Delegate Manual COMUN 2015 | www. comun2015. org COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 1 Contents 1.The United Nations ............................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 ORIGINS ........................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2. MISSION ......................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3. THE UN SYSTEM ............................................................................................................................. 3 1.3.1. GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) ........................................................................................................... 4 1.3.2. SECURITY COUNCIL (SC) .............................................................................................................. 4 1.3.3. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) ............................................................................. 5 1.3.4. TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL (TC) AND THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) ...................... 5 Achievements............................................................................................................................................ 5 1.5. ACHIEVEMENTS .............................................................................................................................. 5 1.6. THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY ........................................................................................................ 6 2.The Colombo Model United Nations .................................................................................................... 8 2.1 ORIGINS ........................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 PARTICIPATION AND PARTICIPANT IDENTIFICATION ...................................................................... 8 2.3 BENEFITS ......................................................................................................................................... 8 2.4 CONFERENCE FORMAT ................................................................................................................... 9 2.5. EXPECTATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 9 3.Mandates ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Functions of the General Assembly ........................................................................................................ 10 Disarmament and International Security Committee ............................................................................. 12 Economical and Financial Committee ..................................................................................................... 15 The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL) ............................................................ 17 United Nations Human Rights Council .................................................................................................... 20 Security Council ....................................................................................................................................... 24 International Court of Justice ................................................................................................................. 31 The United Nations Peacebuilding Committee ....................................................................................... 40 1.Key Skills .............................................................................................................................................. 42 Research .................................................................................................................................................. 42 3.1.1. Importance ................................................................................................................................ 42 3.1.2. What to research ...................................................................................................................... 42 COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 2 3.1.3. Useful sources of information................................................................................................... 43 Foreign Policy Statement ........................................................................................................................ 45 3.2. FOREIGN POLICY STATEMENT (FPS) ............................................................................................. 45 3.2.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 45 3.2.2. Guidelines for FPS Preparation ................................................................................................. 45 SAMPLE FOREIGN POLICY STATEMENT ................................................................................................... 47 LIST OF PRE-AMS & OPERATIVES ............................................................................................................ 50 Formal Debating ...................................................................................................................................... 51 3.6. FORMAL DEBATING ...................................................................................................................... 51 Negotiating.............................................................................................................................................. 53 3.3. NEGOTIATING ............................................................................................................................... 53 Points to remember ................................................................................................................................ 55 Pre-ambulatory clauses ...................................................................................................................... 55 Operative Clauses ............................................................................................................................... 55 Rules and Procedure ............................................................................................................................... 56 4.1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 56 4.2. GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................. 56 COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 3 1.The United Nations Introduction 1.1 ORIGINS On October 24th 1945, the United Nations came into force as an official organization. The UN charter was signed by fifty nations in June of that year, in the closing stages of historys most destructive war, with the hope that it would prevent such an atrocity from ever occurring again. This idea was not new. Prior to World War II, the League of Nations was created as the peace keeping body and assigned with the task of maintaining world peace. Although it died an undignified death, the principles behind it did not. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the USA and Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain signed the Atlantic Charter calling for the creation of a new organization, and for a more serious commitment to it by the nations of the world. That call has been answered by 192 countries so far.

1.2. MISSION The mission of the UN is first and foremost the safeguarding and promotion of peace. It also works towards social progress, better living standards, and strengthening human rights. It achieves this primarily through the provision of a global forum where all member nations are treated equally, no matter what their standing, both in the world and in the issues discussed. Just as importantly, the UN takes a direct role in alleviating the problems of the world. It does this via contributions from member nations. Each member of the UN is obligated to bettering humanity to the best of its ability, whether through contributing troops as peacekeepers, providing medical assistance, food supplies, and/or other helpful measures. 1.3. THE UN SYSTEM The United Nations is divided into six major organs: - General Assembly (GA) - Security Council (SC) - Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - Trusteeship Council (TC) - International Court of Justice (ICJ) - Secretariat The Colombo Model United Nations simulates the first three committees of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and ECOSOC which has been renewed for the 21stSession to the Futuristic ECOSOC. In 2013 we introduced the ICJ and the Human Rights Council, which will also be simulated in this years conference. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 4 The UN also consists of different programs and funds, through which various initiatives are managed. These include the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Development Program (UNDP). There are also specialized, semi-autonomous agencies set up by the UN such as the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

1.3.1. GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) The GA is the largest body, with all 192 members represented by one vote each (except for Palestine). It is divided into several committees, which study a wide range of issues. These committees try to reach a consensus on the seriousness of a particular problem, ranging from global warming to arms smuggling, and produce resolutions. Resolutions are recommendations made to the SC, a particular nation, or the world in general as to what should be done. GA resolutions are not legally binding, but it is the most accurate and influential barometer of world opinion. Therefore its resolutions can give or deny the diplomatic force of world approval on the actions of even the most powerful nations. As aforementioned, COMUN 2015 simulates the first two and fourth committees of the GA, each of which deals with a unique range of discussion subjects: - First Committee Security and Disarmament - Second Committee Economic and Environmental Issues - Third Committee Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Issues -Fourth Committee-Special Political and Decolonization issues

1.3.2. SECURITY COUNCIL (SC) The Security Council is mainly responsible for maintaining peace and security, and under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, it is the only UN organ with the ability to enforce its decisions, utilizing all means from economic sanctions to military intervention. The SC consists of fifteen members, five of whom are permanent: - China - France - Russia - United Kingdom - United States of America These five countries have the power of veto: one vote against a resolution by these countries results in its failure. This power was granted to these countries in order to assure their support for the UN Charter, and has been the subject of much controversy in recent times. The other ten members are COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 5 elected by the GA, and hold membership for two years each. Each year, the membership of five SC members expires, and the GA elects five new countries.

1.3.3. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) ECOSOC is the central UN forum for economic and social issues such as living standards, malnourishment, disease, and cultural cooperation. It consists of 54 members, each elected by the GA. Today, ECOSOCs primary concern is the developing countries of the world. Typical problems dealt with by ECOSOC over the years include human rights, the status of women, the narcotics trade, and international extradition laws. It works through several UN agencies to accomplish its resolutions, including the United Nations Chindrens Fund (UNICEF) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

