Passed General Assembly Resolutions

[Imperium Anglorum]

Protection Of Biomedical Research [Struck out by 424 GA]
A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health
Area of Effect: Research
Proposed by: Tinfect Diplomatic Enclave

Description: Recognizing the vast potential of biomedical research to improve and save the lives of the citizens of Member-States,

Applauding the great strides already made in the field by Member-States,

Seeking to greatly expand these efforts through the expansion and facilitation of International collaboration in the field,

And condemning the placement of unjust and illegitimate restrictions on life-saving biomedical research,

The World Assembly hereby;

Defines Biomedical Research as the fields of research investigating the causes of disease, disease prevention, treatment, and the mitigation or elimination of medical conditions including, but not limited to: Cancer, Paraplegia, and Motor Neuron Diseases,

Expands the mandate of the Biomedical Innovation Organization of the World Health Authority to include:

1. Coordination of international efforts at biomedical research,
2. Development of a set of minimum scientific and ethical standards for biomedical research, to be met by Member-States,
3. Service as an advisory body for biomedical ethics organizations and biomedical ethics regulatory bodies within Member-States,
4. Maintenance of an internationally-accessible database of ongoing biomedical research within Member-States, excepting information regarding research efforts which are protected by Member-States as a matter of security,

Mandates:

1. That Member-States place no restrictions on biomedical research beyond those that are necessary to ensure that research efforts meet ethical and scientific standards,
2. That Member-States rescind any and all biomedical research ethics standards and regulations that do not serve specifically to minimize or eliminate harm to life provably sentient or sapient at the time of research, and,

Clarifies that the above provisions are subject to extant legislation,

And reminds Member-States that any and all determinations of sapience or sentience are subject to extant World Assembly legislation and scientific procedure.

Votes For: 13 766 (78.1%)
Votes Against: 3 856 (21.9%)

Implemented Thu Jan 11 2018

[420 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Ozone Layer Protection
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: Manufacturing
Proposed by: Bears Armed Mission

Description: The World Assembly,

Aware that high levels of Ultraviolet Light, particularly in certain wavelengths, can be very harmful to many types of life-forms including [for example] both humans and bears,

Understanding that the presence of Ozone [i.e. tri-atomic Oxygen molecules] at a suitable level in a planet’s upper atmosphere can give life below significant protection against such harmful ultraviolet rays within incoming sunlight,

Recognising that certain chemicals which are sometimes used in industry, particularly various members of the Halogenated Hydrocarbons group, are likely to deplete that layer of Ozone and thus reduce its protective effects if they escape into the atmosphere,

Wishing to prevent such damage to the protective Ozone, acknowledging this as a potential problem of international scope, and hoping that concerted action on the matter by this organisation’s members not only will be useful in itself but also will encourage non-member nations to take similar action as well;


Hereby,

1). Requires all member nations to evaluate the potential Ozone-depleting properties of each and every chemical that their industries produce and/or use;

2). Strongly urges all member nations to reduce their production and use of all chemicals that are known to have serious Ozone-depleting properties, as far as possible, even in advance of any international regulations targeting the specific substances concerned;

3). Establishes within WASP an agency called the Atmospheric Chemistry Establishment (or ‘ACE’), requires that member nations share their information on Ozone depletion with ACE, and instructs ACE to _
A/ Collect data, and if necessary perform research, on the Ozone-depleting properties of all chemicals produced and used by industry;
B/ Discover what safer alternatives exist for any industrial chemicals that do have Ozone-depleting properties;
C/ Working with the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), collect any necessary data on Ozone distribution and concentrations that national governments do not supply to ACE and the IMO anyway;
D/ Determine the relative levels of hazard that the different Ozone-depleting chemicals pose to atmospheric Ozone levels, bearing in mind both extent of usage and their own stability as well as their Ozone-depleting power per molecule;
E/ Share all of the above data with any governments, government agencies, or multinational businesses, that request it;
F/ Set deadlines (with scales of no less than four, and no more than twelve, years) by which all member nations are to phase out the production and use of specific Ozone-depleting chemicals by at least the ACE-specified levels, starting basically with the chemicals that pose the greatest hazards to atmospheric Ozone levels but also bearing in mind the importance of their uses and the availability of safer substitutes;

4). Requires all member nations to meet all deadlines that ACE sets for phasing out the production or use of any Ozone-depleting chemicals, unless they can prove to ACE that their handling of those chemicals occurs only within closed systems from which escapes cannot threaten any other nation’s atmosphere in which case ACE will grant them a waiver for as long as those conditions continue;

5). Urges member nations to do what they can, without increasing the risk of international conflict, to persuade non-member nations to cooperate with ACE as well.

Votes For: 15 214 (83.5%)
Votes Against: 2 998 (16.5%)

Implemented Mon Jan 15 2018

[421 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Promoting Sustainable Timber [Struck out by 423 GA]
A resolution to develop industry around the world.

Category: Advancement of Industry
Area of Effect: Protective Tariffs
Proposed by: Uan aa Boa

Description: The General Assembly

Celebrating past achievements in promoting sustainable and responsible timber production;

Aware that the majority of nations, being outside the World Assembly, are not bound by its rules;

Concerned that purchasers in member nations are therefore buying cheaper timber and timber products from countries outside the World Assembly, to the detriment of their local forestry industry;

Aware that the environmental consequences of poor forestry management are not contained by national borders;

Resolute in its desire to protect jobs and increase prosperity within member nations;

Wishing, by means of trade, to encourage all nations to adopt higher environmental standards in timber production;

Hereby

Prohibits member nations from importing from any source timber, or products made from timber, produced in a way not compliant with World Assembly legislation currently in force;

Tasks the World Assembly Forest Commission (WAFC) with assisting member nations to comply with this prohibition by

(a) inspecting timber production in any nation, when invited by the producers and with whatever governmental approval may be necessary, and certifying it as a WAFC approved source if it satisfies all the requirements of World Assembly environmental legislation in force at that time.

(b) inspecting the manufacture of products using timber in any nation, when invited by the manufacturers and with whatever governmental approval may be necessary, and certifying them as WAFC approved products if the timber used is from WAFC approved sources.

