Table of Contents:

1. Committee Overview
2. Introduction to Topic
3. Key Terms and Definitions
4. Historical Context
5. Current Situation
6. Regional Perspectives (South Asia and East Asia)
7. Stakeholders and Their Interests
8. Challenges
9. Past UN actions (Role of State) (Role of Law Enforce-
ment)
10. QARMA
11. Footnote References
Introduction to the In the upcoming session, the UNHRC
turns its unwavering focus toward the
Committee: urgent matter of child labor and child
exploitation in East and South Asia.
The United Nations Human Rights The exploitation of children, a deeply
Council (UNHRC), established on troubling issue, transcends geographic
March 15, 2006, by the United Nations borders and challenges the very core of
General Assembly, is an eminent body our commitment to human rights. Del-
within the United Nations system. egates will gather to address the mul-
Comprising 47 member states, the tifaceted factors that underpin these
UNHRC holds the distinction of being practices and forge a path forward,
the principal international forum for guided by the noble aim of ensuring
addressing human rights issues on a that children in this region can enjoy
global scale. Guided by the principles their rightful childhoods, unburdened
of universality, impartiality, objectiv- by exploitation, and with their inher-
ity, and non-selectivity, the council ent rights preserved.
strives relentlessly to protect, promote,
and advocate for human rights across
the world. Importance of the Top-
ic:
Dedicated to upholding the fundamen-
tal principles enshrined in the Univer- Childhood should ideally embody in-
sal Declaration of Human Rights, the nocence, playfulness, and the pursuit
UNHRC operates with a mandate to of education. Unfortunately, in many
examine human rights violations, fa- parts of East and South Asia, this crit-
cilitate dialogue, and propose concrete ical phase of life is overshadowed by
solutions to alleviate human suffering. the persistent issues of child labour
The council meets regularly through- and exploitation. These interconnect-
out the year to deliberate on critical ed challenges have deep roots in so-
human rights challenges, ensuring that cio-economic, cultural, and historical
the voices of the oppressed and mar- factors, casting a dark shadow over
ginalized find resonance within the the lives of millions of children and
chambers of international diplomacy. robbing them of fundamental human
rights and opportunities for a brighter
Throughout its history, the UNHRC future.
has confronted an array of pressing
human rights concerns, including gen- The United Nations Human Rights
der equality, freedom of speech, the Council (UNHRC), a distinguished as-
rights of refugees, and the abolition of sembly of nations dedicated to safe-
the death penalty. Its effectiveness lies guarding and advancing human rights,
in its ability to galvanize nations into acknowledges that child labour and ex-
meaningful action, leveraging diplo- ploitation are not confined by national
macy, research, and advocacy to bring borders. These issues transcend geo-
about positive change. graphical boundaries, impacting a vast
number of vulnerable children. The ative, hazardous, or detrimental to
gravity of this topic lies not only in the their well-being.
direct violations of human rights but
also in the far-reaching effects on so- 2. Child Exploitation: Child ex-
cieties, economies, and the global pur- ploitation encompasses various forms
suit of a fairer, more equitable world. of abuse and harm inflicted upon chil-
dren, including but not limited to child
Child labour manifests in diverse trafficking, forced labor, sexual ex-
forms, ranging from children toiling ploitation, child marriage, and involve-
in hazardous industries to those work- ment in armed conflict. It represents
ing in agriculture, domestic service, a violation of children’s rights and a
or the informal sector. On the other breach of their physical and emotional
hand, child exploitation encompasses integrity.
a spectrum of abuses, including child
trafficking, forced labor, and sexual 3. United Nations Convention on
exploitation. Although the scale and the Rights of the Child (CRC): The
manifestations of these problems are CRC is an international treaty adopt-
varied, they all share a commonality: ed by the United Nations in 1989. It
the significant infringement upon the sets out the civil, political, economic,
rights of children, as outlined in inter- social, and cultural rights of children.
national instruments such as the Unit- It emphasizes the right to protection
ed Nations Convention on the Rights from exploitation and outlines the re-
of the Child (CRC). sponsibilities of states to ensure chil-
dren’s well-being.
The UNHRC’s unwavering commit-
ment to eradicating child labour and 4. International Labour Orga-
exploitation in East and South Asia nization (ILO): The ILO is a spe-
underscores its dedication to human cialized agency of the United Nations
rights, social justice, and the well-be- focused on labor and employment is-
ing of the world’s most vulnerable sues. It plays a key role in establish-
population. By addressing this critical ing international labor standards and
issue, the UNHRC strives to not only conventions, some of which pertain to
uphold the rights of children but also child labor and the protection of work-
promote a more just and compassion- ers’ rights.
ate world for all.
5. Forced Child Labour: Forced
Key Terms and Definitions: child labour involves children being
compelled to work against their will or
1. Child Labour: Child labour re- without their consent. It often includes
fers to the employment of children in threats, coercion, or deception, and it
work that is harmful to their physi- is a severe violation of human rights.
cal or mental development and inter- 6. Child Trafficking: Child traffick-
feres with their ability to attend regu- ing refers to the recruitment, transpor-
lar schools. It often involves children tation, transfer, harboring, or receipt
working in conditions that are exploit- of children through force, fraud, or de-
ception for various forms of exploita- mobilize support for prevention and
tion, such as forced labor, sexual ex- eradication efforts.
ploitation, or child soldiering.
12. Sustainable Development
7. Informal Sector: The informal Goals (SDGs): The SDGs are a set
sector comprises economic activities of global goals adopted by the Unit-
and employment arrangements that ed Nations to address various global
are not regulated by formal labor laws challenges, including poverty, inequal-
and institutions. Children are often ity, and environmental sustainability.
found working in the informal sector, Goal 8, in particular, focuses on decent
where labor standards and protections work and economic growth, making it
may be lacking. relevant to the topic.

