STANFORD MODEL UNITED NATIONS

CONFERENCE 2015

Chair: Olivia Wong, oewong@stanford.edu

Co-Chair: Julia Daniel, jdaniel7@stanford.edu

WELCOME TO THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR

REFUGEES (UNHCR)
Dear Delegates,
We are extremely pleased to have you at the 2015 Stanford Model United Nations
Conference. My name is Olivia Wong, and I am the chair of United Nations High
Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR). I am a rising senior double majoring in history and
English. Last summer, I studied abroad in Cambridge University where I did an in depth
research project investigating solutions to solve ISIS and its refugee crisis. My wonderful and
lovely colleague Julia Daniel is the co-chair. She is a rising junior majoring in Human Biology,
studying how international systems affect health and well-being around the world.
We cannot wait to meet all of you and hear your wonderful and brilliant ideas. While
many challenges lie ahead of us (i.e. solving the Iraqi refugee crisis in relation to ISIS and the
Rohingya refugees in Myanmar), remember that the end goal is to have fun and to learn a lot!
Sincerely,
Olivia Wong, Chair
oewong@stanford.edu
Julia Daniel, Co-Chair
jdaniel7@stanford.edu

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Topic 1: The Rohingya Refugee Crisis

Myanmars background: Whats in a name?
Myanmar is a nation of approximately 56
million people located in Southeast Asia.1 The
official language is Burmese, and the country is
90% Buddhist. The capital is Yangon (sometimes
referred to as Rangoon, the British colonial
pronunciation). Life expectancy at birth is 66
years, and GDP per capita is slightly short of
US$5,000.
Following colonization by Britain in the 19th century, Myanmar, then known as Burma
after the Burman ethnic majority, was administered as an Indian province until 1937. In 1948,
the country became independent. Burma was ruled in various capacities by General Ne Win from
1962 to 1988, when he resigned in response to civil unrest. The military soon crushed protests
and took power, and the military junta renamed the country Myanmar, its official title today and
the appropriate name for our use in the UNHCR2. The people and language of the country are to
be called Burmese, although not all Burmese people belong to the Burman majority ethnic group
(more on the minorities in a bit!).
The National League for Democracy (NLD), the main opposition party, headed by Ms.
Aung San Suu Kyi, won a landslide victory over the military in 1990 elections, but rather than
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1!CIA!World!Factbook,!2015,!https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theCworldCfactbook/geos/bm.html!
2!For!more!information!on!the!distinction!between!Myanmar!and!Burma,!see!

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/05/whatCsCnameCmyanmar!

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concede power, the junta placed her under house arrest for fifteen years between 1989 and 2010.
After a series of votes largely considered flawed by the international community, and internal
parliamentary selections, Mr. Thein Sein (previous Prime Minister, and generally considered a
moderate in Burmese politics) became president of Myanmar in 2011. Reforms to open the
country to international activity have slowly taken effect, and Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi was
elected to Parliament in 2012. Burmese political parties have begun preparing for elections to be
held in late 2015.
The Rohingya: The Muslim minority of Myanmar
In Buddhist-majority Myanmar, Rakhine (rock-high-n) State on the northwestern coast
has long been home to a Muslim ethnic minority known as the Rohingya. Sharing a religion with
the Muslim Bangladeshis just across the border, the Myanmar government considers them
squatters from Bangladesh and refuses to grant citizenship even to those families who have lived
in Myanmar for generations3. The situation renders this community of almost a million
effectively stateless; the Rohingya have no country they can turn to for help abroad, while their
plight within Myanmar is desperate4. They are targets of ethnic violence, discrimination,
disenfranchisement, and forced displacement, and nearly 150,000 live in refugee camps within
Myanmar from which the government forbids exit. Those who manage to leave the country
sneak into or are smuggled into neighboring Bangladesh (200,000 Rohingya refugees5),
Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, over land or by boat. The trips are harrowing, guided by
illegal smugglers demanding steep fees and marked by little food and risky conditions. It is
nearly impossible to estimate the number of refugees who have died seeking shelter in these
countries. Even for those who arrive, however, they often merely find their way to another
refugee camp, malnourished, ill, and with little access to any resources.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3!Myanmar!stripped!the!Rohingya!of!Burmese!citizenship!under!the!1982!Citizenship!Act;!see!
http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/15904/lastingCsolutionCtoCrohingyaCrefugeeCcrisisCdependsC
onCmyanmar!
4!The!Rohingya!Crisis,!European!Commission,!Humanitarian!Aid!and!Civil!Protection,!April!2015!
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/rohingya_en.pdf!
5!It!is!estimated!that!200,000!Rohingya!refugees!are!currently!in!Bangladesh,!but!only!32,000!are!currently!
recognized!as!official!refugees!by!the!government!of!Bangladesh.!See!
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/rohingya_en.pdf!

