[DRAFT] Freedom From Violence

[Eireann Fae]

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong

The World Assembly,

RECOGNIZING that there are professions where one may be called upon to cause harm,

REALIZING that there are those who have no objection to perform such duties,

ALSO REALIZING that there are those who do have such an objection,

HEREBY MANDATES;

1. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be compelled by another, for any reason, to inflict harm, pain or death on any other sentient being.
2. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be persecuted, prosecuted, or punished for refusal to inflict harm, pain or death.
3. This resolution does not affect the ability of inhabitants of member nations to take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm, pain or death of their own volition.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong

The World Assembly,

RECOGNIZING that there are professions where one may be called upon to cause harm,

REALIZING that there are those who have no objection to perform such duties,

ALSO REALIZING that there are those who do have such an objection,

HEREBY MANDATES;

1. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be compelled by another^[5], for any reason, to inflict painharm^[2], pain^[3] or death on any other sentient beingagainst the citizen's will^[1].
2. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be persecuted, prosecuted, or punished for refusal to inflict harm, pain or death^[4].
3. Inhabitants of member nations may still take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm of their own volition.^[1]
3. This resolution does not affect the ability of inhabitants of member nations to take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm, pain or death^[4] of their own volition<sup>[1]

1</sup> Suggested by Quelesh
² Suggested by Linux and the X
³ Suggested by Quelesh (again :-)
⁴ Suggested by Quelesh (...and again :-)
⁵ Suggested by Sanctaria

Items up for debate

Replacing "harm, pain" with "physical injury" in the active clauses.
(I personally don't want to, as it considerably weakens the force of the proposal. Mental abuse, among other types, may be forcibly performed with the new wording.)
Support: Coxnord, Keronian
Oppose: Quelesh, Ossitania

Adding the following clause: 1a. If a member nation is forced to defend their sovereignty from an invading aggressor, citizens of that nation may be compelled to defend their nation, only within their nation's borders and only to the extent necessary to repel the invasion.
(I don't like this one either, obviously. It has been suggested that this can be submitted in a second attempt should the first fail to pass.)
Support:
Oppose: Linux and the X, Sanctaria
Add Later: Quelesh

[Unibot II]

A doctor suddenly stops his surgery halfway, leaving his patient, Mr. Pathos to die on the operating room table. Immediately thereafter, the doctor left the room and went to get a coffee across the street. His reason, you may ask? "I just didn't want to cut a person anymore.. I just couldn't do it anymore".

Rest in Peace, Mr. Pathos , whether your murderer is held accountable or not for his actions.

[Eireann Fae]

A doctor suddenly stops his surgery halfway, leaving his patient, Mr. Pathos to die on the operating room table. Immediately thereafter, the doctor left the room and went to get a coffee across the street. His reason, you may ask? "I just didn't want to cut a person anymore.. I just couldn't do it anymore".

Rest in Peace, Mr. Pathos , whether your murderer is held accountable or not for his actions. :roll:

As she finds herself doing a lot when Mr. Heir is around, Alexandra smiles. "Perhaps something like 'except during the course of a medical operation' could be added? Or anything else you suggest?"

[Coxnord]

The Holy Empire prefers the resolution currently under threat of repeal, but, should that indeed be repealed, this proposal would be the next best thing we have seen.

Furthermore, we find it hard to see that a surgical procedure with aenesthetics could be construed as covered by this draft.

[Quelesh]

3. Inhabitants of member nations may still take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm of their own volition.

I recommend changing this to something like "3. This resolution does not affect the ability of inhabitants of member nations to take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm of their own volition."

I also recommend removing "against the citizen's will" from clause 1; it's unnecessary, and its removal will make the clause more clear and concise.

That said, I like this, of course.

[Eireann Fae]

Rowan addresses the Queleshian Ambassador while Alexandra writes up the necessary changes. "We welcome your changes, Delegate, and appreciate your support." The girl lowers her voice and continues, "And, uh, sorry about the stabbing thing. Politics, you know."

The Holy Empire prefers the resolution currently under threat of repeal, but, should that indeed be repealed, this proposal would be the next best thing we have seen.

Furthermore, we find it hard to see that a surgical procedure with aenesthetics could be construed as covered by this draft.