1.3.4. TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL (TC) AND THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) Of these two organs, only the ICJ is simulated by COMUN. The TC was set up to oversee all post-second world war colonies, and was charged with helping them attain independence and/or responsible governments. It was so successful that all of its original eleven trust territories have been dissolved, either becoming part of another country, or becoming independent UN member states. In 1994, the Palau islands gained independence and thus rendered the Council obsolete, even though it still exists today. The International Court of Justice, sometimes called the World Court, is the main judicial organ of the United Nations, responsible for settling legal disputes between countries, and ruling on important issues of international law. The Court is made up of thirty judges, elected by the SC and the GA. All rulings of the Court are legally binding, and the duty of enforcing these rulings falls upon the Security Council. The most recent work of the ICJ includes the mid-2004 inquiry by the Court which resulted in the ruling against Israels construction of the Security Barrier in the West Bank. Interestingly, ICJ Judge Stephen M. Schwebel participated in Model UN. Achievements 1.5. ACHIEVEMENTS The United Nations has several notable achievements, some spectacular, and some which have simply passed unnoticed, yet vital parts of our lives. For example, each time we make an international phone call, travel abroad, and send overseas mail, we are unknowingly using long established UN protocols for efficient handling. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 6 The UN has several milestones in its history. Among the best known is the WHOS eradication of smallpox between 1967 and 1979, after which the disease ceased to claim a single victim. The UN has also claimed many victories in stabilizing countries. For example, when it was discovered that an ethnic cleansing campaign was under way in Kosovo, the SC gave its tacit approval to the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) air-strikes in 1999. It authorized the NATO peacekeeping mission and set up a UN administration to provide for basic civil services. War criminals from the Kosovo crisis, including Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, are currently being tried in the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, and free elections were held in November 2004. In Indonesia, UN intervention has yielded successful results. Continued violence towards the province of East Timor by Indonesian forces threatened to become a humanitarian disaster towards the late 1990s. The province came under the administration of the United Nations, and despite attacks on UN staff, in May 2002, East Timor swore in a stable, democratic government, and became the worlds newest country. After the US led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, the country remained in a state of questionable stability, with years of Taliban rule leaving a country that many believed was not yet fit for democracy. Despite this uncertainty, in late October 2004 the country held UN administered elections. This success gave increased legitimacy to the government of President Hamid Karzai, and helped to take Afghanistan one step closer to joining the ranks of free and secure nations.

1.6. THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY The United Nations continues to face new challenges in the new century, not all of which regularly make headlines. For example, one in six people in the world is still illiterate. 15,000 people are infected with HIV each day. Every 22 minutes a person is injured or killed by a landmine. Solving these and other issues will require a concerted international effort. The most spectacular problems of the 21st century seem likely to come in the form of terrorism and war. The terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, and the ensuing war on terrorism provide by far the most compelling reminder that, although many things have changed, war is still a part of our world, and that no place is safe from turning into a battleground. Even the neutrality of the United Nations has not removed it from the crosshairs. To date, 1700 UN Peacekeepers have been killed while assisting in humanitarian crises. One of the most recent and graphic demonstrations of UN vulnerability was the destruction of the UN building in Iraq, in April 2004, which killed dozens. In 2004, the UN played a crucial role in the development of a new Constitution in Afghanistan and carrying out elections in the country, with His Excellency Kamid Harzai becoming the nations first ever COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 7 elected president. Similar achievements were witnessed in Iraq where elections, overseen by the UN, were successful. In 2005, the Kyoto treaty against global warming was put into action, a significant step forward in saving humanity from the dangers of climate change. The UN also led Timor-Leste into becoming an independent country, helping the nation continue its journey towards self-sufficiency and self reliability. A tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean was formally launched in June 2005, becoming fully operational in July 2006 to provide the region with protection against the ocean related hazards. With the appointment of the new Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon in January 2007, the United Nations has entered yet another era of its universal work for the betterment of mankind. The creed of our species remains the hope for a better tomorrow, and thus, the responsibility of the current generation of diplomats is to adapt to this changing world, and to continue to serve the principles of the UN, which despite all the challenges it has faced, still represents humanitys best hope for lasting peace. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 8 2.The Colombo Model United Nations 2.1 ORIGINS Simulation programs of the UN have existed for over 80 years, with the creation of the Model League of Nations in 1923. Its successor, the Model United Nations, was created immediately following the signing of the UN Charter in 1945. They were meant to provide students with experience in the world of diplomacy via a simulation of the functioning of the UN. In 1994, Sri Lanka joined the rapidly growing number of countries with an MUN program, with the creation of the Colombo Model United Nations program. This was the brainchild of Sandra Fernando, an educator at the Overseas School of Colombo. Her idea started off with a conference of four schools including OSC. In 2007, the thirteenth COMUN conference was held. Over five hundred students from schools located not only in Sri Lanka, but also South-east Asia participated. This very firmly maintained COMUNs position as the fifth largest student-run MUN conference in the world. 2.2 PARTICIPATION AND PARTICIPANT IDENTIFICATION COMUN is open to all students between the ages of 13 and 19 from schools anywhere in the world. These students must be motivated to understand the challenges facing the world, and have strong opinions and desires with relation to facing them. Most students at COMUN will be participating as delegates, each representing one countrys stance within their committee. They will need to practice diplomacy towards all of the other delegates to achieve an outcome that is favorable to their country as well as the international community. The Organizing Committee is also run by students. Fifteen of these will be chair people. These individuals will be responsible for presiding over caucuses and debates, creating a cordial atmosphere while encouraging productive competition, and helping every single delegate achieve his or her full potential. The rest of the organizing committee is made up of Administrative Staff, or admin, as they more commonly known. These students provide the backbone of every COMUN conference. They are responsible for such tasks as organizing IT resources, reserving and setting up of venues, printing and distributing resolutions and other tasks, without which the conference would not run. 2.3 BENEFITS COMUN tests several aspects of a students personality and skills. In caucusing, students will need to be patient with views contrary to their own, and be prepared to make small concessions while identifying and striving for the greater goal. They must also be prepared to draw other delegates together, and mediate disputes. After caucusing, they will produce a resolution. This process tests their knowledge of current affairs, how they fit that knowledge into a particular viewpoint, and the way they think in coming up with a solution. When debating these resolutions, delegates will be tested on their skills of public speaking, intelligent use of questions to gain advantages in their positions, and their pace of thinking in responding to these questions. These tests, once faced, greatly benefit an individuals aspirations towards becoming a diplomat. However, COMUN also prepares students for all walks of life by giving them greater confidence in themselves, and a broader outlook of the world they live in. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 9 2.4 CONFERENCE FORMAT COMUN takes place over three days, usually between late February and early March. The first two days are held at the Overseas School of Colombo, and the final day takes place at an outside conference center. Here is a brief outline the timeline: - Day 1: Caucusing and resolution writing. Delegates will spend the day forming alliances and debating issues in an informal setting. Chairs will be evaluating their performance at these times to judge the crowd dynamics. Resolutions will be written and submitted to the chairs for approval. Debate will begin for SC, and may also do for ECOSOC, depending on the chair peoples decision. - Day 2: Debating. The resolutions written on Day 1 will be debated upon within the committees in which they were drafted. These debates are run by the Chairs of the committees. The first resolution to pass on each issue in a GA Committee is put to voting in the entire GA on Day 3. - Day 3: Debating. In the GA, resolutions passed in their respective committees are debated upon and voted for/against. Debates will be presided over by the respective chair people of each committee and the President of the GA. These resolutions are regarded as being submitted to the GA by a particular committee, rather than a single nation. The final day judges the level which the committee was able to compromise so as to take every nations interests into account. Debates continue for SC and ECOSOC. Note: SC and ECOSOC may be faced at any time with an emergency world crisis, and be asked to caucus, write a resolution, and debate the issue immediately. 2.5. EXPECTATIONS All delegates at COMUN are expected to be well-versed in current affairs, be good public speakers, excellent negotiators, display exemplary concern for others, and above all, be enthusiastic in their participation. Over the course of the next few pages, you will find essential information and advice that, if taken to heart, will help give you the best opportunity to perform at the highest possible level in your capacity at COMUN. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 10 3.Mandates Functions of the General Assembly Article 11 The General Assembly may discuss any questions relating to the maintenance of international peace and security brought before it by any Member of the United Nations, or by the Security Council, or by a state which is not a Member of the United Nations. Any such question on which action is necessary shall be referred to the Security Council by the General Assembly either before or after discussion.

