Background information of the Moot Court case
Frits Kalshoven International Humanitarian Law Competition 2016
State: Democratic Republic of Escapa (DRE)
Capital: Kabisera
Other Major city: Hebat
Head of State: President Sughaban
Official language: Eratian, Susedian and English
State: Kofe
Capital: Cefurbo
Other Major cities: Pilut, Presco
Head of State: President Pangulo
Official language: Felician, Susedian and English
Demography DRE
Area
Total: 30.528 km²
Terrain: The river ‘Kali’ separates the country’s eastern and western part. The western and southern
part is generally hilly. The eastern part is a mountainous area. The northern part of the country is
covered with plains of fertile soil.
Natural resources: Coal and iron.
Climate: Warm summers, especially in the northern part of the DRE. During July and August, the
hottest months, the daytime temperature will rarely get below 30 °C (86 °F). Winters can get quite
cold, with an average temperature of 5°C (41 °F) in January.
Natural hazards: annual downpours in October and November.
Population:
Total: 11.313.104
Male: 5.881.114
Female: 5.431.990
Ethnicity: Erastes (80%), Felicers (15%) and Susedians (5%)
Religion: Dini (93%), Uskonto (6%), other (1%)
Location: The Democratic Republic of Escapa borders neighbouring country Kofe in the north, Blakus
in the east and south and Susedia in the west and south.
Historical overview
In 1948, when the Kingdom of Felicia fell apart into three separate States, the Democratic Republic of
Escapa was established, as were the neighbouring Republics of Susedia and Kofe. The Kingdom of
Felicia was tormented by ethnic disputes between its original inhabitants, the Felicers, and Susedian
and Erastes people for decades. The province of Kofe suffered the most from ethnic violence. 55% of
the province’s inhabitants was of a Felicer background; Susedians covered 40%, and those of Erastes
descend the remaining 5%. The province of Escapa was home to the biggest Erastes population,
counting 85%.
The DRE is composed of three ethnic groups: Erastes (80%), Felicers (15%) and Susedian (5%).
Felicers are a minority who mostly live in the northern part of the DRE, close to the border with Kofe.
In the 50-60s ethnic violence, especially between Susedians and Felicers, in neighbouring country
Kofe, caused many Felicers to flee to the DRE. Erastes and Felicers share a common religion.
Politics
The DRE is a centralized state. The central government consists almost entirely of members of the
Erastes population, just as the president. The current head of state is president Sughaban. He is in
office since 2003 and has been re-elected for a third term which started in October 2013. Every five
years there are new elections. Under the Constitution of 1948, no president may serve more than
four terms in office.
The political choices president Sughaban makes, seem to indirectly favour the Erastes population,
which spurs unrest among the Felicers in the north. During the first two terms of president Sughaban
the agitation remains superficial, this however changed with the start of his third term in October
2013. Felicers verbal protest becomes of a more violent nature.
Economy
The majority of the DRE population lives concentrated around the river Kali and on the southern side
of the country, in Hebat and its surroundings. This is the richest region due to activities in machinery,
metals and metal manufacturing, chemicals and automobile industry.
Another large part of existence is agriculture. The northern part has fertile plains. Most Felicer
families possess land to produce important products like oranges, tomatoes and peppers. The
Felicers population is known for their traditional technique of building wooden houses. The latter
used to attract many tourists each year, especially from the neighbouring country Kofe, since most
traditional Felicer wooden houses in Kofe have been replaced by brick ones. Since the presidency of
Sughaban construction safety rules were adjusted. New houses should therefore be made of brick
and the traditional wooden houses are disappearing here as well.
Humanitarian situation
Since the ethnic violence of the 50-60s in neighbouring Kofe has been settled, the situation in the
DRE and its neighbouring countries has been relatively stable. However, the internal humanitarian
situation within the DRE has deteriorated since 2014, due to ethnic tensions.
Military organization
The DRE Armed Force was created in 1949, only one year after the DRE’s independence. The
president is the supreme commander of the two branches: the DRE’s Army and the DRE’s Air Force.
The DRE’s Army is the largest branch and consists of 34,000 combat-ready deployable ground troops.
Military service is voluntary.
Demography Kofe
Area
Total: 41.526 km²
Terrain: The northern part of Kofe borders the Felician Sea and is known for its beautiful sand dunes.
The southern part of the country is covered with plains of fertile soil. The capital Cefurbo is the most
populated area, located closely to the Kali river. The eastern part is a mainly mountainous area.
Natural resources: Fish, iron and silver.
Climate: The Kofean summer is known for its warm, almost tropical climate. The daytime
temperature will rarely get below 32 °C (89,6 °F). Winters can get cold, with an average temperature
of 7°C (44, 6 °F) in January.
Natural hazards: annual downpours in the south in October and November.
Population:
Total: 13.456.232
Male: 6.822.457
Female: 6.633.775
Ethnicity: Felicers (53%), Susedians (42%), Erastes (5%)
Religion: Dini (52%), Uskonto (41%), other (7%)
Location: The Republic of Kofe borders neighbouring country the DRE in the south, Blakus in the
south and east, Susedia in the south-west, and the Felician sea in the north and west.
Historical overview
Kofe is a centralized state, which is led by president Pangulo. It was established in 1948, as were the
Republics of Susedia and DRE, when the Kingdom of Felicia fell apart.
Kofe is composed by three ethnic groups: Felicers (53%),Susedians (42%) and Erastes (5%). In the 5060s ethnic violence caused many Felicers to flee to the DRE. The Felicers share a common religion
(Dini) with the majority Erastes population of the DRE. Their language however, differs. Moreover,
the language of the Susedian minority in Kofe is different from Felician. Also, their Uskonto religion
differs from Dini religion.
Politics
Kofe is a centralized state. President Pangulo, who is known for his compassion and composure, has
been in office since 2010 and has been re-elected for a second term which started in January 2014.
Every four years there are new elections. Constitutionally, no president may serve more than two
terms in office.
Economy
Kofe is known for its engineering, electronical equipment and food processing. The majority of the
Kofe population lives in the capital Cefurbo.
The beach in the northern part of Kofe attracts many tourists every year. Many fisherman, mostly
Susedians, contribute to Kofe’s economy by fishery. Another large part of existence is agriculture.
The southern part has fertile plains. Most Felicer families possess land to produce products like
oranges, tomatoes and peppers.
Humanitarian situation
Since the ethnic violence of the 50-60s in the country have been settled, the situation has been
relatively stable. However, the humanitarian situation within neighbouring country the DRE has
deteriorated since 2014, due to ethnic tensions, causing sporadic tensions in the border area
between the DRE and Kofe.
Military organization
The Kofean Army was created in 1948, in the year of its independence. Military service is voluntary.
The defence budget has decreased since the 1960s due to the economic crisis, causing declining
economic resources in Kofe. Kofe’s Ground Forces is the largest army branch and consists of 25,000
combat-ready deployable ground troops. The Kofean Navy has 10,500 active duty personnel.