PASSED: Passport Harmonisation Act

[Flibbleites]

Face it, you're trying to subject the World Assembly to a police organization named for a Nazi organization responsible for genocide.

No, Cob isn't trying to subject the WA to any sort of police organization because if he were, we wouldn't be voting on it because WA police forces are against the proposal rules.

[The Casadian Empire]

Face it, you're trying to subject the World Assembly to a police organization named for a Nazi organization responsible for genocide.

No, Cob isn't trying to subject the WA to any sort of police organization because if he were, we wouldn't be voting on it because WA police forces are against the proposal rules.

Wrong. For your convenience, I shall quote the relevant portions of the Passport Standardization Act which prove that this is a police organization.

NOTING the potential security risks arising from being unable to accurately assess those entering and leaving a nation,
FURTHER NOTING that such a potential security risk may be exacerbated by the inability of relevant officials to guarantee the authenticity of a foreign passport,
so this is a security-oriented organization. the first clue.

MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by a relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other nationality status, when travelling abroad, except where deemed unnecessary through the existence of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement, or when unilaterally declared unnecessary by the receiving nation,
and how will this mandate be enforced?

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.
meaning that all WA nations are subject to the authority of the GESTAPO, a security organization which enforces its own mandates. this is starting to sound a bit scary.

ENSHRINES the right of consuls to visit nationals carrying an appropriate passport of the nation they represent when detained for legal reasons:
a ) allows consuls to give the detainee legal advice, lists of approved counsels and/or barristers, and guidance on the legal process of the nation in which they are detained;
this organization has the power to detain people! this is the defining feature of a police force - a government-sanctioned entity with the authority to detain a person so that they may be prosecuted for violation of law.

AFFIRMS that any national of a member state, carrying a valid passport and visa cannot be denied entry to a nation, except where either the security of that nation is at stake, for reasons of medical quarantine, where there is reason to believe the terms of the visa are likely to be violated or if there is reason to believe the visa was obtained fraudulently,
so this is a security-oriented organization with police powers that has the authority to override national law using its own mandates to force nations to admit certain persons against their will!

Are you still convinced that GESTAPO, formerly known as SWASTIKA, is not a police organization, merely because it is not called so? If so, I can offer you a great deal on the Brooklyn Bridge - it's mine to sell and I'm happy to negotiate a price.

[Tzorsland]

Really, I don't see what the problem is. I mean it's not like someone tried to make an acronym out of DALEK.

While we are at it, I am deeply troubled that so few are makking their potatoes happy. Happy spuds make happy potato vodka.

[Flibbleites]

Face it, you're trying to subject the World Assembly to a police organization named for a Nazi organization responsible for genocide.

No, Cob isn't trying to subject the WA to any sort of police organization because if he were, we wouldn't be voting on it because WA police forces are against the proposal rules.

Wrong. For your convenience, I shall quote the relevant portions of the Passport Standardization Act which prove that this is a police organization.

NOTING the potential security risks arising from being unable to accurately assess those entering and leaving a nation,
FURTHER NOTING that such a potential security risk may be exacerbated by the inability of relevant officials to guarantee the authenticity of a foreign passport,
so this is a security-oriented organization. the first clue.

MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by a relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other nationality status, when travelling abroad, except where deemed unnecessary through the existence of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement, or when unilaterally declared unnecessary by the receiving nation,
and how will this mandate be enforced?

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.
meaning that all WA nations are subject to the authority of the GESTAPO, a security organization which enforces its own mandates. this is starting to sound a bit scary.

ENSHRINES the right of consuls to visit nationals carrying an appropriate passport of the nation they represent when detained for legal reasons:
a ) allows consuls to give the detainee legal advice, lists of approved counsels and/or barristers, and guidance on the legal process of the nation in which they are detained;
this organization has the power to detain people! this is the defining feature of a police force - a government-sanctioned entity with the authority to detain a person so that they may be prosecuted for violation of law.

AFFIRMS that any national of a member state, carrying a valid passport and visa cannot be denied entry to a nation, except where either the security of that nation is at stake, for reasons of medical quarantine, where there is reason to believe the terms of the visa are likely to be violated or if there is reason to believe the visa was obtained fraudulently,
so this is a security-oriented organization with police powers that has the authority to override national law using its own mandates to force nations to admit certain persons against their will!

Are you still convinced that GESTAPO, formerly known as SWASTIKA, is not a police organization, merely because it is not called so? If so, I can offer you a great deal on the Brooklyn Bridge - it's mine to sell and I'm happy to negotiate a price.