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Past responses: The UNHCRs precedent for action

The situation in Myanmar today includes stateless people (people without citizenship),
internally displaced persons (IDPs), and refugees, all of which are of concern to the UNHCR.
The UNHCR operates based on two UN Conventions on Statelessness: the 1954
Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction
of Statelessness6. The UNHCR is tasked with both protecting the basic needs of those who have
become stateless and preventing the circumstances that cause statelessness at an institutional
level. The UNHCR is currently in the process of a ten-year campaign to wipe out statelessness
around the world and address the needs of those who lack citizenship. Recently, the UNHCR has
worked on establishing streamlined processes to handle stateless people in the Dominican
Republic whose residential status is in jeopardy.
While not originally mandated to assist IDPs, the UNHCR has taken on the role many
times before due to its expertise and existing structure. The UNHCR primarily addresses shelter
needs and camp management for individuals residing in their home country but unable to live in
their place of origin. The UNHCR manages, for example, the establishment and maintenance of
camps and infrastructure to handle the nearly 1.5 million IDPs in Afghanistan and Pakistan7.
The UNHCR also pursues solutions at a global level for protracted refugee situations,
such as that of Afghan refugees in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The UNHCR mobilizes resources,
provides policy and implementation counsel, and partners with government and development
institutions to provide a stable path to reintegration of returned refugees. These efforts are
culture- and situation-specific but generally involve providing for basic needs such as education
and healthcare, while also implementing stabilizing projects aimed at increasing leadership and
self-sufficiency among refugee and ex-refugee communities.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6!See!more!about!these!Conventions!at!http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4a2535c3d.html!

7!2015!UNHCR!regional!operations!profile,!http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4a02d8ec6.html!

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The Rohingya now: Latest developments

2012: Violence erupts between the Rohingya and neighboring Buddhist communities.
Myanmars government forces many Rohingya into squalid refugee camps.
Early 2014: Neighboring Buddhist communities, continuing to feel that foreign aid
distributed based on need is going disproportionately to Rohingya communities, continue attacks
and violence. For safety reasons, many aid organizations suspend operations and evacuate staff,
leaving enormous gaps in basic healthcare and education8.
Early 2015: Thailand and Malaysia begin to crack down on human smuggling operations
for migrants and refugees. During this crackdown, dozens of bodies and other grisly evidence
surface, publicizing the deadly nature of these smuggling operations9.
May 18, 2015: The Philippines, although somewhat geographically distant from the
crisis, offers to allow boats with refugees and migrants to land.
May 29, 2015: A summit in Thailand produces weak statements about the problem of
boat people. Myanmar was not in attendance, objecting to (among other things) the name
Rohingya being used, supposedly to legitimize an illegitimate claim to the groups origins in
Myanmar10. Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand agree to host a limited number of refugees
temporarily, awaiting permanent resettlement elsewhere.
Today it is estimated that 100,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar by sea since the
violence erupted in 2012. The United States, the Gambia, and a small number of other nations
have agreed to assist in the resettlement process11. International condemnation of the refugees
treatment has thus far been fierce.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8!ibid.!
9!Burmas!Nowhere!People,!Time!Magazine,!June!2015!http://time.com/3908627/burmasCnowhereC
people/!
10!Lost!at!Sea!Unwanted,!CNN,!May!2015!http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/asia/rohingyaCrefugeeCshipsC
explainer/!
11!Lasting!Solution!to!Rohingya!Refugee!Crisis!Depends!on!Myanmar,!World!Politics!Review,!June!2015!
http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/15904/lastingCsolutionCtoCrohingyaCrefugeeCcrisisCdependsC
onCmyanmar!