The General Assembly may call the attention of the Security Council to situations which are likely to endanger international peace and security.

Article 12 While the Security Council is exercising in respect of any dispute or situation the functions assigned to it in the present Charter, the General Assembly shall not make any recommendation with regard to that dispute or situation unless the Security Council so requests. The Secretariat, with the consent of the Security Council, shall notify the General Assembly at each session of any matters relative to the maintenance of international peace and security which are being dealt with by the Security Council and shall similarly notify the General Assembly, or the Members of the United Nations if the General Assembly is not in session, immediately the Security Council ceases to deal with such matters.

Article 13 The General Assembly shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of: Promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification. Promoting international co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. Promoting the general principles of co-operation in the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 11 Promoting discussions and co-operation in the decolonization field, political aspects, public information holding and the peaceful uses of space and other celestial bodies.

Article 14 The General Assembly may recommend measures for the peaceful adjustment of any situation, regardless of origin, which it deems likely to impair the general welfare or friendly relations among nations, including situations resulting from a violation of the provisions of the present Charter setting forth the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations.

Article 15 The General Assembly shall receive and consider annual and special reports from the Security Council; these reports shall include an account of the measures that the Security Council has decided upon or taken to maintain international peace and security.

The General Assembly shall receive and consider reports from the other organs of the United Nations.

Article 16 The General Assembly shall perform such functions with respect to the international trusteeship system as are assigned to it under Chapters XII and XIII, including the approval of the trusteeship agreements for areas not designated as strategic. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 12 Disarmament and International Security Committee Composition Article 9 The Disarmament and International Security Council (DISEC) shall consist of all the Members of the United Nations. Each Member shall have not more than five representatives in the DISEC.

Functions and Powers Article 10 The DISEC may discuss any questions or any matters within the scope of the present Charter or relating to the powers and functions of any organs provided for in the present Charter, and, provided in Article 12, may exercise the right to make recommendations to the Members of the United Nations or to the Security Council or to both on any such questions or matters.

Article 11 The DISEC may consider the general principles of co-operation in the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments, and may make recommendations with regard to such principles to the Members or to the Security Council or to both.

The DISEC may discuss any questions relating to the maintenance of international peace and security brought before it by any Member of the United Nations, or by the Security Council, or by a state which is not a Member of the United Nations in accordance with Article 35, paragraph 2, and, as provided in Article 12, may make recommendations with regard to any such questions to the state or states concerned or to the Security Council or to both. Any such question on which action is necessary shall be referred to the Security Council by the General Assembly either before or after discussion.

The Disarmament and International Security Council may call the attention of the Security Council to situations which are likely to endanger international peace and security. The powers of the General Assembly set forth in this Article shall not limit the general scope of Article 10.

COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 13 Article 12 While the Security Council is exercising in respect of any dispute or situation the functions assigned to it in the present Charter, the DISEC shall not make any recommendation with regard to that dispute or situation unless the Security Council so requests. The Secretary-General, with the consent of the Security Council, shall notify the DISEC at each session of any matters relative to the maintenance of international peace and security which are being dealt with by the Security Council and shall similarly notify the DISEC, or the Members of the United Nations if the DISEC is not in session, immediately the Security Council ceases to deal with such matters.

Article 13 The DISEC shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of: a. promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification; b. promoting international co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. The further responsibilities, functions and powers of the General Assembly with respect to matters mentioned in paragraph 1 (b) above are set forth in Chapters IX and X.

Article 14 Subject to the provisions of Article 12, the DISEC may recommend measures for the peaceful adjustment of any situation, regardless of origin, which it deems likely to impair the general welfare or friendly relations among nations, including situations resulting from a violation of the provisions of the present Charter setting forth the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations.

Article 15 The DISEC shall receive and consider annual and special reports from the Security Council; these reports shall include an account of the measures that the Security Council has decided upon or taken to maintain international peace and security. The DISEC shall receive and consider reports from the other organs of the United Nations.

Article 16 COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 14 The DISEC shall perform such functions with respect to the international trusteeship system as are assigned to it under Chapters XII and XIII, including the approval of the trusteeship agreements for areas not designated as strategic.

Article 26 According to Article 26 of United Nations Charter, DISECs mandate is to promote the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security with the least diversion for armaments of the worlds human and economic resources.

Voting Article 18 Each member of the DISEC shall have one vote. Decisions of the DISEC on important questions shall be made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. These questions shall include: recommendations with respect to the maintenance of international peace and security, the election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the election of the members of the Economic and Social Council, the election of members of the Trusteeship Council in accordance with paragraph 1 (c) of Article 86, the admission of new Members to the United Nations, the suspension of the rights and privileges of membership, the expulsion of Members, questions relating to the operation of the trusteeship system, and budgetary questions. Decisions on other questions, including the determination of additional categories of questions to be decided by a two-thirds majority, shall be made by a majority of the members present and voting.

Procedure Article 21 The DISEC shall adopt its own rules of procedure. It shall elect its President for each session.

Article 22 The DISEC may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 15 Economical and Financial Committee The main purpose of the committee is to deal with issues relating to global economic growth and development such as macro-economic policy questions, financing for development, sustainable development, human settlements, poverty eradication, globalization and interdependence, effective and efficient use of resources and information and communication technologies for development, factors that can prevent a financial crisis. The Second Committee will also consider issues relating to Groups of Countries in special situations such as the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). It will also consider the item on permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources.The Second Committee makes recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation that might impair friendly relations among nations. According article 8 in the fourth chapter of the UN charter, the composition of the general assembly two will be such that : 1) It will be comprised ofall the members of the United Nations. 2) Each member shall not have more than five representatives in the United Nations.

Considering the voting procedure, 1) Each memberof the General Assembly shall have one vote. 2) Decisions of the General Assembly on important questions shall be made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. These questions shall include: recommendations with respect to the maintenance of international peace and security. 3) Decisions of the General Assembly on other questions shall be made by simple majority.

Analyzing the rules of procedure, the committee sessions starts off with the roll call where the delegates have to confirm their presence by saying Present and voting then the agenda will be set through voting. The floor for speakers list will be open. During the course of speakers list the floor for mod caucus will be open. The mod caucus will be adopted based on the voting following the speech for and against the mod caucus topic. Thereafter, the committee will move into resolution writing and once the draft resolutions will be given to the delegates. The debating on resolutions begins as the sponsor of the resolution explains the draft resolution to the house then the sponsor can be open for points of information. The open debate on the COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 16 draft resolution will begin and at this point the floor will open for speeches for or against the resolution. Once the resolutions are debated, the draft resolutions are voted upon. Finally the house will adjourned, once all the resolutions are tabled. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 17 The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL) The Special Political and Decolonization Committee may discuss matters pertaining to politics, corruption and transparency, provided that any one nations politics is not forced to the extent that sovereignty is infringed.

