United Nations Special Mission In Syria Background Guide

Transcription

1 United Nations Special Mission In Syria Background Guide

2 Letter From the Chairman Esteemed Delegates, As your president, I would like to welcome you to Alexmun 2016, and the United Nations Special Mission in Syria. My name is Alejandro Gutierrez Molina and I am a student of 3 rd semester. I m genuinely honored to be the chairman of this committee. This year s UNSMIS honorable chair is conformed by: Moderator: Ana Enriquez, Conference Officer: Fernanda Carriedo, Political Advisor: Daniela de la Parra Crisis Official: Natalia Riba. The topic that will be debated is the Crisis in Syria, and the civil war that has been going on since the year 2011, and has left over 250,000 deaths, and the worst refugees crisis of the last 20 years. For this committee it is imperative that an agreement is reached, in order to cease this conflict once in for all. We hope you give this job the time and dedication that it requires, because more than just a Model, Alexmun is a meaningful experience and a critical tool for future generations such as ours, I hope you all do your best possible during the Model and take it with the solemnity it deserves. You ll have to address on how and what s the best way for this conflict to be solved, including subtopics like: What would be the future for the 4,000,000 Syrian refugees or the 11 million that have been displaced from their homes, who will succeed to power in case the president is thrown off, terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda s branch in Syria, and human rights violations that have been present since the beginning of the conflict. The resolution of this conflict is of vital importance for Syria and the Middle East. As the president, if you have any questions or comments regarding the topics being discussed, the position papers or any other doubt concerning Alexmun and UNSMIS, do not hesitate to contact me through my address, alejandro.gutierrez@bab.edu.mx, or any of the other members of the table, who s mails will be listed just below. We are looking forward to your great ideas and seeing you at Alexmun in January! Alejandro Gutiérrez Molina Chairman, United Nations Special Mission in Syria Table s Ana.enriquez@bab.edu.mx Fernanda.carriedo@bab.edu.mx Daniela.delaparra@bab.edu.mx Natalia.riba@bab.edu.mx

3 Committee s Brief United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria Origin The UN Security Council on the Resolution 2043 established UNSMIS in April 21, This new mission would incorporate a small team of unarmed military observers deployed by the Council Syria one week earlier on Syria, meanwhile, a pending decision of a bigger peacekeeping operation was made based on assessment of the situation on the country. Purpose Initially it was supposed to be a 90 days plan only to administer and stop armed violence and to support the implementation of the joint special envoy to end the conflict in Syria. The mission was extended for 30 more days and said that any further extension could be possible only In the event that the Secretary-General reports and the Security Council confirms the cessation of the use of heavy weapons and a reduction in the level of violence sufficient by all sides''. Enough to allow UNSMIN to begin their mission. On 15 June 2012, UNSMIS was suspended due to an intensification of armed violence throughout the country. This suspension was to be reviewed on a daily basis. As the conditions set by the Council had not been met, UNSMIS mandate ended at midnight on 19 August Faculties The Council called on the Syrian government to ensure the effective operation of UNSMIS by: facilitating the expeditious and unhindered deployment of its personnel and capabilities; ensuring its full, unimpeded, and immediate freedom of movement and access as necessary to fulfill its mandate; allowing its unobstructed communications; and allowing it to freely and privately communicate with individuals throughout Syria without retaliation against any person as a result of interaction with UNSMIS. 1 UNSMIS TASKS UNSMIS task was to watch over the cessation of all types of armed violence, as well as to support the six-point plan with the purpose of ending the conflict in Syria. It also sought to stop the use of heavy weaponry and to reduce the levels of violence. UNSMIS suffered one fatality in one local civilian zone. 1 Anonymous. UNSMIS Mandate. (On Line). (Accessed on September 27, 2015). Available on:

4 To achieve such goals, the UNSIMIS counted with 300 unarmed military observers from the authorized straight. As well as 81 people acting as international staff, 40 local staff and 278 military observers. The budget was authorized with $16.8 million, as with military personal contributors from more than thirty countries. Historical Background In the year 2000, Hafez Al-Assad, leader of the Alawite faction and former president of Syria since 1970, dies. His son Bashar Al-Assad rises to presidency. There s a small period of good government and relaxation in the country. Little time passed before Bashar started following his father s steps, oppression and censorship began in the country A group of revolutions led by young people, called the Arab Spring, initiated in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. Protests erupted in different parts of Syria, demanding the end of Bashar s presidency. After hundreds of deaths in the next protests, the U.S sets sanctions on Bashar and other Syrian officials. Thousands are killed after several days of protests in the City of Hama, tanks and snipers were used. As a consequence, France, Great Britain, Germany, the U.S and the UE, demand the resignation of Assad, stating that he s unfit to lead. The first opposition to Bashar s rule is formed and named Syrian National Council. China and Russia veto a UN resolution that threatened to put sanctions to Syria if they didn t stop the military oppression against civilians. In December 2011, car bombs kill almost 50 people in Damascus, and the military begin to open fire on thousands of protesters in Hama China and Russia veto another resolution of the UN, a call for Bashar Al- Assad to step out of the presidency. The Syrian National Council assembles a military council to help the unification of all resistance groups in Syria. Syria promises to work with the UN on a ceasefire plan, except on one condition, the government had the right to defend themselves from terrorists behind the uprising. At the end this agreement failed to maintain. In April 2012, the UN approves the UNSMIS, made out of 300 unarmed military observers, the UNSMIS mandate ended on August 19 due to the intensification of violence in the country. Syria makes the threat of using chemical and biological weapons, in the case of a foreign attack. The U.S responds they will get involved if Bashar s regime uses chemical or biological weapons.

