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 FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLYREDUCING URBAN VIOLENCE CAUSING EMIGRATION FROM THE “NORTHERN TRIANGLE” OF GUATEMALA, HONDURAS AND EL SALVADOR6th, 7th and 8th of March 2020Gymnasium Haganum, The HagueForum: Fourth General AssemblyIssue:Reducing urban violence causing emigration from the “Northern Triangle” of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador Student Officer:Tom den HollanderPosition:Deputy ChairIntroductionAn estimated 500,000 people cross into Mexico every year. The majority making up this massive forced migration flow originate from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, known as the Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA), one of the most violent regions in the world today. There are tens of thousands of migrants and refugees fleeing the NTCA’s extreme violence and travelling along the world’s largest migration corridor in Mexico. Of those interviewed, almost 40 per cent (39.2%) mentioned direct attacks or threats to themselves or their families, extortion or gang-forced recruitment as the main reason for fleeing their countries.But there are also other forms of violence included, Nearly one-third of the women surveyed had been sexually abused during their journey. 60 percent of the people treated for sexual violence were raped, and 40 per cent were exposed to sexual assault and other types of humiliation, including forced nudity. Furthermore, from the refugees and migrants treated for mental health issues by the MSF (Medecins Sans Frontieres) close to half (47.3%) were victims of direct physical violence en route, while 47.2 percent of this group reported being forced to flee their homes.Central America features amongst the highest rates of reported homicidal and criminal violence in Latin America and indeed the world. The annual global homicide rate was approximately 7 per 100,000 in 2004, while in South America it was 25 per 100,000 and in Central America, it soared above 29 per 100,000 (Geneva Declaration, 2008; WHO, 2008; UNODC, 2009). In contrast to virtually every other region, South and Central America feature the fastest and most dramatic temporal escalation of armed violence since 1999.Definition of Key TermsRefugees People who are outside their country of nationality or habitual residence and unable to return there owing to serious and indiscriminate threats to life, physical integrity or freedom resulting from generalized violence or events seriously disturbing public order.GangsA gang is a group or society of associates, friends or members of a family with a defined leadership and internal organization that identifies with or claims control over territory in a community and engages, either individually or collectively, in illegal, and possibly violent behaviour.Safe, orderly and regular migrationMovement of persons in keeping both with the laws and regulations governing exit from, entry and return to and stay in States and with States’ international law obligations, in a manner in which the human dignity and well-being of migrants are upheld, their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled and the risks associated with the movement of people are acknowledged and mitigated.Interpersonal violenceInterpersonal Violence (IPV) is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against a person or group that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.Urban securityAt a local level, urban security can refer to various forms of crime (including, for instance, human trafficking, organised crime, sexual violence, violence against vulnerable groups and minorities, vandalism, violent radicalisation and terrorism, including via cross-border health threats) and an actual or perceived lack of security.Extreme PovertyBy World Bank, extreme poverty is defined as living from less than $1,90 a day but is considered higher in more developed countries. Worldwide 734 million people live beneath this global poverty line, significantly decreased from 1.9 billion in 1990.Background InformationUrban violence in Central AmericaThe levels of violence are unprecedented for a region without war, and the violence faced here is not unlike living in a war zone with citizens facing extortion, murder and kidnapping almost daily, data from the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) even showed that homicide in the NTCA resulted in considerably more civilian casualties than countries in war, with rates of violent deaths in El Salvador second only to Syria.Asylum in the US and MexicoHowever, the United States and Mexico accept a remarkably small number of immigrants, with the US granting asylum to less than 10% of the immigrants from the NTCA, declining more than 90 000 in 2015. Furthermore, in 2016, Mexico granted asylum to less than 4000 people from the NTCA, while simultaneously having deported more than 140 