Resolution on Condemning and Distancing our State from Nations Exhibiting Authoritarian Governance Trends
Sponsored by Mike Carpenter
Adopted by the State Central Committee on January 10, 2026
WHEREAS, the Utah Republican Party was founded upon the principles of individual liberty, free expression, limited government, and personal responsibility; and
WHEREAS, recent developments in several Western nations — including, but not limited to, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia — demonstrate an increasing shift away from these foundational principles through the expansion of government control, surveillance, the suppression of dissenting viewpoints, and the implementation of restrictive speech and information policies; and
WHEREAS, these nations have adopted and continue to promote policies that undermine the rights of their citizens to freely express opinions, debate controversial issues, and live without undue interference from the state; and
WHEREAS, the Utah Republican Party recognizes that association with, or endorsement of such governance trends, would conflict with its mission and values; as well as the foundations of the State of Utah and the United States of America
WHEREAS, the UK police make over 30 arrests per day for ‘offensive’ online communications under vague laws criminalizing messages that cause ‘annoyance’, ‘inconvenience’ or ‘anxiety.
WHEREAS, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, has called out the Australian government for attempting to extend their authoritarian behavior on American social media platforms.
WHEREAS, the Government of Canada has utilized sections 318–320.1 of the Criminal Code, which criminalize the “willful promotion of hatred” to restrict dissent of mass migration and criticism of government policies;
WHEREAS, Germany’s Section 130 of the Criminal Code and the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) criminalize Holocaust denial, incitement to hatred, and require removal of “manifestly unlawful” online content;
WHEREAS, these policies and legal standards collectively undermine the principle that freedom of speech includes not only popular or agreeable expression but also the right to offend, criticize, and dissent;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Utah Republican Party respectfully urges the State of Utah to carefully evaluate and, where appropriate, limit cooperative efforts with nations — including, but not limited to, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia — to the extent that their current policies or actions diverge from principles of free speech and individual rights that have long united our shared traditions.
THEREFORE, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that the Utah Republican Party Chair, Vice Chair, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman formally request that the Republican National Committee advocate for a push within the national committee for careful review of partnerships, trade relationships, and cooperative initiatives with nations — including, but not limited to, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia — to the extent that their current policies or actions diverge from the shared Western principles of free speech, individual liberty, and democratic governance.
Sponsored by: Mike Carpenter, Utah County