Historical Security Council & Security Council

Transcription

1 Historical Security Council & Security Council

2 TOPIC A REVIEWING THE PERSIAN GULF WAR ( ) AND ITS CONSEQUENCES Introduction to the Security Council The Security Council is the principal and most important organ of the United Nations. Under the Charter of the United Nations, it has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. All members of the United Nations are obliged to comply with the decisions adopted by the Security Council. Concerning breaches of international security, the Security Council is the United Nations appropriate organ to determine the existence of threats to peace or acts of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In addition, it may impose sanctions or authorize the use of force in order to maintain or restore international peace and stability. Historical background of the conflict: Iraq and Kuwait Iraq Iraq is a country located in the Middle East, between Iran and Kuwait, bordering the Persian Gulf. Formerly it was part of the Ottoman Empire and during World War I it was occupied by Britain. In 1932 Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom and it was proclaimed a republic in Iraq s positions on Israeli-Palestinian politics, as well as its disapproval of the nature of the peace between Israel and Egypt concerned the United Sates. This, together with the Iraqi support to several militant Arab and Palestinian groups, led to the inclusion of the country on the United States list of Sate Sponsors of Terrorism on 29 December Territorial disputes between Iraq and Iran led to a costly war that last for 8 years. The war was triggered off by Iraq s invasion of Iran. Although the United States remained official neutral towards Iraq, during the last years of the war they increased their support towards it and also removed the country from the United States list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. Kuwait Kuwait, on the other hand, is an Arab country situated in the north-eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula at the tip of the Persian Gulf. The country shares borders with Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 1/16

3 Kuwait had been a part of the Ottoman Empire s province of Basra. Modern day Kuwait began in the eighteenth century as a small village on the Persian Gulf. Kuwait, the word for small human settlement, was so named by Iraqi rulers of that era 1. On 19 June 1961, Kuwait became independent, putting an end to the British protectorate. Although Iraq laid claim that Kuwait was part of its own territory, it finally recognized Kuwait as an independent state in October During the war between Iran and Iraq, Kuwait supported Iraq. Political and economic conditions By the time the Persian Gulf War broke out, Saddam Hussein had risen to power as president of Iraq, replacing Al Bakr in mid-july, By the end of the war between Iraq and Iran, Hussein s nation was $80 billion in debt and also pressed to repay its debts to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Furthermore, while Iraq was distracted by its war, Kuwait had accumulated 900 square miles of Iraqi territory by advancing its border northward. By 1988, the Iraqi Army was the world s fourth largest army; it consisted of 955,000 standing soldiers and 650,000 paramilitary forces in the Popular Army. The conflict between Iraq and Kuwait Basically the Iraq-Kuwait dispute involved Iraqi claims to Kuwait as Iraqi territory. Those claims were mostly based on the argument that the province of Basra, Kuwait was part of, was rightful Iraqi territory and, in addition, when the United Kingdom drew the borders between Kuwait and Iraq in 1922, it made Iraq virtually landlocked. That was part of Britain s attempt to weaken Arab nationalism by blocking Iraqi access to the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, Iraq accused Kuwait of exceeding its OPEC quotas for oil production. At that time, the cartel s desired price was $18 a barrel, so disciplined was necessary by all Arab states in the region. Kuwait s exceeding its OPEC quotas resulted to a slump in the oil price, which brought about a loss of $7 billion a year to Iraq, equal to its 1989 balance of payments deficit. Iraq complained about Kuwait s behavior and openly threatened to take military action in July On 15 July 1990, Saddam s government laid out its combined objections to the Arab league. Iraq s invasion of Kuwait On 2 August 1990, Iraq launched the invasion by bombing Kuwait s capital, Kuwait City. At the time of the invasion, the Kuwaiti military was believed to have numbered 16,000 men; Kuwait didn t have its forces on alert. 1 Klein D., Mechanisms of Western Domination: a short history of Iraq and Kuwait, California State University, Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 2/16