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Consider this: Problems a resolution should address

What is the role of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(analogous to the EU, but with far less influence on policy)? To date, ASEAN has
largely followed its policy of noninterference in member nations domestic
affairs, despite the desperate situation and its effects on other member nations12.
Which methods are more effective, cracking down on human trafficking and
smuggling, as Thailand and Malaysia have done, or cracking down on the
Burmese governments treatment of the Rohingya? Which is more feasible?
Sustainable? In line with UNHCRs goals as an organization? Who is likely to
favor which methods? What is in the best interest of the Rohingya themselves?
What would a permanent solution to this crisis look like? Who would have to
make concessions and what would they be? Who can and should take in Rohingya
refugees?
How should the international community handle the human rights abuses
occurring within and outside Myanmar while respecting national sovereignty?
How should the international community handle issues of mass statelessness, now
and in the future?13

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12!See!the!bottom!of!http://www.cfr.org/burmamyanmar/rohingyaCmigrantCcrisis/p36651!
13!For!further!discussion!of!possible!solutions,!see!http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/southC

eastCasia/burmaCmyanmar/261CmyanmarCtheCpoliticsCofCrakhineCstate.pdf!page!31!onward!

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Topic 2: Iraqi Refugees and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
HISTORY AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), alias Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL), is a Sunni jihadist militant group with an ideology that blends violence, radicalism, and
acts of inhumanity.14 ISIS is currently deemed the most powerful extremist terrorist organization
that threatens the stability of the Middle East and the international community. This case brief
will explore the emergence of ISIS, the challenge it poses to the international community with
regard to human rights violation and Iraqi refugees, sizing of the problem, challenges and past
actions, and possible solutions. Most importantly, it raises question about how delegates of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should address the ISIS dilemma in
relation to the Iraqs refugee crisis. Before exploring the Iraqi refugee crisis, this case brief will
first give an in depth overview of ISIS in relation to its emergence, long-term goals, and threat it
poses to the international community. Afterward providing a thorough overview of ISIS, this
case brief will then explore how ISIS offensive exacerbates Iraqs refugee crisis.
In terms of the Iraqs refugee crisis, this committee is interested in how ISIS influenced
the security situation and consequently, the new and secondary movements of internally
displaced people (IDPs) across central Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It will examine
how ISIS has monumentally increased IDPs in central Iraq while simultaneously its horrendous
human rights violations have driven Syrian refugees to seek refugee in Northern Iraq. This case
brief will analyze how the UNHCR should address the Iraq refugee crisis in relation to internal
displacement, incoming refugees from Syria, and how ISIS influences this movement within and
across borders.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
14!Site-wide Navigation, The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization), Web. 1 Aug. 2015.!
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Background of ISIS
Emergence of Radical Islamic Ideologies
While pinpointing the emergence of radical Islamic ideologies is contentious, leader of
the prominent terrorist organization, al Qaida, Osama Bin Laden declared war on the United
States and other Western nations in February 1998 is often cited as an important beginning. In
Bin Ladens statement entitled World Islamic Front Declaration of War against Jews and
Crusaders, he called all Muslims to join a jihad against the West.15 The success of the infamous
9/11 attack increased the prestige of Bin Laden and al Qaida, encouraging individuals to pledge
allegiance.16 While Bin Laden was killed, he became a martyr and the ideology of jihadism
flourished, forming the cornerstone of al Qaida.
Relationship of ISIS and al Qaida
Over the past decades, al Qaida became increasingly decentralized and amorphous. It
split into different organizations with varying objectives. One organization that emerged was
ISIS, which shared many of the core philosophy of al Qaida, namely the overarching goal of
uniting all Muslims. However, ISIS was publicly expelled from this organization on 3 February
2014.17 Leaders of al Qaida disagreed with ISISs targeting of civilians, believing that such
actions alienated the local population. Additionally, the mission of ISIS departed from al Qaida
principally because ISIS sought to land through inciting terror and fear, leading to the violation
of human rights. Unlike the slow and careful rise of al Qaida, ISIS has quickly evolved from a
small rebel group to one of the most successful terrorist organization through its successful
conquest of land. As of June of 2014, ISIS seized Mosul and Iraq. ISIS has intentions to spread