8. Modern Slavery: Modern slavery Historical Context:

encompasses practices akin to slavery,
including forced labor, debt bondage, South and East Asia:
and human trafficking. It is a severe
violation of human rights and often in- Child labor has deep historical roots in
volves children being subjected to ex- India, where children were tradition-
ploitative labor conditions. ally engaged in family-based agricul-
ture, handicrafts, and as apprentices.
9. Cultural Norms: Cultural norms During British colonial rule, child la-
refer to the shared beliefs, values, cus- bor practices intensified, with children
toms, and practices within a particular working in industries like textiles and
society or community. Some cultural coal mines. India gained indepen-
norms may inadvertently contribute to dence in 1947, and subsequent efforts
child labour or exploitation, necessi- focused on eliminating child labor
tating culturally sensitive approaches through legislation, education, and so-
to address these issues. cial programs. The Child Labour (Pro-
hibition and Regulation) Act was en-
10. Poverty Alleviation: Poverty acted in 1986 to regulate child labor.
alleviation involves efforts to reduce
and eliminate poverty through vari- Bangladesh:
ous means, such as economic develop-
ment, social safety nets, and access to In Bangladesh, child labor has histor-
education and healthcare. Addressing ically been widespread in the agricul-
child labour often requires addressing tural sector, as well as in the garment
the root causes of poverty. and textile industries. The country has
introduced various labor laws and rat-
11. Awareness Campaigns: Aware- ified international conventions to ad-
ness campaigns are educational ini- dress child labor issues, including the
tiatives aimed at informing the public, ILO Convention on the Worst Forms
policymakers, and stakeholders about of Child Labour (No. 182).
the issues of child labour and exploita-
tion. They seek to raise awareness and Pakistan:
Child labor has been a persistent is- Child labor has been a concern in
sue in Pakistan, particularly in agricul- Myanmar, with children working in
ture, carpet weaving, and brick kilns. agriculture, manufacturing, and as do-
The country has implemented legal mestic helpers. Despite challenges,
reforms to combat child labor and has efforts have been made to eliminate
established the National Commission child labor through legislative reforms
for Child Welfare and Development to and education initiatives.
oversee child protection efforts.
Sri Lanka:
Indonesia:
Child labor in Sri Lanka has been asso-
Child labor has existed in Indonesia ciated with agriculture, domestic work,
for centuries, including in traditional and small industries. The country has
agricultural practices and crafts. Mod- implemented laws and programs to
ern child labor issues in Indonesia are protect children’s rights and improve
often linked to the informal sector, access to education.
including domestic work and small-
scale industries. The Indonesian gov- Beyond South and East Asia:
ernment has undertaken initiatives to
combat child labor, including educa- United Kingdom:
tion programs and legislative reforms.
The United Kingdom experienced the
Cambodia: early impacts of the Industrial Revo-
lution, with children as young as six
Cambodia has a history of child labor, or seven working in coal mines, textile
particularly in agriculture and the in- mills, and factories.
formal sector. International organiza- Social reform movements led to the
tions and NGOs have worked with the passage of the Factory Act of 1833, a
Cambodian government to address significant piece of legislation that lim-
child labor, improve access to educa- ited child labor hours and improved
tion, and enforce labor laws. working conditions.
The creation of compulsory elementa-
Vietnam: ry education in 1870 further reduced
child labor as more children attended
In Vietnam, child labor has been school.
prevalent in agriculture, fishing, and
the manufacturing industry. Viet- Germany:
nam has enacted laws to protect chil-
dren’s rights, aligning with interna- In the 19th century, child labor was
tional standards. The country has also prevalent in German industries, par-
achieved significant progress in educa- ticularly in textile factories and mines.
tion and poverty reduction. Legal reforms, such as the Factory Act
of 1891, aimed to protect child laborers
Myanmar (Burma): by establishing working hour restric-
tions and age limits for certain hazard-
ous jobs. The post-Franco period in Spain led to
Post-World War II reconstruction ef- significant social and educational ad-
forts emphasized education and social vancements, reducing child labor sub-
welfare, reducing child labor rates. stantially.

