Drafting thread for "Reduction of Abortion Act"
Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:39 pm
MODEDIT: FOR REFERENCE, THIS IS A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL JOLT FORUMS DEBATE. THE POST AUTHORS ARE AS SHOWN IN THE FIRST LINE OF EACH POST. -- Ard.
The Cat-Tribe30-03-2009, 19:22
Contrary to what some may assume, this is NOT a resolution about the legality or illegality of abortion, whether abortion is a right, or whether abortion is moral.*
NOTE: SUBMITTED. Please approve here (http://www.nationstates.net/page=UN_pro ... =reduction).
The following is my first attempt at drafting a WA Resolution. Please provide comments, especially constructive criticism.
I would note that I am particularly uncertain about the appropriate category and effect designation for this proposal.
Reduction of Abortion Act
A resolution to reduce income equality and increase basic welfare.
Category: Social Justice
Effect: Mild
Proposed by: The Cat-Tribe
Description: The World Assembly,
RECOGNIZING that legitimate and good-faith differences of opinion exist concerning the legality and morality of abortion, but that abortion is nonetheless a matter of concern and the reduction of abortion rates is desirable to all parties,
OBSERVING that abortion rates may be reduced by the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, improvements in relevant medical care, and increased access to information,
DEEPLY CONCERNED that member states may unintentionally increase abortion rates due to limitations on information and services that would decrease pregnancy complications and remove incentives for abortion,
BELIEVING that many resources that would reduce abortion rates are also inherently desirable such as better family planning, help for those who wish to adopt children, safer childbirth and pregnancy, prevention of rape and incest, and reduction of the emotional, economic, and physical cost on pregnant women and mothers,
DESIRING the removal of economic reasons for abortion and economic barriers to childbirth,
HEREBY:
1. DEFINES "abortion reduction services" as including all of the following: (1) abstinence education, (2) adoption services, (3) contraceptives, (4) family planning services, (5) pre-natal, obstetric, and post-natal medical care, counseling, and services, (6) comprehensive sex education, and (7) education, awareness, prevention, and counseling programs to prevent rape and incest;
2. AFFIRMS the right of individuals to access information regarding abortion reduction services;
3. STRONGLY URGES member states to research, invest in, and provide universal access to abortion reduction services;
4. FURTHER ENCOURAGES member states to provide financial aid to pregnant individuals and parents to reduce or remove economic reasons for abortion and economic barriers to childbirth;
5. EXPANDS the mission of the World Health Authority and its offices in WA member states to include:
a. providing universal access to abortion reduction services in accordance with national and local laws,
b. actively researching the subjects of the epidemiology of abortion and abortion reduction services and making public the results of such research in a non-political manner,
c. facilitating the sharing of technology among member states concerning abortion reduction services;
6. DECLARES that nothing in this resolution shall affect the power of member states to declare abortion legal or illegal or to pass legislation extending or restricting access to abortion.
Comments, suggestions, outraged denunciations?
FWIW, I checked the rules for WA Proposals (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=420465) and they expressly say that "you may assign duties to an existing committee," such as the WHA. The rules further state that "[s]hould the Resolution that creates the committee be Repealed, the committee will continue to exist, but in a reduced capacity." World Assembly Resolution #31 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p ... stcount=33) creates the World Health Agency and WHA offices in member states.
*I'm not implying that anyone in this thread has misunderstood my proposal, but merely hope to encourage those who might turn away simply because of assumed subject matter.
EDIT: Re second draft -- dropped repetitive language by creating a definition clause.
EDIT2: Re third draft -- fixed numbering error, changed definition clause by adding numbers, changing "abstinence education" to "abstinence-plus education, and adding "all of the following" language.
EDIT3: Re fourth draft -- minor punctuation correction, dropped "-plus" from "abstinence education"
EDIT4: Re fifth draft -- minor grammatical change to "believing" clause
EDIT5: Changed strength (due to change in Clause 5a); made other changes (or changes similar to those) suggested here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p ... stcount=27) by the Esteemed Ambassador from Omigodtheykilledkenny
EDIT6: Made multiple changes based on feedback from Esteemed Ambassadors, Sam Palleel (Powerhungry Chipmunks) and Dr. Lois Merrywether (Quintessence of Dust). Not sure about the new "BELIEVING" clause.
