SC Research Packet | LEBMUN

LEBMUN ‘21 FORUM: SECURITY COUNCIL

TOPIC 1: Press suppression through state-sponsored media and constricting regulatory policy

TOPIC 2: The reformation of the Security Council and the United Nations’ operational frameworks

LEBMUN ‘21 | 2 CONTENTS

TOPIC 1 4

Introduction 4

Avenues Of Discussion 4

Key Terms 5

Background 6

Key Actors 7

Previous Attempts To Resolve The Issue 8

Suggested Solutions 13

Bibliography 14

LEBMUN ‘21 | 3 TOPIC 1: Press suppression through state-sponsored media and constricting regulatory policy

INTRODUCTION

The question of press suppression has become exceptionally relevant, with civilians increasing their dependence on news outlets as a source of information that justify their outlooks on their governments. As a result, various member states have issued restrictions on social media platforms with countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea completely prohibiting them.

Furthermrore, many countries have been caught with the implication of murder and silencing on their behalf with journalists ofen being the victims of these acts of violence. The killings of journalists have ofen been justified by various countries claiming to be maintaining national security and eliminating the threat of a terrorist attack.

As such, the suppression of press by member states and other non-governmental political actors raises the question of the justification behind constricting regulatory policy and the use of cyber propaganda. Another facet of this international dialogue is that government-sponsored media and propaganda, by afiliation, diminishes the voice of individuals and other independent organizations. The inherent focus on creating a solution for this question should include the harassment, defamation, imprisonment, torture, threatening and killing of journalists and press worldwide.

AVENUES OF DISCUSSION

● Government implication in the murder of journalists ● Restrictions on online platforms ● State-sponsored media & cyber propaganda

LEBMUN ‘21 | 4 KEY TERMS

Censorship and Press Suppression Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of speech, public communication, social media or other information on the basis that it is deemed insurgent to the common good. Censorship ofen occurs when governments exert control over the press and prevent free expression.

Political Journalism and Criticism Political journalism is associated with the branch of journalism that reports on its civil governments; it deals with helping the people understand political matters and opens a forum for political discussion. Criticism that is specific or relevant to political matters

Cyber Propaganda Cyber propaganda can be defined as the efort to control information in whatever form it takes thereby influencing public opinion. The spread of false information is used through platforms such as social media, fake news websites, and other digital means.

State-Sponsored Media State sponsored media is the media used for mass communication with its citizens. This media is under the financial and editorial control of the country's government either directly or indirectly. These companies may or may not be the sole media company of the country.

LEBMUN ‘21 | 5 BACKGROUND

Within the avenues of discussion previously mentioned are a variety of examples that help illustrate the urgency of the issue of press suppression through the assassinations of journalists, the restriction of social media, as well as the use of cyber propaganda to control the spread of information.

The subject matter of the involvement of governments in press suppression through the assassination is a significant issue in modern times. Many governments have been suspected in the involvement in these assassinations. As such, the matter of the killings of journalists as a means of press suppression and reducing the spread of political criticism against a certain government becomes increasingly relevant.

The Killing of Jamal Khashoggi Of the many examples is the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a US-based journalist and critic of Saudi Arabia's government, was killed in the country's consulate in Istanbul. On the 2nd of October, 2018, Khashoggi walked into Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, where he was murdered. As a prominent Saudi journalist, the 59-year-old was loyal to the Saudi royal family for decades and even worked as a government advisor. But he fell out of favor and, in 2017, entered self-imposed exile in the US. He wrote a monthly column from there in The Washington Post in which he attacked the policies of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman's son and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. Following his assassination, the Saudi government had denied involvement and concluded on the 20th of October that the journalist died during a fight afer refusing attempts to return him and 5 people were sentenced to death and charged responsible for his murder. However, Mr. Erdogan, the president of Turkey said that he knew the order to kill Khashoggi "came from the highest levels of the Saudi government".

National Security & Censorship Moving into the question of censorship and cyber propaganda, various countries have used the issue of national security as a scapegoat to censor social media in order to discourage the mobilization of resistance against a specific government.