You're wrong the only thing that the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation does is contained in this section.

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
a) This organisation will establish minimum requirements of details to be included into passports, including but not limited to passport numbers, facial representations of the owner, name, date of birth, validity, and anti-forgery features;
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.

Everything else is handled by the member nations.

[The Casadian Empire]

Face it, you're trying to subject the World Assembly to a police organization named for a Nazi organization responsible for genocide.

No, Cob isn't trying to subject the WA to any sort of police organization because if he were, we wouldn't be voting on it because WA police forces are against the proposal rules.

Wrong. For your convenience, I shall quote the relevant portions of the Passport Standardization Act which prove that this is a police organization.

NOTING the potential security risks arising from being unable to accurately assess those entering and leaving a nation,
FURTHER NOTING that such a potential security risk may be exacerbated by the inability of relevant officials to guarantee the authenticity of a foreign passport,
so this is a security-oriented organization. the first clue.

MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by a relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other nationality status, when travelling abroad, except where deemed unnecessary through the existence of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement, or when unilaterally declared unnecessary by the receiving nation,
and how will this mandate be enforced?

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.
meaning that all WA nations are subject to the authority of the GESTAPO, a security organization which enforces its own mandates. this is starting to sound a bit scary.

ENSHRINES the right of consuls to visit nationals carrying an appropriate passport of the nation they represent when detained for legal reasons:
a ) allows consuls to give the detainee legal advice, lists of approved counsels and/or barristers, and guidance on the legal process of the nation in which they are detained;
this organization has the power to detain people! this is the defining feature of a police force - a government-sanctioned entity with the authority to detain a person so that they may be prosecuted for violation of law.

AFFIRMS that any national of a member state, carrying a valid passport and visa cannot be denied entry to a nation, except where either the security of that nation is at stake, for reasons of medical quarantine, where there is reason to believe the terms of the visa are likely to be violated or if there is reason to believe the visa was obtained fraudulently,
so this is a security-oriented organization with police powers that has the authority to override national law using its own mandates to force nations to admit certain persons against their will!

Are you still convinced that GESTAPO, formerly known as SWASTIKA, is not a police organization, merely because it is not called so? If so, I can offer you a great deal on the Brooklyn Bridge - it's mine to sell and I'm happy to negotiate a price.

You're wrong the only thing that the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation does is contained in this section.

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
a) This organisation will establish minimum requirements of details to be included into passports, including but not limited to passport numbers, facial representations of the owner, name, date of birth, validity, and anti-forgery features;
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.

Everything else is handled by the member nations.

Flibbleites, though I agree that yours is a valid interpretation of the resolution, it does not change the fact that the resolution does the following things:
1) calls for the creation of an organization called GESTAPO, formerly SWASTICA, which enforces identification standards throughout the world;
2) establishes numerous mandates that supersede the laws of sovereign nations, even though GESTAPO is an organization of unelected bureaucrats which is granted wide-reaching powers under this resolution;
3) mandates that all nations obey the mandates of GESTAPO;

Furthermore, Gestapo is literally taken from the German words that combine to form the term "secret state police." I will admit that one must read between the lines to understand the consequences of this resolution, but is it really that obscure that our nations will be forced to comply with the orders of GESTAPO agents, who can literally override a nation's sovereignty where it matters most - at and within its own borders? And is there any excuse for the use of Nazi undertones? We may agree to disagree, but I fail to see any lack of reason in my position.

[Mesogiria]

You're wrong the only thing that the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation does is contained in this section.

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
a) This organisation will establish minimum requirements of details to be included into passports, including but not limited to passport numbers, facial representations of the owner, name, date of birth, validity, and anti-forgery features;
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.

Everything else is handled by the member nations.

That paragrahp itself is highly disturbing. It places no limit on what information the GESTAPO is permitted to mandate on passports. They could require personal information not germane to immigration issues: bank information, a nation's equivalent of a Social Security number, credit rating, or any other such information that would violate the privacy of individuals.

[Philimbesi]

Nigel had run to the bathroom for a minute when Herb (Nigels dementia-ridden father in law) came stumbling down the aisle. After a brief battle with his sport coat, with no clear cut winner, he found the podium and cleared his throat.

"I do remind the general assembly that the Cobdenia deli-thingy person is very fond of zeppelins... and we all know zeppels were used as a tool by the Nazi's so therefore it's obvious to me.... that... we should all use trolleys... thank you"


then Herb turned around cakewalked up the stairs and left of the room...