"We, too, wish the Conscientious Objector Act could stay in place, but alas, it was not meant to be. We agree with your reasoning concerning the medical aspect of 'causing harm', and that is why it was never mentioned in the text of our resolution. We prefer our resolutions to be as simple as possible, without a long list of definitions or exceptions. We will add such as necessary to gain majority benefit to the People, of course, but I think it best to start with a simple foundation and build up from there." Rowan smiles at the Empire's Ambassador. "Thank you for your support."

[Quelesh]

The girl lowers her voice and continues, "And, uh, sorry about the stabbing thing. Politics, you know."

*Alexandria Yadoru chuckles as she recalls the "stab wounds" that the two representatives of the Fae inflicted on her earlier.*

You have to follow your conscience. I forgive you, but I think you'd better share some of your herb to make up for it.

[Unibot II]

A doctor suddenly stops his surgery halfway, leaving his patient, Mr. Pathos to die on the operating room table. Immediately thereafter, the doctor left the room and went to get a coffee across the street. His reason, you may ask? "I just didn't want to cut a person anymore.. I just couldn't do it anymore".

Rest in Peace, Mr. Pathos , whether your murderer is held accountable or not for his actions.

As she finds herself doing a lot when Mr. Heir is around, Alexandra smiles. "Perhaps something like 'except during the course of a medical operation' could be added? Or anything else you suggest?"

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/double-effect/

[Diogenes Epicurius]

Absolutely, positively not. If this act can even muster half the votes necessary for bringing it to a vote, I'd be astounded.

[Charlotte Ryberg]

Ms. Harper does appreciate the idea and perhaps she may follow this but she always had a feeling that military conscription was deserving of its own topic.

[Parti Ouvrier]

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong

The World Assembly,

RECOGNIZING that there are professions where one may be called upon to cause harm,

REALIZING that there are those who have no objection to perform such duties,

ALSO REALIZING that there are those who do have such an objection,

HEREBY MANDATES;

1. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be compelled, for any reason, to inflict pain or death on any other sentient being.
2. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be persecuted, prosecuted, or punished for refusal to inflict harm.
3. This resolution does not affect the ability of inhabitants of member nations to take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm of their own volition.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong

The World Assembly,

RECOGNIZING that there are professions where one may be called upon to cause harm,

REALIZING that there are those who have no objection to perform such duties,

ALSO REALIZING that there are those who do have such an objection,

HEREBY MANDATES;

1. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be compelled, for any reason, to inflict pain or death on any other sentient beingagainst the citizen's will^[1].
2. No inhabitant of a member nation shall be persecuted, prosecuted, or punished for refusal to inflict harm.
3. Inhabitants of member nations may still take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm of their own volition.^[1]
3. This resolution does not affect the ability of inhabitants of member nations to take on jobs wherein they may inflict harm of their own volition<sup>[1]

1</sup> Suggested by Quelesh

We appreciate the idea behind this proposal, but consider it a pacifist illusion.

[Motuka]

This has our support.

We appreciate the idea behind this proposal, but consider it a pacifist illusion.

The idea that no one may be compelled to act against their will is not a "pacifist illusion", Ambassador; it is the cornerstone of all human rights.

- S.K.

[Eireann Fae]

Ms. Harper does appreciate the idea and perhaps she may follow this but she always had a feeling that military conscription was deserving of its own topic.

"If I may ask, why does Ms. Harper feel this way? Is it not more noble a cause to stop people from being compelled to cause harm for any reason, rather than just conscription? As a matter of fact, we would prefer to see this act go through and conscription still be legal (for chefs, mechanics, administrative personnel, etc) than to outlaw conscription and still have jobs where people may be compelled to cause harm (such as law enforcement or animal handling). In other words, we would rather build a fortress than assign everyone a bit of armour for everything that could happen. It is our opinion that our proposal secures the most rights of the People."

This has our support.

The idea that no one may be compelled to act against their will is not a "pacifist illusion", Ambassador; it is the cornerstone of all human rights.

- S.K.

Rowan directs her attention from Ms. Harper to the Motukan Ambassador. "I heartily agree with you, Ambassador, and appreciate your support. And Mr. Heir?" The girl turns now to the Unibotan leader, setting down her codex after reading the relevant text of Eduard's source. "I still do not believe such a clause is strictly necessary, for I do not believe someone that goes through years of medical training will one day - in the middle of an operation - decide that they no longer wish to 'hurt' their patient. Personally, I would rather leave the proposal as simple as possible. If it is necessary to gain your vote, and those of others, would such a clause as this suffice?

