1st Disarmament and International Security Committee (1st DISEC)

Topic Update!

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1st DISEC
Bhavna Mukundan
1stDISEC@bruinmun.org

 
Dear Delegates,

 
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to BruinMUN 2011’s DISEC. My name is Bhavna Mukundan and I will be your committee director for BruinMUN 2011. First off, I would like to introduce myself. I am from Rancho Cucamonga, California and I will be entering my 4th and final year at UCLA this fall. I am an International Development Studies major with a minor in French and I hope to pursue a career in International Law upon graduation. I have been in Model United Nations for six years and consider it one of the highlights of my high school and college careers. I love to travel and I have spent my past few summers in college studying at Cambridge University in England and working for the UNHCR in Cape Town, South Africa. This summer, I will be traveling to Turkey and Spain to study and intern for the UNWTO, respectively. I will also be serving as Travel Team Director for MUN at UCLA this upcoming school year.

 
I consider DISEC to be one of the most important committees in the United Nations, mainly because it deals with the security concerns that affect many nations and aims to curb the spread of conflict, weapons, and violence globally. The two topics that we will be discussing over the course of this committee are 1) Demilitarization along the Line of Control in Kashmir and 2) Prevention of Small Arms Trafficking in Sub Saharan Africa. Both of these topics have been resulted in prolonged conflicts and negative impacts on their respective regions. The Demilitarization along the Line of Control in Kashmir has been an ongoing problem since 1949 and has resulted in many skirmishes between India and Pakistan as well as Kashmiri separatist organizations. Small arms trafficking is a global issue that has peaked over the last few decades in Sun Saharan Africa following the onset of many civil wars and political instability. The trafficking of small arms not only affects the economies of countries, but the lives of many civilians.

 
I am really excited for BruinMUN 2011 and I look forward to working with all of you over the course of the weekend. Please do not hesitate to contact me with and comments, questions, or concerns that you may have. Good luck!

 
Sincerely,

Bhavna Mukundan

 
Topics

Download Topic Synopsis! (pdf) Updated June 1. Document is password protected.

Topic A: Demilitarization along the Line of Control in Kashmir
The in the Kashmir region of India has ravaged on for several years after the 1947 India-Pakistan Partition. Both countries have entered multiple wars for control over the disputed region and several separatist organizations within Kashmir have been calling for the region to become an entirely separate state. After a series of conflicts beginning in 1947 and ending in 1949, a ceasefire line was established called the Line of Control (LoC). Since then, the LoC has served as the de-facto border separating Kashmir from neighboring Pakistan. However, the LoC has also served as the place for standoffs between millions of Indian and Pakistani troops, particularly after any conflicts. The positioning of troops along the LoC causes many dangers. Separatist organizations in Kashmir have become increasingly violent and have been resorting to terror tactics, which not only affect civilians but the lives of soldiers as well. Also, the presence of troops in the region alludes to a constant tension between both nations and strained diplomatic relations. The International Community has called for the Demilitarization along the LoC many times over the past few decades, but both countries have refused to withdraw their troops till this day.

 
Topic B: Prevention of Small Arms Trafficking in Sub Saharan Africa
Sub Saharan Africa has witnessed numerous conflicts and civil wars since the period of Decolonization. Often fueled by drugs, blood diamonds, and illicit trade the proliferation of small arms has spread throughout the continent and has become a main contingent in these conflicts, often prolonging them and harshening their effects. Although there is no internationally agreed upon definition, small arms and light weapons are generally defined to be weapons that are easily portable and readily available for use in armed conflict. The trafficking of small arms has many negative ramifications in Sub Saharan Africa ranging from the recruitment of child soldiers to falling in the hands of terrorist organizations and much political instability. The topic of controlling he proliferation of small arms has often been debated by International organizations, but comprehensive solutions to the problem need to practical and ensure that in long run, violence in Sub Saharan Africa is reduced.

 
Contact Your Chair: 1stDISEC@bruinmun.org