TCMUN
UNSC
The United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was established in 1945 via the establishment of the UN Charter at the end of World War II. As one of the UN’s six principal organs, the Security Council is unique among the committees offered at NHSMUN in its membership, scope, and power. The UNSC has a unique, preventive, and reactionary role in the UN—it is meant to respond to international crises and maintain international peace. In response to such crises, the Council can mandate decisive actions such as peace talks, mediations, negotiations, and meetings. Additionally, according to Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council can approve the use of force if there is no other way to maintain international peace. The Security Council can also deploy UN peacekeeping operations and impose sanctions on states. Only the UNSC has this power.
Chairs
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Topic 1:
The Situation in Venezuela
For many years, Venezuela has faced government corruption surrounding the legitimacy of its two presidents—Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó. Maduro has been in power since 2013, but his 2018 re-election raised concerns about voter fraud. Maduro refused to give up power, but his authority suffered. Guaidó proceeded to declare himself interim president based on a constitutional loophole. However, he lacks the necessary support to act as president. The conflict between Maduro and Guaidó has been reflected among the Venezuelan people. There have been outbreaks of politically-motivated violence against protestors at the hands of the government. As a result, the UNHRC has investigated various crimes against humanity in the country. The ICC also opened an investigation as a precursor to formal charges, focusing on the crimes of imprisonment, torture, rape, sexual violence, and political persecution. Economically, the country is in a dire state. Hyperinflation has risen to very high levels. In 2019, it rose to 10 million percent, leaving nearly everyone except the wealthy in extreme poverty. This has led to severe humanitarian crises, such as a lack of food, medicine, and shelter. The COVID-19 pandemic only made these problems worse. Together, these factors led to one of the largest migration crises in recent Latin American history. With millions of lives at stake, the deteriorating situation in Venezuela demands the attention of the Security Council. Delegates are called to promote peace and stability in Venezuela by tackling government corruption, hyperinflation, and humanitarian crises.
Topic 2:
The Situation in the Central African Republic
In early 2019, the six-year civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) ended when a peace deal was signed. However, this pause from conflict did not last long as military-backed rebel groups captured the capital of Bangui. Now, a fresh wave of fighting has engulfed the country. The Security Council has established a peacekeeping mission in the country, MINUSCA. However, the newest outbreak of violence has left the peacekeepers unable to fulfill their mission. Often, they are subject to violence themselves. Previous actions taken by the Security Council include an arms embargo and sanctions to prevent excessive force against citizens. As one of the most impoverished countries in the world, people in CAR lack vital resources. This has led to a critical humanitarian and refugee crisis comparable to Yemen and Syria. The UNHCR has reported that thousands of people are internally displaced or seeking asylum in neighboring countries. Other countries have also been involved in human rights violations against citizens, further complicating the issue. For example, Russian mercenaries and private entities have been accused of humanitarian crimes, supplying illegal arms, and exploiting CAR’s mineral resources. Delegates on the Security Council must guide CAR back to peace and address the violence committed against its citizens and foreign aid workers.