1a. Such a person shall be required to complete any medical operation they have begun, regardless of the pain inflicted upon the patient, so long as such an operation is seen as medically necessary by a qualified physician.

A little wordy, perhaps, but you can see why we do not like unnecessary exceptions. They are awkward to write, and not always necessary. Would something along these lines be satisfactory to you?"

[Linux and the X]

I would much prefer if clause 1 referenced "harm or death", rather than pain.

[Keronians]

A sneaky way to ban conscription, euthanasia, corporal punishment, capital punishment, torture, and undoubtedly many more that I have missed, correct, Ambassador? *Smiles*

You have no idea how much I agree with you. But as usual, I am unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you see it) unable to support you. Euthanasia seems justifiable (not in our nation, but the argument does make sense to us), and so does capital punishment (similar case as euthanasia). You see, I am a practical man, and as seems to often be the case, whilst we, at heart, agree, we do not agree on the actual practicality and realism of this.

So, for now, my vote remains against. It may, though, change in the future. *Talks with his aidé* You are a strange people, Alexandra, Rowan, and miss Faerie. Our people are intrigued by your nation, and on how it manages to survive.

[Eireann Fae]

I would much prefer if clause 1 referenced "harm or death", rather than pain.

"A reasonable concession, and one we are happy to make."

A sneaky way to ban conscription, euthanasia, corporal punishment, capital punishment, torture, and undoubtedly many more that I have missed, correct, Ambassador? *Smiles*

You have no idea how much I agree with you. But as usual, I am unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you see it) unable to support you. Euthanasia seems justifiable (not in our nation, but the argument does make sense to us), and so does capital punishment (similar case as euthanasia). You see, I am a practical man, and as seems to often be the case, whilst we, at heart, agree, we do not agree on the actual practicality and realism of this.

So, for now, my vote remains against. It may, though, change in the future. *Talks with his aidé* You are a strange people, Alexandra, Rowan, and miss Faerie. Our people are intrigued by your nation, and on how it manages to survive.

"See, that's where you're wrong." While Rowan takes a blunt she had been sharing across the room to give the Linuxian Ambassador a hit, Alexandra responds to the Keronian. "This does not ban conscription, euthanasia, or any of those other things, deplorable as they all are. We would ban them, if we thought we could get away with it, but we cannot. First of all, this is about ordering someone to cause harm, not preventing someone from receiving harm. Should this proposal pass, you would no longer be able to force someone to perform euthanasia, corporal punishment, torture, etc. You can still have conscription (so long as your conscripted soldiers are not forced into a position where they must cause harm if that is their wish). You can still have euthanasia (so long as you can find a person willing to aid in the willing death of another). You can still have corporal and capital punishment, so long as the person carrying out said punishments hold to Clause 3 of this resolution."

"Conscription, torture, and capital and corporal punishment are all distasteful acts, and Eireann Fae would rather the lot of them be banned. Fortunately, one of them already is (torture, as I'm sure you know, is outlawed by GAR#9). However, please do not confuse our beliefs with our intentions. The resolution we propose would not ban any of those practices. It would only make sure they ones carrying out such orders have no moral qualms against it. Clause 3 explicitly allows harm-causing professions to continue to exist. You just need to find the people willing to cause the harm."

[Keronians]

I would much prefer if clause 1 referenced "harm or death", rather than pain.

"A reasonable concession, and one we are happy to make."

A sneaky way to ban conscription, euthanasia, corporal punishment, capital punishment, torture, and undoubtedly many more that I have missed, correct, Ambassador? *Smiles*

You have no idea how much I agree with you. But as usual, I am unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you see it) unable to support you. Euthanasia seems justifiable (not in our nation, but the argument does make sense to us), and so does capital punishment (similar case as euthanasia). You see, I am a practical man, and as seems to often be the case, whilst we, at heart, agree, we do not agree on the actual practicality and realism of this.

So, for now, my vote remains against. It may, though, change in the future. *Talks with his aidé* You are a strange people, Alexandra, Rowan, and miss Faerie. Our people are intrigued by your nation, and on how it manages to survive.