The Special Political and Decolonization Committee focuses on the aspects of decolonization and self-determination highlighting upon:

The United Nations mission of the decolonization of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 of the Charter of the United Nations. Economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations.

The Special Political and Decolonization Committee may make initiative studies and reports with respect to the international co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space, and the aspects of development associated with it, with respect to, but not limited to government and non-governmental or privatized space operations development. Thereby, focusing on the existing treaties and laws on space developed by the United Nations.

The Fourth committee of the General Assembly will address issues of sovereignty as well as cocerns of new paradigms in international security also with discussions of a comprehensive review of the operations of the United Nations Peacekeeping forces and all its aspects.

The committee may take appropriate steps to address the humanitarian issues and the arising concern of the protection and aid of refugees, particularly in times of conflict and disaster, including issues relating to the movement, aid and habitation of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The Fourth committee of the General Assembly corresponds with the United Nations Committee on Information (COI) which deals with questions on public information. It is responsible for overseeing the COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 18 work of the Department of Public Information and providing its guidance on policies, programs and activities. Holds reports of the Secretariat and other respective committees of the United Nations.

Authorizes the discussions on subject matters pertaining to atomic radiation with the collaboration of the United Nations Scientific Committee (UNSCEAR) on effects of atomic radiation as well as the assistance in mine action.

The Special Political and Decolonization Committee holds the ability to review the United Nations and its policies within the respective norms of its subject matter.

Voting Each member of the SPECPOL shall have one vote. Decisions of the General Assembly on important questions shall be made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. These questions shall include: recommendations with respect to the maintenance of international peace and security, political stability, social responsibility, steady improvement of decolonization and the peaceful use of outer space. All other rulings and motions shall be passed with a simple majority.

Procedure The SPECPOL holds the authority for the creation of an ad hoc committee at any given situation of arising emergency which calls for an establishment of such a specialized device. The SPECPOL may collaborate with any particular UN body and Non Governmental Organization for the purpose of acquiring information and assistance such as:

1) The UN Peacekeeping 2) The UN Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation 3) The Committee on Information 4) The UN committee on Peaceful uses of Outer Space. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 19 Non members of the committee as well as any member of the United Nations can participate in the deliberations of the committee. However, with the exception that these members will not be awarded voting rights. Also, proposals submitted by these members will at the discretion of the committee, be put to vote. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 20 United Nations Human Rights Council The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the UN Office at Geneva. The Commission is made up of 30 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly. The mandate of the UNHRC states that the Council is responsible for the promotion of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without any discrimination in a fair and equal manner, as well as addresses situations of violations of human rights and makes recommendations in order to rectify such violations. In order to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to the Council, its guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity. The Council further serves as a platform for dialogue on thematic issues on all human rights in addition to making recommendations to the General Assembly on the development of international law regarding human rights. All resolutions passed by the UNHRC must be justified to the General Assembly by the President and Vice President of the Commission as well as the sponsors of the resolution. The Human Rights Council also works with the UN Special Procedures established by the former Commission on Human Rights and now assumed by the Council. These are made up of special rapporteurs, special representatives, and independent experts and working groups that monitor, examine, advice and publicly report on thematic issues or human rights situations in specific countries. UNHRC Procedure The Council will follow all COMUN procedure at all times while noting the following; Provisional Agenda: The provisional agenda shall include the basic list of issues to be considered, submitted to the Council by the organizing committee of COMUN. Supplementary Items: These are additions to the agenda proposed by the Secretary General or a member of the Council, and are accompanied by an explanation as to why he/she feels it is important to consider the issue. Adoption of the Agenda: The adoption of the Agenda will be occur at the start of conference and will be limited to the selection of the topic of discussion only as suggests by a delegate. In the event of an objection the Council will move into open debate followed by a council vote where a simple majority vote is required. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 21 Revision of the Agenda: During a session, the Council may revise the agenda by adding, deleting, deferring, or amending items. Only important and urgent items shall be included to the agenda during a session. The Bureau of the Council The Bureau of the Council shall be presided over by the President and Vice-President for the duration of the conference. The Vice President assumes all the powers and responsibilities of the President during his/her absence. The President and the Vice -President holds executive power. Special Rules and Procedures Right of Reply: If a delegate desires to clarify a point he/she made which has been misunderstood by the council, he/she could appeal the right of reply, and compose a concise statement to clarify the matter. Request for a Vote: A proposal or motion shall be voted upon if any delegate or the head table desires to. The Council will be allowed to summon a delegate from the General Assembly during an emergency situation if the need arises, under the approval of the head table. Resolution Maximum Sponsors: 3 Minimum Co-sponsors: - COUNTRIES Afghanistan AngolaAustraliaBangladesh Belarus COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 22 BrazilCanada China Cuba Denmark DR Congo France Germany India Indonesia Iraq IsraelJapan Mexico MyanmarNigeriaNorway Pakistan Republic of Korea Russian Federation Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Sri Lanka COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 23 Syria United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America Yemen COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 24 Security Council FUNCTIONS and POWERSArticle 24 1) In order to ensure prompt and effective action by the United Nations, its Members confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf. 2) In discharging these duties the Security Council shall act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. 3)The Security Council shall submit annual and, when necessary, special reports to the President of the Security Council for mandatory approval. Article 25 All Members and Bodies of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter.Article 26 In order to promote the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security with the least diversion for armaments of the world's human and economic resources, the Security Council shall be responsible for formulating, with the assistance of the Deputy Secretary General, plans to be submitted to the Members of the United Nations for the establishment of a system for the regulation of armaments.Article 27 1.Each member of the Security Council shall have one vote. 2.Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members. 3.Decisions of the Security Council on all other matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members; provided that, in decisions under Chapter VI, and under paragraph 3 of Article 52, a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting. PROCEDUREArticle 28 COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 25 1) The Security Council shall hold periodic meetings at which each of its members may, if it so desires, be represented by a member of the government or by some other specially designated representative at the discretion of the President of Security Council.2) The Security Council may hold meetings at such places other than the seat of the Organization as in its judgment will best facilitate its work at the discretion of the President of the Security Council. Article 29 1) The Security Council may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions through vote of Security Council members without need for assent by other UN organs. 2) The said organs shall be subject to Article.......Article 30 1) The Security Council shall adopt its own rules of procedure. Article 31 1) Any Member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council may participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the Security Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that Member are specially affected. Article 32 1) Any Member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council or any state which is not a Member of the United Nations, if it is a party to a dispute under consideration by the Security Council, shall be invited to participate, without vote, in the discussion relating to the dispute. The Security Council shall lay down such conditions as it deems just for the participation of a state which is not a Member of the United Nations. 2) All subsidiary committees created by UN organs must receive final verdict by the Security Council. Article 33 1) All bodies generated by the Security Council shall be subject to any changes made by any Security Council, provided the said change has the majority vote by all members of that committee COMPOSITION & PRIVILEGES Article 34 1) The Security Council shall consist of fifteen Members of the United Nations. The Republic of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America shall be permanent members of the Security Council. The COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 26 Secretariat shall elect ten other Members of the United Nations to be non-permanent members of the Security Council. 2) Each member of the Security Council shall have one representative. 3) The Security Coucil shall be headed by the President, having auctoritas de potentia absoluta 4) All members of the Security Council shall be deemed to have acted under the authority of the Secretariat 5) All members shall be exonerated of any previous or present liability in the causation of events pertaining to the said charge 6) With reference to Article 33 the Presidentshall have final authority on procedure

