Topic: Dealing with Civil and Political Unrest
Country: Iraq
Delegate Name: McKenna Kluemper
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iraq position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
Iraq is currently dealing with political and civil unrest. We feel that progress is being made, and therefore do not support the use of international military force to solve issues. We have requested the aid of both The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, however we have not requested military action. We believe that unrest should be dealt initially by the discretion of the nation.
Iraq is of the opinion that the use of force in international matters is severely overused. There are many alternatives to violence that would be a more responsible means of resolving political unrest. There are many economic actions that are just as, if not more, effective in creating change. This can be done through imposing sanctions or banking restrictions. Those are deterrents that would have the same effect in stopping unrest, while ensuring that unnecessary violence is not committed. Iraq does not support the use of violence to fight violence, for this sets dangerous presidents for military supremacy. There is also the option of removal from international organizations.
There is then the issue of international intervention. It is important for this intervention to respect the national sovereignty of all nations. To interfere within a country without that countries explicit consent is a gross overstep of the United Nations’s authority. Therefore Iraq believes that this intervention should be limited to situations in which the country in question requests aid in dealing with the problem. This will ensure the cooperation of the nation and the incoming aid.
The first and most important step is for the United Nations to work with the respective government to identify legitimate movements. If this is not possible, than the United Nations has the responsibly to investigate and conduct extensive research in order to understand the goals and motivations of the movements at hand. Then the issue of intervention can be discussed. Though the criteria for intervention should be assessed from multiple angles. Such criteria could include the size of the movement, severity of the issue, whether the movement is violent or not, whether the movement has the potential to become violent in the future, if negotiations are underway, if negotiations have been suggested or denied, and the history between the government and the protesters.
The cessation of political and civil unrest is an important issue, but it is also often a very delicate issue. This is why Iraq firmly supports the national sovereignty of all nations.
