MUNA 2015
Forum: GA2 Issue: The violation of economic human rights in less economically developed countries (LEDC’s) Student Officers: Erik Oude Alink & Nicole Koobs Introduction In the debate about economic human rights delegates must take into consideration which human rights are included in the economic sphere. Which are: The right to food: Food should be physically and economically accessible in ways that do not interfere with the enjoyment of other human rights. Food should be available in a quantity and quality sufficient to satisfy the dietary needs of individuals, free from adverse substances, and acceptable within a given culture. Food must be sustainable and given out if not readily available without discrimination to all groups in society. The right to education: which must be equally divided among individual children, provided within the aims set out by the UN. There must be equitable distribution of resources in education across communities according to need. The government must ensure that the human right to education “will be exercised without discrimination of any kind as to race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” The right to housing: Everyone has a fundamental human right to housing, which ensures access to a safe, secure, habitable, and affordable home with freedom from forced eviction. It is the government’s obligation to guarantee that everyone can exercise this right to live in security, peace, and dignity. This right must be provided to all persons irrespective of income or access to economic resources. The right to work: Guaranteeing the opportunity to have fulfilling and dignified work under safe and healthy conditions with fair wages affording a decent living for oneself and one'ʹs family. It also provides for freedom from unemployment and the right to organize. In Many LEDC’s all over the world several or all of these rights are violated. In our debate delegates will have to come up with solutions to solve the gross violations of the economic human rights. Definition of Key Terms [Economic human rights] Economic human rights are categorized in Economic, social and cultural rights, which are socio-­‐‑economic human rights, such as the right to education, right to housing, right to adequate standard of living, right to health and the right to science and culture. Economic, social and cultural rights are recognized and protected in international and regional human rights instruments. Member states have a legal obligation to respect, protect and fulfill economic, social and cultural rights and are expected to take "ʺprogressive action"ʺ towards their fulfillment. Model United Nations Alfrink ·∙ Alfrink College Zoetermeer Werflaan 42, 2725 DE, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands [email protected] ·∙ [email protected] www.munalfrink.nl MUNA 2015
[LEDC (Less economically developed country)] A term used in sociopolitical and scholarly literature to designate the developing countries. General Overview In recent years, there has been a growing trend around the world toward improved enforcement and adjudication procedures for economic human rights. For example, the Council of Europe has recently adopted a revised European Social Charter that came into force on July 1, 1999. The revised European Social Charter provides protection for economic and social rights, for example, through the right to decent housing and protection against poverty and social exclusion. The rights are subject to a complaint procedure that allows employer organizations and NGOs to file complaints against governments which are then considered by a Committee of Independent Experts. Nevertheless, there is significant concern that the current mechanism of enforcement is insufficiently robust to entail the full implementation of the Social Charter. Many commentators have argued for an individual petition system and a European Court of Social Rights, or a Social Rights Commission. Some writers have considered the possibility that the Social Charter may be given effect by courts, not by directly upholding the positive state obligations outlined in the Social Charter, but rather by employing it in the interpretation of other areas of European Community Law. It is clear that the vast majority of countries already have domestic recognition of social and economic rights, either through the application of international treaties in domestic law or through constitutional or human rights provisions that refer to social and economic rights. Over one-­‐‑half of the constitutions of the countries of the world contain express provisions regarding social and economic rights or principles. For example, more than 55 constitutions refer to a right or state duty with respect to social assistance, over 30 constitutions refer to the right to a minimum standard of living, more than 30 constitutions enshrine a right or state duty with respect to housing and so forth. Although these provisions are not always enforceable in the courts, their entrenchment serves as an expression of shared values and aspirations and as a guide for national policy-­‐‑making. Major Parties Involved [UN] The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization established 24 October 1945, to promote international co-­‐‑operation. [Amnesty international] Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty and AI) is a non-­‐‑governmental organisation focused on human rights with over 4 million members and supporters around the world. The stated objective of the organisation is "ʺto conduct research and Model United Nations Alfrink ·∙ Alfrink College Zoetermeer Werflaan 42, 2725 DE, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands [email protected] ·∙ [email protected] www.munalfrink.nl MUNA 2015
generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."ʺ Previous attempts to solve the issue − World leaders have had talks with LEDCS and each other about possible solutions − Help and care has been given to LEDCS by countries and different non-­‐‑government organizations. − Policy changes have been made by the UN to fit the Economic Human Rights standards. Possible Solutions − Delegations can introduce new agreements (Covenants/Treaties) enforcing economical human rights in LEDS − Delegations could work together and provide support for different LEDS countries in many different sectors and in many different ways for example sending educational equipment, food resources etc. − Delegates could focus on only one sector of Economical human rights and first make sure that this is available in LEDC − Delegates could have talks to show LEDC the importance of economical human rights and that they must be followed − Delegations could take immediate action or focus on improving it in the future − Violating Economical Human Rights could be Punished more. Useful document Document on the basic economic, social and cultural rights: http://www.nesri.org/human-­‐‑rights/economic-­‐‑and-­‐‑social-­‐‑rights Frequently Asked Questions on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FactSheet33en.pdf Model United Nations Alfrink ·∙ Alfrink College Zoetermeer Werflaan 42, 2725 DE, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands [email protected] ·∙ [email protected] www.munalfrink.nl