[Cobdenia]

Face it, you're trying to subject the World Assembly to a police organization named for a Nazi organization responsible for genocide.

No, Cob isn't trying to subject the WA to any sort of police organization because if he were, we wouldn't be voting on it because WA police forces are against the proposal rules.

Wrong. For your convenience, I shall quote the relevant portions of the Passport Standardization Act which prove that this is a police organization.

NOTING the potential security risks arising from being unable to accurately assess those entering and leaving a nation,
FURTHER NOTING that such a potential security risk may be exacerbated by the inability of relevant officials to guarantee the authenticity of a foreign passport,
so this is a security-oriented organization. the first clue.

No, it just sets out that standardised passport control is good for security. In fact, the entire resolution is, incidentally, just a rehash of another resolution from the olden days: http://www.nationstates.net/page=UN_past_resolutions/council=0/start=225

MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by a relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other nationality status, when travelling abroad, except where deemed unnecessary through the existence of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement, or when unilaterally declared unnecessary by the receiving nation,
and how will this mandate be enforced?

The same way every other resolution is enforced: compliance is mandatory - using this as justification for the proposal being illegal on the grounds of creating a WA police is preposterous as suggesting that the "The Prisoners of War Accord" creates an international police in order to ensure compliance

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.
meaning that all WA nations are subject to the authority of the GESTAPO, a security organization which enforces its own mandates. this is starting to sound a bit scary.

I have no idea where it suggests it enforces it's own mandates - there is no neccessity to, as compliance is mandatory

ENSHRINES the right of consuls to visit nationals carrying an appropriate passport of the nation they represent when detained for legal reasons:
a ) allows consuls to give the detainee legal advice, lists of approved counsels and/or barristers, and guidance on the legal process of the nation in which they are detained;
this organization has the power to detain people! this is the defining feature of a police force - a government-sanctioned entity with the authority to detain a person so that they may be prosecuted for violation of law.

Erm, okay, whatever you're smoking, it might be a good idea to quit. It has no power to detain people. ALl it says it that consuls may visit people who are detained - i.e., a foreign national arrested in your country for, say, murder or burglary or smuggling drugs has the right to be visited by a diplomatic representative of that country (OoC: confirming to RL practice)

AFFIRMS that any national of a member state, carrying a valid passport and visa cannot be denied entry to a nation, except where either the security of that nation is at stake, for reasons of medical quarantine, where there is reason to believe the terms of the visa are likely to be violated or if there is reason to believe the visa was obtained fraudulently,
so this is a security-oriented organization with police powers that has the authority to override national law using its own mandates to force nations to admit certain persons against their will!

Urm...no...that why they need a valid visa - which is issued by your country, not by Nambla

OoC: some people really need to watch a good few episodes of 'Allo 'Allo or The Producers. Or accept the advantages to this; a country role playing a third reich nation, and threatening to send the gestapo to kill your spies or whathaveyou? Ask them why an organisation dedicated to ensuring quality passport design would want to kill a spy. The possibilities for preventing pseudo-nazi tosh on the forum are greatly enhanced by the resolution.

[The Casadian Empire]

"The possibilities for preventing pseudo-nazi tosh on the forum are greatly enhanced by the resolution."

To be clear, you have proposed a resolution which calls for the creation of the GESTAPO, formerly known as SWASTICA, which infringes upon the sovereignty of free nations, and you think this actually prevents Nazism? Forgive me for not being as open minded as you, but I'd rather not indulge your Nazi fantasies.

My grandfather once told me that it is unwise to argue with an idiot, because an onlooker might not be able to tell which person is the bigger idiot. I am done discussing this.

[Cobdenia]

You're wrong the only thing that the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation does is contained in this section.

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.
a) This organisation will establish minimum requirements of details to be included into passports, including but not limited to passport numbers, facial representations of the owner, name, date of birth, validity, and anti-forgery features;
b) Members states are required to abide by these requirements.

Everything else is handled by the member nations.

That paragrahp itself is highly disturbing. It places no limit on what information the GESTAPO is permitted to mandate on passports. They could require personal information not germane to immigration issues: bank information, a nation's equivalent of a Social Security number, credit rating, or any other such information that would violate the privacy of individuals.

THeir is a right to privacy resolution that prevents this; and why would they?

"The possibilities for preventing pseudo-nazi tosh on the forum are greatly enhanced by the resolution."

To be clear, you have proposed a resolution which calls for the creation of the GESTAPO, formerly known as SWASTICA, which infringes upon the sovereignty of free nations, and you think this actually prevents Nazism? Forgive me for not being as open minded as you, but I'd rather not indulge your Nazi fantasies.