"See, that's where you're wrong." While Rowan takes a blunt she had been sharing across the room to give the Linuxian Ambassador a hit, Alexandra responds to the Keronian. "This does not ban conscription, euthanasia, or any of those other things, deplorable as they all are. We would ban them, if we thought we could get away with it, but we cannot. First of all, this is about ordering someone to cause harm, not preventing someone from receiving harm. Should this proposal pass, you would no longer be able to force someone to perform euthanasia, corporal punishment, torture, etc. You can still have conscription (so long as your conscripted soldiers are not forced into a position where they must cause harm if that is their wish). You can still have euthanasia (so long as you can find a person willing to aid in the willing death of another). You can still have corporal and capital punishment, so long as the person carrying out said punishments hold to Clause 3 of this resolution."

"Conscription, torture, and capital and corporal punishment are all distasteful acts, and Eireann Fae would rather the lot of them be banned. Fortunately, one of them already is (torture, as I'm sure you know, is outlawed by GAR#9). However, please do not confuse our beliefs with our intentions. The resolution we propose would not ban any of those practices. It would only make sure they ones carrying out such orders have no moral qualms against it. Clause 3 explicitly allows harm-causing professions to continue to exist. You just need to find the people willing to cause the harm."

Indeed, resolution #9 was a blessing. Very well, then, I accept your reasoning, for now. Make no mistake though. I shall take a seat for now and watch where this discussion goes (if anywhere); the Empire presently holds no definitive vote on the matter.

*Sits down with a sly grin, and passes a note to the delegation. It reads: Well played, Alexandra. You certainly shut me up for a while*

[Eireann Fae]

Indeed, resolution #9 was a blessing. Very well, then, I accept your reasoning, for now. Make no mistake though. I shall take a seat for now and watch where this discussion goes (if anywhere); the Empire presently holds no definitive vote on the matter.

*Sits down with a sly grin, and passes a note to the delegation. It reads: Well played, Alexandra. You certainly shut me up for a while*

Alexandra smiles warmly as the Keronian Ambassador speaks, and chuckles a little as she reads the note. "We thank you, Ambassador, if not for your support, than for your tentatively neutral position. A lesser Ambassador may try to push the argument, poisoning the proposal. I'm glad you're not so petty."

[Quelesh]

I would much prefer if clause 1 referenced "harm or death", rather than pain.

"A reasonable concession, and one we are happy to make."

Including harm is wise, although I think that pain should remain as well. The current wording harm or death would technically allow states to force people to inflict pain as long as that pain does not harm the recipient, and a nation could interpret that as allowing the compulsory infliction of pain that does not cause physical damage. I suggest "harm, pain or death."

[Eireann Fae]

As Alexandra makes the necessary edit, Rowan quips, "I am glad only so minor quibbles have been brought forth so far. To be honest, we expected to get torn apart by the more violently inclined nations. Any other opinions regarding the issue of medical service, either in support of Mr. Heir's view or our own? Any other opinions at all on the proposal?"

[Quelesh]

I don't think it's necessary to include a clause specifically aimed at the extremely unlikely event of a professional surgeon suddenly developing an objection to making incisions halfway through a necessary surgery.

[Burninati0n]

<Deleted.>

[Eireann Fae]

No. Whether or not you agree with it, some nations feel that conscription is necessary in certain circumstances. Burnination will never accept any draft that would outlaw drafting.

"Then I suppose it is a good thing that this proposal would not outlaw the practice of conscription. You can use that distasteful practice to acquire all the medical, culinary, and administrative expertise your military needs. This resolution would only require that you do not order them to kill or harm anybody else."

[Burninati0n]

<Deleted.>

[Numdia]

A doctor suddenly stops his surgery halfway, leaving his patient, Mr. Pathos to die on the operating room table. Immediately thereafter, the doctor left the room and went to get a coffee across the street. His reason, you may ask? "I just didn't want to cut a person anymore.. I just couldn't do it anymore".

Rest in Peace, Mr. Pathos , whether your murderer is held accountable or not for his actions.

And I suppose later that evening the surgeon relizes he's fired because he's incredibly incompetent?

I mean at least a 9 year old would TRY to save Mr. Pathos.