Topic: Electoral Violence and Intimidation
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Taylor Drury
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Russia position papers GLIMUN 2009 committees
Electoral violence has been taking away democratic freedoms in what are supposed to be democratic elections. Citizens are often threatened to: not voice their opinions, not make certain speeches, vote for one particular candidate, etc. Citizens are being coerced in democratic nations to vote one way or another. This has big impact on people’s right to national sovereignty. The issue of electoral violence and intimidation has not really presented itself within The Russian Federation. Throughout Russia’s history there have not been problems with electoral violence. Citizens have voiced their opinions saying that the system is flawed or corrupt, but they’re not coerced into voting for someone. Three reporters were beaten and abused because they wished to voice their opinions on human rights. This is a form of violence, but it was not necessarily electoral violence. This issue may not directly affect Russia, but it does affect other nations and their leaders can influence new policies. The issue does indirectly affect Russia even though electoral violence does not occur in Russia.
Russia does not support any type of electoral violence and intimidation. This sort of issue impedes on people’s national sovereignty. There is no point of having a democratic nation when the citizens can not freely voice their opinions and vote for their favorite candidate. Russia would like to see more aggressive laws against electoral violence and intimidation. If people are caught coercing people, then they will have to deal with several years in prison. More security actions are needed to be taken to secure the safety and protection of the candidates and voters. It seems as though a lot of this violence is taking place in Nigeria, and specific actions towards Nigeria should be placed into a working paper to insure their sovereignty.
Russia hopes virtually all countries in the United Nations will support our ideas and policies with regards to electoral violence and intimidation. There could possibly be some countries that rely on electoral violence to keep their candidates in office and sustain their own regime. Sovereign nations need to get together on a resolution to help the countries that cannot help themselves with this issue.
