NationStates

“Ivi sir,” began Sir Mortimer Ewesly politely, a man of venerable age, whose great- grandfather had been a free man granted land by the Duc de Bellemon, whose grandfather had suffered the estates ruin by a Lortik force during a period of civil disputes, who himself had fought to protect his lands twice, in 1973 and in 2017, “there is no doubt of that. By professing to be in a state of rebellion the Lortiks consented to our shared ancient fashion of war and its laws, namely the choice of refusing quarter to inhabitants of towns and cities that chose to resist. As for the disembowelled, the Lortiks have had three hundred years to learn such methods if dealing of traders, plus the extent before Maximilien which they used it less sparingly than we. It is lucky for them we left anyone alive. With their insouciant and infinite rebellion, our final recourse was the justice we effected.”

“When we speak of Lortik, are we only speaking of rebels or of all people of Lortik descent? Additionally, can the Ilsean Government guarantee further safe passage for our learned friends who have brought us this report? It appears that the investigation at hand will extend into the future, possibly beyond this trial.”

“Lortik refers to those who chose not to comply with the Constitution and laws of our country and those who have threatened the Ilsan government consistently until their defeat and exile. The Ilsan government promises to do its utmost, but respectfully reminds those present of the high degree of sovereignty over property,” concluded Sir Ewesly with a slight threat at the end, empty though it was.

"So Lortik refers to the rebels? Then how does your government classify the non-rebellious component of this ethnic group?"

“Their ethnicity will not continue in the Ilse, and is thus of no consequence.”

Haatwala's mouth turned down nearly imperceptibly at the corners, the frown hiddwn in his beard. "Their ethnicity and your nation's treatment of it is the issue, and I would remind you that everything you say here is legally reflective of your nation's official position. That statement is evidence in support of the complaints of the Magarati prosecution."

Tae Chan sat quietly in the stands and watched with amazement at the Ilsan defender. She fought herself not to stand up and start shouting obscenities at them but instead choose to sit and make notes, over the top of her huge files of evidence against the Ilsan just in case of necessity.

"What do the Athara Magaratis say to the Ilsean's comment?"

Secretary of Justice Sandhya Poon and Attorney General Bibek Ghale looked at one another. They had been noting down the points said by Sir Mortimer Ewesly.

"Ladies first, Ms Poon." Ghale whispered.

"Thank you, Ms Gale." The Athara Magarati woman smirked at the great Attorney General Bibek Ghale; a man often mistaken for a lady. It had become much worse after the judges at the CUCJ and Covonantian newspapers had referred to him as Ms Gale in the case against Jrm Hangma.

Sandhya Poon then bowed to the judges present. "Distinguished judges of the Honorable Court, it is a great honor and exceptional privilege to appear here on behalf of Athara Magarat."

"The Athara Magarati Democratic Hangate has sent me, Secretary of Justice Sandhya Poon, and Attorney General Bibek Ghale before this Court to defend the basic human rights of the Lortik people and Ilsans of Magarati descent. In light of the Ilsan monarchy's violations of human rights and international law, I ask the Court today to indicate provisional measures to prevent those rights from being irreparably harmed while this case is ongoing. Sir Ewesly's statements are representative of the Ilsan monarchy's actions and should be noted as such."

"Thousands of innocent Lortiks and Ilsans of Magarati descent have already suffered deadly attacks and remain under imminent threat. Their peaceful, simple day-to-day routines have been ruined, and their fundamental rights have been blatantly violated by the Ilsan monarchy. Sir Ewesly's statements suggest that the Ilsan monarchy continues to carry out such violations and attacks and will continue to do so in the future."

"Today, I stand before the Court to request protection of the basic human rights of the Lortik people and Ilsans of Magarati descent. We seek justice and accountability under international law, while the Ilsan monarchy continues to demonstrate disregard for its obligations under international treaties. As a result, people of Lortika are facing an ongoing campaign of terror and cultural erasure. The situation is truly dire and the investigators validate my statement."

"After many efforts, it was finally time to say enough is enough. That is what finally brings us here to the Court. At this trying time, we must place our faith in the institutions of international law for protection. This case will send a message about whether the international legal order can stand up to countries that disregard law and disrespect human rights."

"At the same time, our request is very modest. All we seek is a measure of stability and calm, in an unpredictable and dangerous situation. Members of the Court, in light of the imminent threat facing the Lortik people and Ilsans of Magarati descent, I urge you to take Sir Ewesly' statements as the stance of the Ilsan monarchy and order measures to restore peace."

