TABLE OF CONTENTSI. LETTER FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL...........................................................................................3

II. LETTER FROM UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL............................................................................4

III. INTRODUCTION TO COMMITTEE.................................................................................................5

IV. INTRODUCTION TO AGENDA ITEM..............................................................................................5

V. IS COEXISTENCE AMONG DIFFERENT FAITHS POSSIBLE?: ISLAMOPHOBIA.........................7

VI. CASE STUDY: CHARLIE HEBDO....................................................................................................9

VII. ETHNIC CONFLICTS.......................................................................................................................10

A. DEFINITION OF ETHNIC CONFLICTS..........................................................................................10

B. CAUSES OF ETHNIC CONFLICTS.................................................................................................11

1. UNDERLYING CAUSE................................................................................................................11

2. PROXIMATE CAUSES.................................................................................................................12

VIII. CURRENT ETHNIC CONFLICTS...................................................................................................12

A. AFGHANISTAN................................................................................................................................12

B. MYANMAR AND BANGLADESH..................................................................................................12

C. YEMEN..............................................................................................................................................13

D. SYRIA................................................................................................................................................13

IX. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.....................................................................................14

X. WHAT SHOULD RESOLUTION COVER?.........................................................................................14

XI. BIBLIOGRAPHY & FURTHER READINGS...................................................................................15

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I. LETTER FROM SECRETARY-GENERALEsteemed delegates of Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee,

It is such an honor for me to welcome you all to the 11th edition of Y-MUN Training and

Development Conference as the Secretary-General. Organized by the oldest Model United Nations

Club in Turkey, every year we try to exceed all expectations and give participants a unique Model

United Nations experience.

This year in Y-MUN, we are going to simulate 14 extraordinary committees. The commit-

tees will provide you the opportunity of being the center of seeking solutions for peace in this time

of global crisis taking over the world and give you the chance of showing your ambition to protect

people and planet. In Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee, the participants will discuss

fostering peaceful coexistence among faiths and ethnicities.

My colleague and precious friend Doğa Çakar will be in the position of Deputy Secretary-

General along with the rest of our academic team consisting of successful Under-Secretary-Gener-

als and Academic Assistants. While I have full faith in our academic team helping you improve

your academic skills, our amazing organization team in the leadership of Ömer Cem Sipahi and his

deputies Didem Durukan and Umur Kervancıoğlu will take the quality of Y-MUN to the highest

level. I have abiding confidence in both teams since every team member is very dedicated, hard-

working and striving to advance your experience at this conference.

Concluding my letter, I would like to thank Zahide Nur Kantarcıoğlu for her amazing aca-

demic skills and writing a study guide that will certainly enlighten the delegates about the crucial

matters of today. Let the journey begin!

Best regards,

Beril Pamir

Secretary-General of Y-MUN Training and Development Conference 2018

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II. LETTER FROM UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL

Esteemed delegates of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee,

My name is Zahide Nur Kantarcıoğlu and I study Political Sciences and International Relations in

French at Yeditepe University. It’s an utmost pleasure to welcome you all to the 11th edition of

Y-MUN 2018.

Being a challenging committee, SOCHUM will have a focus on Fostering Peaceful Coexistence

Among Faiths and Ethnicities. This document provided by Y-MUN 2018 Secretariat illuminate you

throughout the process for the committee. Therefore, it is a crucial importance for the participants

first to read the whole document deeply and do further research about the topic.

Lastly, I would like to thank Secretary-General Ms. Beril Pamir and her Deputy Secretary-General

Mr. Doğa Çakar for letting me be part of this amazing conference and for their endless support to

me.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via:

zahidekantarci@outlook.com

Zahide Nur Kantarcıoğlu

Under Secretary-General Responsible for SOCHUM

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III. INTRODUCTION TO COMMITTEE

The United Nations General Assembly Third Committee is also known as the Social,

Cultural and Humanitarian Committee or SOCHUM is one of the main committees in the General

Assembly of the United Nations which was established in 1947. SOCHUM is a forum for United

Nations Member States that deals with matters concerning human rights and humanitarian affairs. At the seventy-second session of the General Assembly, the Third Committee considered over 60

draft resolutions.

The committee also discusses questions relating to the advancement of women, the

elimination of racism and racial discrimination, right to self-determination and the protection of the

children. The member states have the liability to form resolutions that shape the world and find

sustainable solutions for social matters.

IV. INTRODUCTION TO AGENDA ITEMThe first disagreements or wars on history were born through ethnic or religious cleavages.