Votes For: 11 707 (63.3%)
Votes Against: 6 787 (36.7%)

Implemented Wed Feb 7 2018

[422 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Promoting Sustainable Timber"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #422
Proposed by: Kranostav

Description: General Assembly Resolution #422 "Promoting Sustainable Timber" (Category: Advancement of Industry, Area of Effect: Protective Tariffs) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: This esteemed World Assembly,

Recognizing the laudable efforts and purpose to uphold the quality of timber production in order to provide a sustainable future for timber production,

Acknowledging that a complete ban of timber and timber product imports produced in ways non-compliant with the provisions set by this and preceding resolutions would be a detriment to timber industries of non-WA member nations,

Realizing this damage to the timber industry would decrease business and lower demand, which lowers prices and forces non-compliant nations to use cost-cutting, environmentally harmful methods of production for timber,

Further noting that this ban on importation would greatly hurt trade relations between WA and non WA member nations who consume timber and timber products,

Discerning that this will force WA member nations to spend a significant amount more importing ‘sustainable’ timber, especially when other nations can undercut the sustainable market with unsustainable practices,

Concluding that this resolution will ultimately harm the sustainability of timber rather than protect it, good intentions notwithstanding.

Hereby repeals GAR#422 Promoting Sustainable Timber.

Votes For: 12 645 (66.3%)
Votes Against: 6 418 (33.7%)

Implemented Thu Feb 15 2018

[423 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Protection Of Biomedical Research"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #420
Proposed by: Auralia

Description: General Assembly Resolution #420 "Protection of Biomedical Research" (Category: Health, Area of Effect: Research) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: Affirming in principle the importance of biomedical research in improving quality of life in all World Assembly member states,

Simultaneously insisting on the necessity of appropriate bioethical regulation in order to protect the fundamental rights of individuals and other legitimate public interests,

Condemning the target resolution GAR #420, "Protection of Biomedical Research", a resolution that primarily serves to frustrate the responsible regulation of biomedical research by member states,

Noting that the target resolution bars member states from engaging in any regulation of biomedical research except for "scientific standards" and "ethics standards and regulations [that] serve specifically to minimize or eliminate harm to life provably sentient or sapient at the time of research",

Emphasizing the critical importance of numerous ethical regulations that are relevant in the context of biomedical research and in service of legitimate public interests, even though they cannot be established as preventing direct harm to particular sapient or sentient life,

Appalled that this absurdly broad restriction prohibits (or at least would prohibit, should prior legislation be repealed) member states from, among other things:

1. securing legal protection from harmful medical experimentation to the historically vulnerable class of persons who, while not "provably sentient or sapient at the time of research" may indeed regain such capacity, such as individuals in comas or persistent vegetative states,
2. granting precautionary legal protection from potentially harmful medical experimentation to potentially sentient or sapient life that has not yet been definitively "proven" to be such, perhaps due to difficulties in communication,
3. requiring appropriate reverence for the remains of deceased sapient life in the course of biomedical research,
4. mandating that biomedical researchers abide by reasonable financial disclosure and conflict of interest rules, and
5. providing adequate legal protection for the environment in the context of biomedical research, at least with respect to non-sapient animal, plant, bacterial, and fungal life such as coral reefs and old-growth forests,

Understanding that significant portions of the remainder of the target resolution are largely redundant in light of GAR #111, "Medical Research Ethics Act" and GAR #219, "Biomedical Innovation Org", for the following reasons:

1. the target resolution requires the Biomedical Innovation Organization (BIO) to coordinate "international efforts at biomedical research", despite the fact that GAR #219 already requires the BIO to coordinate "research on treatments involving biomedical tissues conducted within WA member nations",
2. the target resolution mandates the BIO with developing minimum scientific and ethical standards for biomedical research and serving as an advisory body for biomedical ethics organizations and regulatory bodies, even though GAR #111 already establishes and regulates bodies required for upholding medical research ethics in member states, and
3. the target resolution establishes an "internationally-accessible database of ongoing biomedical research within Member-States", even though GAR #219 already requires the BIO to include "research data for biomedical innovations as a part of the Database Of Clinical Treatments Under Study",

Seeking to remove harmful and redundant legislation from the pages of international law,

The General Assembly,

Repeals GAR #420, "Protection of Biomedical Research".

Votes For: 10 293 (52.6%)
Votes Against: 9 288 (47.4%)

Implemented Mon Feb 26 2018

[424 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Protection Of Biomedical Research
A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health
Area of Effect: Research
Proposed by: Tinfect Diplomatic Enclave

Description: Recognizing the vast potential of biomedical research to improve and save the lives of the citizens of Member-States,

Applauding the great strides already made in the field by many Member-States,

Desiring to establish a universal scientific standard so as to facilitate international cooperation and advancement,

Appalled by the complete lack of moral fiber demonstrated by organizations that oppose life-saving research,

And condemning the placement of unjust and illegitimate restrictions on such research,

The World Assembly hereby;

Defines, for the purposes of this resolution:

1. Biomedical Research as the fields of research investigating the causes of disease, disease prevention, treatment, and the mitigation or elimination of medical conditions including, but not limited to: Cancer, Paraplegia, and Motor Neuron Diseases,

Mandates:

1. That Member-States determine the sapience of any species for which the status is as-yet indeterminate or unknown prior to allowing, or engaging in biomedical experimentation on said species,
2. That Member-States consider any temporarily or permanently incapacitated member of a species known to be sapient, to be themselves Sapient, regardless of disability or condition,
3. That any and all research efforts within Member-States, barring those protected for reasons of security, disclose any and all conflicts of interest, including, but not limited to, origin and amount of funding, methodological biases, and personal biases in research personnel,
4. That Member-States place no restrictions on biomedical research beyond those that are necessary to ensure that research efforts meet ethical and scientific standards,
5. That Member-States rescind any and all biomedical research ethics standards and regulations that do not serve specifically to minimize or eliminate direct or indirect harm to life provably sentient or sapient at the time of research, and,

Clarifies, to avoid certain deliberate misinterpretations,

• That the above provisions are subject to extant legislation,
• That nothing in this legislation prevents Member-States for ensuring proper respect for the deceased,
• That nothing in this legislation prevents Member-States from enforcing Environmental protections,

And reminds Member-States that any and all determinations of sapience or sentience are subject to extant World Assembly legislation and scientific procedure.

Votes For: 15 041 (76.6%)
Votes Against: 4 595 (23.4%)

Implemented Sat Mar 3 2018

[425 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Protecting Minority Languages
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Cultural Heritage
Proposed by: Stoskavanya

Description: This World Assembly,

Declaring that the existence of an independent language is intrinsically valuable, both as unifying part of cultural heritage and as a different perspective from which to perceive the world,

Acknowledging that political prejudice and societal intolerance is considerably diminishing linguistic diversity throughout the world, and is hastening the extinction of many minority languages,

Recognizing also the importance that the diversity of languages has for academic studies such as linguistics, psychology, history, anthropology, and other pursuits of knowledge;

Hereby,

Prohibits a member nation from purposely enacting measures through law or administrative rule which aim to deliberately eradicate a living minority language, or endorse any other efforts to suppress the active use of a minority language, with the intention of causing language death in its borders,

Again confirms an individual's right to learn and write, emphasizing for the purpose of this resolution an individual's right to learn and practice their native language if they so please,

Encourages multilingual nations to foster healthy linguistic diversity within their borders as recommend from the following committee,

Establishes the World Assembly Language Society (WALS) which shall have two central functions as of the ratification of this resolution:

1. Conducting an academic survey of existing languages, which entails:

i.) Recording the existence of any living native language within the World Assembly.
ii.) Evaluating the vitality of a language and its designation as a language in danger of language death.
iii.) Creating an accessible archive of this information to facilitate linguistic research.

