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UNHRC: A circus of missed opportunities and missteps

Writer's picture: GIIS MUNGIIS MUN

The first committee session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was nothing short of a circus, showcasing an array of delegates seemingly more interested in repeating the same “issues” like clockwork in a General Speakers List (GSL), and not reaching a conclusion. The session was filled with a lack of points of information (POIs), incomplete speeches, and a glaring deficiency in successful motions.

Despite the chairs’ desperation to stimulate debate by opening the floor to motions, the delegates displayed an astonishing lack of interest in raising any motions. When a motion was finally introduced by the chairs, it was to suspend debate, and unsurprisingly, it was the only one that passed, highlighting the delegates' reluctance to debate.


The General Speakers List (GSL) became a monotonous recital of the same issues, with no apparent intention of resolving the issue at hand. The delegate of Nepal provided comic relief, forgetting to yield his time and walking back to his seat, only to be promptly called back by the chairs(twice). His suggestion to transition the authoritarian regime in the North African region to democracy was laughably vague, supported only by unnamed “organisations” that supposedly seek democracy. One could only wonder if these organisations were as fictional as his plan. He suggests the UNHRC supports these “organisations” without providing information, not even the name of these organisations. The role and work of these “organisations,” remain a mystery.


India's delegate took the stage, delivering a speech filled with an endless list of problems but devoid of any solutions. Ending with a vague call to action, his contribution was as useful as their debate(useless).

Egypt's delegate, a frequent speaker on the GSL, failed to bring any substantial points to the table, making his repeated requests to speak seem to be in vain. 


In stark contrast, the delegate of Norway, despite being younger than most, was a beacon of hope in this sea of mediocrity. She managed to strengthen the debate with her insightful contributions, proving that age is just a number when it comes to effective debate.


Sri Lanka’s delegate, in a display of profound obviousness, stated that cooperative actions could solve certain problems. One could almost hear the collective facepalm of the committee, as this was the very essence of their gathering. The delegate of Nepal, in another stroke of brilliance, proposed discussing solutions before addressing the issues. There’s no needed explanation as to why that deserved to be written in an article. 


Afghanistan's delegate, after being denied a follow-up POI, requested to be added to the GSL out of what appeared to be sheer spite. When his turn finally came, he rambled aimlessly before stuttering through a question so convoluted that it left the committee in a state of collective confusion. His unpreparedness was glaringly evident.


Canada’s delegate attempted to counter Russia’s statements, but when the delegate of Russia took the floor, she dismantled Canada’s argument with a precision that was both brutal and impressive. The delegate of Canada’s argument crumbled like a house of cards, leaving her visibly deflated.

In summary, the first committee session of the UNHRC was a masterclass on how not to conduct diplomatic debate. With delegates more focused on occupying airtime than achieving outcomes, the session was a showcase of missed opportunities and amateurish missteps. Let’s hope future sessions bring a bit more substance and a lot less spectacle.


Al Jazeera,

Jia Raj Aryan


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1 comentário


dhruvharish.shanbhag
20 de jul. de 2024

nooo

Curtir
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 GIIS MUN 2024

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