CHAPTER VI: PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES Article 35 1.The parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice. 2.The Security Council shall, when it deems necessary, call upon the parties to settle their dispute by such means. Article 36 The Security Council may investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. Article 37 1.Any Member of the United Nations may bring any dispute, or any situation of the nature referred to in Article 34, to the attention of the Security Council.2.A state which is not a Member of the United Nations may bring to the attention of the Security Council any dispute to which it is a party if it accepts in advance, for the purposes of the dispute, the obligations of pacific settlement provided in the present Charter. 3.The proceedings of the General Assembly in respect of matters brought to its attention under this Article will be subject to the determination of the Security Council. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 27 Article 38 1.The Security Council may, at any stage of a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33 or of a situation of like nature, recommend appropriate procedures or methods of adjustment. 2.The Security Council should take into consideration any procedures for the settlement of the dispute which have already been adopted by the parties. 3.In making recommendations under this Article the Security Council should also take into consideration that legal disputes should as a descretionary referance by the parties to the International Criminal Court in accordance with the provisions of the Statute of the Court. Article 39 1.Should the parties to a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33 fail to settle it by the means indicated in that Article, they shall refer it to the Security Council. 2.If the Security Council deems that the continuance of the dispute is in fact likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, it shall decide whether to take action under Article 36 or to recommend such terms of settlement as it may consider appropriate. Article 40 1) Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles 33 to 37, the Security Council may, if all the parties to any dispute so request, make recommendations to the parties with a view to a pacific settlement of the dispute. CHAPTER VII: ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THREATS TO THE PEACE, BREACHES OF THE PEACE, AND ACTS OF AGGRESSION Article 41 1) The Security Council shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression and shall make recommendations, or decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security. Article 42 1) In order to prevent an aggravation of the situation, the Security Council may, before making the recommendations or deciding upon the measures provided for in Article 39, call upon the parties concerned to comply with such provisional measures as it deems necessary or desirable. Such provisional measures shall be without prejudice to the rights, claims, or position of the parties concerned. The Security Council shall duly take account of failure to comply with such provisional measures. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 28 Article 43 1)The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations.Article 44 1) Should the Security Council consider that measures provided for in Article 41 would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United Nations Article 45 1.All Members of the United Nations, in order to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, undertake to make available to the Security Council, on its call and in accordance with a special agreement or agreements, armed forces, assistance, and facilities, including rights of passage, necessary for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security. 2.Such agreement or agreements shall govern the numbers and types of forces, their degree of readiness and general location, and the nature of the facilities and assistance to be provided. 3.The agreement or agreements shall be negotiated as soon as possible on the initiative of the Security Council. They shall be concluded between the Security Council and Members or between the Security Council and groups of Members and shall be subject to ratification by the signatory states in accordance with their respective constitutional processes. Article 46 When the Security Council has decided to use force it shall, before calling upon a Member not represented on it to provide armed forces in fulfillment of the obligations assumed under Article 43. Article 47 In order to enable the United Nations to take urgent military measures, Members shall hold immediately available national air-force contingents for combined international enforcement action. The strength and degree of readiness of these contingents and plans for their combined action shall be determined within the limits laid down in the special agreement or agreements referred to in Article 43, by the Security Council. Article 48 COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 29 1.The action required to carry out the decisions of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security shall be taken by all the Members of the United Nations or by some of them, as the Security Council may determine. 2.Such decisions shall be carried out by the Members of the United Nations directly and through their action in the appropriate international agencies of which they are members. Article 49 1) The Members of the United Nations shall join in affording mutual assistance in carrying out the measures decided upon by the Security Council.Article 50 1) If preventive or enforcement measures against any state are taken by the Security Council, any other state, whether a Member of the United Nations or not, which finds itself confronted with special economic problems arising from the carrying out of those measures shall have the right to consult the Security Council with regard to a solution of those problems.Article 51 Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defense shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.Article 52 1.Nothing in the present Charter precludes the existence of regional arrangements or agencies for dealing with such matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action provided that such arrangements or agencies and their activities are consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. 2.The Members of the United Nations entering into such arrangements or constituting such agencies shall make every effort to achieve pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before referring them to the Security Council. 3.The Security Council shall encourage the development of pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies either on the initiative of the states concerned or by reference from the Security Council. 4.This Article in no way impairs the application of Articles 34 and 35. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 30 Article 53 1.The Security Council shall, where appropriate, utilize such regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority. But no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Security Council, with the exception of measures against any enemy state, as defined in paragraph 2 of this Article, provided for pursuant to Article 107 or in regional arrangements directed against renewal of aggressive policy on the part of any such state, until such time as the Organization may, on request of the Governments concerned, be charged with the responsibility for preventing further aggression by such a state. 2.The term enemy state as used in paragraph 1 of this Article applies to any state as defined by the Security Council. Article 54 The Security Council shall at all times be kept fully informed of activities undertaken or in contemplation under regional arrangements or by regional agencies for the maintenance of international peace and security.

COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 31 International Court of Justice INTRODUCTION TO THE COURT The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the Charter of the United Nations, signed on the 26th of June 1945 at San Francisco, in pursuance of one of the primary purposes of the UN: to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and internal law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace. The ICJ thus has a twofold role: to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized UN organs and specialized agencies. The court operates under a statute which forms part of the Charter, as well as under its own rules. It began work in 1946, when it replaced the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) which had been established in 1920 under the auspices of the League of Nations. The seat of the court is the Peace Palace at The Hague (Netherlands).

GENERAL POWERS OF THE OFFICERS OF THE COURT The President will act as the Presiding Officer of the Court. The President may in any moment transfer his/her duties of Presiding Officer to the Vice president or a member of the Secretariat. The President shall have the final decision over all committee disputes. The Vice President shall assist the President in his/her duties. The judges task is to pass judgements on a case, using international law as their justification. In order to make a valid decision, it is essential to pay close attention to the testimonies of the witnesses, if present, and to be critical towards the evidence and testimonies presented by both sides. Witnesses are individuals who play an integral role in the Court, as they have deep background knowledge of the case, the outline of the events and, most crucially, their role in them. Before testifying, witnesses shall remain out of the Court.

COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 32 PROCEDURE RIGHT TO REPLY: A justice whose personal integrity has been harmed may request a right to reply. A Right to Reply over a Right to Reply is out of order. A Right to Reply could also be raised to clarify the house on factual errors made by judges in their speeches/statements. The Presiding Officers decision to grant this right is un-appealable. A Right to Reply may never interrupt a speaker. POINT OF PARLIMENTARY INQUIRY: When the floor is open, a justice may rise to a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry to pose a question to the Presiding Officers regarding the rules and parliamentary procedure. A point of Parliamentary Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker. POINT OF PERSONAL PREVILAGE: Whenever a justice experiences personal discomfort which impairs his/her ability to participate in the proceedings, that individual may present a Point of Personal Privilege to request that the discomfort be corrected. A Point of Personal Privilege may interrupt a speaker but this power should be used with the utmost discretion. Points of Personal Privilege may interrupt a speaker, however, it should be for a proper reason. POINTS OF INFORMATION: Justices who wish to ask substantive questions will be able to do so using Points of Information. A Point of Information may never interrupt a speaker. If a justice poses a Point of Information which is immaterial, based on hearsay, technically incorrect (competence), prejudicial or based on speculation, the other justices have the right to raise an objection. However, the objection can only be raised before the Point of Information is answered and not during or after. If the objection is deemed valid by the Presiding Officers, the Point of Information will go unanswered. POINT OF IMPEACHMENT If a justice feels that a verdict is unlawful then the justice thereby has the right to present it to the court and justify the accusations. It is then under the discretion of the head table to pass it to the court to COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 33 vote. A 2/3 majority is needed in order for the verdict to be evoked and then debated upon to a point where all justices unanimously agree that a lawful, just verdict is succumbed.

VOTING: According to Article 18 of the Statue; Votes shall be taken by roll call. When voting on draft judgments or judiciary opinions, justices may vote Yea, in favor of the applicant, Nay, in favor of the respondent, or abstain. In the event of a tie, a second vote shall be taken in which no abstentions are permitted. If the tie remains unbroken, the President shall have the casting vote and subsequently declare the case closed. VOCABULARY (USEFUL EXPRESSIONS): Mister/Madam President When addressing the President. Mister/Madam Vice-President When addressing the Vice-President. Mister/Madam Rapporteur When addressing the Rapporteur. Your Honor / Honorable Judge/Justice When addressing a fellow Judge. The Applicant When addressing the state initiating the case. The Respondent When addressing the accused state.

RESEARCH HOW TO FIND AN ICJ DECISION ON A SPECIFIC TOPIC: Go to the ICJ website at www.icj-cij.org Click on Decision in the header. If you know the year of your case, scroll down until you find it. If you know the topic of the case, or one of the parties, use the Find function (Ctrl+F on a PC) and enter the countrys name or keyword When you find the case, click on the appropriate link. To see the full text of the decision, click on the Judgment link on the left of the page, if it is available. If it is not available, the case has not yet been decided. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 34 .gov websites for Governments stance. Media websites like www.reuters.com. Statistics of states could be viewed at www.cia.gov

JUDICIARY OPINION FORMAT BREAKDOWN: Objective Summary of the case The objective summary of the case is a basic interpretation of facts where the Judge is expected to write up a 200 word summary of the case study. The judge may include personal opinions. However, this portion of the Judiciary Opinion will be marked based on research. Judgment The Judgment is where the Judge has to describe and justify all suggested rulings that he/she wishes the Court to pass on the relevant case or advisory opinion. This portion of the Judiciary Opinion will be marked based on the Judges knowledge on international law. NOTE: Judges are not supposed to write this section in the format of a resolution. They have the freedom to write in continuous paragraphs, and are also expected to incorporate international law that supports the rulings/decisions they recommend. Bibliography The bibliography section should consist of any and all links that aided the Judge in research. Any source except for personal blogs or Wikipedia is accepted. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 35 ARTICLE 1 The International Court of Justice established by the Charter of the United Nations as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations shall be constituted and shall function in accordance with the provisions of the present Statute. CHAPTER I ORGANIZING THE COURT ARTICLE 2 1. The Court shall be composed of a body of independent judges, elected regardless of their nationality from among persons of high moral character, who possess the qualifications required in their respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices, or are jurisconsults of recognized competence in international law. 2. The court shall also be composed of: A presiding authority comprising of a President and Vice President. ARTICLE 3 1. The Court shall consist of fifteen members, no two of whom may be nationals of the same state. 2. A person who for the purposes of membership in the Court could be regarded as a national of more than one state shall be deemed to be a national of the one in which he ordinarily exercises civil and political rights. ARTICLE 4 1. The members of the Court shall be elected by the General Assembly and by the Security Council from a list of persons nominated by the national groups in the Secretary General, Undersecretary General and President of the General Assembly, in accordance with the following provisions. 2. The declaration to be made by every member of the court in accordance with Article 8 of the statute shall be as follows: I solemnly declare, that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as judge honorably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously

ARTICLE 5 1. No member of the Court may exercise any political or administrative function, or engage in any other occupation of a professional nature. 2. Any doubt on this point shall be settled by the decision of the Court. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 36

ARTICLE 6 1. No member of the Court may act as agent, counsel, or advocate in any case. 2. No member may participate in the decision of any case in which he has previously taken part as agent, counsel, or advocate for one of the parties, or as a member of a national or international court, or of a Council of enquiry, or in any other capacity. 3. Any doubt on this point shall be settled by the decision of the Court. ARTICLE 7 The members of the Court, when engaged on the business of the Court, shall enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities. ARTICLE 8 Every member of the Court shall, before taking up his duties, make a solemn declaration in open court that he will exercise his powers impartially and conscientiously. CHAPTER II COMPETENCE OF THE COURT ARITCLE 9 1. The jurisdiction of the Court comprises all cases which the parties refer to it and all matters specially provided for in the Charter of the United Nations or in treaties and conventions in force. 2. The states parties to the present Statute may at any time declare that they recognize as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other state accepting the same obligation, the jurisdiction of the Court in all legal disputes concerning: A) The interpretation of a treaty; B) Any question of international law; C) The existence of any fact which, if established, would constitute a breach of an international obligation; D) The nature or extent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an international obligation. 3. The declarations referred to above may be made unconditionally or on condition of reciprocity on the part of several or certain states, or for a certain time. 4. Such declarations shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall transmit copies thereof to the parties to the Statute and to the Registrar of the Court. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 37