2. Acting as an authoritative body on matters of language preservation and revitalization for nations within the World Assembly, which entails:

i.) Advising and working with receptive governmental bodies on matters of language preservation and revitalization within their jurisdictions.
ii.) Assisting local efforts with the creation and promotion of programs which educate interested students on their endangered language.
iii.) Promulgating suggested guidelines on methods for nations to practice linguistic diversity.

Notes that nothing in this resolution is to be construed as to prevent persons from becoming multilingual, to prevent member nations from establishing a national language, instituting compulsory language education, or any other unreasonable interpretation not in the spirit of protecting minority languages from the threat of language death.

Votes For: 16 681 (82.2%)
Votes Against: 3 620 (17.8%)

Implemented Fri Mar 16 2018

[426 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Convention On Foreign Political Corruption
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Auralia

Description: Recalling this Assembly's previous efforts to improve governmental accountability and transparency in member states,

Affirming this Assembly's commitment to combating political bribery across international borders,

Alarmed in particular by the practice of individuals or businesses employing political bribery in a member state to obtain or maintain business in that member state,

Seeking to prohibit such practices,

The General Assembly,

1. Defines "political bribery", for the purposes of this resolution, as participating, whether directly or indirectly, in the provision of anything of value, including but not limited to money, goods, or services, to:
   
   1. an individual or entity performing public duties in a member state or its subdivisions, in order to influence the individual or entity to act in a manner contrary to their public duties, or
   2. an official of the government of, an official of a political party in, or a candidate for political office in a member state or its subdivisions, in order to:
      
      1. influence any action of that official or candidate taken when acting in their present or future official capacity, or
      2. influence the official or candidate to in turn influence any action of the government of their member state or its subdivisions;
2. Prohibits member states from engaging in political bribery in any other member state, except where the member state is explicitly permitted to do so by the laws or regulations of that other member state;
   
   
3. Requires member states to prohibit any individual or entity subject to the jurisdiction of a member state, including but not limited to:
   
   1. residents, nationals, and citizens of the member state, and
   2. businesses and other organizations incorporated in, based in, operating in, or otherwise associated with the member state,
   from engaging in political bribery in any other member state, except where the individual or entity is explicitly permitted to do so by the laws or regulations of that other member state;
   
   
4. Urges member states to take particular care to enforce the provisions of this resolution against individuals and businesses under their jurisdiction who engage in political bribery in a target member state in order to obtain or maintain business in that target member state;
   
   
5. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution affects the regulation of purely domestic political bribery;
   
   
6. Further clarifies that nothing in this resolution prohibits member states from taking any action required to protect vital national security interests during serious international disputes or times of war.

Votes For: 15 322 (77.1%)
Votes Against: 4 545 (22.9%)

Implemented Sun Apr 8 2018

[427 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Ban On Statutory Limitations For Heinous Crimes
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Auralia

Description: Recognizing the moral depravity of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace,

Recalling this Assembly's prior commitments to the prosecution of perpetrators of such crimes,

Emphasizing that the effective protection of human rights by this Assembly necessitates that there be no statutory limitations on prosecution of perpetrators of such crimes,

The General Assembly,

1. Defines a statutory limitation as any limitation on the period of time following the commission of a crime that the alleged perpetrator or perpetrators may be prosecuted for that crime, with the understanding that this includes, but is not limited to, limitations imposed by administrative regulation, judicial order, or legislative statute;
   
   
2. Prohibits member states, whether acting individually or collectively through World Assembly resolution, from applying a statutory limitation to any crime explicitly or implicitly recognized under World Assembly law as:
   
   1. a war crime,
   2. a crime against humanity, or
   3. a crime against peace.

Votes For: 16 701 (82.0%)
Votes Against: 3 659 (18.0%)

Implemented Sat Apr 14 2018

[428 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Traditional Medicine
A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health
Area of Effect: Research
Proposed by: Bears Armed Mission

Description: The World Assembly,

Aware that nations generally have laws against advertising or distributing substances and other therapies for medicinal use unless those substances or therapies have been tested extensively for both effectiveness and safety;

Noting that many nations also have patent systems which do not allow the establishment of monopolies over the production or distribution of products, in cases where prior public use of such products has demonstrably existed;

Realizing that this combination of laws is likely to deter pharmaceutical businesses from testing substances for which medicinal properties have traditionally been claimed, and thus to hinder the legal distribution of those potential remedies for various medical problems;

Believing that this problem needs to be solved, for the public good.

Hereby,

1). Declares that the use of untested substances as medications potentially poses an extreme hazard to member nations’ populations, not only due to possible harmful side-effects but also because some people might rely on them to the exclusion of more reliable modern alternatives.

2). Defines the term ‘Traditional Medicine’, for the purpose of this resolution, as meaning any medication or other therapeutic technique that is used because of popular belief rather than scientific proof for its effectiveness, and whose use is sufficiently customary that it could not be patented in legal systems whose laws do not allow granting patents for products with provable prior use.

3). Strongly urges member nations’ governments:
(a) To arrange proper testing for all substances used in traditional medicine within their jurisdictions, except where the collection of those substances would harm endangered species or violate the bodily autonomy of sapient beings, and to publicize the results;
(b) To arrange proper testing, likewise, for all other therapies used in traditional medicine within their jurisdictions;
(c) To ban the manufacture and distribution, of any traditional medication for which testing has not confirmed reasonable safety and predictability of dosage;
(d) To ban the practice of any other traditional medical technique for which testing has not confirmed reasonable safety;
(e) To ban likewise any traditional medication or other traditional medical theory that has been proven reasonably safe but whose effectiveness has not been proven, if a better alternative is available, unless it will be used only alongside that alternative (and can safely be thus used) — rather than in lieu of that alternative — for the possibility of a helpful placebo effect;
(f) To ensure that the collection of material from organisms of any species for use in medicinal products does not endanger any species, for example by requiring that the material be taken only from farmed organisms rather than from wild ones;
(g) To ensure that any sentient life-forms farmed for this purpose are kept, and the materials collected from them, humanely;
(h) To promote research into synthesis of the active ingredients from those traditional medicines that research has proven effective and reasonably safe, so that versions of those medicines can be produced which will not have to rely on natural sources and for which dosages can probably be set more accurately than in the traditional forms.

