SNSMUN

Committee: Human Rights Council (HRC) Chair: Lama Fahad AlDossary E-mail: lama.f96@hotmail.com Deputy Chair: Ruba AlDossary E-mail: rubaald@hotmail.com

Topic 1: Human Rights violations in Syria The state of human rights in Syria has long been the subject of harsh criticism from global organizations. It started as early as January 11 as a response to the human right abuses, government corruption and the regional Arab spring. The government reacted to the protesters with large arrest, torture of prisoners, police brutality, and some concessions. However, the protests continued to grow, and large-scale military operations then began to launch against restive towns and cities, leading to a large number of civilian deaths. On 24 July 2013, the United Nations put out an estimate of over 100,000 that had died in the war. UNICEF reported that over 500 children had been killed by early February 2012. Another 400 children have been reportedly arrested and tortured in Syrian prisons. Rare infectious diseases have spread in held areas, for the most part effecting children. The UN commission investigating human rights in Syria confirms at least 9 international mass killings, identifying the perpetrator as Syrian government and its supporters. The chaos had caused millions to flee their homes. In September 2013, the UN reported that more than 6.5 million Syrians had been displaced, of whom 2 million fleeing to neighboring countries. Children's rights have been violated vastly for children continue to suffer in the context of the on-going events in the Syrian Arab Republic. They are frequently among those killed and injured during attacks on protests and the bombardment of towns and villages by state forces. Wounded children have been unable to seek treatment due to fears of being perceived as anti- government armed groups supporters or for fear of being beaten in health facilities. Children have died due to a lack of adequate health care during Government blockades. Some, including those injured as a result of torture, have been willfully denied medical care. Men and women have been subjected to sexual violence by government forces. More than 38,000 people appealed to the UN for help after facing sexual assault or other gender-based violence in Syria in 2013. Refugees and Syrian activist have claimed a massive amount of allegations. The human rights watch has also reported these sexual crimes being committed by Syrian government forces. Delegates should be acquainted with the Syrian civil war and the violations of human rights that have occurred. Delegates must be set to addressing any violation and their countries' roles and actions towards it.

Recommended Recourses: https://www.hrw.org/middle-eastn-africa/syria http://www.unicef.org/emergencies/syria/

Topic 2: Access To Safe Drinking Water As An Essential Human Right The human right to water authorizes everyone to adequate, safe, suitable, physically available and reasonably priced water for all personal and every domestic use. Nontoxic drinking water is extremely necessary for viable improvement, important and vital for poverty reduction and crucial for accomplishing any and every one of the Millennium Development Goals. Most of the people considered as lacking access to clean water use about 5 liters a day; hardly 10 percent of the amount of water the average person needs daily. As said by the World Health Organization (WHO), an individual needs what varies between 50 and 100 liters of water a day to guarantee and assure that most basic necessities are met. Statistics recently showed that 884 million people in the world do not have the slightest access to safe drinking water, almost 12% of the worlds entire population. For water to be classified as safe drinking water, it must be completely free from microorganisms, chemical substances and radiological hazard that might immediately lead the person to life-threatening diseases. Statistics also showed that almost half of all the people in developing countries (DCs) suffer from severe health problems duo to their access to unclean water, which classified it the worlds second biggest killer of children. Water, sanitation facilities and services should be accessible and in the range of everyones budget, no matter how poor. It should not exceed 5% of the households income, so it does not cause any inconveniences when it comes to attaining other necessities and basic needs such as food, education and acquiring a home. This issue invites all States and international organizations to assist and cooperate in order to achieve the goal that is providing clean, safe, and affordable and easily accessed drinking water for all citizens, poor or rich. Political pressure should also be taken into consideration, which the societies might implement towards the governments to remind them of the issue the citizens are facing. Recommended resources: http://www.healthinternetwork.com/water_sanitation_health/en/ http://www.wsscc.org/topics/hot-topics/human-rights-water-and-sanitation http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/pdf/human_right_to_water_and_sanitation_ media_brief.pdf