SRI SRI MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2020
UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(Plenary Meeting)
STUDY GUIDE
SSMUN’20 UNGA 2
SSMUN 2020 STUDY
GUIDE
United Nations General Assembly (Plenary Meeting)
-
Eradicating the current emergency at Yemen with
regards to child rights protection
INDEX Serial No. Topic Page No.
1 Background 4 & 5
2 Violation of Child Rights 5, 6 & 7
3 Role of Houthis 7 & 8
4 Role of Saudi Arabia 8
5 Role of UAE 8 & 9
6 Role of United States of
America
9
7 Role of Iran 10
8 Impact of Intervention 10
9 Update 11
10 Contact the EB 12
SSMUN’20 UNGA 3
Remark from the Chairperson
Dear Delegates,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the United Nations
General Assembly at the Fifth edition of Sri Sri Model United
Nations. The crisis in Yemen has had devastating effects on the
region and especially on the living conditions of children. Yemen is
described as “the living hell for children”. As of today, around 12
million children are in need of humanitarian assistance. The delegates
should be prepared to come up with sensible and most humane
solutions for the protection of child rights amidst such a situation of
crisis. This guide shall be an aide to your research but research
shouldn’t be restricted to this guide only.
Along with me I shall be having Rahil Shah to progress debate in
committee and keep things running for the three days of the
Conference. Your Dais is very excited to meet all of you and see how
you will fill out your seat on the UNGA and tackle issues important to
eradicate the current emergency at Yemen with regards to child rights.
If you have any questions or concerns on the topics, the rules of
procedure or the committee in general, please feel free to contact us.
Regards,
Tarushee Agarwal.
Chairperson.
SSMUN’20 UNGA 4
Background
Background Yemen is dealing with the largest humanitarian crisis in
the world. Everything is on halt. People don’t have access to basic
things, which include food, clothing, shelter etc. The protests in
Yemen started in the year 2011 against President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
He was the President of Yemen for 33 years. People wanted a new
leader and therefore, forced him to resign. The protests were
worsening day by day so Mr Saleh publicly announced that he will
not be contesting for 2013 elections neither he will hand over the
position to his son. The civilians were not satisfied with his decision
and wanted Mr. Saleh to resign immediately. Looking at the
condition, Gulf Co-operation Council decides to mediate and put an
end to the crisis. Saleh agrees to sign by the end of April, 2011. In the
beginning of May, Saleh refuses to sign the deal and as a result,
protests broke out in different parts of Yemen. On 3rd June, a bomb
exploded in Presidential Palace where President Saleh was present.
He was badly injured and was taken to Saudi Arabia for treatment. At
last in the month of November, President Saleh and GCC came to a
mutual consensus in the month of November where Saleh agrees to
transfer the position. On February, 2012 former Vice President
Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi became the president. Mr Hadi failed to deal
with multiple problems which include attacks by militants, food
problems, corruption, unemployment etc. The Houthi Movement
which had fought a series of rebellions against President Saleh during
his rule. The Houthis took the advantage of President Hadi's weakness
by taking control of their northern heartland of Saada province and
neighbouring areas. The Houthis allied with Saleh and wanted to
takeover entire Yemen in order to regain power. As a result, President
Hadi was compelled to flee abroad with the members of his
government. On 22nd January, 2015 President Hadi gave his
resignation. However, on 21st February he flees to Aden and says that
SSMUN’20 UNGA 5
He continues to be the President. Yemen is going through one of its
worst times. With more than 24 million people, about 80% civilians
are suffering. It needs humanitarian assistance. More than 12 million
children are deprived of their basic necessities which include
schooling, food, shelter and primarily health facilities. Approximately
7.8 million children cannot go to school. Due to the increase in
number of COVID 19 case many children could develop life
threatening severe acute malnutrition over the next six months, while
the overall number of malnourished children under the age of five
could increase to a total of 2.4 million.
Violation of child rights
The situation of the children in Yemen is worsening day by day. They
are deprived of some of the basic necessities, which include food,
clothing, shelter, schooling, hygiene facilities etc. The fatality rate of
children is very high. Many new born babies show inadequate weight
at birth of about 30 %. The rate of malnutrition is increasing day by
day. Children aging between 2 and 5 suffer from serious retardation.