000Gangs in the NTCAThe growth gangs in the NTCA have seen in the past few decades is unprecedented, even though gangs have been a social phenomenon for much longer. Often policymakers try to link these gangs to the rise of urban violence in the area, which includes homicide, muggings, theft, and intimidation, to rape, racketeering, extortion, kidnapping and of course the narcotics trade. Though most gangs have less than 100 members, the total number of gang members is officially 69 000, and as high as 200 000 according to other estimates by the UNODC. These numbers are larger than the military personnel in these areas.Gangs predominantly exist out of males, young males, with the mean age of joining in El Salvador as low as 15. Some studies suggest that, in communities affected by gangs, the chance of youths joining a gang can be as high as 15%, though others say that number is only 5%. For this reason, it’s important to also prevent teenagers to join gangs, as well as directly stopping urban violence. Secondly, there’s a strong correlation between unemployment and gang membership, which could also be a target when trying to decrease the number of gangs in an area. Gangs are also not distributed evenly across cities, appearing more in poorer areas.Narcotics TradeThe illegal drug trade in Central America has had many consequences for the people living here, often fuelling conflicts in the region, between gangs, or gangs and law enforcement. The drugs produced in Southern America, in places like Colombia are 80% of the times transported through the NTCA. As such, decreasing the international drug trade happening, might also decrease the urban Drug seizures and homicide rates in Central America violence happening in the NTCA, because it will take away the motivation for gangs to fight. However, when limiting the supply gangs might fight more ferociously, finding the balance between these two is key.296164041910The Drug trade in the Americas consists mostly out of the sales of cannabis and cocaine, with these originating from Colombia, and being transported to the United States, in various ways, such as, but not limited to Transporting them underneath international borders through dug-out tunnels, as well as through formal checkpoints, in which they’re hidden in trucks or private vehicles. In recent years, authorities have also seen an increase in small planes and drones that are hard to detect. Poverty in NTCAThe Northern Triangle of Central America is one of the poorest areas in the western hemisphere, with more than half of the families living in poverty, and in Honduras, more than two thirds. Furthermore, according to the World Bank, almost 20% live in extreme poverty, a condition that is characterized by severe deprivation of human needs such as, but not limited to clean water, food, housing or medical assistance. Poverty is least severe in El Salvador, where only 30 per cent live in poverty and less than 10 per cent in extreme poverty. What’s important to realise is that desperate people will often turn to violence as a method to stay alive and meet their basic human needs. And as mentioned above, there is often more gang activity in poorer areas. Decreasing poverty is also important for the first development goal, stating there should be no poverty by 2030. 41522651562100Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesIn the Sustainable Development Goals made in 2015, goal 11 aims to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Ultimately people won’t emigrate if they feel safe at home, which is why it’s so important to stop urban violence. If you want to learn more about Sustainable Development Goal 11, visit: Countries and Organizations InvolvedGuatemalaGuatemala is the largest country in the NTCA population-wise, as well as one of the poorest countries, its homicide rate is the lowest in the NTCA, with “only” 26,10 victims per 100 000 inhabitants, placing it 14th in the world. On average, more than 100 murders get reported every week. Furthermore, more than 10 000 cases of rape are reported every year, though experts suggest this number is actually way higher because of many cases not being reported due to social stigma.HondurasHonduras has the poorest country in the NTCA and has one of the lowest HDI’s in the Americas, second only to Haiti. Honduras is ranked 2nd worldwide by homicide rate according to the UNODC, with 41,70 homicides per 100 000 inhabitants. Emigration is very high in Honduras, with an estimated 15% of the population living in the US, though this is hard to estimate, as many live there illegally.El SalvadorEl Salvador ranks first worldwide by homicide rate, with more than 60 homicides per 100 000 people, far outranking any other nation. In the NTCA, it’s the smallest country by population, as well as the country with the highest HDI, and the least poverty. Furthermore, they have taken actions to increase water and education as