One such case is in China, where its government monitors its internet tightly by blocking international websites regularly, taking down social media messages, and banning some keywords linked to government criticism. China has been waging an unprecedented crackdown on the Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group mostly based in Xinjiang, in the west of the nation, under President Xi Jinping. China considers Uyghur terrorists, and in Xinjiang has consistently dismissed all claims of violations of human rights. In addition, the Chinese government has issued measures to suppress the spread of information to Uighur families about their loved ones. However, following an explosive New York Times story detailing the Chinese governments’ hard handed tactics against Uighur Muslims, The Times was accused of "smearing" China’s counterterrorism methods in the area causing a ban of dozens of news sites, including The Times, in China. China's people were bypassing its network firewall to read explosive leaked Uighur oppression files and salute an oficial who disobeyed Xi Jinping. Furthermore, when people had taken the discussion to Weibo, China’s government-monitored social media platform, had stopped discussion through hiding and deleting social media comments.

Cybersecurity Laws Moreover, censorship and press suppression are also evident following the recent coup d’etat in Myanmar. Myanmar's junta has shut down the internet for the third time in two weeks to limit the flow of protesters' information. A proposed law on cybersecurity will authorize oficials to prosecute online opponents of the military. On the 15th of February, Internet connectivity in Myanmar was cut of again, as the military continued to curb increasing resistance to its rule weeks afer the democratically elected government was toppled by a coup. Internet

LEBMUN ‘21 | 6 trafic in and out of Myanmar was reduced to nearly zero early, according to the network analysis company Kentik. The blackout came as Myanmar's army, the Tatmadaw, deployed armoured vehicles in major cities to counter-protester

KEY ACTORS

China In the new world press freedom rankings, China has been criticized strongly. According to the annual press freedom index, China remains firmly entrenched in the "very bad" category. The map points out China's attempts to drive state media content to international news outlets, monitor Chinese social media networks, disseminate false news, purchase local news media shares around the world, and even use diplomats to try to threaten journalists and news managers.

Myanmar The military junta is taking measures that could make internet censorship a permanent weapon for suppressing the opposition. A new draf bill on cybersecurity will give authorities comprehensive powers to monitor information exchanged on the internet. The proposed legislation would allow the system to "access user information, block websites, order internet shutdowns and imprison critics and oficials of non-compliant companies".

United States In the United States, freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The US plays a major role in fostering freedom of expression and of the press in all countries.

Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, various types of media are blocked, including books, newspapers, magazines, films, television, and material published on the Internet. Under oficial state rule, the Saudi government closely controls and regulates the media with little changes made to reduce these policies.

North Korea Led since 2012 by Kim Jong-un, the authoritarian government of North Korea continues to keep its people in a state of ignorance. The widespread adoption of mobile phones, including smartphones, has been accompanied by technical measures which ensure almost complete control of communications and files transmitted over the national intranet by the regime.

LEBMUN ‘21 | 7 PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE

Over the years, there have been many attempts to resolve the issue of press suppression. A recent UN resolution on 6 October 2020 expressed support for the protection of journalists. The resolution, headed by a cross-regional core group comprising Austria, Brazil, France, Greece, Morocco, Qatar and Tunisia, and co-sponsored by more than 70 countries from around the world, indicated a strong international commitment to put an end to all threats, reprisals and violence against journalists around the world. However, it is too early to decide whether this resolution has been successful. It is important that the pen holders of prospective resolution versions seriously contend with the absence of progress achieved by States in the implementation of journalist protection commitments. Without their national records facing scrutiny, a large number of states agree and even sponsor these resolutions. Where states fail, the United Nations must act. It is critical that action be taken now, with immunity for crimes against journalists as high as 90% worldwide.

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

As member states of the Security Council, your aim is to ultimately reach an agreement on which types of reforms to implement to ensure that online platforms are not being used to conceal human rights violations while also protecting the freedom of expression as well as the security of the country. Some reforms to keep in mind are the extent to which governments and state-sponsored media companies are allowed to regulate social media, whether or not social media should be restricted at all, and what methods can be implemented to ensure that countries are following these changes.