5. Declarations made under Article 36 of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice and which are still in force shall be deemed, as between the parties to the present Statute, to be acceptances of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice for the period which they still have to run and in accordance with their terms. 6. In the event of a dispute as to whether the Court has jurisdiction, the matter shall be settled by the decision of the Court. ARTICLE 10 1. The Court, whose function is to decide in accordance with international law such disputes as are submitted to it, shall apply: A) International conventions, whether general or particular, establishing rules expressly recognized by the contesting states; B) International custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law; C) The general principles of law recognized by civilized nations; D) Subject to the provisions of Article 59, judicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law. 2. This provision shall not prejudice the power of the Court to decide a case ex aequo et bono, if the parties agree thereto. CHAPTER III PROCEDURE ARTICLE 11 1. The president of the court has the authority to remove a judge from the court if the judge is found to violate any articles of the statute or if the judge fails to meet the standard required by the court. 2. During the absence of the president the vice president may assume the role of the president. 3. In case of urgency the president, the Secretary General, the Under Secretary General and the President of the General Assembly may convene the court at any time. ARTICLE 12 1. The deliberations of the court shall take place in private and remain secret. The court may however, at any time, decide in respect of its deliberations on other than judicial matters to publish or allow publication of any part of them 2. Only judges, and the assessors, if any, take part in the courts judicial deliberations. No other person shall be present except by permission of the court. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 38 ARTICLE 13 1. The court may question agents, witnesses, experts and friends of the court following the prior approval of the Secretary General or the Undersecretary General. 2. The time limit for the questioning of each individual shall be determined by the president of the court. 3. Unless on account of special circumstances the Court decides on a different form of words, every witness, expert or friend of court shall make the following declaration before giving any evidence: I solemnly declare upon my honor and conscience that I will speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth 4. If the testimony of a witness or certain evidence is proven false, fake, irrelevant or questionable in any general sense, a motion to dismiss the witness or the evidence by a justice is in order. The presiding officer will recognize one speaker for and against the motion. The majority of two thirds justices are needed for it to pass. If the motion passes, the justices will be instructed by the presiding officer to disregard the testimony or evidence in their final decisions. ARTICLE 14 Votes shall be taken by roll call. When voting on draft judgments or judiciary opinions, justices may vote Yea, in favor of the applicant, Nay, in favor of the respondent, or abstain. In the event of a tie, a second vote shall be taken in which no abstentions are permitted. If the tie remains unbroken, the President shall have the casting vote and subsequently declare the case closed. ARTICLE 15 1. The court will undertake the responsibility to hear legal case studies on individuals and subsequently pass a judgment with the consent of the Secretary and/or Under Secretary general of the United Nations. 2. Any judgments passed by the International court of Justice in accordance with Article 15 sub clause 1 Should take place with the presence of the Secretary General and/or Under Secretary General and/or President of the General Assembly. ARTICLE 16 Objections against motions, speeches or other statements are valid only on the following grounds: A) Immaterial B) C) Competence D) Prejudicial COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 39 E) Speculation ARTICLE 17 In cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. Justices will be able to desegregate the Rome Statute in order to pass legally binding judgments. With the concord of the Secretary General, Under-Secretary General and President of the General Assembly ARTICLE 18 In cases that are trialed that are not encompassed by the Rome Statute, justices are under the concord to pass an investigative judgment with accordance with International law and the pillars of the Rome Statute COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 40 The United Nations Peacebuilding Committee The mandate of the United Nations Peacebuilding Committee (UNPC)tasks it with maintaining and improving peace in and facilitating the development of countries that have emerged from conflict, through the implementation and support of efforts that engender Peacebuilding and sustainable development. To bring together all relevant actors, to marshal resources and to advise on and develop integrated strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery; This means that the UNPC must organize and create a multilateral strategy to help a country recover from conflict. To develop and improve the reconstruction and institution-building efforts necessary for recovery from conflict and to develop integrated strategies in order to bring about sustainable development; This means that the UNPC must ameliorate the holistic process of recovery from conflict in a manner that is sustainable. To provide recommendations and information on, and to improve the coordination of all relevant actors within and outside the United Nations, and develop best practices, This means that the UNPC must advise the parties involved in the peacebuilding process and improve their coordination, and develop best practices. To ensure predictable financing for early recovery activities and to extend the period of attention given by the international community to postconflict recovery. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 41 COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 42 1.Key Skills Research 3.1.1. Importance The importance of research stems from the fact that it provides delegates with their source of information for a particular committee topic, let it be the situation in the Korean Peninsula or the role of sustainable development. Research is a fundamental key in writing a brilliant Foreign Policy Statement and assists delegates when creating resolutions.

3.1.2. What to research Primarily delegates should gather information based on their given country, therefore there is a wide range of topics delegates should consider when doing research.

This includes: - Geography: Size, location, natural resources, region and neighboring states. - Statistics: Population, population density, growth rates - Society: Ethnicities and their representation, religious groups and influences, languages, customs and traditions - Economy: Type and size of economy (planned, mixed or free market economy), imports/exports, trading partners and views on trade. - Government: Type of government ( religious, secular, monarchy etc.), leaders stance on important issues - History: Significant historical events, disputes and conflicts, whether internal or external - International relations: COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 43 Historical allies and enemies, membership of international organizations (e.g: WTO, EU etc. ) Delegates will have to prepare and build a keen intellect on the topics being discussed. They should also infer how influential or neighboring states ought to react to a particular or sudden situation, as this will be a prominent factor when forming alliances during resolution writing.

3.1.3. Useful sources of information The internet is not the only domain for information. There are other numerous sources of information which provide a valuable amount of knowledge to the delegate for his/her research. This includes: - Books: Libraries can house useful information relating to the delegates country. The United Nations information centre library in Colombo contains copies of past UN resolutions. - Foreign newspapers: These can often be accessed online if you cannot find hard copies. These are excellent sources of information, and the bias towards a certain side of an issue can give a delegate an insight into the national mood of the delegates country. - Embassies: Foreign Embassies can be extremely useful in providing information about their countries position on the issues you are researching and discussing about. The executive committee recommends delegates to visit these embassies as a delegation. In the past, delegations have had very productive meetings with embassy officials and have received valuable information from them. - News broadcasts: It is recommended that delegates watch at least a few minutes of international news everyday to keep levels of general knowledge up to mark. Media sources such as BBC and CNN have excellent reputations in providing an in depth coverage of daily events. - Web sites: Certain web sites should be approached with caution as they may or may not be credible. It is advisable to visit official websites; examples of these are:

- UN Home page http://www.un.org/en/ - Worldwide news agencies such as http://www.reuters.com/ - Regional Organizations COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 44 o E.g. EU, http://europa.eu/index_en.htm - Government Websites o These can make excellent sources of information. o E.g. http://www.priu.gov.lk/ (government site for Sri Lanka)

- Business and Financial News Websites should often be compared with each other for more accurate information. - It is also important to remember that not all websites are 100% reliable in their information (general information may be biased) therefore it is advised that delegates should be quite cautious when researching about a particular issue or topic. Websites such as Wikipedia are not always reliable. COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 45 Foreign Policy Statement 3.2. FOREIGN POLICY STATEMENT (FPS)

3.2.1. Introduction

A document that each participating delegate must prepare and submit to the chairs of their committees is called the Foreign Policy Statement (FPS). This document presents the delegates countrys current stance on the topic of discussion, the actions that have been taken for or against the topic, as well as any future plans the country has made. The FPS is extremely important as the delegate must adopt his/her countrys stance throughout the entire conference. The FPS conveys only the countrys position on the topic at hand, and should not contain any of the delegates personal opinions or notions. It is vital that the delegate sticks to their countrys position on the topic during the conference, as the chairs will constantly be verifying all the information provided by the delegate with the submitted FPS, to make sure the delegate is in accordance with the government he/she represents. The FPS is written in a precise format, and must be submitted to the chairs of each delegates committee by the set deadline. Each FPS is graded by the chairs, and they shall decide on the best FPS written in their committee. An award is presented at the end of the conference in each committee, to the delegate who submits the best FPS.

