UNGA: Humanitarian Situation in the Biafra Region

[Serenissima]

(May, 1968)


Armand Bérard, Permanent Representative of the French Fifth Republic to the United Nations

Honourable representatives to this august assembly,

Today, I draw your attention to a tragedy that is going on before our very eyes, and beneath our very noses. And yet, so far, the United Nations has refused to look, allowing wilful ignorance - a policy, it seems, of hoping that by ignoring the problem, it will simply go away. But this is not something I believe the world's conscience can, or should, live with, coming so soon after other humanitarian disasters on this grand scale. I direct your eyes to the projection behind me. A starving child, wracked with disease and malnutrition, caused by the deliberate actions of other human beings.



I am certain many of you are familiar with this image, shocking though it may be. It was taken by Dr. Lyle Conrad, an American working for the Red Cross in one of the many refugee camps throughout the Biafra region. The Red Cross, and other charities, are hard at work, aiming to stem the tide of starvation, famine and disease among the population of the region. Their estimates are that five hundred thousand people have already perished due to famine. Deaths, and a tragedy, that are entirely preventable, if this body should choose to act. This figure does not even count the several charity workers from Joint Church Aid who have been killed when their aircraft, bringing medical supplies to the civilian population of the region, have been shot down by Federal Military Government jets, despite their clear peaceful and humanitarian markings.

What has caused this greatest humanitarian crisis in recent times? The answer is simple, and I will not go into the politics and causes of the matter at this time. Suffice to say that the Nigerian Federal Military Government, in carrying out a conflict, has chosen, as its key weapon, famine and deprivation, through its policy of blockade. As the Federal Military Government representative to the bilateral peace conference between Nigeria and Biafra has said, "Starvation is a legitimate weapon of war and we have every intention of using it against the rebels". The Federal Military Government is accused of further atrocities including deliberate bombing of civilians, mass slaughter with machine guns, and rape, but these accusations are set aside, for now.

Whatever your opinion of the events in the region politically, the fact of the matter is that the deaths of half a million men, women, and children - and the inevitable deaths of millions more, victims of the most horrific starvation and disease imaginable - are preventable, and I am certain that we can all agree that, with the power to prevent it, to save millions of lives, then we must surely take it. Inaction is not an option any longer. Turning away our eyes and pretending that this horror is not happening will not make it go away. After the events of the Holocaust, can the world truly, with any kind of conscience or honour, stand by and do nothing while another happens, through different means.

Therefore, I propose that the General Assembly adopts the following resolution, to be effective immediately:

Concerned by the humanitarian situation in the Biafra region caused by the war currently in progress,
Acknowledging that this famine has been caused by the Federal Military Government's deliberate policy of blockade and starvation,
Noting that this resolution, or voting for this resolution, does not imply taking sides with or recognising the legitimacy of any party in the conflict, but is merely a humanitarian measure,
Reminding the members of the United Nations of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which we have undertaken to uphold as members of this organisation,

The General Assembly therefore:
Condemns the use of mass famine and the deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilians as a 'weapon of war',
Calls upon the Federal Military Government of Nigeria to permanently end its blockade,
Pledges that those members of this Assembly that are willing and able should provide humanitarian aid to the Biafra region to alleviate the crisis,
Recommends that voluntary, non-binding sanctions be established against the Federal Military Government until they end their blockade, including an arms embargo,
Advises the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to carry out a full investigation on the events in Nigeria and the Biafra region to determine what violations have occurred.

France, naturally, votes Yes.

[Huojin]

Adnan Muzahim Ameen al-Pachachi
Permanent Representative of the Iraqi Republic to the United Nations

The Iraqi government is, like much of the international community, concerned at the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Niger Delta - however, we have our reservations at the prospect of endorsing an arms embargo and sanctions unilaterally against the Nigerian government. While undoubtedly a useful step to prevent the deepening of the conflict, it ought to be noted that the separatists they are in conflict with will remain unaffected by such a move due to their different sources of supplies and arms. We are therefore sceptical that this measure will substantially reduce the bloodshed and infighting in the region.

