UNHRC

WORD OF WELCOME

WORD OF WELCOME

Dear Delegates,

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to be a part of X-MUN 2025.

The agenda, “Protecting human rights in conflict zones and protecting rights of indigenous
people”, is an extremely important issue that is in direct need of international cooperation. It is
essential that delegates research about their respective country’s stance, as well as the
committee’s mandate and please do not feel that you are degraded if you are given countries
which are not that famous. The countries given are of utmost importance to the given agenda and
keep in mind that no country is less to another.

The Executive Board will be hoping to see high levels of debate and viable solutions being
formulated. Deviation from Foreign policy or the mandate of the UNHRC will be resented upon.
It is the Executive Boards’ humble request to all delegates, that they should go through the Study
Guide thoroughly and come well researched to committee.

We hope that XMUN 2025 becomes, not just a competition, but a platform that educates, instructs
and inspires everyone. One important point that needs to be noted is that a chairperson or in fact
any member of the EB (Executive Board) are not the leaders of the committee, but are the
moderators who will ensure that the committee goes on with a smooth flow.

Good luck for your preparation and we hope to see you for a super exciting weekend filled with
intense debate. Just remember to not be afraid and make sure to voice out your opinion in
committee as one idea can make a major difference.

Regards,
XMUN 2025 Team

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENT

01 - WORD OF WELCOME 01

02 - ABOUT THE COMMITTEE 03

03 - PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS 04

3.1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC 4
3.2 - KEY DEFINITIONS/CONCEPTS 5
3.3 - THE ROHINGYA CRISIS 6
3.4 - ISRAEL AND PALESTINE CONFLICT 8
3.5 - CONFLICTS IN SYRIA 9
3.6 - MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED 11

04 - UN INVOLVEMENT AND RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS 12

. AND REPORTS

05 - PROBLEM SOLUTION APPROACHES 13

06 - REFERENCES 14

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ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (UNHRC)

The evolution of the work of the UNHRC has matched the growth in interest in human rights from the
United Nations since the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights on 10 December 1948. This codification of “a common standard of achievement for all
peoples and nations” was the first time in history that human rights, those civil, political, economic,
social, and cultural rights considered fundamental to member states, had been agreed upon and
enumerated.

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PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity,
language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom
from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and
many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

The United Nations has defined a broad range of internationally accepted rights, including civil,
cultural, economic, political and social rights. It has also established mechanisms to promote and
protect these rights and to assist states in carrying out their responsibilities.

The foundations of this body of law are the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the General Assembly in 1945 and 1948, respectively. Since
then, the United Nations has gradually expanded human rights law to encompass specific standards
for women, children, persons with disabilities, minorities and other vulnerable groups, who now
possess rights that protect them from discrimination that had long been common in many societies.

Indigenous peoples have frequently faced detention due to the criminalization of social protest
activities. One of the most serious shortcomings in human rights protection in recent years is the
trend towards the use of legislation and the justice system to penalize and criminalize social protest
activities and legitimate demands made by indigenous organizations and movements in defense of
their rights.

Although some countries have taken constitutional and legislative measures to recognize their
rights and identities, exclusion, marginalization and violence continue to be widespread.

The evolution of the work of the UNHRC has matched the growth in interest in human rights from the
United Nations since the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights on 10 December 1948. This codification of “a common standard of achievement for all
peoples and nations” was the first time in history that human rights, those civil, political, economic,
social, and cultural rights considered fundamental to member states, had been agreed upon and
enumerated.

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PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

Today, the “International Bill of Human Rights” includes the Universal Declaration, the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (and its two Optional Protocols), and the
International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The council mainly focuses on
human rights including the freedoms of association, assembly, expression, belief and religion,
community- specific rights including those of women or the LGBT caucus, and the rights of racial
and ethnic minorities.

KEY DEFINITIONS/CONCEPTS
UN Charter
The United Nations Charter is a treaty that was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, California,
USA, and entered into force on October 24, 1945. It is the foundational document of the United
Nations, which is an intergovernmental organization created to promote international cooperation
and maintain international peace and security.

The UN Charter consists of a preamble and 19 chapters, which establish the purposes and principles
of the United Nations, the structure and functions of it.

UDHR
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human
rights. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, in Paris,
France, and is the first international statement of universal human rights.

The UDHR is a non-binding document, meaning that it does not have the force of law, but it has been
widely recognized as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

ICCPR
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) -
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, the ICCPR is a legally binding treaty that
sets out a range of civil and political rights that are essential to the protection of human dignity,
including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial.

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NGO’s
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are private, voluntary organizations that operate
independently of governments and are usually driven by a social or political purpose. NGOs can be
organized at the local, national, or international level and can vary in size, scope, and focus. They
may work on a wide range of issues, such as human rights, health, education, environment, poverty,
or development.