to other regions of the Middle East and already has affiliates in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and
Nigeria, among others. Moreover, ISIS has grander ambitions to expand its socio-economic
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
15!Rick!Brennan Jr., The Growing Strategic Threat of Radical Islamist Ideology, The Growing
Strategic Threat of Radical Islamist Ideology, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
16!Ibid.!
17!What Is 'Islamic State? BBC News, BBC, 29 June 2015, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
!
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political influence globally to North Africa and Europe, providing significant challenges to
international security.
Religious Authority
ISIS also controversially justified the propagation of this violent ideology under the guise
of the Islamic religion. On 29 June 2014, ISIS self-proclaimed itself as a worldwide caliphate,
with Abu Bakr al-Bahdadi being named its caliph.18 The title of a caliphate allowed ISIS to
rename itself Islamic state, and claim religious, political, and military authority over all Muslims
worldwide, effectively erasing national boundaries. While this idea of creating an international
Islamic state was not a new concept, the United Nations, various governments, and different
Muslim groups condemned ISIS caliphate as illegitimate and misleading to people that practices
Islam.
.
Brief History of Instability in Middle East and how ISIS Exacerbates this Destabilization Process
Starting December 2010, there was a revolutionary wave of mass demonstrations and
protests in the Arab world that was known as the Arab Springs. The movement started in
Tunisia with the Tunisian Revolution and spread to different regions of the Middle East. One
region, Syria, experienced political turmoil from March to 2011 when the citizens challenged the
regime of Bashar al-Assad.19 The Syrian government resorted to police and military brutality to
suppress the citizens. Iran and Russia provided extensive military support to re-stabilize the
Assad Regime. Moreover, when the United States withdrew its forces from Iraq from the
ongoing war, the Iranian government increased its military regime to stem terrorist organizations,
namely al Qaida and ISIS.
From 2004 to 2011, the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad allowed al Qaida and ISIS to use
Syria as a breeding ground for terrorism activities. ISIS had nearly eight years of experiences
combatting both the United States and Iraqi forces, and consequently developed into a
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18! Ibid.!
19!Rick!Brennan Jr., The Growing Strategic Threat of Radical Islamist Ideology, The Growing
Strategic Threat of Radical Islamist Ideology, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
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formidable military force that challenged the Iraqi and Iranian militaries20. Eventually, ISIS used
its military prowess to seize land in various parts of the Middle East, and began to form a
structure of government.
Groups Financing
Unlike the core of al Qaida and other terrorist organizations that depend heavily on
international donors, ISIS raises money through a wide array of activities. Known as the worlds
richest terrorist organization, ISIS engages in oil smuggling in Syria and Iraq, robbing banks,
taxing its citizens, money laundering in Mosul, kidnapping and ransom, stealing antiquities and
other means.21 Despite monumental attempts from the international community to stem ISISs
finances, ISIS has found multiple backdoors to continue its black market fundraising.
Use of Social Media for Recruitment and Fundraising
In addition to ISISs successes in the battlefield and its appropriation of religious
language, ISIS has deployed sophisticated social media strategy vis--vis Twitter. Starting on 9
June 2014, ISIS members launched series of Twitter accounts claiming to represent ISIS in Iraq
and Syria.22 These accounts actively provided live update to highlight and promote its military
prowess, territorial advances, and widespread terror. ISIS strategically chooses photos or video
clips that have the potential of having a strong impact such as grotesque beheading or suicide
missions. These videos from ISIS that praises the violation of human rights strategically instill
tremendous fear among ISISs enemies and garner admiration from rival organizations. On a
grand scale, these videos elicit a visceral reaction from their international viewers, which has led
to foreign fighters worldwide joining the ISIS coalition for its radical appeal.23
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20!Ibid.!
21!Patrick Johnson, and Benjamin Bahney, Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts: Disrupt Its Cash Flow
in Iraq, Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts: Disrupt ISIS's Cash Flow in Iraq, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
22!Faisal Irshaid, How ISIS Is Spreading Its Message Online, BBC News, BBC, 20 June 2014,
Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
23!Jessica Berger, ISIS and the Foreign-Fighter Phenomenon, The Atlantic, Atlantic Media
Company, 8 Mar. 2015, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
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SIZING THE PROBLEM

