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Internet Security and Freedom |Ethno Nationalist Terroris
2013
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Dear Delegates,
First and foremost, thank you for deciding to choose the Security Council as your committee of
choice. As thanks, we the chairs of the Security Council hope to bring you both a difficult and
rewarding committee. We believe that Model United Nations fosters teamwork and cooperation
through heated debate and will bending papers, both the glamorous and the grimy explored. We
cannot emphasize how much were looking forward to the heated debate, and how much it
warms our heart to see the passion from our delegates. Thank you for registering for CAHSMUN
2013 and we wish you good luck in your pre-conference research. The United Nations Security
Council also has the ability to command peacemakers and peacekeepers, which is the only UN
body which can command some sort of soldier. The Security Council may decide to overrule a
nations sovereignty if they are unable to protect their own citizens.
At CAHSMUN 2013 the Security Council will be discussing topics:
A: Internet Security and Freedom
B: Ethno Nationalist Terrorism
Your Director,
Eric Han
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Policy on Position Papers
Position papers are a reflection of the preparation that delegates put towards a Model UNconference. Each topic should be addressed briefly in a succinct policy statement representing
the relevant views of your assigned country, NGO, or expert role. You should also include
recommendations for action to be taken by your committee.
CAHSMUN will reward awards to delegation with the best position paper in each committee. In
order for your position paper to be eligible for awards, please follow these guidelines:
You must submit your position paperto your committees email no later than March
29th, 2013 at 11:59 PM
Length cannot exceed two pages; The font must be Times New Roman, between 10 and 12 points;
The margins must be one inch on all sides The file format must be PDF or Word (.doc and .docx);
Each topic is clearly segregated and No national symbols (e.g. flag, coat of arms) can be displayed on the position paper
Double delegates will only need to submit one version of their position paper.
Committee Email Addresses
Commission on Science and Technology for Development: cstd@cahsmun.org
Disarmament and International Security Committee: disec@cahsmun.orgEconomic and Social Council: ecosoc@cahsmun.org
Historical Committee: historical@cahsmun.org
International Monetary Fund: imf@cahsmun.orgOrganization of Islamic Cooperation: oic@cahsmun.org
United Nations Human Rights Council: unhrc@cahsmun.org
Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Affairs Committee: sochum@cahsmun.org
African Union: au@cahsmun.orgNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization: nato@cahsmun.org
Shanghai Cooperation Organization: sco@cahsmun.org
United Nations Security Council: unsc@cahsmun.org
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Topic One: Internet Security and Freedom
The topic of Internet Security and Freedom is a multilateral topic by nature and thus requires a
multilateral response with a multipronged approach. The topic derives from both the wish for
nations to be protected from state-sanctioned Internet attacks and the wish of the general
populace to be generally unrestricted in Internet usages. There are conflicts between cyber
freedom and security as well. Some Member States, such as, Japan, China and Canada, have
enacted bills that would weigh singular national security over the privacy and freedom of speech
of its users.
The Internet itself is a globally distributed network comprised of various voluntary connected
networks. In itself, the Internet does not belong to anyone, though all are free to use it, and in
that sense, the Internet belongs to all persons regardless of nationality or citizenship. This
relatively free international grouping of networks maintains the curse and blessing that it remains
extremely difficult to govern in any way. Certain countries have restricted parts of the Internet to
their preference, such as China with Facebook, though there are citizens who bypass these
restrictions anyhow. Despite restrictions, no country has been able to fully govern the Internetspace or what their citizens may or may not access.
The drive for national security derives from the need to defend from state sanctioned cyber-
attacks as well as freelance cyber-attacks. With the introduction of bills that would limit the
privacy of Internet users, such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act
(PIPA). National governments can better monitor their own systems as well as help pinpoint the
area where the certain attacks originate.
Internet viruses such as Stuxnet have long since been developed and have been used to attack
security systems of governments and banks. Stuxnet was first introduced when it was used to
attack the Iranian nuclear programs by making the centrifuges spin out of control while still
convincing the technicians that everything was in order. Since then, both private terrorist groups
and governmental organizations have created many Stuxnet-like viruses. Viruses have not been
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the only things to stem from this quickly developing cyber age. Multiple Internet-based
organizations have also developedsuch as Anonymous. Anonymous is a large-scale hacktivist
group that has strongly opposed Internet censorship and surveillance. The topic of Internet
freedom has always been on their agenda, and they have actively pursued the preservation of
these rights.
Due to the unprecedented cyber attacks in the past, governments have placed more prominence
on maintaining the Internet servers within their own territories. In 2007, a series of cyber attacks
were directed towards Estonian web servers that hosted content for the Estonian Parliament,
banks, ministries, newspapers and broadcasters. Suspicion was immediately cast upon Russia,
whom Estonia was having a conflict with. Cyber warfare, however, has always been omnipresent
in countries all around the world and each respective country has advanced their security systems
against cyber attacks. In the United States, the Department of Defense has mobilized the United
States Strategic Command with the task of dealing with cyber warfare. Other countries, such as
Israel and China, have also taken appropriate measures to properly arm themselves against these
cyber terrorizations. Israel has established the National Internet Defense Taskforce that is
instructed to develop tools to secure Israeli online infrastructure.
Due to all these dangerous factors on the Internet, it is no surprise that governmental bodies have
started to attempt to regulate and control it, limiting the individual Internet freedom for the
citizens of the nation. Past attempts include bills such as Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), Anti-
Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), and Protect IP Act (PIPA). The presentation of these
bills has stirred global unrest over these acts encroachment on our natural human rights such as
the right of expression and freedom of speech. This only leaves the question about the optimal
level of regulation necessary to provide adequate protection for a nation against foreign bodies
without trespassing on the individuals freedom on the Internet.