4 1Map of Kuwait Security Council Resolutions adopted during the conflict During the conflict, the United Nations Security Council adopted 12 Resolutions acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. Those Resolutions are: 1. Resolution (1990) In Resolution 660 the Security Council condemned the invasion and determined that a breach of international peace and security exists. The Resolution was based on Articles 39 3 and 40 4 of the Charter of the United Nations. Yemen did not participate in the voting procedure 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. 4 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. Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 3/16

5 2. Resolution (1990) Acting under Article 51 6, the Security Council imposed economic sanctions. Specifically it suggested imposing an embargo on Iraq by preventing all kinds of commodities and products being sold to Iraq; a decision that would later be criticized. In addition, a Security Council Committee was established in order to monitor those sanctions. 3. Resolution (1990) In Resolution 662 the Security Council decided that the annexation of Kuwait by Iraq had no legal validity and called upon all States not to recognize the annexation. 4. Resolution (1990) Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council demanded that Iraq permitted and facilitated the immediate departure from Kuwait and Iraq of third-state nationals with no action to jeopardize [their] safety, security or health. 5. Resolution (1990) The Security Council invited member states to cooperate, in order to ensure compliance with provisions of Resolution 661 (1990) with maximum use of political and diplomatic measures. 6. Resolution (1990) In Resolution 666, the Security Council recalled parts of its previous Resolution 661 (1990), especially the ones imposing an embargo, as far as humanitarian and medical supplies were concerned. 7. Resolution (1990) Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the members of the Security Council unanimously condemned the aggressive acts perpetrated by Iraq against diplomatic premises and personnel in Kuwait and called Iraq to comply with its international obligations 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 Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 4/16

6 8. Resolution (1990) On September 24, 1990, the Security Council entrusted the Security Council Committee established by Resolution 661 (1990) with the task of reviewing requests for assistance, concerning the situation between Iraq and Kuwait. 9. Resolution (1990) The two most important points that were expressed in Resolution 670 of the United Nations Security Council were the Council s confirmation that Resolution 661 (1990) applied to all means of transport ( including aircraft ) and also, as far as civilian protection was concerned, that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (12 th August 1949) applied to Kuwait and Iraq was obliged to fully comply with all its terms. Cuba was the only member of the Security Council to vote against this Resolution. 10. Resolution (1990) In this Resolution the Security Council invited all member states to gather observations concerning international law violations in the region of Kuwait by Iraq. 11. Resolution (1990) In Resolution 677 the United Nations Security Council condemned the attempts carried out by Iraq, in order to destroy civil records maintained by the government of Kuwait. 12. Resolution 678 and end of the conflict Adopted on the 29 th of November, 1990, Resolution 678 was the last Resolution adopted by the Security Council before the armed conflict between Iraq and Kuwait was brought to an end. This Resolution still remains one of the most crucial ones in the history of the Security Council after the Cold War. Resolution 678 offered Iraq a time frame of 48 days, until January 15 th, 1991, to fully comply with Resolution 660 (1990). Unless Iraq managed to comply with the requirements set by the Security Council, then all member states cooperating with the government of Kuwait were granted authorization to use all necessary means to uphold and implement Resolution 660 (1990) and all subsequent relevant resolutions and restore international peace and security in the area. Cuba and Yemen were the two members of the Council to vote against this Resolution, while China abstained from the voting procedure Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 5/16

7 2The TIME Magazine Cover depicting the deadline given to Iraq by the Security Council A devastating attack, carried out on January 16, 1991, against Iraqi armed forces and its targets in Kuwait was led by the United States of America 16. There were 34 nations that also provided military and/or financial support for the operations; Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Britain, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Honduras, Italy, Kuwait, Morocco, The Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. 16 Three days before the deadline given by the United Nations Security Council ( ), Congress granted President Bush the authority to intervene. Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 6/16