3.2.2. Guidelines for FPS Preparation

The FPS focuses on three key areas in relation to a topic: - The countrys stance on the stated topic - The actions already implemented by the country in relation to the topic - The future actions the country is planning on implementing in relation to the topic

An ideal FPS is not one that is filled with facts and statistics. For a truly excellent FPS, the delegate must address each of the mentioned criteria in a very concise, methodical and informative manner that is logical in its structure and information presentation. In addition to all of this, a high standard of research must be evident as well. Listed below, are some ways in improving an FPS: COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 46 + Excellent Research: An effective FPS is one that informs its reader of exactly what is relevant. The key to this, is research. The delegate must provide accurate and precise information, and this can be done by researching in depth about their topic in general, as well as their countrys position. Delegates may use books, newspapers, the internet and any other means to obtain their information but it must be certain that the gathered information is current, as well as completely accurate. Also all the information included in the FPS must be relevant to the topic. It is important that delegates do not simply copy information from their sources, as this is plagiarism. As a representative of a nation, it is up to you to make sure that your FPS does not include directly copied information unless you may be quoting facts or statistics or statements made by public figures, in which case it must be stated explicitly. If plagiarism is observed, it reflects very poorly on the delegate, and represents laziness and disinterest, and will not impress the chairs. + Concise, Logical Presentation: The presentation of the research is also a very important aspect of the FPS. It should not be a simple regurgitation of facts and research; instead it must be structured in a clear and comprehensive manner. The three main questions should be clearly answered, with sufficient information and presented systematically. This is in fact, a very important criterion, because in essence, a good FPS will display logical presentation, an accurate and a comprehensive presentation of required information in a clear and understandable manner.

+ Good Language Skills: Many delegates try to hide their lack of research and information with complex and obscure language. This in many cases is quite clear and does not impress the chairs at all. Good language refers to the effectiveness of communicating the information, in the clear and logical manner as mentioned above, in an official and engaging tone. It is not supposed to be poetic or overly descriptive in any way, and must maintain formality in its entirety. It must present all the information the delegate decides to include efficiently and must be grammatically accurate.

If these criteria are adhered to and are observable in an FPS, it will impress the chairs.

COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 47 SAMPLE FOREIGN POLICY STATEMENT

Committee: General Assembly 2 Delegation: PakistanName of delegate: xxxDate: xxth February 2010School: xxx

Questions1. External debt sustainability and development2. Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory,including East-Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan overtheir natural resources. 1 a) Does my country support question one?Yesb) What has my country done to support or condemn question one?Debt sustainability is generally defined by IMF and World Bank as the ability of a countryto meet its current and future debt provision obligations without resorting to debt deferment oraccumulation of debts and without compromising growth. Consequently Pakistan is barely able tomeet the said conditions of debt sustainability. It has been concluded that the primary fiscal andcurrent account imbalances were the main causes of public debt sustainability issues. Both thepublic and external debt ratios have remained far from the sustainable levels during 1970s to 2000s.The steadily rising growth rate in the early 2000s i.e. the year 2000 to the year 2007 from 3.1% to6.6% indicated that the external debt sustainability conditions had been met to a certain extent witha reasonable growth rate, however these conditions did not hold for long and growth rates fell to2.7% in the year 2009, nevertheless as of recent growth rates are gaining and currently stand at a4.8%. Regardless of the constantly fluctuating growth rates which may be considered a cause ofconcern it should be noted that the GDP growth rate in Pakistan never fell to below 0% indicatingthat Pakistan was not affected adversely by the credit crunch or the global recession and that therealways has been a certain degree of growth and development.There are several indicators as to the fact that the external assistance offered to Pakistanhas been used for the purpose of development, there have been improvements in the literacy rate,life expectancy, reserves of gold and such, and a reduction in infant mortality, deaths due to HIV COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 48 and so on. However pressing problems seem to be the continued and drastic increase in bothunemployment and inflation. Although the problem of inflation could be attributed to the risingprices of oil and the rise in global food prices and therefore having a direct effect on the rates ofunemployment due to the falling levels of demand for both goods and labour due to higher prices,the Pakistani government are making an effort to address this problem through subsidization of

local industries and encouragement of Foreign Direct Investment with incentives for MultinationalCompanies to relocate in Pakistan. c) What does my country plan to do in the future to condemn or support question one?Pakistan being a rather small but open economy has always borrowed externally to financeits savings and foreign exchange gap. Pakistan further recognizes the importance of using aid tofund the savings gap which would directly result in increased levels of investment and fund theforeign exchange gap which would mean that now capital goods can be purchased from abroad toincrease the amount of consumer goods in the long run. However the expected level of growth anddevelopment are harder to achieve with Pakistans rising debt servicing costs. 67% of the netrevenue receipts of the federal government are allocated to foreign debt repayment and debtservicing costs. According to the a statement released by the government recently the danger ofdebt default continues to increase as foreign exchange reserves fell by over 70% due to rising oilprices. Nevertheless the government of Pakistan is doing all it can to prevent defaulting from thedebt owed by trying to increase its sources of revenue by promoting exports and encouragingForeign Direct Investment. Pakistan further only calls for debt relief in dire and drasticcircumstances and stresses that it does not recommend debt relief as a primary option. Pakistanhas been in the past struggling with the issue of debt sustainability and will do all within its powerto continue to pay its debts however also calls upon for emergency debt relief in the face of anatural disaster as with the floods of 2010. 1 a) Does my country support question two?Yesb) What has my country done to support or condemn question two?The Israeli Palestinian conflict and the Israeli- Arab war has been one of great concernto the government of Pakistan over a long period of time and as per a statement made by thePresident of Pakistan, Pakistan will not recognize the state of Israel until an independentPalestinian state has been established. The Pakistani government has always strongly believed thatthe Palestinians be given permanent sovereignty of the currently occupied Palestinian territory.Although many have attributed this support rendered to Palestine to the lack of diplomatic relationsbetween Pakistan and Israel, the Pakistani government like the rest of the Arab world have farmore profound reasons for this support. The government of Pakistan deems it unfair that theIsraelis have been exploiting, damaging and depleting the natural resources of Palestine namely COMUN 2015 | www.comun2015.orgPage | 49 oil, causing the country to fall into stark levels of poverty with extremely low levels of growth.Moreover Pakistan believes that as a nation the Palestinians have the constitutional right to theresources and wealth of the state therefore proving that by harming the environment, includingdumping of waste materials in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories, and by destroyingvital infrastructure, including water pipelines and sewage networks and by constructing a wall in

the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, Israel has violatedinternational law