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The Human Rights Council (HRC) was established on March 15^th, 2006, by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 60/251, in replacement of the former Commission on Human Rights. This subsidiary organ of the UNGA has as its main purpose the promotion of universal respect for the protection of all human rights and also the proposition of recommendations addressing the gross human rights violations around the globe.

Unfortunately, the new century in its first decade has not succeeded in putting an end to human rights abuses against human dignity. Two emblematic problems the international community is currently facing are related to the use of children in armed conflicts and the awful conditions migrant workers’ have to face in

Asia. Thus, the Human Rights Council of AMUN’s 13^th edition will simulate these two important topics: the child soldiers issue as a challenge to the implementation of child rights in the 21^st century, and the migrant workers’ rights in Asia.

Topic A – Child soldiers: a challenge to the implementation of the child rights in the 21^st century

Although the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified international agreement in history, it is still blatantly disrespected in many ways. This treaty is breached, for example, by the existence of children who actively participate in armed conflicts, the so-called child soldiers. Child soldiers are all those children who take part in armed groups, whether they are linked to government or not.

Child soldiers are a current reality in many places in the world, especially in Africa. Their participations in wars have terrible consequences for their entire lives. Still when the children combatants are able to leave the front line, the process of their reintegration in the society is truly complicated. Indeed, the society suffers a lot with this too, since these children are much more susceptible of being marginalized and, eventually, of committing crimes.

Examples of the complexity of the child soldiers’ problem embrace the polemic about the age for children conscription in armed forces and the problematic surrounding their recruitment, if it is forced or voluntary. In this sense, the HRC of AMUN 2010 on this topic shall focus on strategies to improve the human rights situation of all child soldiers. Questions that must be addressed during the debate include how the recruitment of children affects child rights in the 21^st century and how it is possible to prevent it.

Topic B – Transnational Workforce in Asia: migrant workers' rights

It is remarkable that the transnational migration in Asia has been part of the population dynamics for an extended period of time. Throughout the last decade, this movement has increased substantially as a result of economic vitality, social and political development in that continent. Encouraged by promises of better opportunities, workers, nevertheless, not always find living conditions which respect the human rights.

Although there are regional differences and variations in labor conditions throughout the continent, discrimination, criminal abuse, food scarcity, and trafficking into forced labor occur frequently. Despite the existence of international standards for decent working conditions, the treatment of several of these workers goes against the precepts of universal human rights. The lack of monitoring of the transnational labor recruitment systems and the inadequate labor protections to exploit this ‘flexible’ workforce is, in addition, part of the reality of these migrants. Moreover, the relation between the state sovereignty and the universality of human rights values is a root of the elementary tension to the implementation of international standards and labor law.

Indeed, the transnational migration phenomenon is perceived nowadays as part of the international agenda. This implies the importance of decisions by states, international organizations and civil society to respect human rights. In this sense, the discussion on this topic at the Human Rights Council shall focus on strategies to improve migrant workers’ rights, as well as how to conciliate economic growth and the respect for human rights through feasible measures.

HRC Board: Ana Patrícia Batalhone, Rebecca Pacheco, Lucas D'Nillo, Sólon Nicolás

Attachments:

Article - HRC - Topic A

Article - HRC - Topic B

Study Guide - HRC

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