ISIS Global Expansion
In the spring of 2014, ISIS attempted to consolidate its hold on Syrian city Raqqa and
launch a blitzkrieg attack into Iraq. ISISs mission, however, is not confided to these two areas.
It has established affiliates in neighboring Middle Eastern countries Libya, Egypt, Nigeria,
Yemen, Algeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.24 ISIS has announced its global ambitions to spread
into countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe by leveraging its battle successes, capitalizing on
local grievances, and implementing widespread propaganda, among others.
Foreign Fighter Phenomenon
In August of 2014, ISIS symbolically released a video at the end of Ramadan. It
portrayed worshippers at a mosque and children passing out sweets to break Muslims fast for
Ramadan. Additionally, there were scenes of emigrants of all different nationalities repeating a
variation of the following message:
Im calling on all the Muslims living in the West, America, Europe, and everywhere else,
to come, to make hijra with your families to the land of Khilafah. Here you go for
fighting and afterwards you come back to your families. And if you get killed, then ...
youll enter heaven, God willing, and Allah will take care of those youve left behind. So
here, the caliphate will take care of you.25
While it is nearly impossible to gage how many foreign fighters join ISISs cause, ISIS
has released different videos that emphasize how fundamental foreign fighters have played in
contributing to the overall mission, particularly in the violation of human rights with beheadings
of civilians, sexual violence against women and children, and religious persecution against non!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
24!Islamic State's Global Expansion. Islamic State's Global Expansion. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.!
!
25!Jessica Berger, ISIS and the Foreign-Fighter Phenomenon, The Atlantic, Atlantic Media
Company, 8 Mar. 2015, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
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Muslims, among others. This type of information warfare and glamorization of human rights
violation pose a challenge to the international community because ISIS is potentially breeding
radical terrorist thought beyond the Middle East.
One of the discussions that delegates may consider is how the UNHCR can wage
counter-narratives that erase the appeal that ISIS created for human rights violation and instead
focuses on raising awareness for those impacted by these human rights violation (i.e. refugees,
asylum seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless people among others).
Internal Instability of the Middle East
While it is unclear what ISISs overall goal is, it is undeniable that ISIS strives to
establish Muslim State in the heart of the Middle East. The internal inability of the Middle East
makes the entire region vulnerable to ISISs military aggression. Gaining lands in the Middle
East will give ISIS hegemony in the area, which effectively destabilizes the stability of the
Persian Gulf region and provide ISIS with a monopoly over the political and economic oil
enfranchise.26 ISIS will not only have political hegemony over the Middle East, but it will force
the international community into an ethical dilemma of recognizing ISIS as a legitimate political
government form while it clearly has committed human rights violation. Delegates may consider
if military intervention is necessary or justifiable to prevent ISIS from potentially establishing
complete political hegemony over the Middle East.
Human Rights Violation
In March 2014, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted resolution 2170,
which condemned the widespread human rights abuses of extremist groups in Syria and Iraq.
This resolution did not specifically addressed only ISISs actions, but also included those of alQaedas affiliate, Al-Nusra. The report called these extremist terrorists organizations as gross,
systematic, and widespread abuse of human rights violations, citing the following examples:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26!Graeme Wood, What ISIS Really Wants, The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 15 Feb
2015, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
!
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deliberate targeting of civilians, mass executions based on religious beliefs, forced displacement
of members of minority groups, recruitment and use of children, sexual violence, obstruction of
education and cultural practices, and other violations.27 For the purpose of this case brief,
delegates should pay particular attention as to how these violations influence Syrians to seek
refuge in Iraq. Additionally, delegates should simultaneously consider how ISISs horrific
actions lead to forced displacement of Iraqi civilians.
Iraqi Refugee Crisis
UNHCR 2015 planning figures for Iraq28
January 2015
Type of population