5 The Syrian National Council changes to Syrian National Coalition, a new opposition with representatives of every faction, supported by the Western and Arab countries The UE stops sending weapons to help Syrian rebels. On the other hand, the White House authorizes help to Syrian rebels by sending weapons, given the fact they have evidence of use of chemical weapons in Syria. Assad denies the use of chemical weapons; President Obama says he will seek authorization of the Congress to take military action against Syria. To avoid military action from the U.S, Syria suggests they ll move their chemical weapons out of the country, with UN control. In October, officers from OPCW, monitor the dismantling of chemical weapons in Syria Ban Ki-Moon organizes the first peace talks in Geneva, with the inclusion of the Syrian government and the Syrian National Coalition. The second round of Geneva talks fail to agree, as the opposition and government can t progress in the talks. A presidential election is held on government-held areas, for the first time in 40 years, more than one person could be a presidential candidate. The Levant and the Islamic State of Iraq, create a new caliphate named Islamic State, also known as ISIS Russia announces they will continue with their military support for Syria, with weapons and supplies to Bashar Al-Assad s government. The UN estimates that the conflict has left over 220,000 deaths, and over one third of the country s population displaced from their homes. U.S and Turkey sign a deal to help on the training and arming of rebels fighting against IS. IS start releasing videos of pilots, militaries and reporters being, beheaded, burnt alive and tortured.

6 Actions And Agreements Since the beginning of the conflict, the U.N has made 7 resolutions on the subject, the first one appointed on April of 2012, on the establishment of the Syrian Civil War observer force. One week later, on resolution 2043 of the Security Council, they established the commencement of the United Nations Special Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), a peacekeeping mission with the task of monitoring the ceasing of armed violence in the country. UNSMIS was first supposed to last 90 days was conformed by 278 military observers, 40 local civilian staff and 81 international civilian staff from over 20 countries. While UNSMIS was in force there were several documents including resolutions and letters such as: Resolutions of the General Assembly, Resolutions of the Security Council, Statements by the President of the Security Council, Press statements by the President of the Security Council, Reports of the Secretary- General, Letters between the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. 2 All of these have one purpose in common and it is to help and change the situation. Its mandate was renewed for another 30 days on July 2012, and once the 30- day period was over, the UNSMIS mandate came to an end on August Almost one year later, Resolution 2139 was passed unanimously, asking to all parties in the Syrian Civil War to allow the free access of humanitarian aid to cross along 4 border points that were not controlled by the Syrian government. International humanitarian aid has been given, coordinated by UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) it appealed on 2013 for 1.41 billion dollars to help on the humanitarian needs of Syrians. Multiple countries have given humanitarian aid to Syria, such as USA: $365 million; United Kingdom: Over $1.6 billion of aid since 2012, giving it to over 30 different organizations including U.N agencies; Norway: It has given over $338.5 million to Syria and its neighbor countries; finally Iran is exporting to Syria on a daily basis between 500 and 800 tones of flour. This and more are the actions and agreements the UN and other countries have made through the years and now as a delegate it s your turn no find out new ones based on this. 2 You can Access and read all of these documents, by accessing to:

