philosophy. It was in this city where the Nuremberg Laws were signed, which included antiSemitic elements important for the development of World War II.
During the court, both defense lawyers and prosecuting lawyers were able to present evidence to argue
their accusations and guilt of the accused to each of the four charges against, at the beginning of the
trial. During the sessions various statements of eyewitnesses who refused to be part of the trial were
presented, and at least 2700 signed documents of the Nazi party that belonged to the Third Reich,
because, for the defendant lawyers, the prosecutors’ physical evidence was not enough to finish the
allegations, and argued that the possibility of witnesses to question them directly in relation to acts
perpetrated by each of the defendants opened tool. In addition to having a defense lawyer, each
defendant had the opportunity to move to the witness stand to be questioned by the 4 delegates
advocated by the victorious Allied Nations (France, UK, USSR and USA) and their respective counsel.
The accused remained in prison inside the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg, guarded by American
soldiers led by Colonel Andrews and psychologically assisted by a doctor of the American army, who
was responsible for ensuring the mental health of the accused to prevent further suicides; accusing
lawyers presented reports to determine
whether they had psychological causes
that influenced the decisions of violence
taken by the Nazi leaders.
The trial ended on October 1st 1946, on
this day the judges dictated the
statement for each one of the accused.
Of the 24 defendants presented at the
start of the court: 3 of them were
acquitted of their charges, 12 of them
were sentenced to death by hanging, 3
sentenced to life imprisonment, and the
rest were sentenced between 10 and 20
years in prison. At the time, the death
penalty issue entered into discussions
with the attorneys general, because it 5. Judges at Nuremberg Trials
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Comentado [VRP1]: Can’t be understood.
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was not known if Nazi officials were considered soldiers or ordinary citizens, since the manner of death
varied from one another.
COMMITTEE PROTOCOL
No use of parliamentary language for delegates representing defendants, who can speak in first person,
unlike delegates who are lawyers, they will be reported in the third person at all times. During the
sessions only points of personal privilege are allowed, points of order will be only used by the chair.
The committee will develop similar to the way real trial does. The project will start with a preliminary
meeting between parties, where the key issues will be discussed to treat as the chief prosecutor (in this
case the table) indicated. Then each of the charges will be held and the proceedings will start with
opening statements from each of the defendants. This means they will have the opportunity to express
why they are innocent or guilty. Then, the development of the committee will be that of a normal trial:
lawyers for the Allied Nations will present their
points, they will call the witnesses to the stand and
make the respective questions. It should be noted
that only lawyers have the right to present evidence,
but if the defense attorney ignores it, any defendant
may make delivery to the table. All delegates may
file objections; elements or statements with which
you do not agree or are making false statements on
your behalf. Remember that all evidence must be
delivered to the table to check its validity.
Delegates, this is a historical commission. We want
you to find a way to make things change, defend
yourself in the best possible way and make the
sentence that was set before to change, use all international legal elements you can find for your good,
you must take into account the signing of legal documents within the Third Reich and the consequences
it had in other countries. Remember that the point is to change history and bring surprises with it.
HOW TO PROCEED:
All individuals should have a position paper in which they explain their incidence in the topic
and their respective participation.
 DEFENSE ATTORNEY:
- Should have an active communication with their assigned accused.
- Should develop and build strong questions that can validate the innocence of their defendant
- Has the obligation to find or search for determined documents that work as evidence of their
first statement
- Its important to talk respectfully to the defendant and avoid the direct questions that could
give confusion to the accused.
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-
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We recommend to analyze the case in a depth, by uniting not only the perspective they build
from previous information but also taking into account the defendant position, including its
biography.
You can change history, use witnesses, provide documents, pictures and interpret in your
own way any information
YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS TO EXPOSE YOUR DEFENDANT AS INNOCENT
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY:
- Should know all of the accusations the accused are blamed for.
- Has the obligation to find or search for determined documents that work as evidence of their
first statement
- You can change history, use witnesses, provide documents, pictures and interpret in your
own way any information
- We recommend you to watch previous trials that can help you with the reliability you should
have as a prosecuting attorney.
- Don’t forget the use of academic vocabulary as a method to sound sure of your accusations
- YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS TO EXPOSE THE ACUSSED AS GUILTY
WITNESS:
- You have the responsibility to learn the biography of the person you represent, know exactly
what happened, be sure of your statements
- Should have an active communication with the side that called them as witnesses
- Need to think wisely the answer’s to the questions made by the other side
- Should develop complete sentences
- Have the opportunity to explain their point of view
- Don’t forget the use of academic vocabulary as a method to sound sure of your experience
- YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS TO CONVINCE THE LAWYERS, AND CHAIR OF YOUR
STATEMENT.
ACUSSED:
- The debate is mainly formed around your statements and points of view
- You were part of the Nazi party; you have to be informed of all your previous actions
- Its important to leave behind any personal thoughts about the topic, you have to talk as the
person you represent and take into account their perspective
- You should have an active communication with your lawyer as a way of proving your
innocence
- YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS TO PROVE YOUR INOCCENCE
GENERAL INFORMATION
 HOW IT WILL BE RULED?
At the beginning of the session the chair will give a brief contextualization with the aim of defining the
main themes to be developed in the days of court. There will be lobby time for defense counsel to have
the opportunity to speak with their defendants to discuss the allegations. The committee will develop as
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an ordinary court, which means that the main court judges begin with accusations that comprise each
of the representatives of the Nazi party. Then the accused will have the opportunity to say whether they
are innocent or guilty. After that, the court will proceed with the first issue, calling each of the defendants
on the stand for questioning by both sides, defense and taxation. Until we have the statements of each
of the defendants on the subject to be treated we may not admit evidence. It will be handled in the same
way for both issues.
 HOW MUCH TIME FOR EACH STAGE?
There will be a segment of 10 to 15 minutes for each questioning, the questions should be in context
and there can’t be any direct afirmations to the acussed. If the delegates consider they need time to
have a lobby time to prepare their things the chair will consider 3 minutes for this.
 HOW TO OBJECT?
If at any time the defendant is offended or attacked it should be reviewed by the attorney. At any time
the defendant may make an objection. To enter an objection the lawyer can interrupt the person who is
talking, since it is another lawyer or a defendant making a statement; it cannot be interrupted if the main
judges are talking.
 EVIDENCE
If at any time either party wishes to introduce evidence like: witnesses, documents or
conversations, they must announce to all those invited, and present it to the chair. The board
will decide whether it is relevant to the case, as its accuracy and reliability.
GUIDANCE QUESTIONS
Delegates it is necessary for you to look up for information that is useful in each one of the cases, we
will recommend you to follow these questions:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
What are Nuremberg Trials?
Relevant people on Nuremberg Trials
Who were the accused?
Role of (Delegation) at Nuremberg Trials
Accusations toward (Delegation)
Evidence presented by (Delegation)
The penalty received by (Delegation)
We will also recommend you to look up some videos of the trial, also you should watch the History
Channel documentary about Nuremberg Trials. Finally, we should add that anything you need you can
communicate with us.
GLOSSARY
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Delegates, it is important that the information here mentioned is consulted more exhaustively
and searched in a more specific way by each one of you. You have to take into account some
of these concepts during debate because they are the bases or the court.