4). Requires member nations’ governments:
(a) To ban the manufacture and distribution of any traditional medications that could not be tested under the limits set by clause 3.a. of this resolution;
(b) To ban the practice of any other traditional medical techniques that could not be tested under the limits set by clause 3.b. of this resolution;
(c) To share all information that they have about the safety or effectiveness of traditional medicines with both their own nations' inhabitants and the World Assembly Scientific Programme (WASP).

5). Establishes a ‘Traditional Medicines Evaluation Agency’ within the WASP, and instructs this body to:
(a) Compile and study the relevant data supplied to WASP by member nations;
(b) Arrange proper testing of any substances and techniques used in traditional medicine within member nations for which such data is currently lacking, except as limited by clause 3.a. of this resolution;
(c) Distribute this data to member nations’ governments.

Votes For: 15 760 (80.0%)
Votes Against: 3 933 (20.0%)

Implemented Wed May 9 2018

[429 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Freedom Of Religion [Struck out by GA 631]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: United Massachusetts

Description: Lauding this Assembly's previous efforts to protect a plethora of rights and liberties, ranging from freedom of speech to healthcare access,

Concerned, however, that the esteemed ambassadors of the world have to this point been unable to pass legislation guaranteeing the fundamental right of sapient creatures to freely practice religion, leading to an odd situation where international legislation legalising circumcision exists, but not guaranteeing freedom of religion,

Again asserting that foremost among the rights entitled to creatures is the right to peacefully worship any deity one pleases, or to refrain from doing so,

Understanding that due to the complexities and intricacies an religious practice, legislation in regards to the topic of religion ought to be careful, straightforward, and respectful,

The General Assembly, finally transcribing the freedom of religion into international law, hereby:

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution, the following terms:
   1. "religious belief" as any set of spiritual beliefs regarding the nature and origins of the universe involving a concept of the divine or supernatural,
   2. "religious practice" as any practice associated with a religion, be it practiced through rituals, prayer, or any other sort of activity, performed either individually or in a group,
2. Asserts the right of all individuals in World Assembly member-states to hold any religious belief, including a lack of religious beliefs, without fear of state punishment, reprisal, or persecution,
   
   
3. Asserts, furthermore, the right of all individuals in World Assembly member-states to engage in any religious practice, or to refuse to engage in said practices, without fear of state punishment, reprisal, or persecution, except where restrictions on said practice are the least restrictive means by which to advance a compelling, practical public interest in the maintenance of safety, health, or good order,
   
   
4. Asserts the right of all individuals to gather into groups, organisations, and institutions associated with religious belief without fear of state punishment, reprisal, or persecution, subject to the same restrictions established in Clause 3,
   
   
5. Strongly urges member nations to adopt a secular policy towards religious practice,
   
   
6. Strongly urges all member nations to refrain from criminalising victimless crimes when performed out of a genuinely-held religious belief,
   
   
7. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution shall be construed as preventing member nations from taking action against those groups whose religious beliefs manifest themselves in violence or coercive action.

Votes For: 14 304 (76.2%)
Votes Against: 4 471 (23.8%)

Implemented Wed May 30 2018

[430 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Agricultural Invasive Species Act
A resolution to develop industry around the world.

Category: Advancement of Industry
Area of Effect: Protective Tariffs
Proposed by: The Wallenburgian World Assembly Offices

Description: Recognizing agriculture as the most fundamental industry of most member states,

Alarmed at the harms of invasive species of pathogens, weeds, and animals on agriculture and those employed in agriculture,

The World Assembly hereby,

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution, "invasive species" as non-native species of non-sapient life that, upon introduction into or nearby the agricultural ecosystems of a member state, significantly imperil the health or productivity of those agricultural ecosystems,
   
   
2. Establishes minimum standards that regulate trade in order to avoid transference of invasive species,
   
   
   1. Requires member states to employ nondestructive customs procedures or screenings in accordance with previous World Assembly legislation and otherwise of their choice on all goods entering or exiting national jurisdiction, to the extent that tests for invasive species on sampled goods guarantee a power of 80%,
      
      
   2. Mandates fines on goods that are found contaminated with species invasive to the area of the goods' destination and do not undergo effective decontamination procedures,
      
      
   3. Prohibits the transportation of live organisms of invasive species or goods contaminated with invasive species without sufficient measures to guarantee containment during transport, to or through areas where they pose a threat to agricultural ecosystems,
      
      
   4. Urges the imposition of tariffs on goods known to frequently harbor invasive species in response to nations that fail to adequately inspect outgoing shipping for such infestations,
   
   
3. Continues to prohibit the use of invasive species against agricultural resources as an economic or military weapon,
   
   
4. Urges member states to research the possibility of various species becoming invasive, especially toward agricultural ecosystems, and to communicate any knowledge of invasive species to other states and the World Assembly Science Program,
   
   
5. Establishes the Agricultural Invasive Species Removal Service, and charges it with assisting, upon member states' request, in the removal or destruction of invasive species,
   
   
   1. Provides for the use of selective pesticides and herbicides, and means to capture or kill invasive fauna, to eliminate populations of invasive species causing harm to agricultural ecosystems, within the limitations of already existing World Assembly law and national law,
      
      
   2. Limits the Agricultural Invasive Species Removal Service to the use of methods that do not cause undue damage to the immediate or surrounding environment.

Votes For: 11 131 (63.6%)
Votes Against: 6 364 (36.4%)

Implemented Sun Jun 3 2018

[431 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Preventing Desertification [Struck out by GA 471]
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: Agriculture
Proposed by: Erithaca

Description: The General Assembly,

Shocked at the process of desertification, which causes the loss of bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife,

Noting that these in turn cause famine and drought,

Understanding that a major cause of desertification is removal of vegetation,

Hereby,

1. Mandates member nations take reasonable precautions and enact reasonable regulations to reduce excessive removal of vegetation for purposes relating to agriculture and otherwise.

2. Encourages member nations to educate those involved, especially agricultural workers, on desertification.

3. Strongly encourages member nations to take part in reforestation and construction of shelter belts, woodlots and windbreaks.

4. Mandates that the WAEC shall oversee efforts against desertification and ensure that:

a) efforts are feasible, not harmful and approved by the local community and government,

b) reforestation is planned and maintained,

c) grazing is managed to prevent overgrazing,

d) water is conserved, collected and distributed in an orderly and fair manner in areas affected by desertification,

e) records are kept of areas at risk of or undergoing desertification, along with the status of any efforts against desertification.