8 The war began with his massive attack and a six week air campaign. This quickly crippled the Iraqi air defense system and destroyed key elements of the Iraqi command and control network 17. On the 15 th of February, 1991, the U.S. Army performed a direct attack into Iraq. On 22 February 1991, Iraq agreed to a Soviet proposed ceasefire agreement, which called for Iraq to withdraw troops to pre-invasion positions following a total ceasefire. This ceasefire agreement was rejected by the Coalition, but Iraq was given 24 hours to begin withdrawing military forces. On 23 February, 500 Iraqi soldiers were captured and, on 24 February, British and U.S. forces crossed the Iraq-Kuwait border and entered Iraq in large numbers. Saddam Hussein ordered a retreat from Kuwait, on 27 February, 1991, and President Bush declared it liberated, on 28 February, 100 hours after the ground campaign had started. Iraqi forces were expelled from Kuwait. While leaving the country, they set fire to nearly 700 oil wells and placed land mines around the wells to make extinguishing the fires harder. 3While leaving the country, Iraqis set fire to nearly 700 oil wells and placed land mines around the wells to make extinguishing the fires harder. 17 Biddle S., Victory Misunderstood: What the Gulf War Tells Us About the Future of Conflict, International Security, Vol. 21, No. 2 (Fall 1996). Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 7/16

9 Consequences Consequences on the civilian population Devastating effects of the U.S. and British bombings on civilian population had been reported. The use of depleted uranium in U.S. bombs against Iraqis had led to certain forms of cancer and unprecedented levels of birth defects. What is more, although claiming to use only the necessary force to destroy military targets, the United States had intentionally targeted civilian infrastructure, including water treatment plants, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. In addition, since 70 per cent of the bombs deployed by the United States Air Force against Iraq were not accurate and they were targeting urban areas, it is quite likely that most of them fell on civilian infrastructure causing numerous civilian casualties. Economic and political costs The Bush administration argued that an intense bombing and air attacks were necessary to destroy the back up support, which allowed Iraqi forces around Kuwait to function. The United States ran 92,000 air sorties, dropping 88,500 tons of bombs, especially napalm, cluster bombs, and daisy cutter bombs of near nuclear intensity. Moreover, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. McPeak admitted that 70 percent of the bombs the Air Force dropped on Iraq missed their targets. The impact of the bombing was so devastating that, according to investigations carried out by the United Nations and other international organizations after the war, it left Iraq unable to produce industrial goods to any significant degree. Experts called the bombing near apocalyptic and argued that life in Iraq was reduced to a pre-industrial stage. The cost of the Persian Gulf War for the United States of America was calculated by the U.S. Congress to be $61.1 billion. $52 billion of that amount was paid by other countries. U.S. troops represented about 74% of the coalition force. Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 8/16

10 Review of the conflict The U.N. authorization and its legal standing Speaking in the Security Council after the adoption of Resolution 678, Secretary General Perez de Cuellar said that the Resolution envisages at least 45 days of earnest effort to achieve a peaceful solution of the crisis. Taking that into consideration it seems that military action seemed to be the last resort for solving the conflict. Voting on this Resolution, the members of the Council understood that military force should be authorized only after all other political and diplomatic means were exhausted. Military force would be the solution, according to Resolution 678, if Iraq failed to negotiate. Iraq, however, expressed its interest in negotiating a solution to its differences with Kuwait during the fall of 1990, but the Bush administration showed no interest of establishing a political mechanism to resolve those issues 18. It is also known that, on December 6, 1990, Iraq announced that it permits departure from Iraq of all foreign nationals. This action was the one that brought Iraq closer to meeting the Security Council s demands. What is more, it was in early January 1991 that Iraq offered to leave Kuwait under some specific terms (if foreign troops left the region, U.S. did not attack during the withdrawal, weapons of mass destruction were banned from the region, etc.) On the other hand, the Bush administration made no effort to negotiate with Iraq or, even, reach a peaceful settlement based on diplomatic means, despite requests from other states too. Cuba, objecting to Resolution 678, underlined that the embargo meant that Iraq cannot receive by air, land or sea goods which, in addition to food and medicine, are essential to the life of the nation. The United States of America based their military campaign against Iraq on the phrase all necessary means of Resolution 678. Since the United States of America drafted the Resolution that was adopted by the Council, they interpreted in a way that would authorize them to intervene in order to diminish Iraq s military capacity. The legal basis of Resolution 678 was, however, criticized. The Security Council based its authorization of military action on Article 42 of the Charter of the United Nations. Article 42 of the Charter allows the Security Council to take military action in order to deal with a specific act of aggression that is taking place at the moment and not to ensure peace and stability on a broader scale. 18 Quigley J., The United States and the United Nations in the Persian Gulf War: New Order or Disorder?, Cornell International Law Journal, 1 (1992). Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 9/16

