A lively debate took place during the last leg of the UNHRC sessions in the first meeting of the committee in October 2022. Consequently, it provided grounds for countries that were previously in alliance to take stances that ensured their relations now require major reparations.
This debate was centred around the agenda of, “how mass surveillance can be used in the future to prevent social unrest in member states,” and was brought to motion by the Delegate of Poland. Poland, the USA, and Japan were for the motion, while the Democratic Republic of Congo (hereafter referred to as the DRC), Vietnam, and Japan were against the motion.
This debate began with opening statements, and thereafter, the floor was open to debate between the two teams, one for, and one against the proposed topic for the debate.
To kick off the debate, the delegate of the USA’s opening speech explained how mass surveillance could act as evidence for criminal activity and be used to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, as well as people around the globe. To quote the Delegate of the DRC, “you say that using regulated and non-randomized mass surveillance will be of benefit, but your statement is […] contradicting your actions currently. As you are representing the government of the USA, it is a well-known fact that the USA is a member of the Five Eyes.”
Following this, the Delegate of the DRC proceeded to question the integrity of the USA’s sentiments – as they were a founding member of the Five Eyes – on the heels of the UKUSA Agreement. The Five Eyes organization is one whose members have been regarded by the Delegate of the DRC as countries that “use mass surveillance to oppress their minorities as well as to intercept and gather data on their citizens and share it to other countries.”
Furthermore, the delegate directed a rancorous sentiment to the delegate of the USA, “you say that you do not need to violate human rights and basic fundamental rights, yet that is exactly what you are doing.” Prior to this, the DRC and USA had longstanding relations, following the independence of the DRC from Belgium in 1960. Subsequently, the delegates of the DRC and USA proceeded to engage in an expeditious debate, after which one could safely conclude their relations were on extremely thin ice.
The debate continued with placid exchanges between Japan, Sudan, and Poland. No conclusion or middle ground was reached through this debate, although it could be said that the alliances between the member states of the UNHRC were becoming abundantly clear.
Despite the decades of uninterrupted relations between the two member states, it seems that they are on different sides of the argument when it comes down to the use of mass surveillance and its usage to oppress minorities. However, despite the anticipation, the exchanges held today could only be described as discursive and redundant, and will be continued on the second day of the conference, as the committee reconvenes.