Origin

Of whom

Total in

by UNHCR

2,047,700

Of whom

Total in

assisted

country
Total

December 2015

512,700

assisted

country

by UNHCR

2,019,050

578,050

* PoC planning figures in this table are based on trends and registration data from early 2014. In light of the evolving situation in
the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq, updated projections will be presented in any forthcoming appeals for supplementary
requirements in 2015 for the Syria and Iraq situations, including the 2015 Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP).
Palestinian

12,000

12,000

12,400

12,400

310,000

310,000

400,000

400,000

Turkey

16,000

16,000

16,600

16,600

Various

8,300

8,300

8,550

8,550

2,000

2,000

1,500

1,500

6,000

6,000

5,500

5,500

Syrian Arab Rep.

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

Turkey

1,400

1,400

1,500

1,500

Various

800

800

800

800

Syrian Arab Rep.

Refugees

People in refugee-like situations

Various
Islamic Rep. of
Iran

Asylum-seekers

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
27!Security Council Adopts Resolution 2170 (2014) Condemning Gross, Widespread Abuse of
Human Rights by Extremist Groups in Iraq, Syria | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases, UN
News Center, UN, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
28 Iraq, UNHCR News, Web, 30 Aug. 2015. !
!
!
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Returnee arrivals during year

(ex-refugees)
Internally displaced
Returnee arrivals during year
(ex-IDPs)
Stateless

Iraq

40,000

20,000

35,000

15,000

Iraq

1,500,000

120,000

1,400,000

100,000

Iraq

100,000

10,000

90,000

10,000

Stateless

50,000

5,000

46,000

5,000

Iraq has witnessed a massive new internal displacement due to the mass atrocities
committed by ISIS. In the previous years, there was an already existing 1 million IDPs who fled
violence. ISIS has increased this figure to 3.6 million in the year 2014.29 This figure can be
attributed to ISISs series of offensives. For example, in October of 2014, ISIS attacked and
captured the city Hit in Iraqs Anbar province, leading to the fourth major wave of displacement
in Iraq in less than a year.30 180,000 individuals (mostly Sunnis) fled to Northern Iraq for refuge.
They sought shelter from relatives and friends, as well as the many schools, mosques, and public
shelters that are already hosting Iraqs IDPs. Previously, Hit had been a safe haven for IDPs who
experienced violence from other parts of Anbar.31 ISIS has adopted a strategy of attacking safe
havens, coupled with its war on terror to constantly redefine and shift Iraqs border. The shifting
borders and instability in Iraq has led to tens of thousand of desperate Iraqis undergoing multiple
displacements in the course of a year. Delegates should consider how the UNHCR could
establish permanent centers of protection in the midst of ISISs war on terror that will endure the
instability and shifting borders. Delegates should also think about how ISISs recent seizing of
vast amounts of northern and western Iraq affect the refugee crisis.
ISIS religious persecutions
In addition to the exacerbation of tension between the Sunnis and the Shiites, ISIS has
also targeted the Christian community in the Middle East. ISIS has launched a series of religious
persecutions in the cities it conquest such as Mosul and Karakush city in the Nineveh Province,
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
29!UNHCR Global Trends 2014, UNHCR News, Web, 30 Aug. 2015.!
30!Iraq's Displacement Crisis Deepens as Civilians Flee Latest ISIS Offensive, UNHCR News, !
Web, 30 Aug. 2015. !
31!Ibid.!
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home to the largest Christian population in Iraq. With regard to the former, in July of 2014, ISIS
gave the Christians in Mosul an ultimatum: convert to Islam or pay an exorbitant jizya in
exchange for their security. Many Christians were forced to leave to northern Iraq.32 The
number of Christians leaving to Northern Iraq is expected to increase markedly as ISIS seizes
more land.

