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Political Committee

CAMUN 2013

Commonly known as the Political Committee, the Special Political and Decolonization
Committee, grapples with some of the most compelling issues dominating contemporary
international relations. The PC examines cases where bureaucracy and supremacy obstruct the
successful and legitimate establishment of international processes. Its goal is to mediate such
disputes and discrepancies to provide transparency. The PC seeks to achieve these goals by
providing creative solutions to examine and reform existing processes that were not achieved
through Security Council resolutions. With topics such as The Status of Taiwan and the Political
Prisons and Black Sites, the Political Committee tries to seek alternatives to problems that are
not only political, but that also have humanitarian and economic implications on nations. Despite
lacking Security Council right to enforce action, the Political Committee deals with world issues
of equal gravity, and holds debates of matching caliber.

Topic A: The Status of Taiwan


The status of Taiwan is one of the most controversial and compelling issues in
contemporary international affairs. For the international community, Taiwan is not legally
recognized as a sovereign state. In the atmosphere of international upheaval, resolving this
complex and ever-lasting dilemma becomes an increasingly urgent priority. The states of China
and Taiwan have been in conflict for over eight decades; the Chinese government has repeatedly
denied the recognition of Taiwanese independence.
The Peoples Republic of China strongly believes in the One China doctrine, which
earns to create a unified Republic, ending the existence of the current governor of Taiwan, the
Republic of China. Discussion of this issue thus comes at an extremely decisive time. China is
unequivocally a rising global power and its increasing military expenditure signals an attempt to
annul Western influence in the region. Ignoring this question thus risks intensifying the political
gulf between China and several other nations, inflating the chances of armed conflict.

Helpful Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-China_policy
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zt/twwt/White%20Papers/t36705.htm
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2000/01/27/0000021677
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/03/16/2003557211
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_status_of_Taiwan
http://www.cfr.org/china/china-taiwan-relations/p9223
http://www.ait.org.tw/en/taiwan-relations-achttp://www.cfr.org/china/china-taiwanrelations/p9223t.html
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL30341_20090817.pdf
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/121004/china-taiwan-crossstrait-ties-diaoyu-islands
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/12/13/taiwan-china-relations-under-the-new-chineseleadership/

Guiding Questions:
1. What is Chinas perspective towards Taiwan? How does it compare to your countrys
viewpoint?
2. What are the major contrasts between the political status of Taiwan and its legal status?
3. What main changes have taken place in Taiwan during the recent years (rapid economic
growth, industrialization, etc.)?
4. What is the One-China principle and what are its concepts? How does it affect Taiwan?
What are the consequences of such policy on your country?
5. How does the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) differ from the Republic of China
(ROC)?

6. How has the conflict changed throughout time, from its origins in the Chinese Civil War
leading its path to the present day?
7. How does Taiwanese beliefs and ideals differ from the Chinese ones? How do they
compare to your countrys believe? How is your nation affected by such
contrast/similarity in ideals?
8. What is the current military situation of both territories towards each other (military
positioning, purchase of arms, etc.)?
9. Should Taiwan become an independent state, what would be the consequences and
effects of such action on the international community? How would it affect your country?
10. What are Chinas interests in Taiwanese territory? What is its importance for the Chinese
government (economic, political, etc.)?

Topic B: Black Sites and Military Prisons


Since the 9/11 incidents, countries worldwide have become largely preoccupied with
their national security. Hence, some nations have created military prisons and black sites, where
Intelligence Agencies make use of extraordinary rendition in order to abduct suspected terrorists
for interrogation. Black sites are neither official nor openly recognized, and their quantity has
been increasing steadily over the past years. There is great controversy over the legitimacy of
such prisons; specific locations (or their actual existence) are not reported, the ongoing activities
are not cited, and the origins of the prisoners are unknown.
Further information on the issue has constantly been portrayed in the media. Suspicious
of abusing its prisoners physically and psychologically, the Guantanamo Bay detention camp has
recently attained emphasis worldwide. Notwithstanding, the subject at hand will not discuss the
humanitarian conditions such detention sites present, whereas their infringement on diplomatic
rights of other nations, where numerous times such prisons are held and maintained in foreign
territory (both on land and overseas). In addition, prisoners are forcefully taken to such locations,
where they are accused on mere speculations of their actions. Fundamentally, black sites and
military prisons impose a major threat to a nations sovereignty and to the rights of their
respective citizens.

Helpful Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_sites
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/opinion/about-those-black-sites.html?_r=0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_prison#Incarceration_of_prisoners_of_war
http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Media/Time_to_Leak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cWJ47b_toHU
http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Jihad_fantasies_of_Obama,_Dick_Morris_and_Kenya
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_10_26/WikiLeaks-reveals-US-detainee-policies/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_rendition
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/extraordinary-rendition-torturereport_n_2617809.html
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/02/13/graphic-the-extraordinary-renditions-54-guiltynations/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/rendition
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/rendition701/map/
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/13/070813fa_fact_mayer

Guiding Questions:
1. What is a black site? What are they used for?
2. Who is kept at such locations? What are the reasons for the apprehension of such
individuals?
3. Does your country maintain or host any black sites? If so, where are they installed?
4. Does your country believe in extraordinary rendition? Has it ever been associated to
scandals involving such belief?
5. How do military prisons differ from black sites? How do these definitions affect political
perspectives on the issue?
6. Does your country support formation and the maintenance of black sites? Why or why
not?
7. What are the causes for the creations of black sites? Why do certain nations maintain
black sites or military prisons? What are the reasons to do so?
8. Are there any records within your country that prove its participation in territorial
invasions for the location of threats to your homeland government?
9. What events have sparked the installation of military prisons and black sites?
10. What is the legal status of a detainee? What is the legal authority for black site
operation?
11. What does the Geneva Convention state about prisoners of war? How does such
Convention relate to a nations participation in the creation and maintenance of both
black sites and military prisons?

Chair: Sofia Antoniazzi


Co-Chair: Matheus Bevilacqua

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