By Anshuta and Preeya,Chief reporter of TES MUN PRESS

Kathmandu, August 14, 2024

On Day 2 of the Human Rights Council (HRC) at TESMUN 2024, the committee began with General Speakers’ List (GSL) presentations. Some countries struggled with responses to open questions about human rights issues. As the GSL progressed, the delegate of Israel (Alvin Maharjan) raised concerns about North Korea (Bidhaan Upreti), leading to a series of counterpoints from China (Eshan Sharma) that left the committee perplexed.

The GSL led into a moderated caucus focused on the topic, “Economic Impacts on Gender Inequality in International Development.” The discussion concentrated on countries like Israel and Palestine, particularly in the context of their recent conflict. Egypt (Aalekh K.C) made compelling arguments that kept the debate engaging. China, known for its strong presence, voiced its viewpoints loudly, shocking many delegates. The moderated discussion also covered the roles of countries such as China(Ethan Sharma) and the USA (Hardik Kharel) in humanitarian support, including their human rights records.

During the moderated caucus, a crisis was introduced, highlighting the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine. This shift led to intense debate between these two countries, with the committee showing less engagement from other members. The crisis included a presidential speech delivered by key players in the conflict, including Israel, Palestine, the USA, and China. These speeches articulated the positions and stakes of their respective countries. Additionally, other nations like Egypt, Russia, and India expressed their support or opposition to the conflict.

The crisis brought a mix of serious discussion and moments of livelity, as delegates presented their arguments and counterarguments. Ultimately, the committee concluded with the passing of one resolution: Resolution 1.0,Titled “Gender Rights and Human Rights: Addressing Gender Equality and GBV” by a majority vote.