Writing Resolutions
Resolutions are the bread and butter of problem solving in the United Nations. The same goes for the Model UN. Writing a resolution is very easy and does not take much time at all. A resolution is a good way of organizing and attacking the problems presented by a certain topic. You are writing solutions, hence resolutions. First a couple of key parts of the resolution process.
The Working Paper-The working paper is the first part of the resolution process. Once a draft has been copied and given out it is then turned into a work paper, discussed upon the floor and is open for signatories.
The Draft Resolution- When the working paper has enough signatories (usually 20% of the delegates in the council.) it becomes a draft resolution to be officially debated on and eventually voted upon.
The Resolution-The final step, when a draft resolution has been passed it is then a resolution.
Here is an example of a Working paper from a former debate.
Topic: The Sudanese Conflict
Submitted to: The Security Council
Sponsors: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Co-signatories:
Security Council,
Recalling all relevant resolutions upon the topic, specifically Security Council Resolutions, 1564 (2004) 1556 (2004), 1547 (2004) and 1502 (2003) and taking into account the Plan of Action agreed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Sudan and the Government of Sudan,
Commending the leadership role and engagement the African Union has taken in addressing the situation in Darfur and expressing its readiness to continue supporting it fully,
Condemning all acts of violence and violations of human rights and the international humanitarian law by all parties to the crisis, in particular by the Janjaweed, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, rapes, forced displacements, and acts of violence those with and ethnic dimension, and expressing the utmost concern at the consequences of the conflict in Darfur on the civilian population, including women, children, internally displaced persons, and refugees,
Expressing the determination of the Security Council to halt a humanitarian crisis in this area by taking further action if required,
Noting the need for the Sudanese government to take stronger stances in preventing the genocide committed within their borders to ensure the safety and security of the lives of civilians within Sudan especially within Darfur and southern regions of the country,
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter
1. Calls on the Government of Sudan to fulfill all unfulfilled commitments made in the July 3, 2004 Communiqué;
2. Affirms that greater cooperation with various human rights NGO’s is pertinent to improving the already inhumane living conditions in the Sudan;
3. Establishes an ad hoc Committee on the Sudanese Refugee Crisis to determine, discuss, and situate refugees of the Sudanese Conflict;
4. Welcomes the work done by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send human rights observers to Sudan and calls upon the government to continue cooperating with the High Commissioner in the deployment of those observers;
5. Decides that all states shall take necessary measures to prevent the sale or supply, to all non-governmental entities and individuals, including the Janjaweed, operating in the states of North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur;
6. Decides that all states shall take necessary measures to prevent any provision, to the non-governmental entities and individuals state in paragraph 3, operating in the states of North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur;
7. Encourages the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan and the independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights to work closely with the Sudanese Government in supporting independent investigations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Darfur region;
8. Expresses full support for the African Union-led ceasefire commission and monitoring mission in Darfur;
9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Breakdown of the Resolution
Introduction
Topic: The Sudanese Conflict
Submitted to: The Security Council
Sponsors: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Co-signatories:
Security Council,
This is basically the introduction of the resolution. It states the topic, the council the resolution is being submitted to, what country is sponsoring the resolution, and co-signatories. Sponsors are the people who submit the resolution or who have written. Remember just because you add an amendment it does not mean you are a sponsor. Co-signatories are those who sign your resolution so that it may be brought up for discussion during the debate. And finally it is usually nice to put the name of the council again as though you were writing a letter. You’d write “Dear ______,” in a letter here simply write the name of the council as shown above.
Perambulatory Clauses
Recalling all relevant resolutions upon the topic, specifically Security Council Resolutions, 1564 (2004) 1556 (2004), 1547 (2004) and 1502 (2003) and taking into account the Plan of Action agreed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Sudan and the Government of Sudan,
Commending the leadership role and engagement the African Union has taken in addressing the situation in Darfur and expressing its readiness to continue supporting it fully,
etc…
This is the part of the Resolution which generally addresses the situation but does not state things that could be taken as action such as creating agencies or, establishing funds etc. It is the part of the resolution where past resolutions are recalled the situation is stated and reactions to past actions are stated.
Operative Clauses
1. Calls on the Government of Sudan to fulfill all unfulfilled commitments made in the July 3, 2004 Communiqué;
2. Affirms that greater cooperation with various human rights NGO’s is pertinent to improving the already inhumane living conditions in the Sudan;
3. Establishes an Ad Hoc Committee on the Sudanese Refugee Crisis to determine, discuss, and situate refugees of the Sudanese Conflict;
4. Welcomes the work done by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send human rights observers to Sudan and calls upon the government to continue cooperating with the High Commissioner in the deployment of those observers;
etc…
The Operative clauses are the actions that will be taken by that specific council. Calling on governments and stating changes that should be made, or improvements etc…
Limitations on Resolutions
Certain councils limit you, in what you can accomplish in a resolution. Such as turning the normal actions stated in an operative clause to mere suggestions etc.
The Security Council
In the Security Council you are not limited at all in what you can achieve in a resolution. The Security Council is the supreme authority in all matters of international peace and security.
The General Assembly
The GA is limited in that it merely gathers a consensus of ideas shared by all members of the council. GA Resolutions are not finite and can create no organizations or funds. GA Resolutions are merely taken as suggestions by the Security Council unless stated otherwise.
Regional Organizations
Regional Organization are autonomous and can make region-specific decisions on their own. They do not need overhead clearance by the UN etc.
Other UN Subcommittees (ECOSOC etc…)
Same as the GA in respects that their resolutions are not finite unless stated otherwise.
