Sixth GA (Legal)

About the committee

The Sixth Committee of the General Assembly is the primary forum for the discussion of legal issues. While it has been suggested, the committee's portfolio does not include the administration of treaties and conventions, because the task requires a forum with a higher magnitude of political cooperation and compromise from Member States.

Topics

Topic A: The question of the legal rights of environmental refugees

The implications of climate change are far reaching. Rising sea levels, increasing temperatures and water scarcity will not only alter the environment around us, but have profound implications on how we conceptualise and govern ourselves in response to global issues. The outstanding question of environmental refugees represents a significant gap in the current international refugee framework. The UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees does not provide any basis for environmental refugees in its definition, neither in terms of their status, nor the responsibilities of the states that host them. Yet, with growing environmental pressure set to displace up to 150 million people by 2050, some due to the permanent loss of their homes, the issue demands urgent international debate and action.  

Topic B: The question of the status of governments that hold associations with terrorist organisations

September 11 served as a powerful reminder of the importance of Article 1 of the UN Charter: the need to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to international peace and security. However, while on the surface many governments have enacted specific policies of no negotiation and no concessions, ties between states and terrorist organisations continue to remain. These relationships range from states who are unwilling or unable to deal with terrorist groups within their borders; to state sponsorship of terrorism through financial aid, logistics and safe havens; to more explicit instances where states are directly involved in terrorist acts, or governments themselves have been labelled as terrorist organisations. Such behaviour draws into question not only the legitimacy and standing of these states, but whether the international community has a legal right or duty to intervene.