The phrases, ‘Human Rights’, ‘middle eastern views on marriage’, and even sometimes, ‘the United States of America’ can strike fear into the hearts of anyone not interested in the goings on in the world. However, the contrast between the middle eastern, ‘Stricter,’ juxtaposed with the more liberal countries such as The United States … such as Belgium standing up for the moral right of women not to be sexually abused by their husbands was truly inspirational. The first resolution, which was put forward by the dynamic duo of Turkey and Canada (who was very much the Robin in this relationship), centred around removing civilians from cities involved in war and moving them to the country. Although, there was some confusion from certain countries as to why taking people from a crowded environment in a city and moving them to a crowded environment in the country was going to be useful if the country was in war, the resolution passed.

 

The next resolution was put forward by our good friends in the Middle East, and, unsurprisingly considering it was about marital rights. It should probably be noted that our roving reporter for Human Rights, ie; me, is also a member of security, and more importantly, was unavailable for the morning session on Saturday. How disappointed he was then, when news reached him that Afghanistan and seven other countries were removed during the morning session for trying to start a war against the United States of America. This is the second year in a row that I have covered a committee in which countries have attempted to start a war with the United States, and I still cannot comprehend why people choose America, although I suppose because Iraq and Afghanistan are already fighting one.

 

The delegates received an interesting talk from Larry Cheshire on the subject of Police Brutality, in which the question and answer section brought up relevant topics of the riots outside the G20 conference, and the responsibility of the police in the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes.

 

As much as I was saddened to be split up from the dream team of security members all involved in the newest and biggest thing on the music scene, Rocky Jazz, the Human rights committee provided a lot of fun and full of interesting and witty banter. We even got a resolution passed. Bonus!