These ethnic and religious cleavages cause domestic problems and may lead to international

problems.

Domestic religious cleavages usually occur when two different religious groups represent a

majority within the country or two different sects of the same religion represent a majority within

the country. Today we can observe this situation best in Nigeria. The dominance of the majority

Christian group in the South of Nigeria against Muslims and other minority groups has led to a

religious polarization in the country. As a result of this division, Boko Haram emerged and the

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terror group has killed tens of thousands and displaced 2.3 million from their homes, burned cities

and churches, abducted and sold young girls for religious reasons. As time progressed, terrorist acts

spread to other neighboring countries.

We can see Iran as an example of the religious problems that arise between the two sects.

The conflict and tension between Sunni and Shia Muslims have been a major issue in Iran. The

division of Sunnis and Shias is 10% and 89% respectively. This significant gap in the size of the

two septs has sparked up questions on whether or not the Sunni minorities are being fairly

represented.

On the other hand, we see this religious break in international terms with the battles for

religion. The Crusades were religious wars that continued throughout the 11th and 13th centuries

with the support of the Pope. The purpose of the Crusades is to recapture the Christian holy land,

which is under the control of Muslims. The Thirty Years' War was a sect war between 1618 and

1648.

Domestic ethnic cleavages occur with the pressure on the minority within the country. 1Especially in Zambia ethnicity matters in both public sectors and in the private sectors. The

recruitment and promotion of citizens are linked to the ethnic origin to which they belong. This

situation creates a tremendous inequality within the country and triggers conflicts.

Inter-ethnic conflicts are more severe and longer lasting than domestic ethnic conflicts.

Many of the ethnic wars are civil wars, at least in their early stages. The intermingling of external

forces into an ethnic conflict often turns this situation into an inter-ethnic conflict. The 1998-1999

Kosovo War was the operation of the army of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against the

Kosovo Liberation Army who wants independence. The Serbian army and military forces under the

identity of Yugoslavia launched an ethnic cleansing attempt against Kosovo Muslim civilians. After

attempts at a diplomatic solution failed, NATO intervened.

This is because the theory of peaceful coexistence in the first sense was applied by the

Soviet Union during the Cold War. The primary aim of this theory was to balance Capitalism and

Socialism which would never be in peaceful coexistence. More recently, the theory has been

adopted by the broader diplomatic world. 2For instance, in his 2004 Christmas address, Pope John

Paul II called for "peaceful coexistence" in the Middle East.

1 2 Erickson, Richard J. (January–February 1973). "Development of the Strategy of Peaceful Coexisting During the Khrushchev Era".

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V. IS COEXISTENCE AMONG DIFFERENT

FAITHS POSSIBLE?: ISLAMOPHOBIAPeople are perplexed by the difficulties that tend to arise

between differing faiths, religions or sects in sustaining peaceful

coexistence and mutual toleration. And most of the time it has been

said that wars have been fought in the name of religion. Although

this expression is not admissible, people still generate ideas about

why can’t faiths coexist peacefully. The answer to this question is

that all religions contain contradictory expressions with each other.

In fact, every religion contains different opinions about the

answers to basic humanitarian questions like what will happen

when we die? how people existed and the purpose of our

existence?. The difference of the answers to these questions can

cause conflict even between two people, it is easy to understand that

since there are billions of people around the world and thousands of different religions, conflicts are

inevitable but not unavoidable. Although these conflicts are generally evaluated over 3 religions

(Islam, Christianity, Judaism), it is not fair to say that other religions in the world exist in peace

with each other.

Religious extremists can contribute

to conflicts escalation. Radical religious group and their intention to fulfill the wishes of God are

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Image 1: Worldwide percentage of Adherents by Religion, 2010

Image 2: World map color-coded to denote major religion affiliations, 2011

examples of religious extremists. The violent activities of these groups within and outside of the

country constitute anger against the religious belief of the group. 3For example, in September 2014,

German Foreign Ministry published a press release about support for the war against ISIS after this

statement The Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf had kidnapped two German nationals and

threatening to kill them unless the German Government withdraw its support for the war against

ISIS and also pay a large ransom.

Another big problem is lack of respect for other faiths. This can be caused by humiliating

and insulting elements towards the religious minority group or pressures made by the state on

religion. 4 In the case of China, it is not a conflict between religions, but rather the government

views religion as a dangerous rival for citizens' loyalties.

