UNHRC

Topic A- On the Issue of Commercial Spyware, Surveillance, and the Right to Privacy

The unchecked proliferation of commercial spyware and surveillance represents one of the most insidious and difficult to traverse challenges of modern human rights. Around the globe there are roughly billions of connected personal devices across more than a hundred nations. When these technologies are deployed without oversight they go from being a force of global connectivity to a dangerous time bomb that could go off from any political disturbances. A single zero-click infection, targeted smartphone hack, or mass data extraction aimed at journalists and political dissidents can cause the catastrophic collapse of personal privacy. This causes widespread societal destructions and makes digital spaces un-safe for decades; multi generational chilling effects emerge from the ashes as well as the long term persecution of individuals from even countries surrounding the one actively surveilled.

The main documentation governing this issue is Article 12 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence even as national security objectives as they can cause the significant loss of fundamental freedoms amongst the civilian population. The modern reality of digital intelligence however has shown many gaps in compliance and enforcement. Authoritarian state actors and private corporate entities exploit these legal gray areas as "security shields," positioning unregulated cyber weapons and surveillance infrastructure close to vulnerable populations to deter civic opposition and dissent. This is a direct violation of international norms and tests the limits of international law.

Topic B- On the Issue of Safeguarding Workers Under the Geneva Convention in Active War zones

The threat to humanitarian aid and essential workers in active conflict represents one of the most perilous and difficult to traverse challenges of modern global warfare. Around the globe there are roughly hundreds of thousands of aid workers and medical personnel operating across more than a dozen active combat zones. When these individuals are deployed near the frontlines they go from being a force of humanitarian relief to a dangerous time bomb that could go off from any military disturbances. A single targeted airstrike, indiscriminate artillery shelling, or armed ambush aimed at aid convoys or medical facilities can cause the catastrophic loss of life and essential services. This causes widespread humanitarian destructions and makes the area un-livable for decades; multi generational famine and disease crises emerge from the ashes as well as the long term displacement of vulnerable civilians from even regions surrounding the one deprived of aid.

The main documentation governing this issue is the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, specifically those strictly protecting medical and humanitarian personnel. It prohibits attacks on relief workers, hospitals, and humanitarian transports even as military objectives as they can cause the significant loss of life amongst the vulnerable population. The modern reality of asymmetric warfare however has shown many gaps in compliance and enforcement. Rogue state actors and non state armed entities exploit these humanitarian missions as "tactical shields," positioning military equipment and combatants close to aid workers and designated safe zones to deter counter attacks. This is a direct violation of international humanitarian norms and tests the limits of international law.