HB+UNHCR+France

Country: France Committee: UNHCR Delegate: Kathryn Reuter Topic One: Refugees in Myanmar

The Union of Burma, now known as Myanmar, was a country rich in culture and diversity, had a thriving economy, and a bright future. In 1824, that peace was disrupted by Great Britain’s quest for the control of Burma. Britain ruled Burma for sixty-two years, in which it incorporated it into its Indian Empire. On January forth, nineteen forty-eight, Burmese nationalists won independence from Britain and became an independent Republic. The nation of Burma entered a period of democratic republic rule from 1948 to 1962; Burma did not join the Commonwealth, unlike most former British colonies and oversea territories. In nineteen sixty-two, General Ne Win took control of the government and ruled from 1962 to 1988 as a military general, self-appointed president, and political leader. Under his rule, Burma became one of the world’s most impoverished nations. Ne Win ruled through the Burma Socialist Party (BSPP), with major influence by The Burmese Way to Socialism. The government quickly suppressed any protests by Burmese Nationalists. In 1988, the government’s oppression and mismanagement caused widespread pro-democratic demonstrations that lead to the formation of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which took control of the government. Multi-party legislative elections were held in 1990 and resulted in a win for SLORC’s main opposition- the National League for Democracy (NLD). The results were annulled by SLORC, which refused to give up power. SLORC, renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in 1997, has remained in control of Burma, ruling with strong and oppressive dictatorship. The SPDC’s 2007 decision to increase fuel prices triggered thousands of peaceful protests that were answered by the military’s merciless killings and raids of all involved. The SPDC has refused to meet the democracy demand and citizens of Myanmar have suffered from it. Poverty, forced labor, displacement, torture, child soldiers, rape, and other Human rights violations are issues that are facing all the citizens and refugees of Myanmar. The number of Internationally Displaced Persons is estimated to be 451,000 in rural Myanmar and over half a million refugees have fled Myanmar to neighboring nations.
 * 1) Background:

The United Nations has played a key role in the situation in Myanmar, from aiding refugees, to trying to solve the oppression felt there, the UN has been devoted to solving this conflict. One of the ways the UN has attempted to aid refugees in Myanmar is the countless resolutions and reports that address the cause of these refugees, their needs and assess the problem. The UN firmly believes that the installment of democracy is a major step in bringing peace to Myanmar. General Assembly Resolution 61/232 states, “The Establishment of a genuine Democratic government in Myanmar is essential for the realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.” Resolution 60/233 promotes the action of “Bring to justice any perpetrators of human rights violations, including members of the military and other government agencies in all circumstances.” The UN believes that human rights violations in Myanmar need to be brought to justice and paid for, another major issue in Myanmar that needs to be dealt with. One of the UN’s major goals is to end the dictatorship in Myanmar and to install a democratic government through agreement and compromise. Aside from resolutions and reports, many UN organizations and bodies are working to bring aid to refugees from Myanmar. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or UNHCR has been active in refugee camps for Myanmar refugees and has set up many tools to help them get on their feet in new situations. The ILO has also been instrumental in assessing the problem to better a possible solution. UNICEF has also helped to bring basic healthcare and education to victims of the violence in Myanmar. France supports the UN’s approach to solving the issue in Myanmar, there are three issues that need to be tackled to bring peace to Myanmar: install a genuine democracy, bring to justice the human rights violators in he military and government, and through dialogue and peaceful means, end any remaining conflict with ethic groups. These three goals address the cause of the refugees from Myanmar and will replace the pain and violence felt there with peace and hope. The issue with refugees in Myanmar is not only how to deal with the problems they face escaping Myanmar and finding relief in neighboring countries, but to address the issues that cause them to become refugees, in this case, civil war in there homeland. By supporting and aiding Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, the UN can successfully bring democracy to Myanmar. Any violators of Human rights must be brought to justice in the International Criminal Court of Justice. The last way to bring peace to Myanmar and stop the cause of Refugees is to bring and end to the conflicts between ethnic groups. With full support and cooperation from the global community, these goals can be achieved and peace will once more me present in Myanmar.
 * 1) UN Action:
 * 1) Country Policy/ Possible solutions