Votes For: 11 231 (61.9%)
Votes Against: 6 925 (38.1%)

Implemented Thu Jun 7 2018

[432 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Freedom of Expression"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #30
Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum

Description: General Assembly Resolution #30 "Freedom of Expression" (Category: Furtherment of Democracy, Area of Effect: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Resolving that it is profoundly immoral to permit corporations and legal persons to lie to consumers,

Believing that society as a whole can have justifiable reasons to restrict expression for public safety and to prevent the consumption or publication of materials that would damage public health, social order, or needless antagonisation,

Seeing that society should have the ability to regulate adverts and their means of distribution, eg prohibiting tobacco advertisements from being shown on childrens' television channels or placing limits on where or what can be depicted in such advertising, and

Confident that there will be a scrambling of legislative efforts to replace this resolution with more appropriate legislation that permits society to protect itself, hereby:

Repeals GA c 30 "Freedom of Expression".

Votes For: 13 250 (78.3%)
Votes Against: 3 681 (21.7%)

Implemented Thu Jun 21 2018

[433 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Preventing The Illicit Trade Of Cultural Artefacts
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Cultural Heritage
Proposed by: Stoskavanya

Description: This World Assembly,

Recognizing the fundamental spiritual, historical and social value that cultural artefacts hold in many nations,

Realizing the considerable damage that the illicit trade of cultural artefacts may cause to the cultural heritage of nations from which they are taken,

Disturbed by the emergence of a multinational black market for stolen cultural artefacts, generating a potent source of funding for organized crime and terrorist groups,

Believing in this Assembly’s ability to effectively deter this criminal behavior,

Hereby,

1. Defines:

a. "cultural artefact" as any object which holds an importance for archaeology, prehistory, ethnology, history, literature, art, science, or any other significant cultural value to a current or past society,

b. "stolen cultural artefact" for the purpose of this resolution as any artefact illegally obtained from a country of origin, either through the theft or looting of cultural sites, archaeological grounds or exhibitions, and smuggled abroad with the intent to be distributed through undisclosed channels to patrons for profit,

2. Prohibits the importation of stolen cultural artefacts in all member nations,

3. Instructs a member nation to make intentional participation in the trade of stolen cultural artefacts a serious crime, enforced with effective and proportional sanctions, of which such participation includes:

a. theft or looting of cultural artefacts from archaeological or cultural sites;

b. direct involvement or collaboration in the trafficking of stolen cultural artefacts;

c. knowledgeable sale or acquisition of stolen cultural artefacts;

4. Grants the World Assembly Trust for Cultural Heritage (WATCH) authority over matters involving the illicit trade of cultural artefacts within the WA, which shall include:

a. coordinating with member nations in the identification and tracking of stolen cultural artefacts;

b. promulgating guidelines and strategies to combat the trade of stolen cultural property;

c. supervising repatriation requests between member states for seized stolen artefacts and ensuring the artefact's physical preservation;

5. Obliges a member nation, upon the ratification of this resolution, to return any seized stolen artefact to the state authority of its last legal custodian upon request, barring any significant concerns for the wellbeing of the artefact,

6. Permits a member nation to arbitrate on the legal status of cultural artefacts alleged to be stolen before the ratification of this resolution, subject to extant World Assembly legislation and other binding international agreements,

7. Invites a member nation to create an inventory of cultural artefacts within its nation, which shall include an identification of stolen or missing artefacts, and share this data with other member states and the WATCH,

8. Encourages a member nation to offer specialized training to police and customs services on the domestic enforcement of the provisions in this resolution as advised by the WATCH,

9. Urges all agents in the trade of cultural artefacts, including but not limited to auction houses, art collectors, museums, and other purchasers to require verifiable documentation and undertake proper due diligence before engaging in the trade of cultural artefacts,

10. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution shall be used to adjudge questions over national or cultural ownership of cultural artefacts, nor prevent further legislation on matters involving artefacts removed legally or with the appearance of legality whose ownership is disputed.

Votes For: 13 524 (87.3%)
Votes Against: 1 968 (12.7%)

Implemented Tue Jun 26 2018

[434 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Asbestos Consumption, Disposal And Worker Protection
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses - Mild
Proposed by: Erithaca

Description: The General Assembly,

Understanding the uses of asbestos due to its sound absorption, average tensile strength, affordability, and resistance to fire, heat, and electricity,

Taking into account the economic benefit brought by asbestos mining,

Concerned that inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis,

Understanding that asbestos is friable,

Hereby,

1. Defines "asbestos" as fibrous crystals of any of the following minerals:
   
   1. Actinolite,
      
   2. Gruenerite in its amosite form,
      
   3. Anthophyllite,
      
   4. Chrysotile,
      
   5. Crocidolite and
      
   6. Tremolite.
2. Mandates that deliberate exposure to asbestos shall only be allowed in:
   
   1. short, non-continuous maintenance activities,
      
   2. removal without deterioration of non-degraded materials in which the asbestos fibres are firmly linked in a matrix,
      
   3. encapsulation or sealing of asbestos-containing materials which are in good condition and
      
   4. air monitoring and control, and short, non-continuous maintenance activities in which only non-friable materials are handled.
3. Mandates that member states shall bring into force a ban on the production and marketing of asbestos-containing products, along with mining for asbestos, coming into force by 6 years after the enactment of this resolution.
   
4. Mandates that asbestos exposure shall be kept to a minimum by:
   
   1. limiting the number of workers involved in the process,
      
   2. design of processes in order to avoid creating asbestos dust,
      
   3. clean and well-maintained premises and equipment,
      
   4. rapid removal of waste, in sealed and labelled containers and
      
   5. any other necessary and reasonable techniques to minimise exposure.
5. Mandates that, where there is a likely risk of exposure to asbestos, the risk must be assessed by the manufacturer, or Member State if possible, to determine the nature and degree of exposure.
   
6. Mandates that no person must be exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 0.1 fibres per cm³ as an eight-hour time-weighted average.
   
7. Mandates that waste containing more than 0.1% asbestos shall be:
   
   1. classed as as hazardous waste,
      
   2. in a sealed container such as a covered, locked waste container or, if more appropriate, within sealed wrapping, when transported or stored,
      
   3. not mixed with other waste,
      
   4. clearly labelled as such and
      
   5. disposed of in a landfill that has a specific permit authorising it to accept asbestos.