7 Development of the Topic It started in 2011, in the Syrian city of Deraa, and since then, the situation has become more difficult. At the beginning, the protests where for freedom, but when the government started to open fire to the demonstrations against Bashar al-assad, things went out of hand. During this situation, in 2013, UN inspectors proved that chemical weapons had been used in Syria, creating a great reaction from countries such as, United States, France and Great Britain. While rebel brigades battle against the government of president Assad for control of the cities and the countryside. By June ,000 had been killed according to the UN and by August 2015 it has reached 250,000 deaths. By now the conflict is more than a battle between those against or in favor of president Assad and by now, there are many other problems that have to be solved addressing the civil war. For example: War crimes including murder, rape and torture. The government also mentions the usage of civil suffering as a method of war, like blocking access to food and water and also health services. There is also a campaign of terror coming from the Islamic State in Northern Syria. (Refer to Annex 1 for more information). The use of chemical weapons like rockets filed with nerve agent, which are fired to agricultural zones in the outer Damascus. Regarding this, the intervention of the US was required and President Bashar al-assad had to agree to the removal and destruction of the weapons as part of a joint mission with the UN and the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons). Nevertheless, OPCW has found and documented continuous use of toxic chemicals by the government in attacks to rebel forces. The Islamic State that has also been accused of using homemade chemical weapons. Humanitarian Crisis. This is one of the largest refugees exoduses in recent history, more than 4 million people have left Syria because of the conflict, most of them women and children. Most of them have had to migrate to neighbor countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. (See annex 2 for more information). Syrians who try to flee face many obstacles, first of all, the trip through the sea is dangerous, and many travelers drown. Most of the families who try to flee, also have to walk through miles over night, avoiding being shot or encounter soldiers that kidnap young kids and men to fight. Secondly, once displaced, the lack of sanitation and clear water in the crowds makes diseases such as cholera and polio spread quickly and there are not enough medical services to treat the infected. As the conflict keeps

8 going, UN has stated that by the end of 2015, there could be more than 4.27 million refugees. The rise of Jihadists. Later on, in 2014, the extremist group named Islamic State (IS) took over large parts of the country. Whose tactics seem brutal and have caused consternation and rebel infighting. Intern conflicts between them and other groups have been created. So both the government and the rebel groups are forced to fight back against the Islamic State and the Jihadists. A Proxy War that began as another Arab Spring uprising against the autocratic ruler, turned into a conflict between Iran and Russia. Questions for the Delegates 1. How come a minority is the one that controls or used to control Syria (Alawite Minority)? 2. Why are China and Russia using their Veto Power for resolutions concerning Syria? 3. Who are the Jihadists and what are they seeking? 4. What do you consider what are the missing elements to the resolution 2043 of de 21 de April de 2012? 5. Apart from all the deaths why would you consider this is the worst refugee crisis of our generation? 6. What do you believe were the reasons students and young people were moved to create the Arab spring? 7. Who were the members of the rebel groups and why did they join? 8. Explain how the conflict started (who raised to power?) 9. What was the response of the government response of the non-violent demonstrations from the people? 10. Who are Syria s allies? 11. Why are they supporting Syria? What do they get? 12. What are the war crimes that have been committed? Which sides have committed them? 13. What has been Europe s response to the refugees? Glossary Proxy War: A war instigated by a major power that does not itself become involved. Jihadist: An Islamic militant.

9 Resolution: A formal expression of opinion or intention agreed on by a legislative body, committee, or other formal meeting, typically after taking a vote. Mandate: An official order or commission to do something. Arab Spring: A series of antigovernment uprisings in various countries in North Africa and the Middle East, beginning in Tunisia in December Islamic State: A militant Islamic fundamentalist group active particularly in Syria and Iraq. Also called ISIL, ISIS. Veto Power: Power wielded only by the permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States) that enables them to prevent the adoption of any resolution, when any of them has a negative vote on any draft resolution. Brigade: A subdivision of an army, typically consisting of a small number of infantry battalions or other units and often forming part of a division. Nerve Agent: A substance that alters the functioning of the nervous system, typically inhibiting neurotransmission; especially one used as a weapon. Exodus: A mass departure of people, especially emigrants. Refugee: A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

10 Sources Anonymous. Humanitarian Financing Overview. (On Line). (Accessed on October 11, 2015). Available on: Anonymous. UNSMIS (Syria). (On Line). (Accessed on October 11, 2015). Available on: Anonymous. UNSMIS Background. (On Line). (Accessed on September ). Available on: Anonymous. UNSMIS Mandate. (On Line). (Accessed on September 27, 2015). Available on: Anonymous. Syria profile Timeline. (On Line). (Accessed on September 27, 2015). Available on: Anonymous. Timeline of Syria s Raging War. (On Line). (Accessed on September 28, 2015). Available on: ml Rogers, Lucy et al. Syria: The story of the conflict. (On line). (Accessed on September ) Available on World Wide Web: Anonymous. Syrian Arab Republic. (On line). (Accessed on September ) Available on World Wide Web: Anonymous. Quick facts: What you need to know about the Syria crisis (on line). (Accessed on September ) Available on World Wide Web: Anonymous. Syria (on line). (Accessed on September ) Available on World Wide Web: Anonymous. Syria. (On Line). (Consulted on September ). Available on: ex.html Henderson Barney. The Rise of the Islamic State. (On Line). (Consulted on September ). Available on:

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