Committee Topics

1. Cutting Barriers for Public Access to Information: Arab Spring and Freedom of Information in the 21st Century

2. Strengthening Human Rights of Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in Conflict-Laden Regions

In worldwide news coverage and public debate about armed conflicts, the main focus lies on refugees and Human Rights violations which led to their flight. However, there are some other groups of persons, which particularly suffer from Human Rights violations in regions affected from open and latent conflict: returnees and internally displaced persons. Those cannot rely on the international framework of refugee and asylum law, as they either never crossed a national border (IDPs) or decided – willingly or not- to move back to their home country without the conflict once forcing them to leave having been resolved (returnees). Furthermore they are particularly vulnerable because internationally they still qualify as citizens of their home country.
Especially in eastern and central Africa, Human Rights violations of those groups of persons often occur, but the problem is not restricted to this area. It was reported that internally displaced persons and returnees suffer from a mass of different Human Rights violations, ranging from discrimination in terms of access to water, food, housing, and health care to being denied their civil and political rights and even the risk of losing their life. UNHRC dealt with those violations mainly under Universal Period review, when evaluating the Human Rights situation in particular countries and is concerned about the fact, that those violations are still ongoing. Furthermore, it is periodically informed by the External Expert on Human Rights of Internally displaced persons. UNHCR dealt with the topic several times in order to strengthen and promote the Human Rights of IDPs and could observe some progress (e.g. Convention of African States about the Human Rights of IDPs). However, the Human Rights of returnees have been rarely dealt with so far. So, during the HRC session at MUIMUN 2012, it will be of particular importance to develop strategies for further promotion of the Human Rights of IDPs and evolve solutions for a strengthening of Human Rights of returnees.

Syed Muhammad Nishat-ul-Hassan Kazmi, Director

Syed Muhammad Nishat-ul-Hassan Kazmi belongs to Lahore, Pakistan and was born on December 25, 1987. He finished his first law degree B.A.-LLB (Hons.) in 2010 and is currently doing Advance Masters in International and European Economic Law at Maastricht University, the Netherlands on a Huygens Scholarship. Nishat has worked with Philipps University Marburg, Germany where he researched on International Environmental Law as part of the Heinrich Boll International Fellowship (2010). He has interned with Research Society of International Law Pakistan, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, Germany, and Federal Ministry of Trade and Commerce Government of Pakistan. He is a former member of the Youth Parliament of Pakistan and has participated in more than fifteen Model UNs including MUIMUN 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. His Interests include International Trade and Investment Law, Public Policy and Governance, Environment and Sustainable development.

Lisa van Hoof, Vice Director

Lisa van Hoof is 22 and currently living, working and studying in Berlin. She has been part of MUIMUN organizational team during 2010 and 2011. She studied Public Administration at WWU Münster and the University of Twente (Netherlands). Now, she is studying Eastern European Studies at FU Berlin. During her studies she specialized in Political Science and is mainly interested in migration, citizenship and the area Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Russia. Lisa is interested in MUNs since having been part of the MUIMUN team. In April 2011, she had the opportunity to take part in the NMUN Conference 2011 in New York together with 13 other students from Münster. She was impressed by the profound preparation of all delegates and the high quality of debates and resolutions, so she aims to bring in some of the knowledge gained there in MUIMUN 2012. She is looking forward to discuss pressing Human Rights issues in Human Rights Council of MUIMUN 2012.