France: North America:

France witnessed child labor in var- The Industrial Revolution in North

ious industries during the Industrial America saw the widespread use of
Revolution, including coal mines and child labor in factories and mines
factories. during the 18th and 19th centuries. La-
Labor laws introduced in the late 19th bor movements and legislative reforms
century, such as the law of 1874, set led to improvements in child labor
age limits for child labor and estab- conditions in these regions.
lished compulsory elementary educa-
tion. Africa:
France’s post-war period saw signifi-
cant improvements in labor standards Child labor has historical roots in tra-
and access to education. ditional agricultural practices in many
African countries. The impact of co-
Italy: lonialism and post-colonial economic
challenges have contributed to ongo-
In Italy, child labor was common in ing child labor challenges.
agriculture, artisanal workshops, and
factories during the 19th and early Latin America:
20th centuries.
Progressive labor legislation in the ear- Economic inequalities and poverty
ly 20th century addressed child labor, have driven child labor in Latin Amer-
including the 1904 Ban on Child Labor ica, particularly in agriculture and in-
in Factories. formal sectors. Legislative reforms and
Economic development and educa- social programs have aimed to combat
tional reforms further reduced child these issues.
labor in Italy in the post-World War II
era. Middle East and North Africa
(MENA):
Spain:
Cultural practices and conflicts have
Spain faced child labor issues in agri- been factors contributing to child labor
culture, mining, and small industries in some MENA countries. The region
throughout the 19th and early 20th has also grappled with the impact of
centuries. armed conflicts on child recruitment
The Spanish Second Republic (1931- by armed groups.
1939) introduced labor reforms, in-
cluding restrictions on child labor and Current Situation:
efforts to promote education. Child labour and child exploitation
are pressing and pervasive issues that on families, limited access to quality
continue to afflict East and South Asia. education, and inadequate enforce-
The region grapples with the daunting ment of labor laws contribute to the
challenge of addressing a spectrum of problem. Strategies focusing on pov-
child rights violations, ranging from erty alleviation, educational reforms,
hazardous working conditions to sex- and strict implementation of labor
ual exploitation and forced labor. De- laws are essential.
spite considerable efforts and progress
made in recent years, millions of chil- 2. East asia
dren in these regions are still deprived
of their basic human rights and are a. China
caught in the web of exploitative prac- 2. East AsiaChina, a major economic
tices. powerhouse in East Asia, faces chal-
lenges of child labour within its vast
1. South Asia manufacturing sector. Migration from
rural areas and urbanization often lead
a. India to children being left behind, vulner-
India, as one of the largest countries able to exploitation. Combating child
in South Asia, faces significant chal- labour in China requires a multi-facet-
lenges in combatting child labour and ed approach, including strengthening
exploitation. Rapid industrialization, the education system, improving social
poverty, and social disparities contrib- safety nets, and enforcing labor laws.
ute to the prevalence of child labour
in various sectors. Efforts have been b. Vietnam
made through legislation and policies Vietnam struggles with child labour,
like the Child Labour (Prohibition and notably in agriculture, mining, and
Regulation) Amendment Act, but ef- manufacturing. Poverty and limited
fective enforcement and implementa- access to quality education contribute
tion at the grassroots level remain cru- to the issue. Addressing socio-econom-
cial. ic disparities, enhancing educational
opportunities, and raising awareness
b. Pakistan are crucial steps to eradicate child la-
Pakistan, too, grapples with high rates bour effectively.
of child labour, especially in agricul-
ture, manufacturing, and the informal c. Indonesia
sector. Economic necessity, lack of ed- Child labour persists in Indonesia, pri-
ucation, and insufficient legal frame- marily in agriculture, mining, and in-
works perpetuate the issue. Address- formal sectors. Economic factors, lack
