Topic: Promoting Peaceful Post-Election Transitions
Country: Costa Rica
Delegate Name: Erica Cantor
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Costa Rica position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Elections are a significant even in a country’s history that can cause either happiness or discontent in its people. This discontent can encourage conflict and violence that can disrupt post-election peace. Some countries have experienced these problems, such as Kenya, Congo, and Bosnia. These countries have or are receiving aid from outside countries to help resolve the violence in their countries. Other countries with post-election issues however may not receive aid. Some of these countries are the Philippines and Ethiopia, who are left to resolve those issues for themselves.
In recent years, the people of Costa Rica elected Oscar Arias as president of their nation. This election was relatively peaceful. However, some scandal with previous presidents still gives the country a bad reputation. Costa Rica is no longer referred to as the “Switzerland of Latin America”. Previous presidents have accepted bribes from European cell phone providers, which has created controversy throughout the nation for some time. During the 2006 race, there were thirteen candidates in all. Arias won with 40.92% of the votes over Solís’ 39.80%, making it an extremely close race. Despite this narrow victory, conflict between conflicting parties was scarce.
The United Nations have come up with several resolutions to help solve the issue of post-election violence. 168 states of the United Nations voted in favor to strengthen its role in dealing with election periods. Another resolution with the same basic idea was passed with a 182 votes in favor. A related resolution that deals with preserving human rights, including during, but not limited to, post-election times, was voted for by 132 nations. The United Nations desires to help resolve the issues of post-election violence.
Costa Rica does not have many strong alliances and is a relatively small nation with no army. Therefore, it cannot provide substantial aid to countries suffering from post-election violence. However, Costa Rica believes that such aid is necessary to help stop these conflicts. Aid should be provided from a powerful nation who does not have much stake in the country’s status. The United Nations should be able to determine who should provide help to the afflicted country.
