Topic: Censorship of the Internet
Country: Cuba
Delegate Name: Dylan Davids
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Cuba position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
The Republic of Cuba has long dealt with intrusions by foreign powers attempting to subvert the interests of the people of Cuba. The concept of an international policy pertaining to the so-called “Censorship of the Internet” is a clear and total violation of Cuban sovereignty as it relates to Cuba’s ability to regulate media within its own boundaries. Cuba will oppose any effort by the committee that aims to control or punish Cuba or other nations for exercising the authority that it inherently possesses.
The concept of “Net Neutrality” is unfeasible and contrary to the obligation Cuba has to defend its people and its sovereignty. Cuba respects its citizens and understands that the Internet is often a corrupting and degrading force, the evidence of which can be found in nations allowing “free” access to the Internet. Cuba has regulated the Internet to prevent its people from having to be subjected to these subversive forces, a policy which has been successful in helping to maintain the prosperity of its people.
As a still developing nation, Cuba has also not developed the resources to provide widespread Internet access yet, and the Internet is mostly used by educational institutions and the government. Cuba is concerned that actions taken by the committee could harm the unity of those working in fields making use of the Internet. Cuba already must deal with enormously unjust pressure from other nations and hopes that decisions made by this committee will not further harm the right to self-determination.
The “Geneva Declaration on Internet Freedom” is an incredibly flawed document, and it fails to recognize the complexity of the issues regarding freedom of access to the Internet. Its accusatory nature in specifically mentioning by name Cuba and several other states and listing them as “authoritarian” offends and is not conducive to the aims of the United Nations, which stands for the peaceful resolution of issues on a global scale.
