Today, the talking has began, members of the UN have gathered toguether to try to reach to an international solution for the Syrian crisis. The Chair Meryem Adyn gave us an overview of the basic concepts which surround this crisis such as the meaning of the concept refugee and she went through the actual situation worldwide in relation to refugees.
The Chair, to begin, highlighted article 2 in which is defined the term "refugee". A refugee is a person which must be outside of its country of origin or residence, whom has a fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, natonality, sexuality, political opinion or being a member of a particular social group. Another important point introduced was Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which establishes that everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state, and have te right to leave a country and return. In addition The Chair reminded article 14 that says everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution to another country. The speech went deeper into this issue, stating that even though these articles have an important role and help refugees, there are still many problems to solve and articles to define. "The problem is where can you go. This is because states maintain control, and have the power to authorise people to enter their territories. Therefore we have the right to leave but we don't have the right ot enter another country." commented The Chair. This means there is a problem with these articles, as people can leave but they can't enter any countries, and in order to be considered a refugee and seek asylum you must be outside your country, but, if you can't entry another country, how can you leave your country and become a refugee?. "We must rethink about how the system works" she said while explaining that we should think what should go before, leaving a country and entering into another, if possible to demand asylum, or demanding asylum before leaving and being recognised as a refugee.
This issue has created and increase in criminal organisations, who take advantage of the situation and in exchange of money they entry refugees illegaly into countries by smuggling. Therefore this complicates more the situation, because it gives countries the excuse, to expell refugees. If this continues happening the Non- refoulment policy which the UN is trying to promote will fail. "This policy is the way to encourage countries to not sent back or expell refugees, as they should be given a second chance" mentioned The Chair. Therefore, if entries are allowed, no smuggling will occur, and refugees cases could be treated more effectively as these are "individual" mentioned The Chair because "it must be investigated one by one if they reach the conditions needed to be a refugee."
In addition a key point in today's meeting was ISIS. Meryem Adyn stated that it is not only a Civil war problem, "damage is donde by non-state actors, who we call terrorists". This issue is an important point to tackle, as it is becoming an international conflict involving all states in the world and it is very alarming that civilians could be manipulated against the rest of the states to join ISIS.
After the Chair's introduction, countries positions were exposed in the Comitee. A revelation has been The Holy See's open declaration of demanding the right to vote, as it claims to be a member of the UN and therefore it should no longer be considered a mere observer. We will have to wait for tomorrow to see what is the resolution given to their demands. Futhermore, positions introduced today showed already a divided world. Some nations, show their interest in helping and bringing in refugees, if aid is recieved, an example is Jordan, a country with a much lower GDP and capacity than most European countries and as its delegate said "it is still is providing shelter and education to refugees". On the other hand, several states, declare they will collaborate and help, but outside its borders, as Afganistan which stated clearly "no refugees will be accepted". A case, which has already borught controversion and will give a subject to talk about is Arabia Saudi's position who clearly stated they will select refugees if allowed to their country depending on their financial situation and religious condition, rejecting any religious refugee who is not Suniie.
Lastly, three key members which showed a strong and determined position where Russia, Germany and France. Germany, remember the refugee crisis they suffered after the second world war, remembering the members that they do understand what situation syrians are going through and that they wanted to find a solution in which all countries are involved. As Germany's plan "an international and multilateral cooperation solution, in which countries fight toguether against criminal organisaions and brutal dictatorship" Russia and France in their exposition, agreed with Germany in creating a coalition against terrorism. As mentioned, these three nations showed an alarming preocupation of their population, and surprisingly these were the only nations who clearly and openly declared war to terrorism and demanded an alliance against ISIS.