Overview

The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (hereinafter SOCHUM) serves as the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Its agenda includes, but is not limited to, promoting human rights, advocating for women’s and children’s rights, addressing the treatment of refugees and displaced populations and eliminating racism and discrimination. Moreover, SOCHUM also discusses issues related to indigenous rights and social development.

Established in 1948 alongside the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, SOCHUM was created in response to the humanitarian crises that followed World War II, with the goal of upholding fundamental freedoms and addressing social injustices. Over the decades, it has played a key role in shaping international human rights frameworks, supporting decolonization efforts and combating apartheid.

As global conflicts, political instability and migration pressures intensify, the issue of mass deportations in refugee crises has become a critical humanitarian concern. Forced removals often expose vulnerable populations to persecution, violence and economic hardship, violating fundamental human rights and destabilizing entire regions.

The international community must take urgent action to ensure that deportation policies align with humanitarian principles, preventing large-scale displacement from becoming humanitarian disasters. Additionally, the legal and ethical implications of mass deportations raise pressing questions about state responsibility and the protection of stateless individuals.

This committee will play a vital role in establishing frameworks and programs to address this complex issue, ensuring that deportation policies uphold international human rights standards while promoting stability for affected populations.