Due to lack of medical facilities, births often happen outside hospitals
or medical centres. Furthermore, poor infrastructure is leading to
more problems.
Child Labour - Yemen’s first ever national child labour survey shows
that 17% of Yemen’s 7.7 million children aging between 5-17 and 11
% of those aged 5-11 are involved in child labour. More than 1.3
million children are involved in child labour. Children are compelled
to work, sexually assaulted and are treated as slave.
Child trafficking – Unfortunately, the trade of children still persists in
Yemen. In some cases, the family itself puts their children in
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trafficking circuit. In recent years, there has been a rise in the number
of child sexual harassment and child pornography. In some cases,
organs have also been transferred without one’s permission.
Child marriage – According to some reports more than two third of
young girls, marry before the age of 18. Some parents marry of their
daughters to be relieved of the cost on their care or the husband’s
family can protect them in a better manner. Some girls get pregnant at
the age of 15 -16 which lead to severe problems and in some cases the
girl may die because of their age. These children don’t choose their
husbands, they are compelled to marry. These girls are physically
assaulted and, in many cases, it has been seen that there is a huge
disparity between the age of the husband and wife.
Children and armed conflict – Children under the age of 18 have been
treated as soldiers. More than 3000 children have been recruited as
soldiers. According to UN, 729 children were killed or injured by
Saudi-led coalition, 398 children were killed or injured by the
Houthis, and the Yemeni government’s forces were responsible for 58
child casualties.
Refugee Children – Many people look for these refugee camps for
the purpose of security. As the northern region of the country was
engaged in war, people wanted a better and peaceful place to live.
Health has been a major setback in these camps. Cases of malnutrition
are increasing day by day and unfortunately not everyone can have
access to education.
Children used as Human Shields – Children in Yemen have been used
as human shields. Children are forced to dress in army clothes and as
a result get killed. According to some reports, 200 children were
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killed because the Houthis had recruited these orphans. The children
who are detained are often used as shield against attacks by military
and are at times tied to building and other structures to protect them
from being damaged.
Role of Houthis
The Houthi movement is one of the primary reasons, why the civil
war in Yemen had uplifted. There were protests all around Yemen,
Houthis being one of the parts of those protests. The Houthis had
aimed to create new and stable government in Yemen after former
President Saleh started losing people’s confidence. Houthis and some
other groups took the advantage of President Hadi’s weakness and
started to take over the control which compelled Mr Hadi and his
fellow government to flee abroad. They had allied with former
President Saleh and started to capture different places in Yemen.
Involvement in Arab Spring – Protests broke out in different parts
of Yemen, Houthis playing a major role in it. President Saleh was
compelled to resign in 2012 transferring the power to Mr Hadi who
was the Vice President during Saleh’s time. Houthis had the military
power and wanted to expand their territory. In the year 2014, Houthis
allied with former President Saleh which encouraged them and seize
the capital, Sanaa. Mr Hadi and the members of his government were
forced to flee abroad.
Civil War – Sanaa and Hodeida, a Red Sea port through which
import took place. They had conquered these two places but never
stated governance goals for Yemen. Houthis realized that Mr Saleh
was going to switch parties and therefore, in order to avoid further
problems in their plan, they had killed Mr Saleh
SSMUN’20 UNGA 8
Relation with Iran – Iran had increased the supply of missiles, guns
and other armed materials for Houthis since 2014. There has been
difference in opinion among these two, for example a demand not to
take over Sanaa in 2014. Houthis have been accused of killing
journalists and other civilians. Especially the minorities, primarily the
Jews.
Role of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been playing a very important role in Yemen crisis.
In the year 2015, Mr Hadi was forced to leave Yemen and had to take
help from Saudi Arabia and UAE. Saudi Arabia on 26th March, 2015
led a coalition of nine countries from West Asia and North Africa.
They had bombed Houthi camps and other places captured by them.
The military intervention of Saudi Arabia had killed many innocent
people as a result; Houthis have been launching missiles regularly.
