The Third Committee of the General Assemblies, the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee plays an important role in addressing a wide range of social and humanitarian affairs. Aside from dealing with the advancement of women, the protection of children, and the access to free speech, SOCHUM also warrants the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the promotion of the right to self-determination.
Attacking the topic of the persecution of linguistic minorities, the delegates of SOCHUM discuss various ways the committee can end the discrimination of minority language speakers. The delegate of Switzerland states that “preservation will lead an end to persecution.” South Africa also takes the chance to explain its own situation. The delegate recognizes that many minority language groups were discriminated against by the majority language group of Afrikaans. This lead to many outbreaks of discontentment, including riots. However, through governmental recognition of each minority group as well as decreased tolerance of such discrimination, South Africa now enjoys a much more peaceful relationship between each of its language groups. The delegate of South Africa ends her speech by urging all other delegates to follow suit.
At this point, an NGO makes an appearance, and is given the chance to introduce themselves. The international Commission for Jurists is an NGO dedicated to ensuring respect for international human rights standards through the law. The ICJ will be accompanying SOCHUM throughout the rest of the morning, taking part in both the debate, as well as writing articles updating the progress of the committee.
As the second hour of the committee sessions ends, the committee begins a ten-minute unmoderated caucus. While some delegates take this as a chance for a water break or a quick trip to the washroom, most delegates have joined one of the two major blocs present in the committee room. Both groups are well into debate on their resolution papers, and contain passionate delegates who want their voices heard. Though many opinions are present in the committee room, there is no doubt that the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee will reach a favourable conclusion by the end of today.
Attacking the topic of the persecution of linguistic minorities, the delegates of SOCHUM discuss various ways the committee can end the discrimination of minority language speakers. The delegate of Switzerland states that “preservation will lead an end to persecution.” South Africa also takes the chance to explain its own situation. The delegate recognizes that many minority language groups were discriminated against by the majority language group of Afrikaans. This lead to many outbreaks of discontentment, including riots. However, through governmental recognition of each minority group as well as decreased tolerance of such discrimination, South Africa now enjoys a much more peaceful relationship between each of its language groups. The delegate of South Africa ends her speech by urging all other delegates to follow suit.
At this point, an NGO makes an appearance, and is given the chance to introduce themselves. The international Commission for Jurists is an NGO dedicated to ensuring respect for international human rights standards through the law. The ICJ will be accompanying SOCHUM throughout the rest of the morning, taking part in both the debate, as well as writing articles updating the progress of the committee.
As the second hour of the committee sessions ends, the committee begins a ten-minute unmoderated caucus. While some delegates take this as a chance for a water break or a quick trip to the washroom, most delegates have joined one of the two major blocs present in the committee room. Both groups are well into debate on their resolution papers, and contain passionate delegates who want their voices heard. Though many opinions are present in the committee room, there is no doubt that the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee will reach a favourable conclusion by the end of today.