Delegation of the Republic of Colombia

Represented by: Fatima Zehra

Position Paper for the Security Council
Colombia, the first constitutional government in South America has been a victim of violence and terrorism for years
now but in the past decade this has decreased significantly. Having experienced this tension in the country, the Republic
of Colombia has worked very hard against this ferocity and is a strong supporter of the human rights and values the
human life greatly. Other than being one of the founding members of the United Nations Colombia is obliged to
advance the protection of human rights through its adhesion to international laws, international conventions as well as
through its own national constitution. The war against terrorism and the rights of mankind are not new; Colombia has
time and again stressed upon these matters and has signed many resolutions and ratified conventions and protocols of
human rights in the United Nations in this regard.

I. The Human Rights Situation in Syria

Being the first democratic government of South America, Colombia has always been a vehement advocate of human
rights and freedom of expression. The gravity of the situation in Syria can be understood by the fact that 5000 Syrians
have lost their life and thousands more have been displaced. Syria is located at a very crucial geographical location, with
countries like Iraq, Turkey and Israel neighboring it so we believe that this instability in Syria can aggravate conditions in
the already turmoil stricken area.
Colombia along with its democratic allies has offered its earnest support for any resolution focusing on alleviating the
current situation in Syria. We believe that the Syrias authoritarian regime has no right to violently suppress a popular
mass public movement that is directed towards democracy and general welfare of the people. The situation in Syria
worries us enormously. The international community should not remain indifferent to this massacre said, the President
of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos. Colombia has recommended an immediate stop to the killings and a dialogue between
the government and those uprising against it. However, this severe violation of human rights should not go unpunished
and we recommend an impartial review of the matter by the International Court of Justice or such other relevant body.
Colombia calls for these actions because we believe that now there is no time to waste as the situation has hit a rock
bottom with the influx of refugees moving into Turkey increasing to 4,700 and the killings going on unhampered. This
stance of ours comes from our history of adhesion to human right laws enforced at international platforms such
as: The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, The International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, The Universal Declaration on Human Rights and hence The International Bill of Human Rights and
Geneva Convention on Human Rights.
Regarding this Syrian issue Colombia voted in favor of the draft resolution condemning Widespread and Systematic
violation of human rights by Syrian authorities i.e. A/RES/66/253.
In the Security Council meetings Colombia would like to seek a long lasting solution to this grave situation. We believe
that the transition of Syria to democracy has begun and it is time for the regime to step down. Colombia would like
countries to mount international pressure on Bashar al-Assad to abstain from this excessive use of state power.
Colombia would like countries of Arab League to withhold their bilateral relations with Syria and hence increase
pressure on her. We would want the committee to deliberate on ways of providing humanitarian aid and ensuring

proper health facilities to the displaced and effected people. Human rights periodic surveys should be conducted in Syria
and complete transparency should be guaranteed.
Moreover, Colombia would prompt the Security Council to opt not for a temporary solution but to monitor and help the
new form of government that could emerge to ensure greater good of the people of the region and to avoid Syria
moving from dictatorship to anarchy.

II. Dealing with Passive and Non-Financial Support of Terrorism by State and Non-State Actors
Colombia has had first-hand experience of extremist elements trying to challenge the writ of the state and trying to
instill fear into the masses. It is only because of cohesion in state and law enforcing bodies that Colombia has been able
to quell the terrorism and save the public from further ordeals. Colombia has been an active member of the Counter
Terrorism Committee and has condemned states harboring terrorist organizations at all international platforms. The
passive support of terrorism going on in Pakistan is a dire situation and calls for immediate action because a nuclear
state with growing fundamentalism is a disaster in brewing.
Colombia feels strongly for the issue because Al-Qaeda is a phenomenon not restricted to a certain area and it is trying
to strengthen its foothold across the world. Colombia believes that Pakistan is violating all the legal bindings it entered
into by ratifying resolutions and bills condemning passive support of terrorism.
My country has been the victim of terrorism, and condemns it in all its forms and manifestations. We reaffirm that
there are neither causes nor circumstances to justify it. We are also convinced that terrorism can only be defeated
through international cooperation and in compliance with international law obligations, in particular the respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms. said H.E. Fernando Alzate the representative of Colombia in United Nations.
Our dedication to the cause of eradicating terrorism is evident from the fact that we have commended resolutions like:
1377 To Eliminate International Terrorism, 10977 Unequivocal Condemnation of Terrorism, 1373 CALL FOR
SUPPRESSING FINANCING, and IMPROVING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The delegation believes that Pakistan needs to tackle with the problem at grass root level by limiting the role of
Madrassas in the society as these places have become the breeding grounds for terrorists. The severity of the situation
can be estimated from the fact that at the time of the creation of the country there were only 190 such schools whereas,
now the number exceeds 40,000 which means 2.3million young minds are at the disposal of these extremists. Moreover,
ISI should come under scrutiny to ensure that the state cause they serve does not involve nurturing terrorists.
Colombia will be looking forward to molding out a feasible solution to the problem and we intend to do so by mounting
pressure on Pakistan along with our democratic allies to tighten the noose on these extremist outfits. Apart from
ignoring the multiplying number of such organizations Pakistan should immediately stop using them as a tool to meet its
ulterior motives in Kashmir, India and Afghanistan. Transparency should be improved and secret services and ISI should
come under the umbrella of federal government to ensure checks and balances. Moreover, Colombia believes that the
situation in Pakistan is being exploited by funds pouring in from Arab countries, hence we need to encompass this into
debate as well and ways to cut this inflow of financial support should be discussed. It is undeniable that peace cannot be
achieved in Afghanistan without active role of Pakistan hence; Pakistan should be urged to work in good faith and use its
links with the Haqqani network positively to revitalize the dialogue which stopped with the murder of former president
Rabbani.