JOMUN XIV Forum: General Assembly 4 Issue: The question of national sovereignty when intervening to fight terrorist groups Student Officer: Zohaib Mahmood Position: Deputy President INTRODUCTION The issue of National Sovereignty has been around for some time. Ultimately meaning that a state has the right and authority to govern itself without any involvement or infringement from other international states. Throughout the world and sprouting before the UN s conception, sovereignty has been an issue in multiple cases these are but not limited to ; Bangladesh, South Korea, North Korea, United States of America, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan. In modern day however the U.S has been the center of heavy criticism on the topic of infringement on a nation s sovereignty. This is where our question comes to be, is it acceptable for a nation to intervene in another nations governing or conduct if it is ultimately and only beneficial for the globe as a whole. An example of infringement could be the intervention of the United States of America into Iraq in order to bring the end to the regime being conducted in the nation. Saddam Hussein was a corrupt official enlisted into the office on the 16 th of July, 1979 up until the 9 th of April, 2003 due to the military takeover of the nation. Saddam Hussein simply operated within his nations internationally recognized borders, however was the international community simply supposed to stand by and watch mass genocide being carried out. The answer is what shall be debated upon, at what point is international action required to be carried out for the betterment of the world. Although the United States of America play a huge role in the international community with regards to national sovereignty due to the huge burden they face as being recognized as the worlds super power. They are doomed to face criticism no matter what. Nonetheless be it their role important the question of national sovereignty is such a question that must be rationally answered by all member states as it entails a country s limits and capabilities. We as an international community must be able to accept other nations views yet also if citizens are being unfairly treated then there must be guidelines as to how to infiltrate and diminish hate groups and terrorism Lastly the issue states the question of national sovereignty when fighting terrorism but another issue is the question of who will fight terrorist groups could it be a chosen nation, designated P5 member states only? Its an extremely important ideal to grasp as unfortunately a nation like the United States of America are caught in the cross hairs due to people saying they should mind their own business and keep their nose out of thins yet on the complete polar opposite people will complain the America claims to be the world s super power but does nothing to aid it. Research Report Page 1 of 4
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Sovereignty Sovereignty can be thought of as some nations right or some sort of a governing body to be able to control all that happens within their recognized borders of sovereignty and land. Within the world of politics, it can be comprehended as having final say in the particular land, nation or government. NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, alternatively recognized as an actual governmental alliance includes member states (North Atlantic) the organization its self was procured in 1949 United Nations The United Nations is an international organization to promote international co operation and cohesion. It is the replacement for the ineffective League of Nations, the organization was established on the 24 October 1945 Terrorism The disgusting and inhumane use of violence and unauthorized internationally weapons in order to gain power with regards to politics. Genocide The purposeful mass murdering of people generally a cause of hate crime against ethnicity, religion, or nationality ect. Political Corruption The abuse of sanctioned authority by officials in a governmental parliament or whatever governmental system. The act can be considered corrupt only when it is in relation and done by abuse by their official duties that come with their position. BACKGROUND ON THE ISSUE Research Report Page 2 of 4
We have seen many examples of infringements on sovereignty in the recent years. Just remember military operations against foreign countries in violation of UN resolutions, statements that this or that regime has lost legitimacy by the way, from the point of view of a foreign state rather than the people in question as well as introduction of sanctions bypassing international organizations, Medvedev stated at the International Legal Forum in St. Petersburg. Medvedev highly stressed the fact that the United Nations, although not perfect, is the only tool in the settlement of conflicts for the international community. We have no other platform, even though some may not like it. It is the UN Charter that calls for respecting the supremacy of law and sovereignty of states, Medvedev pointed out. He then goes on to say that hasty military operations usually end up with radicals coming to power. The above excerpt is an example of what the world could unfortunately eventually come to if the proper steps and actions are not taken now to ensure the this pressing issue is effectively