Haatwala nodded. "Sir Ewesly, do you have any response to these statements?"

Gabriel nodded slightly after Haatwala, whom he waited upon to finish his question. "Just another question as well... this one to the Athara Magaratis... what do you want us to do if we do find you in the right here? What measures do you recommend this court take in the event that we see the Ilseans in the wrong?"

“Ivi Haatwala, forgive me, I desire to defer to the Magarati delegate first, and respond once he has answered His Honour Carane pertinent question.”

"Let's follow the procedure as stated... Sir Eswesly, it would be wise of you to respond to the statement from my learned colleague."

"Since the question was asked to the Sir Ewesly first, I shall answer to the Court once my Ilsan counterpart handles his statements."

“Very well.”

“I fear to explain, for I assumed it was well evident, the two-edged nature of war. The prosecution has decidedly chosen to ignore the Lortik offenses leading up to the war. The first was the assassination if the governor of the province of Bellemon, the Duke. If scheduling inconveniences are of such import I might mention the whole nation, save the territories of the future rebels, spent the entire day in mourning.”

“I might also remind the Magarati delegate the eccentricity of Magarati Ilsans to this case. The only involvement of Magarati’s in the entirity of the events of the war was through SHOCK.”

The prosecution has generally been esoteric or exaggerative in all accusations.”

"Need I remind the both of you that this is not yet a criminal proceeding, you don't need to act as if this was one yet." Leclair interjected, "as for the question asked by my colleagues, the Magarati application has already mentioned five provisional measures this court can order, including refraining the Ilsan Monarchy from performing actions that might complicate proceedings, refraining from any act of racial discrimination against any person, group, or institution within the Ilsan Monarchy's 'effective control', and so on."

"That being said, I believe that any decision made by the court, considering a cursory review of the relevant legislation regarding its functions as laid out by the League, is functionally unenforceable without an accompanying resolution made by the League itself, so what we do here might be at risk of corruption or worse in the main hall. Onto the matter of Mr. Ewesly's rather bold statement ... our focus is on the actions of the Ilsan Monarchy during this conflict, any responsible party representing the Lotriks will be dealt with in a separate hearing at whatever time is deemed relevant. Now as I look upon the images presented by the honourable investigator and reflect on your statement, I am compelled to ask these questions; First, Do you represent the Government and Monarchy of the Kingdom of Belle Ilse en Terre in the statement quote 'Their ethnicity will not continue in the Ilse' end quote? And second, Can you reflect on the meaning of that statement with respect to the Lortik Assimilation Act and the Constitution of your nation?"

“It is a statement of fact when referencing the Ilse, and only that,” began Sir Ewesly, truthfully, but also more aware of the effect that the statement had on the judges.

“The Lortik Assimilation Act, as passed by the House of Commons, prevented Lortik marriage to other Lortiks, and required the discontinuation of the Lortik language as a written means of communication, no doubt for purposes of standardisation...”

“Gun ownership has also been suspended due to the ever present threat of SHOCK, as well as a new place to settle away from the war-torn Lortika.”

"I have no further questions for either party at this time. What do my learned colleagues say to these remarks?"

"I have nothing more to add at this time."

“Perhaps then the Court may present its ruling on the case?”

"How does the Ilsan government intend to enforce the LAA?" Haatwala asked.

“The government has already acsertained which Lortiks have decided to leave rather than comply, and it is in the process of identifying and finding housing for those who wish to remain in the Ilse. Resistors have been... subdued... and presumed to have chosen exile over... remaining in the Ilse.”

Sir Ewesly chose his words carefully now, judging that a slip would be much less perlissible than a pause.

Haatwala took several moments scribbling a note. "And how do you actually intend to enforce the end of the Lortik race in Belle Ilse en Terre? Yes, Lortiks will be unable to marry within their race, et cetera, et cetera, but I will note that marriage is not how babies are made. It can be a precursor, but is far from a necessity. Your nation is openly pursuing what I will deem a practice of 'peaceful genocide', in that you seek the end of a racial group but, according to you, do not want to pursue that goal through violent means. So how will this goal be enforced? Practically speaking, that is."

“Marriage is a moral and legal necessity ere children. However, men and women have been separated, that each town receives one gender and not the other, from those who wish to remain in the Ilse.”

"I believe it is time to deliberate our decision. If my learned colleagues agree, we shall leave for a private room temporarily."