‘Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,’ (UN).
The UN preamble states:
‘To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,’ (UN).
The UN is obligated to attempt to stop these genocides and mass rape and murders going on in the African continent because of its preamble and its mission statement.
To adopt a continent wide code of conduct for African armed and security forces is extremely difficult however. The majority of the African continent is not under the control of government forces but instead of local militia with no obligations to the UN. Further more any resolutions on this issue will apply only to the segments of Africa under government control. However, although the militia are not called government forces, they are heavily supported and funded by the governments, making the need to disarm the militias in order to attain peace in Africa necessary.
These rebel militias are supported by neighbouring countries which since they want to see the instable governments fall. More over the adoption of an Africa wide code directed to the governments will not stop rebel militias from attaining weapons and using them in war. Militias draw their main income from blood diamonds and other illegal means as well as from the governments.
In 1986, The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) was established. This was a result from the General Assembly’s resolution 40/151G. Through this resolution the UN’s general assembly gave the UNREC responsibility to coordinate the implementations of regional activities in Africa. The UNREC also acts with the AU (African Union), (UNREC).
At least 40,000 people have been displaced in Liberia due to the latest fighting between government troops and rebels in central Bong County. The Security Council decided unanimously this week to extend sanctions on the Liberian government for 12 months, with demands to stop support for the Revolutionary front (RUF) and other armed groups in the region, (IRIN).
9,000 Senegalese flee the Casaance fighting in Senegal and go into Gambia. Over 500 arrived in the space of two days with hundreds more crossing the border on Thursday. The fighting between Senegalese army and the rebels intensified in the past week, (IRIN).
In Ghana, government officials said in a press conference that they [the government] were determined to build a ‘‘new Ghana’’ and that they hoped this would reconcile the nation for the mistakes of the past. The commission that will be set up is expected to operate for about a year. Its initial job is to investigate abuses during the five military regimes which ruled Ghana for a total of 22 years, (IRIN).
A deeply concerning issue that are found in the Central Africa Republic (CAR) and have risen in the past months is the security situation. Members of the security and armed forces along with armed gangs outside government control have attacked dozens of unarmed citizen while thousands have fled their homes into neighbouring countries, (IRIN).
Several resolution have been passed in attempt to facilitate some of the security and armed forces in Africa, two of which are Sudan and the democratic republic of the Congo (DRC) Security Council Resolution 1706 was recently passed to condemn the actions of the Darfur ‘genocide’ is Sudan, resolution 1711 was also passed recently condemning the DRC for the illicit flow of weapons within and into the nation, (UN).
St Lucia strongly believes that any sort of human killing is inhuman and against all morals. St Lucia, although is unaffected by this issue, wishes to work with African nations and other nations around the world to try and bring peace and justice to these areas in Africa which have seen, several times in their lifetime, genocides and mass murders. St Lucia takes it into consideration that these ‘murders’ are mostly from rebel groups and gangs, outside the government control. However, St Lucia feels that if regulation on weapons are enforced, and a code of conduct for the armed forces are presented, then the situation would most likely decrease greatly if not entirely.
It is essential that in order for an adoption of a code of conduct to be successful, the UN must seek to create alliances with the local rebel militias and work closely with the African Union (AU) and the UNREC. Possible outcomes or actions that should be done previous the creation of a code of conduct are:
improve and promote an improved civil-military relation
promote ‘good’ doings
have the military aid the civilians one on one
have more ‘civil’ contact with the civilians
have local leaders speak with/to the military about their job and report to the people
extensive information campaigns to inform civilians and soldiers alike the role of the army
promote drafting in the army
educate the military
have public and local speakers talk about the army
To emphasis the importance of a democratic society, re-establishing relations based on respect and mutual confidence.
Educate people to understand democracy
Educate military
Educate security forces
Further actions should be taken in regards to outlawing local militia and strengthening the government militia
Imprisoning gangsters
Confiscating weapons
"BACKGROUND(civil military) ." UNREC. UNREC. 30 Nov 2006
"Central African Republic: Government soldiers and armed groups attacking unarmed civilians and critics." amnesty. 7 Feb 2006. amnesty. 22 Nov 2006
"Charter of the United Nations." UN. UN. 1 Dec 2006
"IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 123 covering the period 04 - 10 May 2002." Relief Web. 10 May 2002. Relief Web. 27 Nov 2006
Rocky, Dr William. "African armed forces and the challenges of security sector transformation." looksmart. november 2001. HighBeam. 28 Nov 2006
"Security council renews mandate of peacebuilding office in central africa." nieuwsbank. 23-11-2006 . nieuwsbank. 1 Dec 2006
"SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MANDATE OF PEACEBUILDING OFFICE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2007." UN . 22 Nov 2006. UN. 1 Dec 2006
"Universal decleration of human rights." UN. UN. 1 Dec 2006
1 comment:
Well said.
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