Topic: Authoritarianism and Democracy
Country: Norway
Delegate Name: Harrison Karl Centner
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Norway position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Emerging nations, across the globe, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, have evidenced the advantages of democracy in their governments. African states, including South Africa and Mali, previous economic stagnation and debt crisis have ended since the proliferation of democratic elections. Democracies, however, do not create perfect states, they have the potential for instability in both economy and government. Conversely, authoritarian states, regimes which disallow participation in government, are more likely to possess stable governments and economies but can lead to oppression and the encroachment the human rights of their citizens. Amidst turmoil in the Middle East and Asia, brought upon by authoritarian states, particularly North Korea and Syria who continue to violate the human rights of their citizens, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) must recognize the legitimacy of the rights of the human persons. In addition, the recognition that, a free press is a sine qua non of a flourishing government. Acknowledging the aforesaid, the United Nations must determine necessary actions to protect the rights of persons across the globe while maintaining stable governments.
Since Norway’s conception, democratic values have been central to the government and the citizens who uphold it. Norway is hailed consistently as the most democratic state by democracy indices around the globe, including the Economist Intelligence Unit, Freedom House, and others. Although Norway functions as a democracy, the state has remained stable, indicating democracies have the potential to create governments and economies free of excess fluctuation. This is in large part credited to Norway’s free press and fierce opposition to authoritarian tendencies. ¨Freedom of [expression and press] is the very foundation of democracy. The right to seek and receive information and to express opinions is a prerequisite for participating in society and political life¨(Statsministerens Kontor). Recently, Norway has made strides in increasing freedom of the press through legislation and advocacy. The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issues of Impunity and other UN plans have been supported and progressed with the help Norway. Sustained efforts have also been made to end the killing of journalists. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ¨plays a leading role in international efforts to promote free and independent media, particularly in conflict areas and countries where democracy is under pressure¨ (Statsministerens Kontor). Norway’s vicious defense of the media has been confirmed by recent reports that within recent years, zero journalists have been killed, targeted for murder, or murdered with impunity in Norway(Reporters Without Borders).
Central to the stable development of economies and states is the free press. Norway recommends the support of all countries in the effort to ensure personal liberties protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This includes Article 21, which states: “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.” It is imperative that this UN Committee addresses the issues of safeguarding democratic nations and thereby protecting freedom of expression, which is fundamental to sustainable growth. Norway leads in the protection of journalism and encourages all nations to follow suit, in order to combat rising authoritarian tendencies and perpetuate sustainable development. We petition this committee to address the rising tides of authoritarianism and sustainable growth by passing a resolution advancing journalistic rights and freedom of expression. Explicitly, Norway urges all countries to impose harsher punishments for journalistic assaults, moreover, Norway proposes a UN investigative committee to analyze and report on the state of freedom of expression and free press in oppressive governments.
