MUN BRIEFING PAPER

Not the UN?: Who represents the world's 'stateless' nations?

Hello, we are Anna and Ellen, your Secretaries General at GWC MUN 2011. We have been doing MUN together for many years and so look forward to chairing the General Assembly debate at our last ever conference.

The GA debate this year will be on the topic of "Not the UN? Who represents the world's 'stateless' nations?"

The United Nations was established in order to give the whole world a voice. Since 1945 it has striven to represent and protect the rights of people in all nations. However, many ethnic groups are arguably under- represented and so the UN may be falling short of its aims. Some peoples do not see themselves as citizens of the nations to which they supposedly belong, whilst others are simply forgotten. This is an issue that can be applied anywhere in the world, and is undermining the United Nations' credibility. The question we ask is whether the UN is complying fully with its original intentions or is falling short of its democratic principles. A UN body, the UN permanent forum of indigenous issues does exist. However many choose to be represented by the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People organisation) which is, rather confusingly not affiliated with the UN: Abkhazia, Aboriginals of Australia, Afrikaner, Ahwazi, Assyria, Balochistan, Batwa, Burma, Buryatia, Cabinda, Chin, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Circassia, Cordillera, Crimean Tatars, Degar-Montagnards, East Turkestan, Gilgit Baltistan, Greek Minority in Albania, Hmong, Hungarian Minority in Romania, Inner Mongolia, Iranian Kurdistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraqi Turkmen, Kalahui Hawaii, Karenni State, Khmer Krom, Kosova, Maasai, Mapuche, Mon, Moro, Nagalim, Ogaden, Ogoni, Oromo, Rehoboth Basters, Sanjak, Scania, Sindh, Somaliland, South Moluccas, Southern Azerbaijan, Southern Cameroons, Taiwan, Tibet, Tsimshian, Tuva, Udmurt, Vhavenda, West Balochistan, Zanzibar

All countries have a part to play in how this debate is shaped, but here are some specific case studies which highlight the importance of this discussion:

• Scotland – With the SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party, for all you southerners) in government in Holyrood the case has been put forward that Scotland needs a more independent say at the UN rather than being represented by the UK as a whole. It is argued that Scotland's opinion is disregarded by the UK delegation at the UN. Alex Salmond, wishes to have a seat between Saudi Arabia and Senegal. Although this may seem far-fetched, the point does carry some weight. For example, opposition to the Iraq war was a lot stronger in Scotland than the rest of the UK and so if Scotland had been an independent member state, it may have been able to express a different view to that which the whole UK portrayed. • China – As the world's most populous nation China rules over some 56 ethnic groups, many of whom do not see themselves as Chinese and protest at being under Beijing's authority. One such group is the Uyghurs. Their identity remains fragmented, but many are passionate in their call for a "Uyghurstan" to be created. Uyghur leaders are also pushing the Chinese government for greater regard to their interests, including the right to demonstrate. A much better known issue over nationalism is that of Tibet. In 2008 there were 5.4 million Tibetans in China, but the groups also live elsewhere, notably in India, Nepal and Bhutan. Those in favour of independence believe that there is a distinct nation and state that was independent between 1912 when the Qing dynasty ended until its incorporation into the People's Republic of China in 1951. They argue that as a result, China's rule in Tibet is illegitimate and a violation of both Tibet's historical status and the Tibetan people's right to self-determination. However China claims that due to international law they have a right to rule over Tibet, and the UN has hitherto been in agreement with this. In Nepal in October of 2010 Tibetans living in the Kathmandu Valley were denied their right to vote in low-profile elections by the aggressive actions of armed police. The issue of Tibetan nationalism is very contentious. They

George Watson’s College MUN Conference 2011 MUN BRIEFING PAPER

want to be an independent nation, but their role as a minority could be preventing their right to self- determination. • Roma - Here is yet another group not defined by the border within which they live. In recent years there has been a growth in awareness of the Roma, but is such interest always beneficial? They have certainly been the focus of greater political attention, but the living conditions and life chances of most Roma in Eastern Europe have actually seen a deterioration. This would seem to contradict the conventional idea that greater political attention and representation will certainly lead to an improvement in circumstances. • South Ossetia – In 1990 South Ossetians declared independence from Georgia, and war ensued where Georgia reclaimed the region by force. Since then the region has been disputed in a series of conflicts, notably in 2004 and 2008. In the latter Ossetian separatists and Russian forces gained full control of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast' area. The self-declared republic is recognised only by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru. Ossetians live in many nations: in Russia there are 515,000, Georgia (exc. South Ossetia) 38,028, Syria 59,200, Turkey 36,900 and fewer in countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Armenia, Moldova, Latvia and Estonia.

The issue here is very complex. In the relatively recent past countries such as Armenia, Georgia and East Timor have gained full independence and joined the UN as nations in their own right. Does the current system work? Where is the greatest balance for democracy without leading to a state of anarchy? The UN does not have the right or ability to recognise a new State or government, because that can only be done by other States or governments. States are admitted to the UN by a decision made by the General Assembly following a recommendation by the Security Council. There is the possibility to be become a permanent observer, such as Palestine or the Holy See (http://www.un.org/en/members/nonmembers.shtml).

Have a look at these websites:

• http://www.unpo.org • http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/index.html • http://www.un.org/en/members/about.shtml

Don't forget that if your Delegation wants to make a serious bid for awards in GA, you will have to submit a position paper of around 50 words, outlining your country's views on this topic (see http://www.gwc.org.uk/mun/2011conference/delegatesMunConf.html)

Please email these country position papers to us by Friday 18 February.

We are looking forward to seeing you all in March!

Ellen and Anna

George Watson’s College MUN Conference 2011