My grandfather once told me that it is unwise to argue with an idiot, because an onlooker might not be able to tell which person is the bigger idiot. I am done discussing this.

Hoo-bloody-ray! Good riddance to someone so lacking in basic intellectual faculties that they are unable to read clearly stated rebuttals of all their asinine objections

[Philimbesi]

My grandfather once told me that it is unwise to argue with an idiot, because an onlooker might not be able to tell which person is the bigger idiot. I am done discussing this.

OOC:
Flame much? Funny my grand-father once told me that in an argument the first person to call the other a name is the loser... but I digress...

Every WA resolution infringes on a nations sovereignty it's a moot point, you signed up for that infringement when you signed up for the WA. Regardless of the committee or non committee created by the resolution, so stop it with the NatSov arguments they're tired.

[Omigodtheykilledkenny]

An unnamed toady from the State Department barges in on Commander Chiang in her dressing room as she fixes her makeup:

"Commander, before you go through with this, you should know that your planned presentation to the General Assembly could be considered offensive and culturally insensitive to quite a few WA delegations present."

The Commander glares at the young aid from the reflection in her backstage mirror. "Are you fucking kidding me? We're Kennyites!" she finally informs him while absently returning to making up her face. "'Offensive' is our middle name! If anything, the prospect of offending people is an incentive to do it! Now, if you wouldn't mind informing the ambassador that I will late for our...erm, "interrogation" tonight; I have a few meetings here before I can get away."

"But Commander," protested the aid, "the ambassador is currently detained at our military prison on Tiki Taki; you actually intend for me to fly all the way there just to relay a personal message?"

"Yes," the Commander said angrily as she rose from her chair and whirled around to face him. "That should get you out of my hair for at least half a day. Now if you don't mind, I have a presentation to make."

Moments later, the General Assembly is treated to a dramatic Broadway-style soundtrack blasting from the overhead speakers as a giant banner of NAZI EUROPE is proudly unfurled at the head of the chamber. Just then, the aisles are crowded with columns of Stripper Commandos marching onto the debate floor, all wearing SS-inspired uniforms, only much more revealing and tight-fitting. They congregate at the dais and commence performing a rather seductive dance routine. A spotlight illuminates the podium as Commander Chiang, appropriately dressed to match her officers' uniforms, suddenly appears behind it and proceeds to dazzle the assembly with her lovely operatic singing voice:

Springtime for Hitler and Germany!
Winter for Poland and France!...

The commandos are well-aware that every eye in the assembly is bugged out and glaring at them, whether because they actually are offended at the unexpected tribute to the authors' apparent Nazi sympathies, or just because the commandos' busts all appear ready to burst from their tight little uniforms, they do not know.

[Philimbesi]

Herb burst in during the musical number screaming

"Don't be shtupid be a shmarty come and join the Nazi party!"

He then joined in the chorus...

[Nazi-Like Zombies]

A foul stench is observed in the general assembly chamber. More so then when senator Sulla is present, suddenly the door bursts open and and the assembly turns from the OMGTKK performance to observe four creatures standing in the doorway. After a second one of them starts to descend the stair case, he is followed by the rest of the team.

Their skin is gray and in some places is starting to separate from their bones. Their expressions are hollow, but their eyes burn a solid green color. They approach the dais.

Finally the leader speaks.... a guttural moan is all that is heard, after a moment one of the delegates taps the leader on the shoulder and let's out a different moan.. the leader nodded and then press a button on a light blue box that is located below his chin... a small red led blinks with each syllable.

"Hello, honored ambassadors, my name is Fritz and I come here today to support this law. Also I come to volunteer our service to the GASTAPO. We have been hard at work coming up with standards and would like to show you some of what we've come up with." The color of his eyes turns a pretty pink as one of the assistants pulls out a white board with a picture of a white and black document holder.

"This is our "on the go" passport case. It's a simple yet modern design. It is large enough to hold all you documents plus comes with a lipstick case or wallet for the busy traveler.

The assistant pulls out another.

"This one is a sassy little number made of snakeskin with fine leather inserts."

And another ... The delegates got the idea this might go on a while.

[Almaniania]

I would like to point out that this clearly says GESTAPO and SWASTICA. Now, someone explain how that is a coincidence? Cause the GESTAPO here is starting to sound like a omnipresent secret police...

Anyways, there is no real need for a group like this. It's called, DON'T PRINT VISAS!

I summon the super face smacker!