NGOs play an important role in promoting and protecting human rights and in advocating for social
and political change. They can provide services, information, and support to communities and
individuals affected by human rights violations or social injustice. NGOs can also monitor and report
on human rights abuses, raise public awareness, lobby governments and international organizations,
and participate in legal proceedings.

HCHR
HCHR stands for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The High
Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations and
serves as the head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights is appointed by the United Nations General Assembly and
serves a four-year term. The current High Commissioner is Michelle Bachelet, who assumed the
position in September 2018.

Gender Equality
The United Nations has recognized gender equality as a fundamental human right and has
established a number of international agreements and frameworks to promote gender equality and
women's empowerment, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).

Racial Discrimination
Racial discrimination can take many forms, including denial of access to education, employment,
housing, and healthcare, racial profiling by law enforcement, hate speech, and hate crimes. It can
also manifest in more subtle ways, such as unconscious bias or microaggressions that perpetuate
stereotypes and reinforce negative attitudes towards certain racial or ethnic groups.

Racial discrimination is a violation of human rights and is recognized as such by international human
rights law. The United Nations has established a number of agreements and frameworks to address
racial discrimination and promote equality and non-discrimination, including the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

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PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

THE ROHINGYA CRISIS

The Rohingya Crisis refers to the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar
(formerly known as Burma). The Rohingya are an ethnic and religious minority who have lived in
Myanmar for generations, but they have faced discrimination and persecution from the majority
Buddhist population for many years.

In 2017, a military crackdown in Rakhine State, where most of the Rohingya live, resulted in a mass
exodus of Rohingya refugees to neighboring Bangladesh. The military crackdown, which was
characterized by widespread human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, rape, and
arson, was condemned by the international community as ethnic cleansing and even genocide.
As of early 2023, more than 1 million Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh, where they face poor
living conditions, limited access to healthcare and education, and uncertain futures. The Myanmar
government has been accused of refusing to recognize the Rohingya as citizens and has denied
them access to basic rights and services.

The Rohingya Crisis has been

the subject of extensive
international attention and
criticism, with many countries
and international
organizations calling for an
end to the persecution of the
Rohingya and for the Myanmar
government to allow them to
return to their homes and
communities with full
citizenship rights and
protections. However,
progress towards a resolution
of the crisis has been slow,
and the Rohingya continue to
face significant challenges
and obstacles in their quest
for justice and dignity.

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PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

The Rohingya, as a minority group in Myanmar, have faced discrimination, persecution, and violence
for decades. The recent military crackdown in 2017 led to widespread human rights violations,
including extrajudicial killings, rape, torture, and forced displacement. The human rights violations
in the Rohingya Crisis are numerous and include violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of
the person, the right to freedom of movement, the right to education, the right to health, and the
right to a nationality. Additionally, the Rohingya have been subjected to arbitrary detention, forced
labor, and other forms of exploitation.

ISRAEL AND PALESTINE CONFLICT

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is a long-standing and complex issue that has been
characterized by a range of human rights violations on both sides. The conflict has its roots in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Jewish immigrants began to settle in Palestine, then under
Ottoman rule, and later under British mandate.

Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, there have been numerous conflicts between
Israelis and Palestinians over land, resources, and political control. The conflict has involved
violence, military action, and human rights violations, including the violation of the right to life, the
right to freedom of movement, the right to education, and the right to health.

The Israeli government has

been accused of human
rights violations against
Palestinians, including the
use of excessive force
against peaceful protesters,
unlawful killings, arbitrary
detention, and the demolition
of homes and other
properties. The ongoing
Israeli settlement
construction in the West
Bank and East Jerusalem has
also been criticized by the
international community as a
violation of international law
and the human rights of
Palestinians.

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PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

Palestinian authorities, on the other hand, have been accused of human rights violations against
their own people, including restrictions on freedom of expression and the press, political
imprisonment, and extrajudicial killings.

The situation in Israel and Palestine remains a complex and challenging human rights issue, with
ongoing efforts by the international community to address the human rights violations on both sides
and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The United Nations has established a number of
resolutions and frameworks aimed at addressing the conflict and promoting respect for human
rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights. However, a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the conflict remains
elusive.

CONFLICTS IN SYRIA
The human rights situation in Syria has been a matter of great concern for many years, with
widespread violations reported by various international organizations and governments.
Some of the most pressing human rights issues in Syria include:

The ongoing conflict

The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of
people and has caused immense suffering for millions more. Civilians have been targeted by both
government and opposition forces, with reports of war crimes and crimes against humanity
committed by all sides.

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Arbitrary detention and torture

The Syrian government has been accused of arbitrarily detaining tens of thousands of people, many
of whom have been subjected to torture, ill-treatment, and extrajudicial killings. Detention centers
are reportedly overcrowded and unsanitary, with detainees denied access to medical care and legal
representation.

Restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly

The Syrian government has severely curtailed freedom of expression and assembly, with journalists,
human rights activists, and peaceful protesters routinely targeted and harassed. Social media and
other online platforms are heavily monitored and censored, and many people have been arrested for
their online activities.

Discrimination and violence against minorities

Minority groups in Syria, including Kurds, Christians, and other religious and ethnic minorities, have
faced discrimination and violence at the hands of both government and opposition forces.

Humanitarian crisis
The conflict has created a massive humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced from their
homes and struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and medical care.

Overall, the human rights situation in Syria remains dire, with no end in sight to the conflict and little
hope for justice or accountability for the many abuses that have been committed.

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PROTECTING INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is composed of 47 member states that are
elected by the UN General Assembly for a term of three years. The major parties involved in the
UNHRC committee are:

Member States
The member states of the UNHRC committee are responsible for setting the agenda, proposing and
voting on resolutions, and engaging in debates and discussions on human rights issues.

Observers
Non-member states, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
with observer status can participate in the UNHRC committee, but cannot vote on resolutions.

High Commissioner for Human Rights

The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations
and serves as the chief spokesperson for human rights issues in the UN system.

Special Procedures:
The UNHRC committee relies on special procedures to investigate and report on specific human
rights issues or country situations. These are independent experts appointed by the UNHRC
committee to conduct fact-finding missions, issue reports, and make recommendations.

Secretariat
The Secretariat provides administrative support to the UNHRC committee, including organizing
meetings, preparing reports, and disseminating information.

Overall, the UNHRC committee is a forum for member states, observers, NGOs, and other actors to
engage in dialogue and cooperation on human rights issues, with the goal of promoting and
protecting human rights around the world.

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UN INVOLVEMENT AND RELEVANT RESOUTION AND REPORTS

UN INVOLVEMENT AND RELEVANT

RESOLUTIONS AND REPORTS
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body responsible for
promoting and protecting human rights around the world. As such, the UNHRC often takes action on
a variety of human rights issues through the adoption of resolutions and reports.
Here are some examples of UN involvement and relevant resolutions and reports in the UNHRC
committee:

Resolution on Human Rights in Myanmar

In February 2021, the UNHRC adopted a resolution calling for an end to the military coup in Myanmar
and for the release of those detained. The resolution also called for an end to human rights
violations, including the use of violence against peaceful protestors.

Report on Human Rights in Syria

The UNHRC regularly publishes reports on the human rights situation in Syria, which has been
marked by violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises. These reports document the ongoing
human rights abuses committed by various parties to the conflict, including the Syrian government
and armed opposition groups.

Resolution on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

In September 2021, the UNHRC adopted a resolution calling for the recognition and protection of the
rights of indigenous peoples around the world. The resolution also called for the promotion of
indigenous peoples' participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives and
communities.

Report on Human Rights in North Korea

The UNHRC has published numerous reports on the human rights situation in North Korea, which
has been criticized for its systematic and widespread human rights abuses. These reports document
instances of forced labor, torture, and political repression, among other human rights violations.

Resolution on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

In March 2021, the UNHRC adopted a resolution calling for the protection and promotion of the rights
of persons with disabilities around the world. The resolution emphasized the need for equal access
to education, employment, and health care, among other areas.

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PROBLEM SOLUTION APPROACHES

PROBLEM SOLUTION APPROACHES

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is responsible for promoting and protecting
human rights around the world. As a committee, the UNHRC can take various approaches to
address human rights violations and promote human rights. Some possible approaches include:

Investigation and Documentation

The UNHRC can investigate and document human rights violations, especially in countries where
these violations are rampant. This can involve gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and
documenting abuses. The information gathered can then be used to raise awareness about human
rights violations and to pressure governments to take action.

Diplomatic pressure
The UNHRC may use diplomatic channels to pressure governments to respect human rights. This
can include issuing statements condemning human rights violations, organizing diplomatic
missions to investigate violations, and working with other countries to apply political and
economic pressure on governments that violate human rights.

Sanctions
In extreme cases, the UNHRC may recommend sanctions against governments that violate human
rights. Sanctions can include trade embargoes, financial restrictions, travel bans, and other
measures aimed at isolating the offending government and forcing it to change its policies.

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REFERENCES

REFERENCES
Universal declaration of human rights
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights

2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Syria - U.S. Department of State
https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/syria/

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

https://www.ohchr.org/

Rohingya refugee sites in Bangladesh

https://www.mercycorps.org/blog/rohingya-refugee-crisis-facts

Israel’s borders
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54116567

Syrian civil war guide

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/syrian-civil-war-guide-isis/410746/

Casualties of the Syrian civil war

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Syrian_civil_war

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IIT Hyderabad | 2025