Keeping in mind that some countries and governments are more fragile than others, delegates should seek to make compromises so that the maintenance of national security in all nations is kept.

LEBMUN ‘21 | 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY

BBC News. “Jamal Khashoggi: All You Need to Know about Saudi Journalist’s Death.” BBC, 2 July 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45812399.

Deutsche Welle (www. dw.com). Myanmar Coup: Military Hardens Online Censorship Campaign. Deutsche Welle https://www.dw.com/en/myanmar-coup-military-hardens-online-censorship-campaign/a-56574941. Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.

HRC45: New UN Resolution on the Safety of Journalists. https://www.article19.org/resources/hrc45-new-un-resolution-on-the-safety-of-journalists/. Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.

Ma, Alexandra. “People in China Are Bypassing Its Internet Firewall to Read Explosive Leaked Files about Uighur Oppression, and Saluting an Oficial Who Disobeyed Xi Jinping.” Business Insider, Nov. 2019, https://www.businessinsider.com/china-uighur-bypass-firewall-read-leaks-salute-rebel-oficial-2019-11.

North Korea : Kept in Ignorance. https://rsf.org/en/north-korea. Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.

Saudi Arabia. https://freedomhouse.org/country/saudi-arabia/freedom-net/2019. Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.

“Timeline: The Two Weeks since Myanmar’s Coup.” Reuters, 15 Feb. 2021, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-timeline-idUSKBN2AF04C.

LEBMUN ‘21 | 9 TOPIC 2: The reformation of the Security Council and the United Nations’ operational framework

INTRODUCTION

The Security Council, globally recognized to "take the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression”, while reserving the right “to [impose] sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security”, features 5 nations that hold the power to veto resolutions. The P5 nations, being the leaders in ratifying the UN Charter consist of Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States of America.

Throughout the years, the Security Council has worked to allocate resources, deploy peacekeeping operations and hold the reins to international security and safety… however, it has received international backlash regarding its efectiveness, specifically concerning peacekeeping operations and structural integrity. There have been notable examples of positive peacekeeping operations, however, there have also been instances of redundant spendages of resources, which has upset the international community.

Initially, the P5 nations were recognized to be the most powerful countries and were authorized to make the most important decisions of our planet. In recent years, their reputation has faltered as a result of strong criticism to their decisions and the Security Council structure as a whole.

AVENUES OF DISCUSSION

● The integrity of past and present peacekeeping operations throughout the world ● The international backlash from member states regarding the structural integrity of the SC and the validity of these claims ● The potential reforms that could be approved to make SC a more representative council

LEBMUN ‘21 | 10 KEY TERMS

Veto A veto refers to the power given to P5 nations, allowing them to overrule resolutions in the Security Council, essentially rejecting them. Other countries have opposed this power because it has led to controversial decisions and the overruling of potential positive solutions.

Peacekeeping operations Peacekeeping operations are UN operations in nations in conflict/in need of support, usually by larger, more stable nations. The United Nations Peacekeeping "helps countries navigate the dificult path from conflict to peace. We have unique strengths, including legitimacy, burden sharing, and an ability to deploy troops and police from around the world, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers to address a range of mandates set by the UN Security Council and General Assembly"). They are a point of concern for member states because of the history of varied efectiveness.

Permanent seats in the SC (P5 Members) There are 5 permanent member states in the UNSC: Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States of America. On October 24, 1945, the so-called victors of WWII (the USSR, China, USA, France and Britain) oficially signed the UN Charter, recognizing themselves as being the most powerful and influential nations in the world. They were then granted veto power and a permanent seat on the Security Council, with Russia having taken the seat of the USSR and the People's Republic of China (PRC) having taken over from the Republic of China (ROC) throughout the years.

Rotating Member states in the SC In addition to the Permanent members, there are 10 seats allocated for temporary member states. These countries are chosen for two-year terms by the General Assembly. They don't have any powers, other than two-year representation to express their interests in global afairs.