well. There has been tension between El Salvador and Honduras considering Salvadorians emigrating to Honduras, which has to lead to more than 130 000 people being exported.United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)The UNODC is a United Nations office established in 1997, to assist the UN in better addressing a coordinated, comprehensive response to the interrelated issues of illicit trafficking in and abuse of drugs, crime prevention and criminal justice, international terrorism, and political corruption. It makes the World Drug Report, which is a yearly publication that presents a comprehensive assessment of the international drug problem, with detailed information on the illicit drug situation. It provides estimates and information on trends in the production, trafficking and use of opium/heroin, coca/cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants.United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat)The UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme for human settlements and sustainable urban developments, however, UN-Habitat is currently active in El Salvador as well as in Guatemala, with the project “Consolidating Peace In Guatemala Through Violence Prevention And Conflict Management”. UN-Habitat focuses on several areas to improve urban development, such as; Risk reduction and rehabilitation, basic services or urban economy. Applying these techniques to cities in the NTCA would reduce the need for violence.Timeline of EventsDateDescription of eventDecember 10 1948The Universal Declaration of human rights was signed in Paris, laying out the fundamental right of each human being to be universally protected.1960Start of the Guatemalan civil war, marked by countless human right violations and genocide of the ethnic Mayan groups, with the government mainly fighting against the rural poor people.July 14 1969Football War between El Salvador and Honduras; border tensions lead to acrimony after the president of Honduras blamed the Honduran poverty on immigrants from El Salvador.1979Start of the Salvadoran civil war, between the government and civilians fighting for unionization rights, agrarian reform, better wages, accessible health care and freedom of expression.1997Establishment of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division2000-2003Beginning of the rise of drug trade and surge of gang violence seen in Central America in the last decade, as well as the urban violence seen in many cities in the NTCA.2007Meeting between the Honduran president and the American president to discuss the US’s assistance to tackle the drug cartels Eastern Honduras using US Special ForcesRelevant UN Treaties and EventsBecause of the specificity of this issue, there are almost no resolutions relating specifically to this issue, the following however might still be relevant.Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, 15 November 2000 (A/RES/55/25)United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 11 November 1988, (A/RES/42/111)Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 21 October 2015, (A/RES/70/1)The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December 1948, (A/RES/217/A)Previous Attempts to solve the IssueConsolidating Peace In Guatemala Through Violence Prevention And Conflict ManagementSeptember 1st 2010 was the start of a project by UN-Habitat, in which they sought to decrease discrimination of indigenous people, as well as women and other groups. It was themed as “Consolidating Peace In Guatemala Through Violence Prevention And Conflict Management” with a budget of $529,959. During this project, UN-Habitat tried to reach its goals through several methods, such as the promotion of effective public policies and a culture of tolerance and respect to diversity; and to guarantee of the state to fully pursue policies of human rights. Reduced povertyOne of the simplest ways to reduce poverty is to grant a basic income, a standard amount of money each person receives. However, what also happens is development aid, aid that goes into the structure of the country to improve their economic system. However, it’s also important to decrease things like child labour, sexism or slavery to further the development in these countries. The first of the SDG’s is also ending poverty.Reduced drug traffickingTo reduce drug trafficking, the government of the United States is working together with several Central American countries, to reduce corruption, money laundering and drug prevention. Furthermore, the United States funds the commission created by the Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission Act, which aims to reduce the damages done by illegal drug trafficking as well as identifying possible options to improve current counter-narcotics measures in place. Possible SolutionsAt the beginning of the 21st century, more than 80 entities formed a partnership to stop the illegal opiate