Sample Position Paper
Committee: Commission on Human Rights
Topic: Violence against Women
Country: The Kingdom of Denmark
Delegate: William Hayward Wilson, Shea University
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” Although this doctrine was adopted in 1948, the
world has fallen quite short of this goal. Violence against women pervades all states and it is the duty of
the international community to ensure that all persons are afforded equality and respect. Despite
cooperative efforts at combating gross human rights abuses, such as the adoption of the Declaration on
the Elimination of Violence against Women, the United Nations has not been able to alleviate the
injustice women worldwide experience daily. The Kingdom of Denmark believes that in order to end
violence against women, nations must look to empower women in all aspects of society. This includes
promoting equal gender roles in government, civil society, education and business. However, Denmark
also recognizes the need to combat human rights abuses against women as they occur, and no nation is
immune to gender violence. In 2002, the Danish Government launched an extensive action plan to
combat domestic violence against women. The plan includes measures to help treat abused women,
identify and prosecute the perpetrators, and incorporate professional medical and psychological staff
into the rehabilitation process. The action plan currently reaches out to both governmental and
nongovernmental groups on the local level throughout the nation.
The Danish Centre for Human Rights in Copenhagen, Denmark’s foremost national human rights
institution, also promotes and protects human rights. Based on the Centre’s research, Denmark’s
parliament can promote human rights-based legislation and education/awareness programs throughout
the nation. The Centre also addresses the UN Commission on Human Rights annually regarding human
rights developments in Denmark and internationally. Denmark has no record of committing major
human rights violations, most importantly any targeted at women. In its 2003 Annual Report, Amnesty
International also found no human rights violations against Danish women.
Women are invaluable to Denmark’s society and have achieved significant economic and social gains in
the 20th century. Currently, 75 percent of medical students in Denmark are women. Denmark is
confident that this Commission can bring about an end to violence against women without
compromising the sovereignty of member states. Education remains perhaps the most useful tool in
protecting victims of gender-based violence. Governments, UN agencies, and nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) can plan a coordinated campaign that educates national populations on the
various ways women are violently targeted. Similarly, harmful traditions, such as honor killings and
female genital mutilation, must be stopped by reforming traditional views of women in society. Children
of both sexes need to be taught at an early age to value the rights of women in order to prevent such
violence in their generation. Another way to stop gender violence would be to reproach member states
that consistently violate treaties such as the Convention on Political Rights of Women (1952), the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979), and the Declaration
on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993). Although this Committee cannot impose
sanctions, it can pass resolutions verbally condemning states that commit human rights violations. The
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights can also meet with representatives of governments that
violate the above treaties to discuss possible solutions. In order to prevent gender violence, nations
must work together to build a culture of support, equality and community. As such, the Kingdom of
Denmark looks forward to offering its support, in whatever form possible, to nations firmly committed
to ending violence against women in all its forms.
Source: [Link]
Purpose of the The document is all about Violence against women, combating gross
Document human rights abuses and promoting gender equal roles
they’re promoting women’s right and gender inequality and they’re
Writer’s Stand also reminding us to promote and protect human rights
The UN high commissioner for human rights can also meet with the
Writer’s Persona representatives of the government to discuss the situation and
solutions to promote human rights.
The government, people in the kingdom of denmark, and the groups
Intended Reader campaign.
Both sexes need to be taught at an early age to value the rights of
Strengths women in order to prevent such violence in their generation.
The Committee cannot impose sanctions, but it can pass resolutions
Weaknesses verbally condemning states that commit abuses committed against
women
I think the revision needed to the document is adding more
Revisions needed supporting evidence