In this context, the awareness of the reconciliatory and peace-making role of religion in

society should be increased and religious discrimination in both social and working life should be

prevented. Being educated about other religions can also fight with ignorance and increase the

respect for other religions.

ISLAMOPHOBIA:The word Islamophobia first

emerged after the September 11 attacks.

Islamophobia means both the fear of not

knowing and learning about Islam and the

discrimination and hostility against

Muslims based on this fear. Its historical

roots are descended down to the conquest

of Andalusia by the Umayyads in Spain.

Islamophobia is closely related to

identity politics and it started by portraying

Islam and Muslims as national “Other”. 5Exclusion and discrimination occur on the basis of their religion and civilization which differs with

national tradition and identity.

According to the report of The Runnymede, Islamophobia formed because of closed views

of Islam. Islam is seen as primitive, sexist, violent, aggressive and supportive of terrorism.

3 Thomas, Andrea (September 24, 2014). "Germany Confirms Kidnapping of Two Citizens by Islamist Group in Philippines"4 R. Scott Appleby, "Religion, Conflict Transformation, and Peacebuilding," in Turbulent Peace: The Challenges of Managing International Conflict, eds, Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson, and Pamela Aall5 Poole 2003, p. 216

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Image 3: Graphic of unfavorable views of Muslims, 2016

VI. CASE STUDY: CHARLIE HEBDOCharlie Hebdo is a French satirical newspaper that features cartoons, reports, polemics, and

jokes. The newspaper was published from 1969 to 1981 and has been again from 1992 on.

In 2011, they changed the cover of the magazine to sharia Hebdo and 6featured a cartoon of

Prophet Muhammad, whose depiction is forbidden in some interpretations of Islam. Then the

website of Charlie Hebdo was hacked and the office is fire-bombed. After, the magazine published

a series of pinned cartoons, including cartoons that criticize the film (Innocence of Muslims), as

well as naked images of Prophet Muhammad.

On 7 January 2015, 11.30 pm local time, Said and Cherif Kouachi's attack on the French

office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. 12 people were killed and 11 were injured in the

attack with assault rifles and other weapons. After leaving Charlie Hebdo’s office, they killed the

police waiting outside the building.

Charlie Hebdo employees who were killed by attackers were people of different ethnicities

and beliefs, born in different countries. One of the two police officers who was killed while trying

to protect the journalists came from a Muslim family.

There have been many protests in Paris, Place de la République, and several other protests

in other cities of France, such as Toulouse, Nice, Lyon, Marseille, and Rennes. French President

François Hollande announces January 8th national mourning day.

Media organizations have included protests against the attack. Libération, Le Monde and

Le Figaro have placed the slogan “Je Suis Charlie” on a black background with other French

publications and placed them on the top of their website.

Henri Roussel, one of the founders of the magazine, accused the editor-in-chief

Charbonnier of irresponsibility with regard to the attack and argued that he was preparing the

ground for the attack because of his provocative cartoons.

Pope Francis told reporters before going to the Philippines, "Freedom of thought has a

limit," he stressed that the beliefs should not be mocked.

VII. ETHNIC CONFLICTS

A. DEFINITION OF ETHNIC CONFLICTS

The origin of word “ethnic” based on a Greek word “ethnos” which describes a community

of common descent. There are two important criteria in defining a group as ethnic: First, the sense

6 BBC News: Attack on French satirical paper Charlie Hebdo (2 November 2011)". BBC. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.

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that those traits distinguish the group from the members of the society who do not share the

differentiating characteristics and second, the accentuation of cultural traits. All of this cultural

elements link with a homeland which the group inhabits. These elements can be language, food,

music, laws and even dress.

In 1989, at the University of Maryland developed six different types of ethnic groups:

Ethno nationalists, indigenous peoples, ethno-classes, communal contenders religious sects and

national minorities.

Ethno nationalists are large ethnic groups which struggle for autonomy and

separatist ideas within the region where they live.

Indigenous peoples original inhabitants of a colonized territory. Indigenous groups

show the characteristics of different social economic traditions that are physically

and culturally different from the colonizing group. They tend to be badly organized,

they are weak social links inside of the group members and they often cannot

express their claims on land and access to a resource in a successful way.

Ethno classes are usually located at the bottom of the economic hierarchy and they

are typically descendants of slaves or immigrants. Ethno classes strive for equal

economic, social and political participation in society.

Communal contenders are a distinct group who desire or have a role in state power

and they divided into three groups: dominants, advantages and disadvantages

communal contenders. Dominants are the one who holds political and economic

power in society. Advantages communal contenders do not hold political and

economic power in society but they profit from political benefits. Disadvantages

communal contenders usually face political and economic discrimination in society.