The Saudi Air strikes have damaged public property. Only half of the
country’s hospitals and medical installations are working because of
the bombing. In the month of April, Saudi Arabia had proposed to
enter a ceasefire. It has been facing its own humanitarian crisis due to
the pandemic and the fall in the oil price.
Role of UAE
UAE on 26th march 2015 along with the Saudi Arabia intervened into
Yemen. UAE and Saudi announced self-rule in southern Yemen and
backed the STC (southern transitional council). UAE’s action in
SSMUN’20 UNGA 9
Yemeni and coalition troops reduced the expansion of the Houthis in
the southern and eastern governorates moreover through its
operational command on a number of forefronts, helped to liberate
Aden through Operation “Golden Arrow” in July 2015 and Mocha in
January 2017 through Operation “Golden Spear”. These efforts have
not only reduced the Houthis’ control and presence on the Red Sea
and the Gulf of Aden, but they have also mitigated threats to coastal
security. The actions of UAE have been successful but their robust
actions are at times harmful for the civilians. the air strikes conducted
by the UAE killed and wounded about 300 civilians and 30 of its
forces according to the Yemen’s defence ministry.
Role of United States of America
The United States of America has played a vital role in Yemeni crisis.
Being a close ally of Saudi Arabia, it has been providing the Saudi led
alliance with intelligence, weapons etc. In the year 2015, USA had
approximately 100 military advisers in Yemen supporting the fight
against AQAP. US has been launching a series of drone attacks
against AQAP from its base near Dijibouti. In February,2015 USA
had launched more than 2o strikes. According to USA, more than 100
Al – Qaeda members were killed during these strikes. USA has also
deployed its Navy in the waters of Yemen to avoid militant activities.
It has contributed almost $721 million since October 2017. In
February 2019, it had contributed an additional amount of
approximately $24 million. It has been one of the largest donors in
order to get back Yemen into a proper condition.
SSMUN’20 UNGA 10
Role of Iran
Since the beginning of the crisis, Iran has played a very significant
role here. Iran has been supporting the Houthis to fight against the
Saudi led alliance. It has been providing armed equipment and other
materials to the Houthis. Its support had increased in the year 2014
after the military drive by the Houthis and Saleh loyalists. In the year
2013, US navy with the help of Yemeni Navy had seized an Iranian
dhow, the Jihadi. It had approximately 40 tons of armed equipment s
for the Houthis. Iran has also been accused of training the Houthis.
Impact of Intervention
The situation in Yemen has caused military interventions and other
sanctions and blockades which have caused more humanitarian crisis
and have increased the number of Internally displaced persons (IDPs).
this has even caused a greater number of atrocities in the nation and
has even led to the acceleration of the cholera outbreak. the large
number of interventions has led to the increase in the power of the
militant groups and the easy transfer of arms in the nations. The
blockade has reduced the supply of humanitarian aid and other
necessities to the people affected. moreover, the interventions have
divided the country and have worsened the situation in Yemen
increasing the humanitarian crisis, militant organizations and the
poverty levels. nations must now look into the proper functioning of
the blockades, sanctions and interventions.
SSMUN’20 UNGA 11
UPDATE
Children in Yemen are severely affected by this crisis. The country
was not ready to fight with one more crisis where already one existed.
The funding from different organizations and countries have reduced
due to the COVID 19 pandemic. According to UNICEF, over 30,000
children could build life threatening acute malnutrition in upcoming
six months. Total number of malnourished children in under the age
of five could rise up to 2.4 million. Maximum hospitals and health
centres are destroyed due to bombings. Only half of health facilities
are functional. There is a shortage of medicines and other medical
equipment’s. Over 9.5 million children don’t have access to safe
water and hygiene. More than 7 million children cannot go to schools
and about 10 million children don’t have adequate food to eat
SSMUN’20 UNGA 12
Contact the EB
Chairperson of UNGA – Tarushee Agarwal
Director of UNGA – Rahil Shah
Assistant Director of UNGA – Amitosh Chatterjee
Moderator of UNGA – Rishab Madhogaria
For any queries mail the EB at
“The future of the Yemeni children lies in your
hands; your actions will determine their safety.”
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