All India Political Party Meet (AIPPM):
Discussing the Use of Spyware with Special Emphasis on Pegasus
National security of the nation and the privacy of the people of the nation are both very important subjects of discussion. Where does the protection of national security stop and active snooping begin? Pegasus, an Israeli developed spyware is speculated to be the most advanced spyware. With speculations of not only being able to do active snooping but also its ability of insertion of malware along with several other fronts of concern; it is said to be sold only to governments. Owing to information that has been making rounds regarding its covert installation and ability to jeopardize the concept of user privacy entirely, Pegasus presents an interesting and debatable agenda for all citizens alike. In a world that is constantly running towards an endless pursuit of technology, our concern with an invasive spyware cannot be less than entirely cardinal.
Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC):
Regulating the Use of Autonomous Weapon Systems
The use of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) that use sensors and artificial intelligence to identify and destroy targets has been a topic of discussion since 2013 when it was first discussed at the Human Rights Council. Since then, countries have met every year at the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), to discuss the concerns related to LAWS. Several countries have come forward to speak about how important “Human control and judgement” is when it comes to legal acceptance of weapons. In fact, 30 countries have called for a complete ban of autonomous systems. The UN secretary called for a ban on LAWS because of the damage it can cause, and termed it ‘politically unacceptable’. Despite this, countries including China, Israel, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the US, are heavily investing in LAWS, along with countries like Australia, Turkey, and India.
European Union (EU):
Immigrant Integration
In the wake of the Syrian refugee crisis, immigrant populations in Europe have skyrocketed. As such, the smooth economic and social integration of newcomers is of utmost importance to EU leaders. In many member states, ensuring the capacity to address the needs of a suddenly growing and diverse group of refugees—many of whom lack basic skills—has proven to be a sizeable challenge. Concurrently, this unique situation has opened opportunities for innovative solutions involving a wide range of stakeholders. As migration to Europe evolves due to increasing mobility, immigrants will only continue to diversify. EU member states must address this new phenomenon by implementing a constructive resolution to aid millions of immigrants that currently reside in Europe. Understanding that immigrant integration will not only help with adequate social inclusion but also with necessary economic mobility, the process needs to be aided to work in the benefit of not only the immigrants but also the existing population.
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):
Rohingya Genocide
Rohingya Genocide refers to the mass killing of the Muslim Rohingya population. This persecution started in Myanmar in October, 2016, and has now resulted in more than 900,000 refugees fleeing to Bangladesh. Since independence in 1948, successive governments of Myanmar have refused to grant the Rohingya people citizenship in the country. Though their roots can be traced back centuries in Myanmar, they are considered to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The rise of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in 2017 led to the government declaring ARSA as a terrorist organization. This resulted in the military partaking in a campaign that resulted in the destruction of hundreds of Rohingya villages, marking an escalation in the series of brutal crimes against the Rohingya. As of 2021, due to the added pressures of Covid-19 and the floods in Bangladesh, there is a rise in need for shelters and aid for the Rohingya. The end of this crisis is nowhere in sight, but with the aid of various countries, the Rohingya people may now have an escape from the atrocities they are facing in Myanmar.
United Nations Women (UNW):
Combating the Rise of Domestic Violence Cases and Gender Inequality during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Although the history of violence against women is vague and difficult to track in scientific literature, it is evident that throughout history, much of the violence against women has been accepted, condoned, and even legalized. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a widespread problem that occurs at alarming rates. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has only witnessed intensification of VAWG, particularly in, but not limited to, the domestic sphere. It is for this reason that we at UN-Women refer to VAWG as the “shadow pandemic”. Statistically too, emerging global data has shown an increase in calls to VAWG helplines. In practice, the objective of gender equality is the equal treatment throughout society for both women and men. It is a pervasive feature in many countries, and gaps between male and female opportunities exist in several dimensions. In proposing measures that the international community can take to break gender stereotypes, be it making pay equality a reality, or ensuring more representation of women in decision- making levels of economic life, the delegates of UNW must also remember to incorporate men in any proposed solutions for gender equality.