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Timeline
2003The formation of Anonymous
October 4, 2006The creation of Wikileaks
April 27, 2007Cyber attacks on Estonia
March 2010The first spread of Stuxnet
June 19, 2010USA introduced Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010
October 25, 2010Cyber attacks on Myanmar
September, 30, 2011UN-backed forum discusses Internet security
July 6, 2012UN declares Internet freedom a basic human right
Potential Solutions/Questions to consider
Due to the fluctuating amount of cyber-attacks and cyber-terrorism in the web where sources of
these infringements remain ever so difficult, agreements are extremely difficult to enforce. It is
up to the delegates of the United Nations Security Council to recognize the issue and make an
official stance of regarding cyber-attacks as a declaration of war, and also debating the issue of
protecting its civilians or restricting their freedom of speech. While many conferences have been
held, the number of cyber-attacks has not decreased, and does not look favorable to slowing.
With the advantage of creating binding resolutions, how will the Security Council ensure that the
sovereignty of each nations countrys domains are respected?
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Topic Two: Ethno-nationalist Terrorism
Nationalism refers to the concept that ones heritage is superior to all others, be it on religious,
political, or cultural grounds. Terrorism is acting in a way that would promote fear amongst the
general masses, though in this context it will be defined by the actions of a nationalist group who
is attempting to cause mass fear. Thus the topic we will be covering at this years CAHSMUN
2013 is not how to deal with a certain ethno nationalist terrorist group, but instead creating a
framework or a system to help stifle groups that take part in ethno nationalist terrorism. 1
It is hard to define ethno-nationalist terrorism because of the subjective nature of identity and
cause. As stipulated previously, when one views his or her heritage or national identity as
superior to all others, this individual will not consider violent acts as terrorism as the cause is just
to his identity. Conversely, those subjected to violence, or even simply inconvenienced by it,
may not be sympathetic towards such cause and would view such acts as terrorism. Violence is
thus a key component of ethno-nationalist terrorism as a means of inflicting mass panic and
gaining visibility.
Hamas is a group based out of Palestine, and is currently governing the Gaza Strip. The territory
that now encompasses Palestine and Israel was once governed by the United Kingdom as a
mandate after it was granted to them by the Treaty of Versailles. After the Second World War
the Jewish people were in search of their own land, and by increasing their presence in the
Mandate territory, established the State of Israel. After Six Days War that led to the death of
several prominent Palestinians, Sheik Ahmed Yassin formed Hamas with the main goal of
protecting existing Palestinian territory and reclaiming those settled or occupied by Israelis.
The Irish Republican Party (IRA) was an ethno- nationalist army based in Ireland to establish an
Irish state free of British control. The main purpose of the IRA was to combat the Northern Irish
soldiers as well as the British soldiers through acts that could be seen as terrorism. This guerrilla
style army fought in attempts to stop the conjoining of the two regions, which would later create
the Republic of Ireland and reduce British authority in United Kingdom of Great Britain and
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Northern Ireland. After the truce between the Irish Republican Army and the British Army, the
IRA would continue as a non-violent organization before they split in 1969.
Possible Solutions
As the issue of ethno- nationalist terrorism is one that changes with perspective, delegates would
benefit by defining what exactly constitutes as an ethno- nationalist terrorist group. From there
the Council can move to how to deal with the general issue. The general issue would require both
a long term and short term solution. The short being how to deal with established ethno
nationalist terrorist groups, and the long term being how to prevent new groups from emerging
Possible long term solutions could be the standardization of laws internationally that would stop
these groups from emerging, though it may conflict with some nations rights to freedom. Proper
meeting of demands of a certain typing of people would stop organizations from rising in the
first place. The problem with this approach is that there are not enough resources to keep all
possible groups content.
Possible short term solutions for combating ethno nationalist terrorists would be the creation of a
separate committee or international policing agency to combat these organizations. The problems
with funding and resources would play a large role in the short term decisions of the Security
Council, delegates must keep that in mind when dealing with a large scale issue like ethno
nationalist terrorists. A very present solution for this upcoming conference would be to gain
support of individual nations to help quell issues within their own borders, and the assurance of
ratification of said support.
Discussion Questions
1. What is your countrys criteria to what is and what isnt an ethno nationalist terrorist group?
2. How does your countrys current political diplomacy correlate to your list of organizations
that are ethno nationalist terrorists?
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3. Does your country house any ethno nationalist terrorists by any nations standards? If so, to
what degree do they influence the decisions of your government and people?
4. How does your nations region correlate to your list of organizations that are ethno nationalist
terrorist organizations?
5. How does your countrys government align, if at all, with your local ethno nationalist
organizations?
6. What are your countrys views on the Middle Eastern ethno nationalist groups?
7. How does your countrys current economic standing correlate, if at all, with the extremism of
your ethno nationalist organizations?
8. How does your countrys current economic standing correlate, if at all, with the number of or
influence of your ethno nationalist organizations?
References
1 http://www.drtomoconnor.com/3400/3400lect03.htm
2 http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/
3 http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/United-Nations,-The-Palestine-
Problem/Story723.html
4 http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/irish-republican-army.html
5 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/16/rise-greek-far-right-turmoil
6 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/28/us-un-assembly-syria-idUSBRE88R14U20120928
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