lux.hr.ths08

 Dejah H. Per. 3

Committee: Human Rights Topic: Capital Punishment Country: Luxembourg I.   __Brief Background of the Topic__  Capital Punishment is the death penalty for criminals who committed a homicide. Some countries do not use the death penalty while others continue to support it. Some think it is morally wrong to take someone’s life although they did rob someone else of their own right to live. Of 197 countries, 135 have discontinued any type of capital punishment while sixty-two remain executing certain prisoners. These sixty-two holding on to this law are trying to set an example for their citizens, but most of the 135 think capital punishment goes against Article III of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2008, 91 were counted to be abolitionists of Capital Punishment. In 2007, 88% of all executions took place in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the USA. II. __UN Involvement__  Since 1945, the UN has had a part in trying to abolish capital punishment. The UN knows they can’t step beyond their boundaries when pushing the issue of abolishing the death penalty. All countries have their own views, so the UN has to push it lightly. “On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution calling for a moratorium on capital punishment” (Johnson. 104 nations voted for it, fifty-nine voted against it, and 29 abstained from the voting. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said “this is further evidence of a trend towards ultimately abolishing the death penalty” (Johnson).  III.    __Country Policy and Involvement__    Luxembourg is completely against capital punishment. We as a country do not agree with the idea of taking a person’s life because of the crime they committed. It does not make sense to do to them what we tell them is wrong. It is hypocritical to kill someone to teach themthat killing is bad. Luxembourg believes prison is harsh enough. They are deprived of their friends, family, luxuries, and a hot meal. They are treated as prisoners and do not experience any enjoyment. They will learn their lesson throughout prison and will not commit their crime again because they will not want to come back to a disgusting, hard prison cell. The death penalty is unethical and the wrong way to handle a criminal. Luxembourg is one of the 135 countries that abolished the death penalty. IV. __Solutions__ Luxembourg has come up with a resolution group called the Capital Punishment Resolution Group, or CPRG. This group meets once every six months to discuss alternatives to capital punishment. As many representatives from volunteer nations come together in The Municipal Palace in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. We encourage the abolition of the death penalty and try to encourage nations who support it to adopt a new punishment.

__Bibliography__ http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dfwfvj8r_2gtphjbrg http://www.un.org/apps/news/printnews.asp?nid=28344 http://www.un.org/Pubs/chonicle/2004/issue4/0404p29.html http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp2_1_Capital%20Punishment http://www.amnestyusa.org/print.php

**<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif">-- **Committee: Human Rights Topic: Rights of POWS Country: Luxembourg

I. <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">__Brief Background on the Topic__ POWS, or prisoners of war are men or women from the enemy's military that have been captured. They are held for the period of the war and then released when all activities are finished. Few countries do follow the laws of the Third Geneva Convention while most torture the prisoners beyond belief. The Third Geneva convention clearly states the rights of prisoners of war. The treatment is the same for all militants and even journalists. Women are given little special treatment and children do receive special treatment. Prisoners of war must abide by the laws of the country they have been captured by. Examples of rights the POWS have are they must be kept out of danger, given food, humanely treated, cannot be punished for acts they did not commit, and must be allowed to practice their own religion. After World War II, those prisoners that ended up in the hands of the USA, UK and Canada were fortunate while those who went to camps in France or Germany experienced real torture.

II. __UN Involvement__ The United Nations has been involved in the treatment of POWS (prisoners of war) since 1906. In 1906, the first Geneva Convention was held. These are the rules and rights of the prisoners and the rules and obligations of the officers holding the prisoners. Although the UN attepted to hold another Geneva Convention after World War II, POWS are still treated unethically in many countries. The UN tries their best to let all prisoners have equal rights and treatment but can't get all governments to abide by the laws.

III. __Country Policy__ The nation of Luxembourg completely agrees with the UN and most ethical nations. We believe that prisoners of war should be treated fairly and deserve the rights they are given. If they have committed a crime then they may be punished for it, but being beaten, burnt, decapitated, etc. just because the men with power feel like doing it, then it isn't right. All nations should abide by the Geneva Conventions. We have officers who are morally intelligent. They follow all rules and codes set for them and the prisoners they watch over. If they fail to do so, they do suffer the consequences. Luxembourg is very serious about our stance on this issue and we look down upon all countries who are in the wrong.

IV. __Solutions__ Luxembourg has thought of a couple solutions to this ongoing issue in the world. One solution would be for the UN to provide officers to monitor the facilities prisoners are held in during these wars. They can watch over them to make sure everyone is being treated the way they are supposed to be. The UN Monitors will only be placed in facilities in certain countries with the permission of the government of course. Luxembourg also supports a group called the AUT Committee, or Against Unethical Treatment Committee. This committee meets every 6 months to discuss the possible ways to stop countries from treating prisoners of war badly and against the rules of the Geneva Conventions. Luxembourg looks forward to meeting with other nations to stop this worldwide problem.

__Bibliography__ http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dfwfvj8r_74t2hfg9dp http://www.hrw.org/press/2003/03/pow032403.htm http://www.historicmedia.de/Kriegsgefangene%201%20English%20Destiny.htm http://www.ppu.org.uk/learn/texts/doc_geneva_con.html