Incoming Syrian Refugees and their Challenges

ISISs recent offensives in Syria from Kobane have led to refugees fleeing in the Dohuk
province in Iraq having crossed the border from Turkey. In October 2014, 5,400 Syrians from
Kobane entered Iraq (3,600 entered in a span of 72 hours).33 This number is expected to increase
by 10,000 to 15,000 incrementally34. The Syrians fled from Turkey due to the civil unrest, the
high cost of living, difficulties even with UNHCR aid, and family links to people living in the
Kurdistan region of Iraq, among others. After entering the border and being screened by border
authorities, the majority of the asylum seekers go to the Gawilan camp, which was set up in 2013
by previous waves of Syrian refugees.35 The camp, however, has already reached its capacity.
While other refugee camps such as the Arbat refugee camp in the Suleymaniyah province has
been accepting individuals, expansions of these refugee camps must be considered. Currently
Iraq hosts more than 214,000 Syrian refugees, the vast majority residing in Kurdistan.
Additionally, there are more than 1.9 IDPs in 2014, adding to the already existing million of IDP
who fled violence in previous years.36 Consequently, the UNHCR may consider setting up a
reception center along the borders to protect the newly arrived asylum seekers. Delegates should
consider whether efforts have been sufficient, and how ISISs recent control of various borders
(i.e. the Syrian and Turkey border) affects UNHCRs efforts.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
32!UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency - United Kingdom, UNHCR: UN Refugee Agency UK, !
Web, 30 Aug. 2015. !
!
33!Iraq's Displacement Crisis Deepens as Civilians Flee Latest ISIS Offensive, UNHCR News, !
Web, 30 Aug. 2015.!
34!Ibid.!
35!Ibid.!
36!Ibid.!
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Key Players
United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR)
The United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR), alias UN Refugee
Agency, was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The
agencys foremost responsibility is to ensure and protect the rights of refugees.37 It is responsible
for leading and coordinating international actions to protect refugees and resolve refugee
problems internationally. The agency promotes that everyone has the right to seek asylum and
find refuge in another State. Additionally, the agency ensures that refugees have the right to
either integrate in the state that they are seeking asylum or return to their home voluntarily. In
the 60 years that the UNHCR has been operating, it has been responsible for helping millions of
people seek refuge.38 Currently, the UNHCR is facing monumental challenges in the Middle
East, particularly with the rise of ISIS. ISISs notorious escalation of armed conflict has led to
new and secondary movements of internally displaced people within Iraq and also a rise of
refugees from Syria.
Financial Information for UNHCR
The 2013 budget for Iraqs operation was 293.7 million USD. In 2014, ExCom-approved
budget was set up at 214 million, which was a significant drop and resulted in the construction of
less shelter construction.39 This figure was largely inadequate due to ISISs increased armed
conflict in Anbar and further escalation of violence across central Iraq. Consequently, UNHCR
increased the requirement to over half a billion USD. As for the 2015 budget, it stands at 230.5
million.40 Delegates should consider whether this budget is adequate to meet the needs of the
refugees and discuss how to adequately divide the funds.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
37!UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency - United Kingdom, UNHCR: UN Refugee Agency UK, !
Web, 30 Aug. 2015. !
38!Ibid.!
39!UNHCR Global Trends 2014, UNHCR News, Web, 30 Aug. 2015.!
40!Ibid.!
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Challenges for UNHCR

With regard to the information warfare discussed earlier in this case brief, ISIS has
launched videos about its successful destruction of UNHCRs camps.41 In doing so, ISIS has
sought to invalidate UNHCR. Delegates should consider how the UNHCR can combat ISISs
information warfare and whether UNHCR should launch its over counter-narrative against ISIS.

Possible Solutions
This case brief will pose possible solutions in solving ISIS more broadly and then delve
into Iraqs refugee crisis more specifically.
Solving the ISIS Problem:
Humanitarian Assistance
While airstrikes have been damaging the Western reputation, humanitarian assistance to
the citizen of Syria and Iraqi will serve possibly as the best counter-narrative. Millions of the
citizens have become refugees as a result of ISISs forced displacement of minority groups42.
The international community could increase spending on humanitarian efforts to provide food,
water, and shelter to these individuals.
Cut Access to Guns
ISISs access to weapons is largely due to influx of weapons from the United States and
Saudi Arabia for over a decade. The United States and the international community should shut
down the weapon routes that ISIS has been relying on. While this approach is not the entire
solution, it is one of the necessary steps in stemming ISIS.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
41!Jesse Rosenfeld, The Daily Beast, Newsweek/Daily Beast, Web, 30 Aug. 2015. !
42!Ibid.!
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Targeting the Groups Finance

