GOKJMUN24 SOCHUM STUDY GUIDE

Table of Contents
1. Letter From Secretary General
2. Letter From The Chairboard ✅
3. Introduction to the Committee ✅
4. Agenda İtem (Upholding Prisoners’ Right to Healthcare) ✅
a. Introduction to the topic ✅
b. Definitions and Key Terms ✅
c. History of the Topic ✅
d. Current Situation ✅
e. Past Actions ✅
f. Conclusion ✅
g. Guiding Questions✅
5. Bibliography✅

Letter From Secretary General:

 Letter From The Chairboard:
Dear delegates of GOKJMUN24,
As the President Chair of the Social Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, I extend my
warmest welcome to all of you to the first annual session of the International Gokkuşağı
College Junior Model United Nations Conference.

Words cannot describe how proud I am to present this committee and this study guide
for which we worked hard. I am very honored to be present and contribute to the first
and hopefully the best edition of GOKJMUN, and I am super lucky to have Anoosha as
my Co-Chair. I clearly could not have done it without her unending support.

We, as the academic team, will do everything to make sure that these three days in our
committee will be an unforgettable experience where you will both have fun, learn
about many important topics that concern our future, and also significantly improve
your English skills and maybe even establish friendships that will last a lifetime.

If you’re curious or have any questions regarding the procedure, committee, study
guide, or the topic at hand, reach out to me or my chair board member. I would be
happy to answer any questions or explain anything you’d like.
With my best regards,

İsmail Ege Yavuz

President Chair of the Social Humanitarian and Cultural Committee
ege.yavuz2008@gmail.com
Most Esteemed Delegates of GOKJMUN’24

To begin with, my name is Anoosha Ghorbani, and I am currently studying at Mimar

Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Lisesi. I am overjoyed and honored to have the chance to chair
this committee at this amazing conference. Of course, I get even more enthusiastic
seeing myself among the conference’s members. What excites me most about the
SOCHUM committee is the chance to contribute to the development of educational
resources that foster a deeper understanding of issues.

To represent the chair board of SOCHUM at GOKJMUN’24, we anticipate that the

delegates who agree to serve on our committee will learn about its importance and
develop vulnerable solutions to problems that arise globally and subtly affect the
majority of people.

That being said, I wish everyone a fruitful debate and a successful conference.

Anoosha Ghorbani

Co-Chair of the Social Humanitarian and Cultural Committee

ghorbanianoosha0@gmail.com
 Introduction to the Committee
The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (also called SOCHUM) is the
third committee of the United Nations General Assembly. This committee discusses
issues including, but not limited to, human rights, gender equality, social development,
refugees and displaced persons, poverty, education, cultural preservation, and
healthcare accessibility.

With its broad mandate and diverse membership, The Social, Humanitarian, and
Cultural Committee serves as a crucial platform for member states to advocate for their
respective social, humanitarian, and cultural priorities. By encouraging collaboration to
address shared concerns, the Committee's deliberations and recommendations
significantly contribute to the United Nations' overarching goal of promoting peace,
security, and sustainable development for all.

Resolutions have only real effect if all or at least a vast majority of the committee
agree with the terms strongly enough to move to uphold them. Your role as a delegate
is crucial. It is essential to put aside differences and collaborate to ensure that as many
nations’ interests are met as possible to address the problems at hand effectively.

Emphasizing the complexity of many prison systems in the world and their
respective healthcare systems, all delegates must read and understand this document
extensively to have fruitful debates and discussions at the conference and produce a
resolution paper that will help solve these problems.
 Agenda Item: Upholding Prisoners’ Right to Healthcare

Introduction to the topic:

Throughout history, there have always been individuals who have chosen to defy
established societal norms and laws. These individuals have received punishment in a
variety of forms, including public shaming, torture, and even death. However, as society
evolved and progressed, these traditional methods of administering justice were
increasingly scrutinized and ultimately replaced by the modern approach of
incarcerating (putting) criminals in long-term correction and confinement facilities called
prisons.