GENEVA CONVENTIONS: Four treaties, and three additional protocols, that established
the standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment in war.

HAGUE CONVENTIONS: International treaties and declarations negotiated at two
international peace conferences at The Hague in the Netherlands. The Hague
Conventions were among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war
crimes in the body of secular international law.

INTERNATIONAL LAW: International Law defines the legal responsibilities of States in their
conduct with each other, and their treatment of individuals within State boundaries.

WAR CRIMES: At the heart of the concept of war crimes is the idea that individuals can
be held criminally responsible for the actions of a country or its soldiers. More generally:
violations of the laws or customs of war.

CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: Atrocities and offences committed against any civilian
population, before or during the war.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
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History Channel. (-). Nuremberg Trials. 2016, de History Channel Sitio web:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/nuremberg-trials
United Nations. (-). Derecho Internacional . 2016, de Naciones Unidas Sitio web:
http://www.un.org/es/globalissues/law/
ADL. (2006). Nuremberg Trials 60th Anniversary. 2016, de ADL Sitio web:
http://archive.adl.org/education/dimensions_19/section2/testimonies.html#.V5LdkZNK
ukp
Yale Law School. (2008). Avalon Project. 2016, de Yale Law School Sitio web:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/witness.asp
Jacques Bernard Herzog. (1997). Recuerdos del proceso de Nuremberg.. 2016, de Sitio web: http://www.derechos.org/nizkor/doc/herzog.html
USHMM. (-). LA LUCHA CONTRA LA NEGACIÓN DEL HOLOCAUSTO: PRUEBAS DEL
HOLOCAUSTO PRESENTADA EN NUREMBERG. 2016, de USHMM Sitio web:
https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/es/article.php?ModuleId=10007438
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The Nizkor Proyect. (-). The Trial of German Major War Criminals. 2016, de - Sitio web:
http://www.nizkor.org/hweb/imt/tgmwc/tgmwc-08/tgmwc-08-73-07.shtml
Eco Revisionista. (2009). Incólumes en el Juicio de Nuremberg. Los Argumentos de la
Defensa. 2016, de Wordpress Sitio web:
https://ecorevisionista.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/incolumes-en-el-juicio-denuremberg-los-argumentos-de-la-defensa/
Cruz Roja. (-). ESTATUTO DEL TRIBUNAL MILITAR INTERNACIONAL DE NUREMBERG. 1945. .
2016, de Cruz Roja Sitio web:
http://www.cruzroja.es/dih/pdf/estatuto_del_tribunal_militar_internacional_de_nuremb
erg.pdf
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