The Cat-Tribe30-03-2009, 19:22
Contrary to what some may assume, this is NOT a resolution about the legality or illegality of abortion, whether abortion is a right, or whether abortion is moral.*
NOTE: SUBMITTED. Please approve here (http://www.nationstates.net/page=UN_pro ... =reduction).
The following is my first attempt at drafting a WA Resolution. Please provide comments, especially constructive criticism.
I would note that I am particularly uncertain about the appropriate category and effect designation for this proposal.
Reduction of Abortion Act
A resolution to reduce income equality and increase basic welfare.
Category: Social Justice
Effect: Mild
Proposed by: The Cat-Tribe
Description: The World Assembly,
RECOGNIZING that legitimate and good-faith differences of opinion exist concerning the legality and morality of abortion, but that abortion is nonetheless a matter of concern and the reduction of abortion rates is desirable to all parties,
OBSERVING that abortion rates may be reduced by the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, improvements in relevant medical care, and increased access to information,
DEEPLY CONCERNED that member states may unintentionally increase abortion rates due to limitations on information and services that would decrease pregnancy complications and remove incentives for abortion,
BELIEVING that many resources that would reduce abortion rates are also inherently desirable such as better family planning, help for those who wish to adopt children, safer childbirth and pregnancy, prevention of rape and incest, and reduction of the emotional, economic, and physical cost on pregnant women and mothers,
DESIRING the removal of economic reasons for abortion and economic barriers to childbirth,
HEREBY:
1. DEFINES "abortion reduction services" as including all of the following: (1) abstinence education, (2) adoption services, (3) contraceptives, (4) family planning services, (5) pre-natal, obstetric, and post-natal medical care, counseling, and services, (6) comprehensive sex education, and (7) education, awareness, prevention, and counseling programs to prevent rape and incest;
2. AFFIRMS the right of individuals to access information regarding abortion reduction services;
3. STRONGLY URGES member states to research, invest in, and provide universal access to abortion reduction services;
4. FURTHER ENCOURAGES member states to provide financial aid to pregnant individuals and parents to reduce or remove economic reasons for abortion and economic barriers to childbirth;
5. EXPANDS the mission of the World Health Authority and its offices in WA member states to include:
a. providing universal access to abortion reduction services in accordance with national and local laws,
b. actively researching the subjects of the epidemiology of abortion and abortion reduction services and making public the results of such research in a non-political manner,
c. facilitating the sharing of technology among member states concerning abortion reduction services;
6. DECLARES that nothing in this resolution shall affect the power of member states to declare abortion legal or illegal or to pass legislation extending or restricting access to abortion.
Comments, suggestions, outraged denunciations?
FWIW, I checked the rules for WA Proposals (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=420465) and they expressly say that "you may assign duties to an existing committee," such as the WHA. The rules further state that "[s]hould the Resolution that creates the committee be Repealed, the committee will continue to exist, but in a reduced capacity." World Assembly Resolution #31 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p ... stcount=33) creates the World Health Agency and WHA offices in member states.
*I'm not implying that anyone in this thread has misunderstood my proposal, but merely hope to encourage those who might turn away simply because of assumed subject matter.
EDIT: Re second draft -- dropped repetitive language by creating a definition clause.
EDIT2: Re third draft -- fixed numbering error, changed definition clause by adding numbers, changing "abstinence education" to "abstinence-plus education, and adding "all of the following" language.
EDIT3: Re fourth draft -- minor punctuation correction, dropped "-plus" from "abstinence education"
EDIT4: Re fifth draft -- minor grammatical change to "believing" clause
EDIT5: Changed strength (due to change in Clause 5a); made other changes (or changes similar to those) suggested here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p ... stcount=27) by the Esteemed Ambassador from Omigodtheykilledkenny
EDIT6: Made multiple changes based on feedback from Esteemed Ambassadors, Sam Palleel (Powerhungry Chipmunks) and Dr. Lois Merrywether (Quintessence of Dust). Not sure about the new "BELIEVING" clause.