Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee (SOCHUM)Chairs: Justin Zhong & Michelle Kim
Email: juszho21@bergen.org Topic A: Environmental Racism Environmental racism is a concept that concerns minority group communities, specifically certain neighborhoods that are populated by people of color (POC) and members of low socioeconomic status who are facing environmental hazards. Marginalized groups who are exposed to the dangers of climate change and environmental hazards have to deal with the detrimental health impacts as well. Environmental justice requires that communities and neighborhoods are under protection from hazards such as nuclear testing, extraction, production, and the disposal of toxic wastes and poisons. In this committee, delegates are expected to work with one another to resolve the ramifications of this sensitive issue. As SOCHUM, the heart of this issue lies within legislation frameworks and guidelines that prioritize human rights. Delegates are encouraged to research into the communities negatively affected by environmental racism and the effectiveness of the current methods of addressing environmental racism. Topic B: Human Rights Violations in China, DPRK, and the Phillipines Human rights violations occur when a country encroaches upon the standards outlined within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants, or the overall International Bill of Rights. Within China, the Democractic Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Philippines, such human rights violations can be seen. Within China, constant surveillance and internet censorship have allowed for the Chinese Communist Party to easily look for and quell any dissent. The creation of the Chinese surveillance state has allowed for the CCP to facilitate its oppression of Muslim groups including the Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and others. Within the DPRK, forced labor, censorship, class systems, cooperation with China on preventing refugees from escaping, and cruel punishments all constitute violations of human rights despite North Korea ratifying international human rights treaties. Within the Philippines, President Duterte, and his crackdown on drugs have led to numerous unjust killings within impoverished areas by police which largely go unpunished. Further attacks against political activists, racial groups, and the press have occurred. 
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