Topic: Legitimacy of Government during Popular Uprising
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Stuart Wilson
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The United Kingdom believes that human rights must be protected above all else. If a population of a nation is being oppressed, and the government is making no obvious effort to correct the issue, then the government is in no position to make and enforce laws or in any way control its people. However, if there is an uprising from a population in an issue other than an abusive or suppressive government, the validity of the governing body may remain intact and the UK respects the sovereignty of that government.
If people of a nation that is abusing human rights form a protest or uprising in resistance to the abuse, the government they are standing against has no legitimacy. An example would be the recent uprising in Libya. The UK voted with the rest of the Security Council for Resolution 1970, which declared the use of lethal force by Muammar Gaddafi an abuse of government power and set up multiple international actions to be taken against it. It was determined by The United Nations that the government in power in Libya was treating its citizens unjustly. Therefore, it was the belief of The United Kingdom as well as the rest of the Security Council that Gaddafi’s government no longer had a right to power or legitimacy and declared the uprising a movement for human rights. This belief can and should be applied to all situations of uprising against an abusive government.
In the case of an uprising in matters other than the direct violation of human rights or clear oppression of its people, the legitimacy and sovereignty of the government shall remain respected. The United Kingdom feels that it is not the duty, nor the right of uninvolved nations to interfere with a nation’s government if it is not in violation of the human rights of its people. That stated, the UK feels that these nations may be examined by the United Nations to determine and confirm no abuse of its people. If none is found, the government shall retain its authority over its people. However, if violations are found, it must then be determined as to whether or not the government body is attempting to correct the issue and, if not, whether action should be taken to declare the government’s illegitimacy of authority.
The United Kingdom believes that each nation’s government has the responsibility to protect and serve its people. If an uprising of non-oppressive matters occurs, the UK feels that it is that nation’s responsibility to manage the uprising, and that its legitimacy and authority remains strong. However, if it is determined that that nation’s government is in violation of the human rights of its people, then it shall have its influence removed.