11 What is more, the United Nations Security Council failed to establish and support a mechanism that would coordinate strategy among the member states acting under Resolution 678. This omission enabled the United States to lead the coalition and adapt the U.N. strategy to their own foreign policy, since there was no option for other states to act at cross-purposes. The foreign policy adopted by the United States of America The United States as well as the West, in general, remained strictly dependent on the oil supplies of the region. As a result, the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait threatened vital U.S. interests, as well as interests of several European nations. The military action that was initiated by President Bush on January 16, 1991, was legally based on Security Council s Resolution 678, considering that authorization was granted to the United States, and other nations as well, to militarily intervene, since Iraq had failed to comply with Resolution 660 within the deadline. As a matter of fact, part of the U.S. objectives was the effort to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Instead of more military involvement, however, the United States hoped that the President of Iraq would be overthrown in an internal coup d état. The CIA used its assets in Iraq to organize a revolt, but the Iraqi government defeated the effort. Important aspect and questions which need to be considered During the conference of the Security Council delegates will have to reach crucial decisions that will finally be adopted into a Resolution. In order to achieve a better structured debate and more effective diplomatic solutions, delegates need to address the following points not only in their position papers but also during the sessions of the United Nations Security Council: Was the legal basis of Resolution 678 (1990) of the Security Council accurate? Were all diplomatic and political means exhausted before resorting to a military intervention? Could there have been other alternatives to the authorization of military force by the Security Council? Was the Security Council misled by the foreign policy of the United States of America concerning Resolution 678 (1990)? Would an embargo be the appropriate solution for an immediate cease of an armed conflict between two nations? What cost would that have on them? Could the use of military force by the coalition be characterized as excessive and by what means could that be avoided in the future? In a future situation similar to the one analyzed here, what would the top and most essential priorities of Security Council be when taking action? How could devastating consequences of military force on civilian populations be eliminated in future interventions authorized by the United Nations Security Council? Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 10/16

12 Further Reading All the Security Council Resolutions during the time of the conflict can be found here: Report of the Security Council (16 June June 1991): Basic Bibliography Teitelbaum J., Political liberalization in the Persian Gulf, London, Milton-Edwards B., Conflicts in the Middle East since 1945, London, Long J., Saddam s war of words, University of Texas Press, Gunaim A., Kuwait-Iraq boundary demarcation, Rahman H., The making of the Gulf War, Khadduri M./Ghareeb E., War in the Gulf, Oxford University Press, Pagonis W.G./Cruikshank J., Moving mountains: Lessons in leadership and logistics from the Gulf War, Weller M., Iraq and Kuwait: the hostilities and their aftermath, Cambridge, The United Nations and the Iraq-Kuwait conflict, , New York, Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 11/16