ing poverty and improving access to of educational opportunities, and weak
education are paramount to mitigate enforcement of child labour laws are
child labour effectively. contributing factors. Combating child
c. Bangladesh labour in Indonesia necessitates a fo-
Child labour is prevalent in Bangla- cus on poverty reduction, educational
desh, primarily in the textile and gar- reforms, and rigorous enforcement of
ment industries. Economic pressures laws to protect children.
This regional perspective section pro- Providing resources, education, and
vides a glimpse into the unique chal- support to children in vulnerable com-
lenges that countries in South Asia munities.
and East Asia face concerning child la- Advocating for policy changes and
bour and child exploitation. Delegates monitoring government efforts to
should thoroughly understand these combat child labor.
perspectives to engage in meaningful Offering rehabilitation programs for
discussions and formulate comprehen- children rescued from exploitative sit-
sive solutions during the Model United uations.
Nations session
3. International Organizations
Stakeholders and Their Interests (e.g., UNICEF, ILO, WHO):
Interests:
1. Governments of East and Safeguarding children’s rights as per
South Asian Countries: international conventions.
Interests: Collaborating with governments to
Ensuring economic growth while safe- eradicate child labor and exploitation.
guarding children’s rights. Providing expertise, resources, and
Enhancing international reputation by guidelines to combat child labor effec-
addressing child Labor and exploita- tively.
tion effectively.
Preserving social stability and harmo- Actions:
ny within their countries. Conducting research to understand the
extent and nature of child labor in the
Actions: region.
Implementing and strengthening laws Supporting capacity building and tech-
and policies to combat child Labor. nical assistance for local governments
Promoting economic development to and organizations.
alleviate poverty, a root cause of child Advocating for policy coherence and
labor. harmonization at the regional level.
Collaborating with international orga-
nizations and neighbouring countries 4. Businesses and Corporations:
to tackle cross-border issues. Interests:
Upholding ethical business practices
2. Non-Governmental Organiza- and corporate social responsibility.
tions (NGOs) and Civil Society: Adhering to international labor stan-
Interests: dards and avoiding negative publicity.
Ending child labor and exploitation Accessing a skilled and educated work-
through advocacy and direct action. force for sustainable growth.
Ensuring access to education and
proper rehabilitation for affected chil- Actions:
dren. Implementing and monitoring supply
Raising awareness and mobilizing chain regulations to eliminate child la-
public support against child labor. bor.
Actions: Supporting educational initiatives and
skill development programs for chil- Cultural and Societal Norms:
dren and communities.
Collaborating with NGOs and govern- Traditional Practices: Certain cul-
ments to eradicate child labor from tural norms may inadvertently support
their supply chains. or tolerate child labour, necessitating a
delicate balance between cultural sen-
5. United Nations Member States sitivity and human rights advocacy.
(Other than East and South Asian
Countries): Gender Disparities: Gender biases
Interests: may contribute to differential treat-
Supporting global human rights and ment, with girls often facing higher
children’s rights. vulnerability to exploitation due to dis-
Ensuring that child labor and exploita- criminatory societal norms.
tion are effectively addressed on the
international stage. Weak Legal Frameworks and En-
forcement:
Actions:
Providing financial and diplomatic Inadequate Legislation: Some
support to initiatives aimed at erad- countries may lack comprehensive
icating child labor in East and South laws specifically targeting child labour
Asia. and exploitation, or existing laws may
Offering expertise and best practices to not be effectively enforced.
assist in the region’s efforts to combat
child labor. Corruption and Bribery: Corrup-
Co-sponsoring or supporting reso- tion within law enforcement agencies
lutions that focus on child labor and can hinder efforts to combat child la-
child exploitation. bour and exploitation effectively.