solved equally for all member states affected or whom may be in the future. A full on global and international nuclear war is extremely possible and likely. As social awareness and cohesion grows in the international citizen department the concept of national sovereignty has slowly and progressively diminished. A prime example of this diminishment is that much of the world disagrees highly with North Koreas views and ideals as well as the treatment of their citizens. Previously there was not much that could be down however now population is beginning to grasp that there is strength in numbers and that change can be made. Such as the awareness of homophobia in middle eastern countries where it is considered an abomination. An example of a modern up to date scenario of what this issue could entail could be the war between the nations of Pakistan and India. Originally one nation once Pakistan achieved its independence a fight broke out as each nation claimed that the city of Kashmir was their own. Now as they are fighting over the land Taliban troops will attack India causing the nation s government believe that the attack was in coordination with the Pakistani government. Now what is India to do, if they attack back they are immediately infringing on the nations sovereignty. Likewise, the same situation in Syria, Palestine, and Israel is that Syria and Palestine terrorist groups will attack Israel. One that occurs naturally Israel will want to begin military operations to attempt to take out said terrorist group, however the men are playing hopscotch and jump between boarders to be protected by sovereignty laws. They quickly enter Israel to execute an attack and then return to Syria where the Israeli government cannot attack them due to the fact that a military operation conducted within Syria s boarders without consent will be deemed immediately an infringement on the nations sovereignty. It is due to this conundrum that the issue cannot be solved by the proper usage of a third party. Essentially the solution is to build relationships and trust between the two original parties. For example, if India were to ask Pakistan for satellite images to help track Taliban, instead of being weary and rejecting India, Pakistan could comply essentially with this ideal the issue of infringement of sovereignty when fighting terrorist groups could be easily avoided. Research Report Page 3 of 4
MAJOR COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED United Nations The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization to promote international cooperation. A replacement for the ineffective League of Nations, the organization was established on 24 October 1945 Syria Currently the most modern example of this issue, the refugee war wages on and many nations have taken action to help keep peace within the nation Turkey Once again, one of the more current examples of the issue, heavily linked with Syria countries as well as Turkey itself and received and sent aid to help maintain peace. Iraq A classic example of the issue for when the US induced a military operation in which the primary goal was to end the regime set by Saddam Hussein and to allow the Iraqi citizens to be free and elect their own leader Afghanistan Afghanistan has unfortunately been the victim of countless invasion due to many terrorist organizations hiding within their borders. Groups such as Al Qaeda, and Taliban will force Afghanistan and its citizens into an important role in this topic throughout the years. Nigeria Nigeria is unfortunately a victim of the terrorist group known as Boko Haram, an entity enforcing harsh Sharia laws and that oppress many people Libya Libya s Oil rigs have just recently been threatened as ISIS have sent out squadrons of fighters to carry out attacks on the citizens. It is at this point where people need to ask themselves as well as make up their mind on whether they need help or want to preserve the nations sovereignty. United States One of the most prominent countries in this issue, they have taken an abundance of action to help combat the terrorism problem that the world faces Research Report Page 4 of 4
Ukraine Ukraine has been the unfortunate target of Russia s goals for expansion thus nations have sent peace keeping forces, and even resources all in the form of aid for the nation. Russia A recent example on this issue, Russia s plans to expand itself by the military invasion and takeover of Ukraine have been foiled by the international community thus far however Russia has not been discouraged and still has plans to continue expansion TIMELINE OF KEY EVENTS This is a timeline highlighting the extremely important and key events that occurred in Iraq with regards to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, due to the refusal to give up Al Qaeda whom the US believed were responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Finally showing a plethora of event all up until the armies withdrawal from the nation in the year of 2011. March 20: The invasion of Iraq is finally starting to be executed however in the beginning Baghdad was attacked in a failed attempt to kill and overthrow the current dictator in power of the nation by the name of Saddam Hussein. April 9: US forces rush Baghdad, symbolically a statue of the great dictator is overthrown to symbolize the American overthrowing him and