Votes For: 8 721 (61.3%)
Votes Against: 5 516 (38.7%)

Implemented Sat Jun 30 2018

[435 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Protecting Free Expression
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: United Massachusetts

Description: Asserting that the most fundamental liberty of sapient individuals, freedom of thought, is rendered toothless without protecting also the outward ability to express said thought,

Contending, therefore, that freedom of expression, it being the manifestation of free thought, also stands among the foremost human rights, entitled unto all sapient creatures from birth,

Concerned especially for political dissidents, whose calls for justice and change have been cracked down on by certain, more sinister regimes,

Noting, however, that there do exist legitimate reasons to curtail free expression in situations where it infringes on other rights, such as the freedom from fraud or defamation, or hinders the peace and good order necessary for the preservation of civil society,

Bemoaning the dictatorial tendencies of those nations who would seek to include harsh limits on peaceful dissent under the banner of legitimate regulation,

Yearning, therefore, to strike a reasonable balance between protecting the right of free expression and permitting member nations to enact rational and well-meaning restrictions thereon,

This most august General Assembly, in the name of asserting the most natural rights of sapient individuals:

1. Defines, for the sake of this resolution, the following terms:
   1. "free expression" as the ability to outwardly demonstrate, articulate, or otherwise express a political, cultural, social, moral, religious, ideological or other belief without fear of state punishment or reprisal,
   2. "defamation" as any exercise of expression which seeks to maliciously injure the reputation of another individual, group, or organisation, on the basis of false information, excluding satire and the critique of public servants in matters pertaining to their role,
2. Permits member nations to enact reasonable restrictions on peaceful free expression in those cases where the expression constitutes:
   1. defamation, as defined in section 1b,
   2. blatant and explicit pornographic material,
   3. an incitement to violence or widespread lawlessness,
   4. a threat to civilian or military health or safety,
   5. perjury or any other threat to the functioning of judicial proceedings,
   6. the leaking of classified information, or other information obtained in confidence, except where the information constitutes evidence of serious wrongdoing and disclosure thereof is clearly in the public interest,
   7. an infringement on private or intellectual property rights,
   8. a violation of prior, unrepealed international legislation,
   
   
3. Prohibits member states from hindering the right of individuals to free expression, excepting the restrictions established in section 2, and restrictions required to fulfill the mandates of WA legislation, or restrictions permitted in future, unrepealed WA legislation,
   
   
4. Permits member states to enact reasonable restrictions in educational settings in order to better advance the functionality, safety, and effectiveness of the learning environment, presuming said restrictions are the least restrictive means by which to advance that goal,
   
   
5. Clarifies that nothing hereinabove shall be interpreted as preventing member nations from reasonably regulating campaign finance,
   
   
6. Permits member states to enact reasonable restrictions on the consumption of expression for minors.

Votes For: 12 495 (78.4%)
Votes Against: 3 443 (21.6%)

Implemented Thu Aug 2 2018

[436 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Ban On Conversion Therapy [Struck out by GA 562]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: United Massachusetts

Description: Noting that countless analyses, studies, and evidenced-based tests have conclusively shown what already makes intuitive sense, that sexual orientation and gender identity are not choices, thus rendering conversion therapy useless,

Concerned by the alarming effects of conversion therapy and other attempts to forcibly alter sexual orientation or gender identity because of homophobic and transphobic prejudices, including:

1. depression and suicidal tendencies in LGBT+ youth, born from the feeling of rejection conversion therapy techniques plant in them,
2. emotional and physical trauma from the often severe intimidation and painful physical "treatments" employed by conversion therapists,
3. what can only properly be described as the physical and emotional abuse of non-conforming individuals,

Asserting that forcing the most vulnerable and impressionable among us, young people, down a fraudulent and harmful path of self-hatred is inherently cruel,

The General Assembly, therefore:

1. Defines, for the sake of this resolution, "conversion therapy" as any attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual through psychological, physical, or coercive spiritual intervention,
   
   
2. Prohibits any person or organisation in a World Assembly member-state from performing conversion therapy on minors,
   
   
3. Prohibits any public or governmental body in a World Assembly member-state from recommending or performing conversion therapy on any individual,
   
   
4. Urges member-states to take steps to help the survivors of conversion therapy recover from its effects through counseling, social assistance, or other means.

Votes For: 14 123 (86.0%)
Votes Against: 2 300 (14.0%)

Implemented Mon Aug 6 2018

[437 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Crime And Punishment"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #375
Proposed by: United Massachusetts

Description: General Assembly Resolution #375 "Crime and Punishment" (Category: Human Rights, Strength: significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The General Assembly,

Lauding the various mandates within "Crime and Punishment" which seek to curb the inhumanities and cruelties associated with the provision of capital punishment in certain, more sinister nations,

Concerned, however, by Clause 1 of the target resolution, which effectively prevents a substantive ban on capital punishment across World Assembly member-states,

Convinced that such a ban would be desirable for the following reasons:

1. the finality of the death penalty prevents the state from correcting any errors made in the legal and conviction processes, thereby inevitably condemning to death certain innocent individuals,
   
   
2. a great many individuals facing the death penalty are unable to afford their own attorneys, and are often forced to rely on overburdened public defense mechanisms,
   
   
3. any long legal process associated with the death penalty is bound to extend the pain and frustrations of crime victims, rather than provide the closure they need and desire,
   
   
4. the predominantly retributive model of justice employed by the death penalty has failed to deter crime in any provable way,
   
   
5. permitting the death penalty represents a rejection of the notion that life has intrinsic worth merely by virtue of its existence,

Noting that such a ban has already been drafted and will be proposed in short order following the passage of this repeal,

Seeking, therefore, to empower this Assembly once again to ban the morally problematic, unmerciful, and outdated practice of capital punishment, does hereby repeal General Assembly Resolution #375, "Crime and Punishment."

Votes For: 11 284 (74.7%)
Votes Against: 3 827 (25.3%)

Implemented Thu Aug 16 2018

[438 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Uniform Labeling Of Hazardous Goods
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Category: Free Trade
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Ransium

Description: The World Assembly,

Praising the work already done to unify safety standards for commercial transport, as well to establish regulations for the cleanup of hazardous spills and leaks,

Aware that inconsistent requirements for the labeling of hazardous material creates legal, technical, and practical obstacles to free trade,

Concerned that the current lack of regulation allows for inadequate markings, markings which vary by nation or even province, and markings which are not internationally understandable,

Conscious that confusion regarding hazardous goods increases the danger and likelihood of an accident during transportation,

Troubled by accidental spills impact on free trade through the full or partial closure of roadways, ports, and other trade routes,

Noting that when accidents occur involving hazardous materials, first responders' optimal actions depend on the precise nature of the hazardous good, particularly with regards to flammability, reactivity, and toxicity, and that improper actions of first responders can increase damage to trade infrastructure, and puts the lives of those in the vicinity of the accident at risk,

Hereby,

Entrusts the International Transport Safety Committee (ITSC) with creating a labeling system to communicate the important risks and dangers of materials in a manner that is both noticeable and as universally recognizable as possible;

Further entrusts the ITSC to establish vessel specific standards as to the optimal size, number, and placement of warning symbols;

Charges the ITSC with the responsibility of periodically reviewing the labeling system for modernization or other improvements, while balancing the benefits of consistency;

Mandates nations adhere to the ITSC's standards when transporting hazardous materials across international borders, except where compliance interferes with national security;

Empowers the ITSC to levy punitive measures on responsible organizations or government bodies for non-compliance, including mandatory training or fines (the proceeds of which shall go to the WA General Fund);

Urges vessels also adhere to the ITSC labeling guidelines for the transportation of hazardous materials in non-mandated situations;

Requires ITSC disseminated training materials be given to relevant professionals and other interested parties;

Suggests the display of ITSC labels in areas used for the long term storage of hazardous goods.