Global Supply Chains and Market

Key Challenges Demand:

Socio-Economic Factors: Supply Chain Exploitation: The

complex nature of global supply chains
Poverty and Inequality: Poverty may inadvertently involve child la-
and economic disparities often force bour, making it challenging to trace
families to resort to child labour as a and regulate.
means of survival, perpetuating a cycle
of exploitation. Consumer Demand: High demand
for inexpensive goods may indirect-
Lack of Access to Education: In- ly fuel child exploitation as businesses
sufficient access to quality education prioritize profit margins over ethical
prevents children from escaping the production.
clutches of child labour, trapping them
in a vicious cycle of poverty and igno- Armed Conflict and Instability:
rance.
Conflict Zones: Areas affected by Year: Adopted in 1973.
armed conflict are prone to child re- Role of State: This convention estab-
cruitment by armed groups, placing lishes the minimum age for admission
children in grave danger and perpet- to employment and outlines appropri-
uating the cycle of violence and ex- ate conditions for work. States are en-
ploitation. couraged to align their national legis-
lation with these standards.
Displacement and Vulnerability: Regional Initiatives and Agreements
Forced displacement resulting from South Asian Association for Regional
conflict leaves children extremely vul- Cooperation (SAARC) Initiatives:
nerable to various forms of exploita-
tion.
Role of State:
Past UN Actions (Role of State) SAARC member states have collabo-
International Conventions and rated to address child labor and ex-
Treaties ploitation through regional initiatives.
They have emphasized policy coordi-
United Nations Convention on the nation, information sharing, and joint
Rights of the Child (CRC): efforts to combat child labor and pro-
tect the rights of children in the region.
Year: Adopted in 1989. Association of Southeast Asian Na-
Role of State: The CRC sets the inter- tions (ASEAN) Initiatives:
national standard for the protection
and promotion of children’s rights, Role of State:
emphasizing the eradication of child ASEAN member states have engaged
labor and exploitation. States that are in regional efforts to combat child la-
parties to the convention are obligated bor and exploitation. They have im-
to take measures to eliminate child la- plemented action plans and promoted
bor and provide a protective environ- cooperation to address the root causes
ment for children. and consequences of child labor within
International Labour Organization the ASEAN region.
(ILO) Conventions: National Legislation and Policies
India’s Child Labour (Prohibition and
Convention No. 182 on the Worst Regulation) Act, 1986:
Forms of Child Labour:
Role of State:
Year: Adopted in 1999. India’s legislation aims to prohibit the
Role of State: The convention calls for engagement of children in certain haz-
the immediate elimination of the worst ardous occupations and processes. It
forms of child labor. State parties are also regulates the working conditions
required to develop and implement for children in non-hazardous sectors,
policies to combat these forms of child focusing on their welfare and educa-
labor effectively. tion.
Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age Thailand’s Prevention and Suppres-
for Employment: sion of Human Trafficking Act, 2008:
Role of State: What preventive measures and public
Thailand’s act addresses child traffick- awareness campaigns can be initiated
ing, one of the forms of child exploita- to tackle child labor and exploitation?
tion. The legislation focuses on pre- Deliberating on awareness programs
vention, protection, and prosecution, and initiatives to prevent child labor
aiming to eliminate child trafficking and exploitation at the grassroots lev-
and provide support to victims. el.

Agenda:
QARMA (questions a resolution Addressing the Scope and Impact of
must answer) Child Labor and Child Exploitation in
East and South Asia
What are the primary root causes of
child labor and exploitation in East Analyzing the extent and consequenc-
and South Asia? es of child labor and exploitation in the
Understanding the socio-economic, region.
cultural, and historical factors contrib- Enhancing International Cooperation
uting to these issues. to Eradicate Child Labor and Exploita-
tion
How can member states collaborate
to enforce existing international legal Encouraging collaboration between
frameworks effectively? member states to combat child labor
Exploring mechanisms to strengthen and exploitation effectively.
enforcement and compliance with in- Developing Rehabilitation and Reinte-
ternational conventions and treaties gration Programs for Former Child La-
related to child rights. borers

What strategies can be employed to Formulating strategies to rehabilitate

rehabilitate and reintegrate child la- and reintegrate children who have
borers into society? been victims of labor and exploitation.
Discussing education, vocational train- Promoting Education and Advocacy to
ing, and other rehabilitation programs Combat Child Labor and Exploitation
to break the cycle of child labor and
exploitation. Focusing on educational initiatives
and awareness campaigns to prevent
How can the UNHRC ensure a com- child labor and exploitation.
prehensive approach that respects
cultural norms while effectively com-
bating child labor and exploitation?
Balancing human rights with cultural
sensitivity to develop sustainable solu-
tions.
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