his regime. May 1: President George W. Bush claims to make impactful strides in reducing major combat projects. July 22: Hussein s children Oday and Qusay are mistakenly shot in the city Mosul based in northern Iraq. Inherently infuriating Saddam and simply causing the war to grow and gain with reference to intensity. Aug 7: A car bomb strikes the Jordanian embassy, the first such attack of the war. Twelve days later, a truck bomb demolishes the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, killing top U.N. envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 others. Aug 7: The embassy of Jordan is victim to a bomb which is regarded as the first true attack of the 2003 invasion war. Approximately 12 days afterwards another bomb desolates the UN HQ. Killing 21 innocent officials Dec 13: Saddam Hussein is finally captured. He was found and captured in a hideout around Tikrit, this hideout was actually underground. Research Report Page 5 of 4
March 8: Finally, an interim constitution and law proposed by the US had been reviewed and approved by the governing council of Iraq. April 4: After the Americans attempted to shut down a Shiite cleric, the man launched fierce counter operations all through till the end of august. April 18: The United States makes it clear that citizens of Iraq are not being treated humanely and that even prisoners are humiliated grotesquely, all proven with the possession of photographs depicting it. June 28: America finally after 2 years once again relinquishes the sovereignty of state back to the Iraqi people and citizens, however this was only symbolic as they retained all real power. July 1: Saddam Hussein finally is present for his first hearing in his trial for him to adhere to the consequences that he faces through his actions. Oct. 6: U.S. arms inspector finds no evidence whatsoever as to whom or what could produce the product for Saddam Saddam s regime produced weapon. Nov 7: The biggest attack in the war since the beginning of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Jan. 30: Iraqis elect a new Islamic republic parliament. Aug. 28: An Iraqi commission submits a draft constitution to parliament. Oct. 15: Iraqis finally sign off, approve and accept on the new constitution birthed from the referendum. Dec. 15: Iraqis choose a new parliament in the first election under the new constitution. Conclusion This issue is an extremely important philosophical one. In a day and age where P5 nations are harassed for always putting their nose in other nations business. Yet the next day without fail shall criticize them for not helping enough. This issue urgently needs a resolution, a document that provides clear understandable, and agreeable guidelines and Research Report Page 6 of 4
rules when invading, protecting, as well as clarifying national sovereignty as a concept as a whole. When you are making a resolution or policy statement about this topic try and not get bogged down and only focus on one issue. Keep your resolution open minded and applicable to all issues that regard to the question of national sovereignty. The catch is that you must stay true to your member states ideals and beliefs. The issue comes with a lot of play on morals and ethics therefore a concise resolution must be made to be able to answer the question equally around the globe and for a vast array of variations of the issue. Remember you have a lot of freedom with this issue as it has a wide array of examples of infringement, get creative! And good luck. Perhaps the most enjoyable emotion, however, was the sense Works Cited Dedeo L, Beril. FIGHTING TERRORISM AND INTERVENTION: PARADOXES AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS Beril DEDEO LU* Keywords (n.d.): n. pag. Web.McMahon, Robert. "The Dilemma of Humanitarian Intervention." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 12 June 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2016."North Atlantic Treaty Organization." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. Organization, North Atlantic Treaty, Chair: Abhey Sur, and Novice Committee. Topic A: Infringement upon Countries Sovereignty and the Role of NATO in the World (n.d.): n. pag. Web. "SECURITY COUNCIL ENDORSES FORMATION OF SOVEREIGN INTERIM GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ; WELCOMES END OF OCCUPATION BY 30 JUNE, DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS BY JANUARY 2005 Meetings Coverage and Press Releases." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 23 Aug. 2016. "Overseas Interventions of the United States." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016."Saddam Hussein." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016."Sovereignty Beyond Intractability." Sovereignty Beyond Intractability. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. "Iraq Timeline: Key Events since 2003 Invasion." Washington Times. The Washington Times, n.d. Web. 23 Aug. 2016. "SECURITY COUNCIL ENDORSES FORMATION OF SOVEREIGN INTERIM GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ; WELCOMES END OF OCCUPATION BY 30 JUNE, Research Report Page 7 of 4
DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS BY JANUARY 2005 Meetings Coverage and Press Releases." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 23 Aug. 2016. Research Report Page 8 of 4
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