SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

Committee: Human Rights Committee

Topic: Freedom of Expression as a Threat to Global Security

Presented by the delegate of the French Republic

France believes that free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the fundamental rights of any man, hence it is crucial to preserve the values as presented by the ageless Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789, which also inspired the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. France also follows the European Convention on Human Rights and consents to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights.

France, however, insists on protecting individuals and groups from being defamed or insulted according to their ethnicity, nation, race, religion, sex, and sexual religion or due to a certain handicap. For that reason, the vindication of crime against humanity and incitement to commit such crime is considered a violation of the law.

Concerning the case of the Charlie Hebdo shooting in January of 2015, France firmly believes that ‘hate speech’ and ‘the right to blaspheme’ are often confused. Factors to be considered when distinguishing between the two are the prospect of violence as a result of the speech, the intent of the speakers and the context in which the words are spoken. Moreover, restrictions of hate speech seek to protect individuals, whereas anti-blasphemy laws rather serve to protect the state and its theology whilst threatening the security of an individual. That is why the French Republic strongly despises the terrorist act and sees it as a violation of the law.

The key areas of focus in terms of eliminating hate speech should be the distinction between hate speech, free speech and blasphemy (as the confusion of these may cause major disputes between citizens) as well as the guarantee of the freedom of expression.

Thank you for your attention.

SAMPLE RESOLUTION

FORUM: Disarmament Committee

QUESTION OF: Evolving measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring conventional arms and weapons of mass destruction

MAIN SUBMITTER: Brazil

CO-SUBMITTERS: France, Palestine, Sweden, Syria, Czech Republic, Germany, Russian Federation

The Disarmament Committee,

Noting that the danger of terrorist attacks involves not only weapons of mass destruction (e.g. bombs, dynamites, etc.), but conventional arms as well (e.g. revolvers, Man Portable Air Defense Systems, etc.),

Bearing in mind that over-armament is a very pressing issue in some areas of the world, including many parts of Brazil,

Realizing that conventional arms are being misused daily in terrorist attacks that aim to disrupt the international peace that the United Nations organization has pledged to protect,

Having considered that the disarmament measures have to be equal in all states, or else they might incite international legal disputes as well as illegal arms trade,

Guided by the hope for a future without fear concerning the situations described above,

1. Urges all stable members of the United Nations to call upon their citizens to report to government officials should they know of illegal armaments holding in their vicinity;
2. Suggests that all United Nations members encourage its people towards disarmament through measures set up by their respective governments, and recommends:
   1. A law on disarmament that should forbid all unregistered civilians from acquiring any armaments (not including knives, etc.)
   2. More complex requirements for acquiring a weapon such as:
      1. Increasing the minimal age for purchasing a gun to 25,
      2. Establishing a limit of armaments allowed per individual,
      3. Mandatory psychological and shooting tests,
      4. Effective proof of the need for a weapon,
      5. Absence of a criminal record,
      6. Gun registrations and authorizations under the Federal Police organs if the nation is considered stable,
      7. A creation of a ballistic database registering the unique markings imprinted on the bullet;
3. Proposes a special Commission for the International Approval of Weapons to be created under the United Nations which would:
   1. Register and grant approval to organizations to distribute weapons to individuals/other organizations (e.g. police officers, approved civilians, etc.),
   2. Control the international distribution of weapons through measures such as:
      1. Annual inspections of organizations with the permission to sell weapons,
      2. A law ordering these organizations to provide monthly overviews of both the production and sale of weapons;
4. Encourages all United Nations member states affected by terrorism to adopt strict rules on the control of borders to prevent illegal smuggling of weapons through:
   1. Searching vehicles coming in and out of these countries,
   2. Confiscate and destroy all weapons bore by individuals not registered under the Commission for the International Approval of Weapons,
   3. Allowing the said organization to control certain border areas if the nation is unable to.