[Flibbleites]

Flibbleites, though I agree that yours is a valid interpretation of the resolution, it does not change the fact that the resolution does the following things:
1) calls for the creation of an organization called GESTAPO, formerly SWASTICA, which enforces identification standards throughout the world;

No, the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation sets standards for passports the standards for any other form of ID would still be handled on a national (or lower) level.

2) establishes numerous mandates that supersede the laws of sovereign nations, even though GESTAPO is an organization of unelected bureaucrats which is granted wide-reaching powers under this resolution;

Hello, that's what the entire WA does. As stated in the FAQ.

The WA is the world's governing body. It proposes and votes on resolutions, which are then binding on all member nations.

The WA is your chance to mold the rest of the world to your vision, by voting for resolutions you like and scuttling the rest. However, it's a double-edged sword, because your nation will also be affected by any resolutions that pass. (You can't just obey the resolutions you like and ignore the rest, like real nations do.)

And in Rights and Duties of WA States.

Article 2 § Every WA Member State has the right to exercise jurisdiction over its territory and over all persons and things therein, subject to the immunities recognized by international law.

Article 3 § Every WA Member State has the duty to refrain from unrequested intervention in the internal or external economic, political, religious, and social affairs of any other NationState, subject to the immunities recognized by international law.

The bolded sections there mean that when a national law conflicts with a WA Resolution the resolution takes precedence.

3) mandates that all nations obey the mandates of GESTAPO;

Considering that this resolution's point is to standardize passports and the resolution has the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation setting what those standards are, it would render this resolution fairly toothless if nations could just ignore the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.

Furthermore, Gestapo is literally taken from the German words that combine to form the term "secret state police."

That's odd I thought that in this case the word was coming from the acronym for the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.

I will admit that one must read between the lines to understand the consequences of this resolution, but is it really that obscure that our nations will be forced to comply with the orders of GESTAPO agents, who can literally override a nation's sovereignty where it matters most - at and within its own borders?

I see nothing in this resolution that prohibits nations from making their own judgments as to who they will allow into their nation.=

[Philimbesi]

Anyways, there is no real need for a group like this. It's called, DON'T PRINT VISAS!

Well, if the ambassador really wishes to close their boarders to tourists, students, and professionals from other nations we suppose that is well within their power.

[Almaniania]

I just think this is becoming into a beauracracy. The WA should remain a group with some power, but not enough to regulate passports. It just seems wrong. It's one of those things that if it goes against the WA's current feeling, it's fine. Why? A nation's rights that's why.

Also, I wouldn't be too dead set against this if it didn't say GESTAPO or SWASTICA. There is no way this could be coincidence. It has to be Nazi propoganda. Passing this means the WA is a beauracracy filled with Nazis.

[Philimbesi]

OOC:
Nazi Propaganda! Can you please point out where national purity is outlined in this resolution? Possibly point out to me where it's putting down democracy or socialism? Where it says one race is better than another? This is about making sure that passports are standardized throughout the WA member nations. For gods sake stop getting hung up on and acronym and start looking at what the friggin thing does. It doesn't bring gnomes high stepping into our airports. It doesn't subject nations to an outside police force, if it did it would be illegal, and honestly because Hitler called and organization in Germany in 1940 something doesn't mean that every organization in the the entire universe for the rest of the world with the same god-damn name acts the same way.

[The Walden Estates]

I felt like voting for this, until I came across this:

FOUNDS the Global Emigration, Security, Travel And Passport Organisation.

GESTAPO? Are you serious? That is sick and disgusting that someone would hide such a reference to such a tragedy, and make fun of it! Well, I think we should veto this bill, because we will not tolerate people making light of the Holocaust!

[Philimbesi]

GESTAPO? Are you serious? That is sick and disgusting that someone would hide such a reference to such a tragedy, and make fun of it! Well, I think we should veto this bill, because we will not tolerate people making light of the Holocaust!

How about you post it in the official topic up there..

[The Walden Estates]

GESTAPO? Are you serious? That is sick and disgusting that someone would hide such a reference to such a tragedy, and make fun of it! Well, I think we should veto this bill, because we will not tolerate people making light of the Holocaust!

How about you post it in the official topic up there..

good idea

[Philimbesi]

Merge requested.

[A mean old man]

Very few people are cheering up that potato (poll).

It needs more emotional support than it is receiving.

[Tzorsland]

[float=right][/float]I regret to inform the delegate to Nazi-Like Zombies that under WA law, all committees are staffed by ... Gnomes. No really, those little buggers creap me out. They are walking caltrops.