Religious Sects are separated from other groups by the difference between cultural

and religious beliefs. Communication between group members is strong, easy and

organized. Their goals are political and their faith is what sets them apart.

National minorities are a minority in the state which they live but also they are

kinfolk in a neighboring country. They often struggle for political autonomy.

Ethnic conflict does not always appear as violence. In democratic countries where there is

a healthy multi-ethnic group, we can see ethnic conflicts in parliaments and assemblies through

strikes and non-violent demonstrations. On the contrary, what we call civil war is a violent internal

conflict which military targets are used to achieve political goals. Conflict is no longer an ethnic

conflict when it comes to this point, but it becomes political, economic, social, cultural, or

territorial.

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A.

B. CAUSES OF ETHNIC CONFLICTS7The underlying causes of ethnic conflicts include structural factors, political factors,

economic and social factors, and cultural and perceptual factors.8The proximate causes of ethnic conflicts are internal mass-level factors which we can call

bad domestic problems, external mass-level factors which we can call bad neighborhoods, external

elite-level factors shortly bad neighbors and internal elite-level factors in short bad leaders.

According to Micheal E. Brown, for an ethnic conflict to occur both underlying and

proximate causes must be present.

1. UNDERLYING CAUSE

a. Structural Factors

States, whose political and legal institutions are weak and ineffective, facilitate the

emergence of ethnic conflicts. Administrative insufficiencies and instability in the political

structure; corruptions and inability to promote economic stability in the economic structure of a

state and mobilization of an ethnic group can cause violent conflicts in the country. For the ethnic

groups who feel themselves in danger, the efforts for armament begin this leads to a security

dilemma within the country. This armament leads to the emergence of violent conflicts in the future

as a human rights violation, refugee flows.

b. Political Factors

Ethnic conflicts appear when ethnic groups have difficulties in their representation in

political and public life. It is more common for ethnic groups to have problems of representation in

states where Authoritarian one-party regimes rule. The ethnic groups, which are ineffective in all

these political and decision-making processes, are prone to rebellion.

c. Economic and Social Factors

Another important detail that leads to increasing tensions and competition among ethnic

groups is economic recessions, collapses, and deteriorations. Discrimination in the economic

system, for example, giving economic opportunities and access to land or resources to more than

one ethnic group to other ethnic groups.

7 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1997. Micheal E. Brown8 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1997. Micheal E. Brown

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d. Cultural or Perceptual Factors

In the problems of cultural factors, we see restrictions on the use of minority languages

followed by limitations in religious and cultural practice and unequal educational opportunities.

The restrictions of religious practices and language on the ethnic group can put them into revolt.

2. PROXIMATE CAUSES

Internal mass-level Factors

External mass-level Factors

External elite-level Factors

Internal elite-level Factors

VIII. CURRENT ETHNIC CONFLICTS

A. AFGHANISTAN

The conflict between the Afghan forces and the Taliban in the region has been continuing

since 2001. In addition to Afghan forces, the American military is conducting intense air strikes

against the Taliban. In fact, the aim is to stop the momentum of the Taliban in the region and to

solve the problem in political ways, but the problem is currently only military-sized.

Taliban, who wanted to create an Islamist state structure, implemented strict rules in the

regions in which Afghanistan and Pakistan held it. The execution of convicted killers and adulterers

in front of the public and the cutting off thieves' hands are examples of the Taliban’s actions in the

region.9 “Forthcoming Afghan elections (a parliamentary poll is slated for July 2018; a

presidential vote is due in 2019) will suck oxygen from the military campaign. Every vote since

2004 has ignited some form of crisis, and political discord today is particularly severe, with

President Ashraf Ghani accused by his critics of monopolizing power in the hands of a few

advisors.”

B. MYANMAR AND BANGLADESH

In August, a brutal military intervention aimed at the Muslim Rohingya community in

Rakhine, Myanmar by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. As a result of these attacks, at least

655,000 of Muslims Rohingya community were forced to seek in Bangladesh as a refugee. The

aggression between the Buddhist and Muslim in the region increased tension between Myanmar and

Bangladesh.

9 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2018, Robert Malley, January 2,2018 https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/01/02/10-conflicts-to-watch-in-2018/

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The government, which even restricts humanitarian aid to the region, still maintains its

stance on the issue. The important point in this ethnic crisis is that the Muslim Rohingya, who

continue their lives as refugees in Bangladesh, freely return to their countries and live a safe and

dignified manner.