Prisons are a relatively new development in human history; they only emerged
about 230 years ago, around the time the American and French revolutions first
appeared in the newly established United States. Before we move on to our main topic
of healthcare in prisons, we must first look at the reasons we put people in prisons.

Prisons serve several purposes within society. One of the primary objectives is
punishment, where individuals who have violated laws are removed from society and
deprived of their freedom as a consequence of their actions. This removal is meant to
deter both the individual offender and others from committing similar offenses in the
future. Additionally, prisons aim to protect the public by physically separating dangerous
individuals from society, thereby reducing the risk of harm to innocent citizens.

Moreover, prisons are intended to provide an opportunity for rehabilitation and

reintegration into society. While punishment is a crucial aspect of incarceration, many
correctional facilities offer programs aimed at addressing the underlying causes of
criminal behavior, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or lack of education
and job skills. Through counseling, education, vocational training, and other forms of
support, inmates are given the chance to address these issues and develop the skills
needed to lead law-abiding lives upon release.

However, the effectiveness of prisons in achieving these goals has been a topic
of debate. Critics argue that many current prison systems often fail to address the root
causes of criminal behavior adequately and instead perpetuate the cycle. Furthermore,
concerns have been raised about the conditions within prisons, including overcrowding,
violence, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to resources and opportunities for
rehabilitation.

With these in mind, examining the state of healthcare within prisons becomes
crucial. Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet individuals within
correctional facilities often face significant barriers to receiving adequate medical
treatment. In the following sections, we will delve into the challenges and complexities
of providing healthcare in prisons, explore the ethical considerations involved, and
discuss potential avenues for improvement. By addressing these issues, we can work
towards a more just and humane prison system that prioritizes the health and
well-being of all individuals, including those who are incarcerated.

Another topic that this committee will address under this agenda item is the
treatment of Prisoners of War.
 Definitions and Key Terms:
Basic Human Rights: Fundamental rights to which all individuals are entitled simply
by virtue of being human. These rights include, but are not limited to, the right to life,
liberty, and security of person; freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading
treatment or punishment; the right to a fair trial; and the right to access healthcare,
among others these rights are established in many constitutions and international
conventions.

Prisoner: An individual who is detained or incarcerated within a correctional facility

after being convicted of a crime.

Prisoner of War (POW): Prisoners of war are individuals who have been captured,
detained, or interned during armed conflict or war, typically by a hostile force or
belligerent party. They are entitled to specific protections under international
humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and customary international law.
These protections include humane treatment, access to healthcare, protection against
torture and cruel treatment, and the right to communicate with the International
Committee of the Red Cross or other relevant humanitarian organizations.

Healthcare: Medical services, including preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and

rehabilitative care, to incarcerated individuals. This encompasses access to essential
healthcare services, medication, mental health support, and specialized treatments as
needed, aiming to maintain or improve prisoners' physical and psychological well-being
while in custody.

Oversight Mechanisms: Processes designed to monitor and ensure that healthcare

services provided to incarcerated individuals meet established standards and adhere to
applicable laws and regulations. These mechanisms may include inspections, audits,
reviews, and reporting procedures conducted by independent bodies, government
agencies, or international organizations to assess the quality of healthcare delivery,
identify deficiencies or violations, and recommend corrective actions to safeguard
prisoners' rights and well-being.
 History of the Topic:

Prior to the mid-20th century, there was limited international consensus on

prisoners' rights, including their right to healthcare. Prisons were often viewed primarily
as instruments of punishment rather than institutions responsible for inmates'
well-being.

However, World War 2 caused many atrocities around the world, including the
mass imprisonment of political prisoners and minorities, prompting increased
international attention to human rights issues. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (1948) ensures that everyone, including prisoners, has the right to medical care
and necessary social services. These international treaties also solidify many rules on
the treatment of Prisoners of War.

Subsequent international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil

and Political Rights (1966) and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984), reinforced prisoners' rights to
receive healthcare without discrimination or cruel treatment.

The United Nations has developed specific standards and guidelines regarding
healthcare in prisons. For example, the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of
Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) outline principles for the provision of healthcare,
including access to medical services, confidentiality, and the involvement of qualified
healthcare professionals.