We stand ready to be convinced of the matter by members of the international community, but would prefer additional measures contained within this resolution to prevent arms being provided to all sides of the conflict if that is to be the path taken by the United Nations in pursuit of a wider peace.

[Flamelord]

While the Nigerian government appreciates the sentiments inherent in this resolution, specifically with regards to the preservation of human life from the tragic conflict that now rages in our country, we must agree with the Iraqi Delegate. Actions taken in the manner laid out here will alleviate suffering, but will also serve to prolong the conflict in the Delta to ultimately cause more damage than a quick conclusion of the fighting now.

With that said, naturally we also find that this resolution is not in our self interest to support. As a result, the Federal Republic of Nigeria votes No.

[Serenissima]

The proposal has been amended to answer the Iraqi objections - though it is to be pointed out that the Federal Military Government has already been supplied with arms by several parties, which it is presently deploying to carry out what some would call a genocide, while the inhabitants of the Biafra region possess no such thing. Nevertheless, as it stands, the Federal Military Government maintains a blockade with the stated intention of using famine as a weapon, indiscriminately targeting the civilian population.

It could be argued, similarly, that the deployment of atomic or chemical weapons against the population would decisively 'shorten' the conflict and avoid prolonging it, but none would consider this a sane or reasonable action - and it is so with the present blockade, given the immense suffering and crisis it causes. A swift end to the conflict, as presented in such noble words, the Nigerian government, is tantamount to the rapid extermination by famine of an entire people, and as such, the Nigerian argument rings hollow.

[Naiami]

The United States abstains, but will participate in any UN organized humanitarian relief activity.

[Gesar]

John Malecela, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
United Republic of Tanzania

This is a welcome -and long overdue- measure. While Tanzania believes that the United Nations has both the potential and obligation to do much more for the Igbo people of Biafra in their fight for self-determination, none can claim to support the United Nations charter and deny them their right to humanitarian aid - nor the crime of the Federal Military Government in refusing to repent for the brutal conditions they have imposed. We vote yes.

[Luc]

Yakov Alexandrovich Malik

Permanent Representative of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics to the United Nations

The Soviet Union is, like most of the international community, distressed with the reported Humanitarian crisis currently brewing within the state of Biafra, and we are extremely glad that new propositions are coming to the table in regards to this situation. However, we currently believe that this Resolution whilst being good in nature, still fails to address the specifics in regards to possible UN-Sanctioned aid to Biafra. Instead of a simple pledge as said in the resolution, the Soviet Union would rather see a official UN aid mission to Biafra and other parts of Nigeria currently hampered by conflict. That is not to say that individual nations cant prepare their own missions, for that is also very much welcome in the eyes of the Soviet Union, we are simply calling for a more united and centralised action in regards to humanitarian aid to Biafra coming directly from the United Nations. Before casting a vote, we would like to see the possible developmet of such a point into this resolution.

[Serenissima]

Yakov Alexandrovich Malik

Permanent Representative of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics to the United Nations

The Soviet Union is, like most of the international community, distressed with the reported Humanitarian crisis currently brewing within the state of Biafra, and we are extremely glad that new propositions are coming to the table in regards to this situation. However, we currently believe that this Resolution whilst being good in nature, still fails to address the specifics in regards to possible UN-Sanctioned aid to Biafra. Instead of a simple pledge as said in the resolution, the Soviet Union would rather see a official UN aid mission to Biafra and other parts of Nigeria currently hampered by conflict. That is not to say that individual nations cant prepare their own missions, for that is also very much welcome in the eyes of the Soviet Union, we are simply calling for a more united and centralised action in regards to humanitarian aid to Biafra coming directly from the United Nations. Before casting a vote, we would like to see the possible developmet of such a point into this resolution.

Given the existing objections from certain parties, we felt - when framing the resolution - that mandatory UN-funded aid would cause objections from nations suffering humanitarian crises of their own. A second resolution could propose this, and it would have the full support of France - we might even propose it ourselves pending the outcome of this resolution - but the important matter at the present time is getting aid to the millions of people currently in the process of starving to death as rapidly as possible, with as little wrangling over how much of the UN's budget should be assigned, or if it is best spent in the Biafra region, as possible. That can come later.