One of the most popular counter-terrorist attacks has been to target ISISs finance. While
traditional measures have focused on disrupting the international financial flow of cash to ISIS,
ISIS financial documents reveal that there is no evidence that ISIS relies on foreign patrons.
Instead, the bulk of its money comes from the lucrative oil industry and taxation. In order to cut
the groups finances, the international community may help the Iraqis by providing advice on
interpreting the financial information from ISIS.43 However, the Iraqi government principally
has the power to defeat ISIS, especially if it successfully cut ISIS off from access to oil.
Help Iraq Fix its Political Rift
The disillusionment with Iraq and Syrian government has provided strong impetus for ISIS to
expand and gain supporters. A re-structuring of the Iraqi government will heal sectarian rifts and
help strengthen the Iraqi government against ISISs military aggression.44 Delegates should
discuss how the United Nations could seek diplomatic response to help establish Iraq and Syria
on firm political footing.
Possible Solutions
The following information is entirely derived from the UNHCRs website.
UNHCR should engage with all populations of concern, but its plan should be mainly
oriented towards the protection of refugee.
Concerned parties include the government of Iraq, the UN County team, humanitarian
stakeholders and donors, and refugees.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
43!Patrick Johnson, and Benjamin Bahney, Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts: Disrupt Its Cash Flow
in Iraq, Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts: Disrupt ISIS's Cash Flow in Iraq, Web, 1 Aug. 2015.!
44!Sally!Kohn, Obama Can Fight ISIS without Bombs, CNN, Cable News Network, Web. 1
Aug. 2015.!
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The UNHCR should also draft a comprehensive response to both the internally displaced
people as well as the Syrian refugee crisis that works with government and nongovernment regional partners.
Questions to Consider:
How should the UNHCR balance the needs of both the IDP in Iraq as well as the influx
of Syrian refugees?
How can the UNHCR establish a permanent presence in Iraq for refugees when ISIS is
constantly redefining and shifting Iraqs borders?
How can the UNHCR combat ISISs information warfare of destroying UNHCRs
refugee camps?
Is the budget adequate for 2015? If so, how would delegates spend the money? If not,
what should it be and how should the funds be allocated?
Who should the UNHCR partner with in both Syria and Iraq to draft a comprehensive
responsive for the internally displaced people?

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Works Cited
Irshaid, Faisal. How ISIS Is Spreading Its Message Online. BBC News. BBC, 20 June 2014.
Web. 1 Aug. 2015.
Berger, Jessica. ISIS and the Foreign-Fighter Phenomenon. The Atlantic. Atlantic Media
Company, 8 Mar. 2015. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.
Brennan Jr., Rick. The Growing Strategic Threat of Radical Islamist Ideology. The Growing
Strategic Threat of Radical Islamist Ideology. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.
Iraq. UNHCR News. Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
Iraq's Displacement Crisis Deepens as Civilians Flee Latest ISIS Offensive. UNHCR News.
Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
Islamic State's Global Expansion. Islamic State's Global Expansion. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.
Johnson, Patrick, and Benjamin Bahney. Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts: Disrupt Its Cash Flow in
Iraq. Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts: Disrupt ISIS's Cash Flow in Iraq. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.
Kohn, Sally. Obama Can Fight ISIS without Bombs. CNN. Cable News Network. Web. 1 Aug.
2015.
Rosenfeld, Jesse. The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast. Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
Security Council Adopts Resolution 2170 (2014) Condemning Gross, Widespread Abuse of
Human Rights by Extremist Groups in Iraq, Syria | Meetings Coverage and Press
Releases. UN News Center. UN. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.
Site-wide Navigation. The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization). Web. 1 Aug. 2015.

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UNHCR Global Trends 2014. UNHCR News. Web. 30 Aug. 2015.

UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency - United Kingdom. UNHCR:UN Refugee Agency UK.
Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency - United Kingdom. UNHCR: UN Refugee Agency UK.
Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
What Is 'Islamic State? BBC News. BBC, 29 June 2015. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.
Wood, Graeme. What ISIS Really Wants. The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 15 Feb.
2015. Web. 1 Aug. 2015.

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