International courts and tribunals have issued rulings affirming prisoners' rights
to healthcare. For instance, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled in cases
such as Kudła v. Poland (2000) and Kalashnikov v. Russia (2002), emphasizing states'
obligations to provide adequate medical care to prisoners.
 International organizations and bodies, such as the World Health Organization
(WHO) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), monitor and promote
healthcare standards in prisons. They provide technical assistance, training, and
advocacy to improve healthcare services for prisoners worldwide.

The Current Situation:

Despite international standards and efforts to improve healthcare in
prisons, challenges persist. Issues such as overcrowding, limited resources, staff
shortages, systemic problems within the criminal justice system, and stigma contribute
to disparities in healthcare access and quality for prisoners, particularly in low-income
and conflict-affected countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened the existing healthcare challenges
in prisons worldwide. Outbreaks of the virus in correctional facilities have highlighted
the need for comprehensive infection prevention and control measures, as well as
access to testing, treatment, and vaccination for prisoners.

Also, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestinian conflict caused many
gross violations of international law and once again highlighted the need for better
international agreements and more enforcement of the rights of Prisoners of War.

Advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society

organizations continue to play a crucial role in advocating for prisoners' rights to
healthcare. These entities raise awareness, monitor prison conditions, and engage in
legal and policy advocacy to promote reform.

Despite challenges, there have been instances of progress and reform in some
countries. Initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure, expand access to medical
services, enhance staff training, and promote alternatives to incarceration contribute to
advancements in upholding prisoners' rights to healthcare.

Past Actions:

United States of America

The United States of America has had a lot of challenges in the field of
healthcare in prisons but has made impeccable progress in solving and improving the
issues, though a lot more effort needs to be made to ensure the improvement in the
criminal justice system both in the federal and state level. There are lots of lawsuits and
cases upon the matter as but not limited to:
- Estelle V. Gamble (1976)
The United States Supreme Court ruled that deliberate indifference to prisoners'
serious medical needs constitutes punishments in violation of the Eighth Amendment.
- Prison Litigation Reform Act (1995)
Amended the Federal judicial code to require a prisoner of a Federal, State, or
Local institution seeking to bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action,
including the requirement for filing lawsuits by prisoners in seek of fair healthcare.

Russian Federation
Certain services have been set up in Russian prisons, typically operated by the
Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), to ensure that prisoners have access to necessary
medical treatment. International organizations, such as the European Committee for the
Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), visit
prisons in Russia to monitor conditions, including healthcare services.

China
Services operated by the Ministry of Justice have been met that ensure prisoners
have easy access to needed healthcare; these services are usually supported by other
relative authorities. However, there is still a lot of work and effort to be done to ensure
permanent change in the country's healthcare system, especially in the prison field.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the treatment of incarcerated individuals remains a very delicate
topic with many ethical, humanitarian, and legal perspectives, and as we reflect on the
old ways of a past era, it is evident that providing healthcare to prisoners’ is not merely
a matter of necessity, but a fundamental aspect of their inherent worth and dignity as
human beings and as the humanity evolves further and societies grow ever so
interconnected the mistreatment of prisoners creates dark stains on the human history.

The current environment demands a reevaluation of our approach to

incarceration and the treatment of prisoners, and in a world where information travels
swiftly and global solidarity is sought after, injustices within prison systems affect not
only the prisoners themselves but the perceptions of justice and equality worldwide,
 Guiding Questions:
1. How can we ensure that prisoners receive adequate healthcare?
2. What strategies are employed to address the unique healthcare needs of
incarcerated individuals?
3. How can correctional facilities collaborate with external healthcare providers to
ensure continuity of care for prisoners upon release?
4. What measures can be taken to ensure that prisoners receive the necessary
treatments?
5. How can we address breaches of international law regarding the treatment of
prisoners of war
6. What can countries do to prevent prisons from damaging the mental health of
incarcerated people

Bibliography:
● The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of
Prisoners
● S.866 - Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995 104th Congress (1995-1996)
● Chapter 23: Your Right to Adequate Medical Care
● Estelle v. Gamble :: 429 U.S. 97 (1976)
● Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War