Regional representation A popular facet of the Security Council reforms, regional representation refers to giving entire regions of countries a permanent seat, instead of giving single countries in those selective regions a seat. One strong candidate for this has been the EU, however, there has been hesitation to induct regions as members.

LEBMUN ‘21 | 11 BACKGROUND

HISTORICAL CONTEXT On October 24, 1945, the USSR, USA, Britain, ROC (Republic of China) and France were given permanent member seats on the Security Council, a council formed to prevent Germany regaining its previous power and to further mitigate, discuss and solve conflicts that stirred up problems for international peace, security and safety of the human race. Having ratified over 2561 resolutions concerning weaponry, peacekeeping operations, nuclear proliferation and other such matters, the Security Council is known for being the place where world leaders create new solutions.

With that being noted, there are only a limited number of member seats on this relatively small council, hosting 5 permanent members and only 10 temporary members. This has sparked controversy with countries advocating for reforms of the Security Council for a multitude of reasons. Claims about regional representation, disparity of privileges and powers, as well as questions of transparency and accountability for major decisions have all been points of concern for the international community. With 6 main groups advocating for diferent degrees of reforms, there has been a definite need to bring attention to this topic. A multi-faceted discussion regarding the validity of these claims clashing with the personal interests of these countries has been taking place for decades.

KEY ACTORS

G4 Nations The G4 Nations consist of India, Germany, Japan and Brazil, who all support each other in claiming a permanent seat at the Security Council. Each country having served decades on the Security Council as non-permanent members, this group was composed to increase the amount of permanent seats on the Security Council to 20.

Uniting for consensus aka "the Cofee Club" Founded in 1995 by Italy, and including other states, such as Mexico, Pakistan and Egypt, the "Uniting for Consensus" group aims to expand the number of member states to 25 afer their proposal to increase the number of permanent seats was denied. Other member states who joined this initiative include South Korea, Canada, Argentina, Spain and more.

African Union aka "Ezulwini Consensus" Similar to the other reform groups formed above, countries in Africa have formed a group to advocate to expand the number of member states to 26 countries. Furthermore, they are requesting the international community to grant Africa two permanent seats with veto power, as well as 2 two non-permanent seats. Their stance on the veto advocates to either completely abolish it or extend this power to other permanent members.

ACT A group of 21 sovereignties transcending regions, calling for the reformation of the Security Council to increase responsibility, transparency and accountability in front of the international community and the United Nations as a whole.

L69 Another group of 40 states, including Brazil and India, aiming to add 6 permanent seats, as well as 6 non-permanent seats. These countries share the "abolish or extend to all permanent members" stance on the veto.

LEBMUN ‘21 | 12 Arab Group Consisting of 22 members, the Arab Group has one aim: to be granted an exclusively Arab permanent seat. In the past, they have been strongly against the veto powers granted to permanent members, however, there haven't been any attempts or alternative solutions to the veto.

PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE

There has only been one recorded reform that has passed, which occurred in 1963. The United Nations Charter was changed to increase the number of temporary member seats from 6 to 10, creating the framework for the number of Security Council member seats.

On March 21, 2005, the Annan Plan, named afer previous Secretary General, "Kofi Annan", who advocated to increase the council to 24 members. He proposed Plan A, as well as a Plan B of action. Plan A advocated to increase the number of permanent member seats by 6, for a total of 11 and increase temporary member states to 13. His second proposal was unique, in that it introduced the concept of creating 8 new seats which would grant a four-year membership, as well as add 3 non-permanent member states. At that time already, Kofi Annan was emphasizing the urgency of these reforms, stating, "This important issue has been discussed for too long. I believe member states should agree to take a decision on it—preferably by consensus, but in any case before the summit—making use of one or other of the options presented in the report of the High-Level Panel".

The continuous debate has resulted in the formation of multiple groups of nations, all advocating for diferent types of changes, but the fact that changes must occur remains ever-present. Past proposals, such as ones by UFC (Uniting for Consensus) groups, have been rejected, causing countries to change the trajectory of their aims. Obviously, any reforms have been strongly frowned upon by the P5 member states, which is something that will be an inevitable roadblock to any proposed solutions.