Committee: Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM)
Topic Area 1: Treatment of Terrorists
Country: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
School: Waubonsie Valley High School
Delegates: Anu Kumar and Annie Paul
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is deeply conscious of the controversy regarding the
worldwide treatment of terrorists. Pakistan is aware that various countries have developed their
own opinions on the morality and ramifications of using torture as a means to punish and
interrogate terrorists. Pakistan also recognizes the tension that the disparity in treatment towards
terrorists between countries has generated. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan condemns the
practice of torturing prisoners due to our belief that it directly violates human rights and that
terrorists, as human beings, naturally possess these rights. Pakistan seeks through collaboration
with members of SOCHUM to find a hopefully humane yet effective policy regarding how to
treat terrorists.
Unfortunately in the past, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has partaken in torture
methods in dealings with terrorists due to the ambiguity of the Pakistan Penal Code that does not
clearly denounce the practice. However, Pakistan has taken strides to fix flaws in our legal code;
Pakistan ratified the Geneva Convention in 1951 ensuring that prisoners of war would be
protected. Recently, in 2008, Pakistan became a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights and UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (CAT). As a signatory, Pakistan hopes to reform its own penal code in
accordance to the measures and policies outlined in the CAT.
Recognizing the difficulty in achieving an uniform policy pertaining to government
behavior towards terrorists partially due to the ambiguity of the definitions of words like
“civilian” and “prisoner of war” and also acknowledging the importance of vocabulary when
interpreting the Geneva Convention and other regulatory articles, Pakistan would like to revise
portions of the CAT or Geneva Convention and specify under which category terrorists should
be placed. Pakistan believes that the creation of new articles will not alleviate the situation when
several member nations have already signed those that currently exist. Pakistan would like
debate to be centered on how terrorists should be categorized in existing articles. Member
nations will have to keep an open mind to reach a consensus that will appease the majority of
nations in SOCHUM.
With the cooperation of the United Nations, hopefully a uniform method of dealing with
terrorists will be achieved, thus alleviating much generated tension between fellow nations. The
Islamic Republic of Pakistan believes the steps that SOCHUM will take will result in a more
humane, peaceful world.
Committee: Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM)
Topic Area 1: Treatment of Terrorists
Country: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
School: Waubonsie Valley High School
Delegates: Anu Kumar and Annie Paul
Websites:
http://alaiwah.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/who-is-going-to-control-torture-in-pakistan/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2009statements/2106/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200809/jtselect/jtrights/152/15205.htm