Combating information technology crimes

The development of the internet has dramatically improved life a variety of ways. It allows information to be transported at a rate never dreamt of before and makes this vast resource available to the average computer owning person. But most developing countries have few people able to afford computers. Because the internet is not very widely used, it would seem that specific laws dealing with Information Technology crimes is not an absolute necessity at this time, but there is a need to provide protection that will be utilized in the future. It is important to protect the authors and publishers from theft, but it is also important to keep in mind that the number of persons owning a computer and having access to the internet is not high and perhaps there are more important and pressing needs that need to be addressed.
—Erin Bryan, Mount Union College, 2004.

Patent protection and access to pharmaceuticals

While recognizing the need for drug companies to maintain a profit from their products the need in developing nations for medicines to combat illnesses, especially childhood illnesses and HIV/AIDS treatment, is extensive. Many infants suffer because they lack access to the necessary drugs and treatment; HIV/AIDS continues to spread unchecked because the information and pharmaceuticals needed are unavailable due to the high costs of these products. It is evident that it is the United Nations and member state’s duties to providing inexpensive medications to developing nations where these are sorely needed. Cameroon encourages creating international agreements allowing a more open sharing of pharmaceuticals between nations. It is essential to implement some sort of support for developing nations’ medical programs.
—Erin Bryan, Mount Union College, 2004.

Genetic modification and intellectual property rights

The modification of livestock and crops can greatly improve the quality of life in Cameroon, and other African nations, but it also creates potential hazards. While genetic modification new and improved varieties of plants can be better suited for the harsh conditions in African states and can thus alleviate the hunger of the impoverished. They can be enhanced to survive and flourish in the hot and dry climate present in much of Africa and can be highly beneficial to the inhabitants to rely on agriculture for survival, but they can also raise moral issues. The implications of genetic research and possibility for immoral applications, such as human cloning. However, overall, genetic modification can potentially be greatly beneficial to many developing nations.
—Erin Bryan, Mount Union College, 2004.

Sanctions and enforcement

The Republic of Cameroon strongly supports the use of sanctions to resolve international conflicts. However, we believe that it is paramount to enforce “smart sanctions” for those developing nations in order to protect the economic stability of the countries and to avoid detrimental results to their population. Cameroon is also a proponent of the “Certification of Origin” and A/RES/55/56, but we urge the international community to coordinate a stronger effort to pursue not only those who trade “conflict diamonds” on the black market but to engage the rebel groups mining these “conflict diamonds.” Cameroon believes that forceful actions will increase the effectiveness of sanctions and therefore recommends that the United Nations and world community assist governments in their efforts to cripple the rebel groups dealing “conflict diamonds.”
—Brian Engelhardt, Mount Union College, 2004.

Nuclear materials security

Numerous countries throughout the world including The Republic of Cameroon have agreed to a nuclear free zone, but this is only a small step, nevertheless a positive one, in the direction of a nuclear safe world. However, Cameroon is deeply concerned with the recently discovered nuclear “black market,” and the number of nuclear trafficking cases uncovered since 1993 by the IAEA. We are also alarmed at the increase in terrorist activity worldwide, and are fearful that these groups may obtain a nuclear weapon. The IAEA is an important organization in keeping the international community safe not only at the present time, but in the future, also. Cameroon urges all member countries of the United Nations to offer information, personnel, or donations to assist the IAEA in their efforts to safeguard the world community against nuclear weapon trafficking.
—Brian Engelhardt, Mount Union College, 2004.

Peacemaking and nation-building

While international aid has benefited economies across the globe, the Republic of Cameroon is strongly opposed to the international community involving itself in internal conflicts and the nation-building of countries. All nations should honor sovereignty, and should avoid interfering with issues not relating to their country. International aid is highly recommended to countries that want to honor sovereignty while still providing adequate assistance. Cameroon hopes that an agreement on this issue can be obtained in the United Nations, which incorporates and honors the policies of all member states.
—Brian Engelhardt, Mount Union College, 2004.

Nuclear free zones

For decades we have witnessed the increase in the number of countries possessing and producing nuclear weapons. The safety of human beings as well as the peaceful condition of our planet is threatened by this fact. The longer the delay of actions to eliminate weapons of mass destruction in several areas of the world, the harder it is to guarantee a healthy atmosphere and harmony among all countries on our planet. Along treaties and policies taken by several countries to disarm and eliminate nuclear weapons, any actions to prevent the development of world’s peace should be strongly opposed. Sponsoring the draft on the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects decided by the United Nations’ Fifty-Six General Assembly, having voted for various United Nations resolutions of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and pro-disarmament, Cameroon favors the establishment of Nuclear Free Zones in Central Asia, Middle East, and Central Europe. Cameroon also expresses the hope that countries that are possessing nuclear weapons in these areas will start or keep working on the elimination of these weapons to the best of their ability as well as seek help in financial and technological aid from the United Nations.
—Ngoc B (Caroline) Han, Mount Union College, 2004.

HIV/AIDS

The AIDS virus is ravishing Sub-Saharan Africa with unparalleled human misery and an astonishing death toll. Third world countries in this region have suffered severely from this epidemic, which has creating enormous social problems, orphaning millions of children, debilitating national work forces, causing economic challenges and destroying the cultural traditions of the people. Cameroon’s government is fully aware of the damage of HIV/AIDS and is very preoccupied by its eradication. Cameroon deeply recognizes the enormous efforts, materials, and human resources put in by NGOs and other international organizations to help alleviate the HIV/AIDS situation of the country. While encouraging the developing and implementing new projects in attempts to reduce the national percentage of AIDS victims, Cameroon calls on support and help from other countries, international organization and NGOs to establish an improvement in infrastructure, particularly in the laboratory level, in order to enhance its potentials to be a suitable/representative country for HIV vaccine trial in West/Central Asia region.
—Ngoc B (Caroline) Han, Mount Union College, 2004.

Terrorism

Terrorist attacks have caused the loss in human lives from more countries than any incident in the history. Recalling the horrendous and gruesome attacks of September 11 which claimed the highest number of lives of any terrorist incident in contemporary history, Cameroon did not consider the attacks on America as a blow against America, for in reality; the attacks were against the world’s nations and civilization. Cameroon affirms that terrorism is the highest violation toward human rights. To be free from terrorist attacks, nations have to prevent and fight them. The American experience clearly demonstrates that terrorists can strike any target in any nation in the world. Cameroon could not have reacted otherwise than coming out and supporting the global war against terrorism, given that the country is part and parcel of the global village that witnessed the event that killed citizens from 88 nations. Cameroon would also like to see other countries take initiates in preventing this highest crime against human rights. It is clear that when a nation contributes in the fight against terrorism, only such a nation can receive help from the rest of the international community when it is attacked.
—Ngoc B (Caroline) Han, Mount Union College, 2004.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this page represents student scholarship pertaining to the individual's participation in the Dayton Model United Nations Conference (DAYMUNC) and should NOT be construed as the official policy of any sovereign state or nongovernmental organization.