Topic: Net Neutrality
Country: Iraq
Delegate Name: Emma Alzner
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iraq position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Many modern societies rely on the internet to function, and the world wide web has become one of the largest industries in existence. Because of this, Iraq recognizes that the issue of net neutrality is a pertinent one not only to itself but to countries around the globe. The issue of net neutrality impacts every citizen's’ access to the resource of the internet and the quality of said access. There has been significant debate over internet equality and rules regarding the policing of this entity, and Iraq is prepared to take all sides of this argument into consideration and forge a compromise that will benefit all nations represented at the United Nations SciTech committee.
Iraq recognizes the humanitarian aspects of this issue, in that all citizens should be provided with equal access to the internet, and equal quality of access, regardless of their income/ability to pay, race, religion, gender, etc. Iraq also acknowledges and accounts for the United Nations decision to promote net neutrality, and the decision of the FCC to enforce net neutrality laws in different nations.
However, taking into consideration the oppressive war the country is waging against the terrorist group ISIS, Iraq also sees how policing the internet could be beneficial in aiding the demolishment of this group, specifically from the key battleground of Mosul. Iraq notices that research has been done showing that cutting off the terrorist stronghold in Mosul from internet access by policing the internet would weaken the group, and provide the forces fighting ISIS with an advantage that could help them win this more and ultimately eliminate this threat to innocent civilians internationally. Because ISIS relies so much on the internet as a resource to recruit others, spread propaganda, and keep control of their territories, Iraq recognizes that taking away this resource from this group could bring a downfall to the terrorists that have been causing destruction and devastation worldwide.
Taking all of this into consideration, Iraq concludes that a compromise must be made that will enforce internet equality among citizens, but also allow the country to protect its people from the harmful terrorists by removing ISIS access (specifically within Mosul) to the internet. Iraq suggests that all nations should be encouraged to promote net neutrality, but be given the opportunity to decide their own laws on net neutrality, and how they would like to enforce this within their own borders. Iraq is eager to work with all nations and take all perspectives into consideration to cause the emergence of a compromise that will favor all countries. Iraq calls for the allegiance of all countries oppressed by ISIS to join them in taking all advances they can to annihilate this group, including cutting them off from internet access, and seeking a resolution on net neutrality that would allow them to do so.