C. YEMEN

Yemen has been experiencing one of the biggest crises in the country in recent years, a

weak government and a divided army, with Houthis from the Shiite sect, taking control of large

areas, including the capital city Sanaa.

President Ali Abduullah Saleh, who had been in power for many years in 2011, has been

trying to ensure the 'transition to democracy' with the support of the United Nations. He killed in

2014 by Houthis.

The purpose of the Houthis was to take power in the Saada, whose centers were accepted,

and to protect them from the Sunni Islamists they thought they were damaging to the traditions and

beliefs of Zaiti.

Currently, in Yemen, 8 million people are fighting hunger, 3 million people have been

internally displaced and almost all of the country is facing human rights violations.

D. SYRIA

Before the start of the Syrian civil war, many Syrian citizens complained of high

unemployment, corruption, lack of political freedom and dissatisfaction with Bashar al-Assad, who

had ruled the country since 2000.

The first demonstrations in Syria started in 2011. The demonstrations, which were small

before, grew up with mass demonstrations in Damascus and Aleppo and spread to other cities of

Syria.

At the end of 2011, an armed uprising began in Idlib. The protesters set fire to the public

buildings and killed 8 members of security. Government forces began to respond to the protesters

with fire. After July 1600 civilians were killed, more than 500 security guards were killed and more

than 13,000 people were arrested for demonstrations.

The sectarian conflicts between Sunnis and Shiites are another reason for the fact that war

does not end. At the same time, many terrorist organizations such as PKK, ISID are claiming rights

in the region.

85 percent of Syrians live in misery. More than 12.8 million Syrian citizens need health

services and food aid. 1.75 million Syrian children are deprived of education.

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IX. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALSThe Sustainable Development Goals, in other words, are the call for universal action to

eliminate poverty and ensure that all people live in peace and prosperity. There are 17 main

objectives that are linked to each other.

Some of these are especially linked to peaceful coexistence among faiths and ethnicities or

achieving these goals can reduce both ethnical and religious conflicts.

1. Goal 1 No Poverty

2. Goal 4 Quality Education

3. Goal 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

4. Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities

5. Goal 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

X. WHAT SHOULD RESOLUTION COVER?• How can the cooperation between faiths and ethnicities be provided?

• How can ethnic and religious conflicts be prevented?

• How can ethnic and religious conflicts be solved with Sustainable Development Goals?

• How can peace be ensured in ethnic and religious conflicts?

• How to solve the underlying causes of ethnic conflict?

• How can people's tolerance and respect for other religions be increased?

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XI. BIBLIOGRAPHY & FURTHER READINGS David Little, "Belief, Ethnicity, and Nationalism"

http://www.usip.org/religionpeace/rehr/belethnat.html.

David Little, "Religious Militancy," in Managing Global Chaos, eds, Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson, and Pamela Aall (Washington DC: USIP Press, 1996).

David Smock, Building Interreligious Trust in a Climate of Fear: An Abrahamic Trialogue, http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr99.pdf

Brahm, Eric. "Religion and Conflict." Beyond Intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Information Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: November 2005

BARRY R. POSEN, “The Security Dilemma and Ethnic Conflict,” in MICHAEL E. BROWN (ed.), Ethnic Conflict and International Security (1993), pp. 103–124;

TED ROBERT GURR et al., Minorities at Risk: A Global View of Ethnopolitical Conflicts (1993, reprinted 1998);

BARBARA HARFF and TED ROBERT GURR, Ethnic Conflict in World Politics, 2nd ed. (2004);

DONALD L. HOROWITZ, Ethnic Groups in Conflict, 2nd ed. (2008), and The Deadly Ethnic Riot (2003);

DAVID A. LAKE and DONALD ROTHCHILD (eds.), The International Spread of Ethnic Conflict: Fear, Diffusion, and Escalation (2011);

STEFAN WOLFF, Ethnic Conflict: A Global Perspective (2010).

MICHAEL E. BROWN, “The Causes of Internal Conflict: An Overview,” in MICHAEL E. BROWN et al. (eds.), Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict, rev. ed. (2001), pp. 3–25,

“Ethnic and Internal Conflicts: Causes and Implications,” in CHESTER A. CROCKER, FEN OSLER HAMPSON, PAMELA AALL, Turbulent Peace: The Challenges of Managing International Conflict (2006), pp. 209–226.

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