13 TOPIC B ADRESSING THE CONFLICT IN SYRIA AND THE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS Introduction The Syrian civil war began in early 2011 as a civilian protest against the government, inspired by similar events unfolding throughout the Arab world. The decisions of the UN Security Council on the matter have to the present day been marked by a deep division among its permanent members, which had as a result a general lack of action on the Council s part. Throughout the 3 years of the conflict, several important stages can be discerned: In March 2011 these protests were violently repressed by the state security forces, sparking international condemnation and concern regarding human rights violations by the state forces. In the following months UNSC discourse on Syria intensified, as the problems on the ground seemed to worsen. In October 2011, a draft resolution (2011/612) was submitted to the floor by the representatives of France, Germany, Portugal and the UK, expressing strong condemnation of the Syrian government s violent crackdown on protestors. The final text was vetoed by China and the Russian Federation. By May 2012, among prolonged lack of decisive action in the SC, the conflict reached a new level, allowing the ICRC to formally classify the fighting in the cities of Homs and Idlib as non-international armed conflict, i.e. civil war. SC draft res. 2012/538 of July 2012 was the first to mention action under chapter VII of the UN Charter. It was vetoed by China and the Russian Federation. With the Council remaining in stalemate over this issue, the UN General Assembly rang the alarm bell by adopting res. A/RES/66/253 B in which it condemned the inaction of the SC and called for political transition in Syria. The conflict worsened during the following year, with no real end in sight. With outside support, the rebel forces held the upper hand for a while, but the tables then turned in favor of the government, while the international community became increasingly concerned by the mounting casualty toll, especially among non-combatant population, and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis in the country. Most recently, in August 2013, a controversial attack by Syrian government forces on rebel strongholds east of Damascus was reported to have included use of chemical weapons. The use of such weaponry is generally regarded as a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. The issue has reignited the call for chapter VII action validated by the UNSC. Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 12/16

14 The nature of the Syrian conflict is extremely complex, making the situation difficult to assess and manage. There are multiple stakeholders at play, divided both by political as by sectarian motivations. Perfectly reliable information is difficult to come by. With each passing day more lives are lost, more infrastructure and property is destroyed, more money is spent on weaponry and conflict, and more cultural heritage sites are endangered. The harm done to the Syrian society is extreme. As the state plunges further into crisis, UN OCHA reports regarding the extent of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region depict a grave picture. The mission of the Security Council is to take stock of the situation and seek to put an end to the violence, having the best interest of the Syrian people as well as regional stability in mind. The challenges faced by the 15 members of the Council are multiple, and a solution can only be achieved through careful negotiation. Background information: the political landscape of Syria Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in The new country lacked political stability, however, and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was re-established. In November 1970, Hafiz al-asad, a member of the socialist Ba'th Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional peace talks over its return. Following the death of President al-asad, his son, Bashar al-asad, was approved as president by popular referendum in July Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hezbollah. In May 2007 Bashar al-asad's second term as president was approved by popular referendum. Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, antigovernment protests broke out in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Since then demonstrations and unrest have spread to nearly every city in Syria, but the size and intensity of protests have fluctuated over time. The government responded to unrest with a mix of concessions - including the repeal of the Emergency Law and approving new laws permitting new political parties and liberalizing local and national elections - and force. Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 13/16

15 However, the government's response has failed to meet opposition demands for Asad to step down, and the government's ongoing security operations to quell unrest and widespread armed opposition activity have led to extended violent clashes between government forces and oppositionists. International pressure on the Asad regime has intensified since late 2011, as the Arab League, EU, Turkey, and the United States have expanded economic sanctions against the regime. Lakhdar Brahimi, current Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, in October 2012 began meeting with regional heads of state to assist in brokering a cease-fire. In December 2012, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces was recognized by more than 130 countries as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Unrest persists in 2013, and the death toll among Syrian Government forces, opposition forces, and civilians has topped 100,000. (Source: CIA World Factbook) UN activity in the Syrian crisis The United Nations approach to the conflict in Syria is a composite of the activity of various agencies of the UN. The following actors play a central role in the ongoing debates, and each addresses a particular aspect of this complex file: UN OCHA the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is tasked with the coordination of the humanitarian response to the crisis in Syria. Currently the Office estimates that around 6.8 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance, with an approximate 4.25 million being internally displaced persons driven out of their communities by the conflict and forced to seek temporary shelter elsewhere in the country. In a recent briefing to the Security Council, Ms Valerie Amos, UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, reiterated the importance of finding a peaceful resolution of the conflict as quickly as possible, and urged once more all parties to respect the prescriptions of international humanitarian and human rights law. 19 There are refugee camps located within Syria, as well as over the border, mainly in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. The funds required to maintain and expand these camps is scarce, with the host countries bearing most of the financial implications. It is important that these states receive the support of the international community, in order to better manage the situation and improve the living conditions as well as prospects for those inhabiting the camps. 19 Statement delivered before the UN Security Council on 25 October Security%20Council%20on%20Syria.pdf Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 14/16

