Chairs:
Head Chair: Maria Bélen Mora
Chairs: Telmo Piqueras & Marina Santos
Head Chair: Maria Bélen Mora
Chairs: Telmo Piqueras & Marina Santos
Committee Description:
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The Political Committee, or PoCo, is an adapted version of the official United Nations Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL), or Fourth Committee, exclusively designed to fit the branch of Model United Nations in Brazil. Slightly differing from SPECPOL however, PoCo’s purpose is dedicated to the resolving of issues affiliated with political and territorial disputes pertaining to the UN, rather than decolonization-related affairs. The two primary issues on PoCO’s agenda here at YOUMUN include: Addressing the political status of the Kashmir region dispute and discussing the legitimacy of the International Criminal Court.
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Study Guide
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Topic 1: Addressing the political status of the Kashmir region dispute
The Kashmir issue, the bone of contention between Pakistan and India, has held the Sub-Continent hostage since their independence in 1947. They both claim ownership of Kashmir and ever since China started to involve itself in the conflict, a move heavily criticized by India, the dispute has become even more relevant. As said before, the issue started after the independence of India in 1947. It was then divided into two different countries: Pakistan and India. The difference between Indians and Pakistanis was their religion: Indians were mostly Hindus while Pakistanis were Muslims. Although they were divided, 650 princely states still remained within the two countries with Kashmir being one of them. Kashmir had the choice to join either Pakistan or India. The problem lies in that the ruler of Kashmir was Hindu while the majority of the population was Muslim. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, decided to remain neutral until tribesmen from Pakistan attacked Srinagar (the capital of Kashmir) in October 1947. Frightened, he signed a treaty of accession which cedes Kashmir to India. This was the start of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48. This was when India called for UN intervention. Tension raised again in the 1960s - China had been gradually occupying eastern Kashmir, which is also called Aksai Chin. Sino-Indian War broke out in 1962: People’s Republic of China and India both claimed the sovereignty of Eastern Kashmir, and clashed. China won a victory, therefore annexed Aksai Chin. In 1965 another Indo-Pakistani War broke out - Pakistan, after studying guerilla warfare from the United States, applied it to the revenge against India under the codename of “Operation Gibraltar”. However it failed since the Kashmiris did not revolt. The conflict between India and Pakistan on Kashmir still remains contentious until these days. Since this conflict might classify as a UNSC issue, it must be looked at through a political lense. Owing to its human dimension, the issue warrants an early resolution, so that the Kashmiri people can breathe a sigh of relief.
Topic 2: Discussing the legitimacy of the International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international tribunal and intergovernmental organization in charge of prosecuting individuals charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. Established in 2002 it has dealt with a great deal of cases, however it has come under scrutiny from governments across the world due to alleged biases towards African nations and its inability to prosecute individuals from members who have not ratified the treaty. Such nations include big players on the international stage like the US, China, and Russia.
The Kashmir issue, the bone of contention between Pakistan and India, has held the Sub-Continent hostage since their independence in 1947. They both claim ownership of Kashmir and ever since China started to involve itself in the conflict, a move heavily criticized by India, the dispute has become even more relevant. As said before, the issue started after the independence of India in 1947. It was then divided into two different countries: Pakistan and India. The difference between Indians and Pakistanis was their religion: Indians were mostly Hindus while Pakistanis were Muslims. Although they were divided, 650 princely states still remained within the two countries with Kashmir being one of them. Kashmir had the choice to join either Pakistan or India. The problem lies in that the ruler of Kashmir was Hindu while the majority of the population was Muslim. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, decided to remain neutral until tribesmen from Pakistan attacked Srinagar (the capital of Kashmir) in October 1947. Frightened, he signed a treaty of accession which cedes Kashmir to India. This was the start of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48. This was when India called for UN intervention. Tension raised again in the 1960s - China had been gradually occupying eastern Kashmir, which is also called Aksai Chin. Sino-Indian War broke out in 1962: People’s Republic of China and India both claimed the sovereignty of Eastern Kashmir, and clashed. China won a victory, therefore annexed Aksai Chin. In 1965 another Indo-Pakistani War broke out - Pakistan, after studying guerilla warfare from the United States, applied it to the revenge against India under the codename of “Operation Gibraltar”. However it failed since the Kashmiris did not revolt. The conflict between India and Pakistan on Kashmir still remains contentious until these days. Since this conflict might classify as a UNSC issue, it must be looked at through a political lense. Owing to its human dimension, the issue warrants an early resolution, so that the Kashmiri people can breathe a sigh of relief.
Topic 2: Discussing the legitimacy of the International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international tribunal and intergovernmental organization in charge of prosecuting individuals charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. Established in 2002 it has dealt with a great deal of cases, however it has come under scrutiny from governments across the world due to alleged biases towards African nations and its inability to prosecute individuals from members who have not ratified the treaty. Such nations include big players on the international stage like the US, China, and Russia.