traffic, happening in countries like Afghanistan, the Paris Pact. This Pact lined out seven goals to decrease, minimize and terminate the illegal narcotics business. The strategies they used ranged from economics to helping addiction, from border control to stopping manufacturing. These strategies or a treaty similar to this one could also benefit the situation in the Northern Triangle of Central America.Several things that will be helpful, if not necessary, for fixing this issue are of course reducing poverty, as this will stop people from being forced to commit felonies, as well as offering more jobs, and a higher level of development. Furthermore countering corruption is also important, as high officials are sometimes allowing crimes to take place. Another important one is gangs, and with them, narcotics trade. Creating a solution that would minimize the drugs flowing through the NTCA would be important to decrease the number of gangs roaming the streets. Decreasing the number of teenagers that join gangs would also decrease gang sizes. Finding solutions that serve one or multiple of these purposes are the best to put in your resolutions.‘Bibliography“$296M.” OPEN, open..Alexander.sauer. “United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.” Paris Pact Initiative, 2015, unodc/en/drug-trafficking/paris-pact-initiative.html.Butchart, Alexander, et al. “Preventing Violence A Guide to Implementing the Recommendations of the World Report on Violence and Health.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 2004, apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43014/9241592079.pdf;jsession.Cheatham, Amelia. “Central America's Turbulent Northern Triangle.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 2019, backgrounder/central-americas-turbulent-northern-triangle.“Cities - United Nations Sustainable Development Action 2015.” United Nations, United Nations, 2015, sustainabledevelopment/cities/.“Consolidating Peace In Guatemala Through Violence Prevention And Conflict Management.” OPEN, UN-Habitat, 2012, open.node/35841.“El Salvador.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Jan. 2020, en.wiki/El_Salvador.Engel, and Eliot L. “H.R.1812 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission Act.” , 15 Apr. 2015, bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1812.“FORCED TO FLEE CENTRAL AMERICA’S NORTHERN TRIANGLE: A NEGLECTED HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.” Urban Spaces MSF, Medecins Sans Frontieres , May 2017, urbanspaces.wp-content/uploads/2019/03/forced-to-flee-central-americas-northern-triangle_-a-neglected-humanitarian-crisis.pdf.Galindo, Jimena. “An Improved Strategy to Fight Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Corruption in the Hemisphere.” Global Americans, 2018, reports/improved-strategy-fight-drug-trafficking-organized-crime-corruption-hemisphere/.“Guatemala.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2020, en.wiki/Guatemala.“Guatemala.” World Bank, en/country/guatemala.“Honduras.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Feb. 2020, en.wiki/Honduras.“Honduras.” World Bank, en/country/honduras.Jütersonke, Oliver, et al. “Gangs, Urban Violence, and Security Interventions in Central America - Oliver Jütersonke, Robert Muggah, Dennis Rodgers, 2009.” SAGE Journals, LSE Research Online, Jan. 2009, journals.doi/abs/10.1177/0967010609343298.“Northern Triangle of Central America Situation Supplementary Appeal.” Northern Triangle of Central America Situation Supplementary Appeal | Global Focus, United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees, 2017, reporting.node/13944.“Overview.” World Bank, en/country/elsalvador/overview.“Poverty.” World Bank, en/topic/poverty.“Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 May 2019, en.wiki/Protocol_against_the_Illicit_Manufacturing_of_and_Trafficking_in_Firearms.“Refugees and Migrants.” United Nations, United Nations, 2015, refugeesmigrants..Twitter, Luke Barnes. “How Illegal Drugs Actually Get into the United States.” ThinkProgress, 14 Jan. 2019, how-illegal-drugs-actually-get-into-the-united-states-2a9aac5ed5d8/.“Understanding and Estimating Displacement in the Northern Triangle of Central America.” IDMC, 1 Sept. 2018, publications/understanding-and-estimating-displacement-in-the-northern-triangle-of-central-america.“Undocumented Migration from the Northern Triangle of Central America.” Crisis Group, 25 Oct. 2017, latin-america-caribbean/central-america/el-salvador/undocumented-migration-northern-triangle-central-america.“Urban Renovation And Human Settlements Within Railroad Areas In El Salvador: Phase I.” OPEN, UN-Habitat, 2019, open.node/36057.“Urban Security.” Urban Security, unicri.it/topics/urban_security/.“Violence Prevention Alliance.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 16 Nov. 2018, who.int/violenceprevention/en/. ................
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