16 UN HRC The Human Rights Council has proven to be the UN body which has shown most political engagement on this issue. While in the past the permanent members of the Security Council could not agree to undertake any decisive steps, the Human Rights Council not only condemned the violence and called for an end to the violence, but it also voted to create an Independent International Commission of Inquiry 20 into the Human Rights violations in Syria, which is tasked with monitoring the situation and reporting on the issue during the sessions of the HRC. The Joint Special Representative of the UN and the League of Arab States - A title previously held by Mr Kofi Annan, it refers to the joint peace mission of the UN and the Arab League. The current representative is Mr Lakhdar Brahimi, who also serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria. The UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) - UNSMIS was established by United Nations Security Council resolution 2043 of 21 April 2012, initially for a 90-day period, to monitor a cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties and to monitor and support the full implementation of the Joint Special Envoy s six-point plan to end the conflict in Syria. After initial relative lull, hostilities in Syria resumed and on 15 June 2012, UNSMIS had to suspend its activities owing to an intensification of armed violence across the country. On 20 July 2012, the Security Council extended the mission for 30 days and said that any further extension could be possible only in the event that the Secretary-General reports and the Security Council confirms the cessation of the use of heavy weapons and a reduction in the level of violence sufficient by all sides'' to allow the UNSMIS monitors to implement their mandate. As those conditions were not met, UNSMIS mandate came to an end at midnight on 19 August UN Secretary General SG report S/2012/376 of 22 May 2012 touches upon the topic of protection of civilians in armed conflict and the role of the Security Council. This discussion was then further elaborated upon in a series of debates held within the Security Council in These aspects should be carefully studied by all Members of the Security Council, in order to have a proper understanding of the nature of the task which lies ahead Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 15/16

17 Mission of the simulated Security Council Given the complex nature of the conflict and the various issues that need to be considered, the Members of the Security Council must adopt a multi-faceted approach. Given the tools and information at their disposal, as well as the limitation of their own national policy and mandates, the 15 members of the Council must seek to achieve the best possible outcome with regards to the situation in Syria. Departing from the prescriptions of international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as the text of the UN Charter and all international precedents in matters of conflict resolution, find a solution to the following main issues: Important aspect and questions which need to be considered Ending the ongoing conflict through a broad range of options: from negotiations to applying sanctions to interventions Ending the suffering of the civilian population in Syria by ensuring that international humanitarian and human rights law is upheld by all parties to the conflict Addressing the issue if chemical weapons in the conflict as well as the further reports of human rights violations and war crimes Further research UN Charter: UN SG report on Protection of Civilians in armed conflict: CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2012_376.pdf Reports and statements prepared by the Independent Itl. Commission of Inquiry for UN HRC: ommission.aspx Press release concerning the SC full-day discussion on the protection of civilians in armed conflict: UN OCHA dedicated website for Syria: Security Council Report documents on Syria: Security Council Report compilation of UN documents on Protection of Civilians: Security Council Study Guide KaMUN 2013 Page 16/16

18 FACTSHEET Syria Regional Crisis September 2013

19