The Right to Asylum: The Edward Snowden Case

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Recommended: Conflict and political repression refugees

Links to use

General Information: http://www.kennesaw.edu/hsmun/GA%203rd.pdf

More General information: http://imuna.org/sites/default/files/Legal%20Background%20Guide_0.pdf

For the case study: http://www.hommunc.org/bg/pdfs/UNSCFinal.pdf

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Work: FROSHMUN 2014 (Allison will float throughout the sections)

READ TO DISCOVER

What is the right to asylum?
What is the history and current condition of this issue?
What role does your country play in this issue?
What steps should the international community take in terms of maintaining, reforming, or changing the current process of granting asylum?

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Article 14 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.” An unfortunate truth that remains in the 21st century is that some do not feel protected or safe in their country. In such situations, one seeks asylum in foreign nations. While some welcome asylum seekers with open arms, others are view the concept as a violation of sovereignty.
In such a heated topic, it is important to make the distinction between an asylum seeker and refugee. Definitions are disputed, but the UN uses the following definitions. A refugee is a person who has left their country due to legitimate fears of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political views, or social class. An asylum seeker is someone who claims refugee status but has yet to officially gained said status. Often times, one might seek asylum in times of war or when one feels threatened by their government. It is important to note that while a definition seems straightforward, arge political controversies may arise depending on the...

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... region; Nepal, Bangladesh, and Thailand host long-standing camps while Pakistan and Iran host the two largest refugee populations in the world. In Eastern Asia, member nations are more likely to welcome asylum seekers. However, the history and political turmoil of Western Asia have not developed strong national policies on the issue of asylum. The UN has limited influence due to political and security issues, but can depend on reliable third party actors that have partnered with SOCHUM or UNHRC in the past.
In the Pacific, Australia is the most able in providing asylum for international asylum seekers. Australia is currently undergoing reform to its asylum policy. The current leading party is against immigration and supports limiting the number of accepted asylum seekers. Many are pushing policies to expedite asylum seekers to the prosecuting government of origin.

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