Votes For: 14 184 (92.8%)
Votes Against: 1 108 (7.2%)

Implemented Mon Aug 20 2018

[439 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Administrative Compliance Act
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description:
Understanding that many nations deliberately contravene international laws to gain an unfair advantage over their neighbours;

Noting that others do so to oppress their citizens, extract revenues from governmental institutions and operations, discredit their opponents, and secure their tenuous bases of power;

Haunted by the suffering bred by noncompliance;

Resolute to succor its victims and hold their oppressors to account;

Observing that the World Assembly has already taken steps in combatting these transgressions against international law by passing GAR#390, "Compliance Commission"; and

Giving credence to the body of damning evidence assembled by the WACC;

Hereby enacts the following:

Article I. Independent Adjudicative Office

1. The World Assembly creates the Independent Adjudicative Office ("IAO") and directs it to:


1. Hold fair and independent evidentiary hearings for claims of noncompliance brought by the WACC, overseen by a panel of independent adjudicators;
   
   
2. Decide on the merits of the claims and arguments as to whether a fine is appropriate based on a reasonable interpretation of international law;
   
   
3. Coordinate with the WA General Accounting Office ("GAO") to assess and levy a fine and schedule calculated proportionately to the violation but in no case less than what will reasonably coerce compliance from member states;
   
   
4. The assessments must be based on:
   
   1. the severity of the noncompliance,
   2. the state’s objective intent to commit noncompliance or the actions proximate to a violation,
   3. the good faith nature of the state’s actions proximate to a violation,
   4. the state’s history of noncompliance,
   5. force majeure preventing the state from fulfilling its obligations, and
   6. other mitigating or aggravating circumstances;
2. Remain entirely independent from the WACC and any subcommittees, except for essential coordination to ensure procedural due process for all involved parties;

3. Ensure no ex parte communications occur between itself and any involved parties, and to enforce appropriate remedies if such communications do occur;

4. Promulgate and follow procedure for hearings in a manner consistent with the principles of justice, fairness, and due process;

5. Record and make publicly available all hearing records, excepting those involving privileged individual information, proprietary commercial data, or material necessary for national security.

Article II. Compliance Commission

1. The World Assembly establishes the World Assembly Solicitor's Office ("WASO") as a subset of the WA Compliance Commission ("WACC"), and directs it to:


1. Review investigations regarding member noncompliance;
   
   
2. Accept reports of noncompliance from both member states and individual and sub-national entities, subject to WASO discretion;
   
   
3. File a complaint, containing evidence and all applicable law, to the Independent Adjudicative Office and accordingly prosecute that complaint;
   
   
4. Communicate with those member states which are the subject of the complaint and inform them of any available steps that might prevent filing of a complaint;
   
   
5. Maintain discretion over which compliance violations to pursue.

Article III. General Accounting Office

1. The World Assembly tasks the GAO with collecting all IAO fines and crediting them against the required contribution amount due from members found compliant during the same assessment period.

Article IV. Member State Rights and Duties

1. Every inhabitant of a member state is entitled to an effective remedy against their state for all injuries to their person, property, or character by having recourse in law or equity for any right, made explicitly or implicitly by a restriction on member states, created by World Assembly law.

2. Member states may not prevent or discourage individuals or entities from cooperating with the WASO, nor from asserting any other right in this resolution, subject only to reasonable justiciability restrictions.

3. Member states may have a representative and legal counsel present at IAO hearings to act in their defense.

4. Member states must enforce the strongest sanctions available against those member states that refuse to pay IAO fines, subject only to the limitations of extant law, until the fines are paid or the issue becomes moot.

5. Member states must cooperate fully with, and not restrict or frustrate the actions of, all World Assembly committees referenced in this resolution.

Article V. World Assembly Limitations

1. The World Assembly may not restrict or frustrate IAO fine assessment or collection, nor impose limits on the extent or duration of member state obligations under this resolution.

Co-Authored by Imperium Anglorum

Votes For: 11 084 (73.4%)
Votes Against: 4 011 (26.6%)

Implemented Tue Aug 28 2018

[440 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Convention On Freshwater Shortages
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses - Mild
Proposed by: Rovikstead

Description: The World Assembly,

Aware that clean, safe drinking water in many nations of the World Assembly is progressively becoming more scarce as it is lost to pollution, greater demands by the growing population, and unsustainable consumption;

Acknowledging that, even today, the World Assembly bears witness to the devastating effects of freshwater shortages in some struggling nations within its hallowed halls;

Recognizing the dangerous consequences shortages of clean water have on the public welfare of member nations afflicted with this issue such as civilians needing to resort to drinking unclean water;

Further recognizing the severe effects water shortages may have on nations' economies, with this issue crippling the agricultural sector, spurring greater unrest within the nation, and increasing the migration of large populations;

Observing that both an uninformed public and the business sector are the two greatest contributors to freshwater pollution and over-consumption in many member nations;

Convinced that leaving the issue of freshwater shortages unaddressed would exacerbate current water shortages in some member nations, and have undoubtedly tragic consequences to other nations in the near future;

Desiring to address this issue through a series of proposed actions member nations are strongly advised to take, and through the work and dedication of the Joint Water Resources Management Panel;

Hereby:

1. Defines, for the purposes of this resolution, "Greywater" as water that can be safely used for irrigation, cooling off factory equipment, and other purposes not involving public consumption;

2. Strongly urges member nations to monitor and measure their freshwater supply (based on estimates) annually in order to observe and determine trends in the condition of the water, and to take any further actions, if necessary, in improving the management of the freshwater supply with this information to avoid extensive contamination and shortages;

3. Encourages member nations to reduce businesses’ excessive use and pollution of fresh water with appropriate legislative action including:

1. Establishing a limit on the annual freshwater footprint of certain industries;
2. Instituting regular inspections of water pipelines of manufacturing companies, especially of water plants, to find and prevent the use of faulty or corroded piping, contamination of water, or the spillage of massive volumes of water;

4. Obligates member nations to educate the public on the causes and effects of water shortages, proper water usage, and practical methods of water conservation;

5. Recommends that member nations practice the following methods to effectively prevent water shortages:

1. Creating irrigated agricultural basins, man-made depressions in the land engineered to collect run-off, to improve agricultural water productivity and irrigation efficiency;
2. Collecting and recycling rainwater;
3. Processing runoff and sewage into greywater;

6. Prohibits member nations or any businesses contained wherein from disposing hazardous waste into oceanic bodies, international waters, and the public drinking supply;

7. Extends the authority of the Joint Water Resources Management Panel to include:

1. Sending aid to member nations suffering from an environmental disaster threatening their freshwater and drinking supply at the nation’s request;
2. Providing member nations the tools they need to monitor freshwater resources, and finance projects that aim to reduce the over-consumption or contamination and pollution of freshwater in member nations that lack the fiscal resources to manage the projects themselves upon the nation’s request;
3. Educating farmers and the agricultural industry on how to effectively reduce water use in agriculture, teaching them topics including the precise use of irrigation and how to enhance the water retention of soil, at the nation's request;
4. Assisting in the management of the freshwater supply of member nations in dire circumstances where the national freshwater and drinking supply is under a very real, severe threat wherein the public health is being harmed.

Co-authored by Araraukar and Kenmoria

Votes For: 12 864 (85.6%)
Votes Against: 2 161 (14.4%)

Implemented Sat Sep 1 2018

[441 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Circulation Of World Assembly Law
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: The Wallenburgian World Assembly Offices

Description: Aware that compliance with World Assembly laws relies upon popular understanding of national and international law,

Valuing prompt and appropriate publication of newly enacted national and international legislation,

Recognizing the benefits of a well-informed populace,

Wishing to inform the general public on all matters of World Assembly law,

The World Assembly,

1. Requires member nations to make available to all their inhabitants the text of World Assembly resolutions,
   
   
2. Urges member states to include information on particularly important World Assembly resolutions in their public education curriculum, and thorough education on all facets of World Assembly legislation in publicly funded legal education,
   
   
3. Recommends that member nations encourage all inhabitants to seek an understanding of World Assembly law, especially if it directly affects their lives,
   
   
4. Tasks a World Assembly Law Dissemination Service, hereafter referred to as WALDS, with the publication of World Assembly resolutions, and with the timely dissemination of these publications to inhabitants of member states,
   
   
   1. The WALDS shall oversee the dissemination of publications such as law books of previously passed resolutions, public notices of newly enacted resolutions and repeals, and commentary of ambassadors and other relevant public figures familiar with World Assembly law,
      
      
   2. These publications shall include the text of passed resolutions and resolutions at vote, analytical and contextual commentary on their clauses, their effects on member states and their inhabitants, and any other information the WALDS considers relevant to its audiences,
5. Advises the WALDS to negotiate and cooperate with national publishers and news media in order to reduce costs, delegate responsibility, and increase efficacy of its publications,
   
   
6. Mandates the free passage of agents of the WALDS to and from member states in order to carry out their duties, subject to any standard border safety measures not related to their status as World Assembly employees,
   
   
7. Also mandates that member states allow the WALDS to negotiate and cooperate with public and private publishers and news media operating within their borders, with the consent of said organizations.

Votes For: 12 053 (82.3%)
Votes Against: 2 588 (17.7%)

Implemented Sun Sep 9 2018

[442 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Preventing the Execution of Innocents [Struck out by GA 573]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Civil Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum

Description: Whereas there is considerable disagreement in the Assembly about the merits of banning capital punishment:

And whereas it is best to set a compromise, where the Assembly does its best efforts to permit, with effective regulations, capital punishment so to best reduce the chance of it falling upon those who have not committed the crime they are accused of:

Be it enacted by the World Assembly, as follows :—

1. Subject to World Assembly legislation, member nations are permitted to sentence and carry out capital punishment within their jurisdictions.
   
   
2. There shall be created a Capital Cases division in the Judicial Committee of the Compliance Commission, here referred to as the Division, staffed with competent jurists and forensic scientists, to review submitted cases. To prevent the Division from being overwhelmed by requests for review, any one jurisdiction shall submit no more than than one capital case per million inhabitants per year. For the purposes of avoiding confirmation bias in assessments, the Division shall not keep records of capital punishment procedures.
   
   
3. Member nations shall not attempt to pervert justice by unduly influencing the defendant or defence counsel. Nor shall member nations require or coerce the defendant or defence counsel to make decisions which may damage their defence or, in the case of counsel, the welfare of their client.
   
   
4. Member nations, when prosecuting capital cases, shall:
   
   
   1. establish an office of a solicitor, specialised in the prosecution of capital cases, who shall conduct the prosecution of all capital cases within their jurisdiction,
      
      
   2. provide the defendant with adequate representation at the state's expense, barring concurrent representation, if the defendant is unable to pay for such counsel,
      
      
   3. provide the defence with all evidence collected in the process of investigation,
      
      
   4. provide the defence ample time, no less than one year, to review and examine that evidence,
      
      
   5. prohibit evidentiary barriers from barring the defence admission of evidence,
      
      
   6. prove, such that there could not arise evidence (foreseeable at the time of trial) that would cast doubt on the guilt of the defendant for any charge which could carry a capital sentence, and
      
      
   7. submit for review, to the Division, all facts of the case and conclusions reached at trial, at which time the Division shall decide whether to certify that all burdens of proof are met, there has been due process, and all conclusions on evidence are justifiable. If certification is withheld, the Division may dismiss or remand the case.
5. In all cases where a capital sentence is issued, before it is carried out,
   
   
   1. member nations shall serially provide the Division and all counsel assigned or associated with a case, six months to discover, examine, and verify exculpatory evidence which could exonerate the defendant,
      
      
   2. permit the defendant full access to the national appellate system and appeal to the Division upon discovery of possibly exonerating evidence or admissible evidence which casts into doubt the narrative put forth by the prosecution at the time of trial, and
      
      
   3. provide to the defendant, in any legal proceedings related to their capital conviction, the same privileges afforded to defendant during and after the original trial.
6. Member nations shall not issue a capital sentence on any mentally incompetent person, as punishment for any non-violent crime, or as punishment for any crime not directly affecting more than one person. All capital sentences shall be carried out via a method which is, upon review demanded by any party to a capital case, proven beyond any reasonable doubt not to cause pain or suffering.
   
   
7. Member nations shall not extradite, except to World Assembly judicial institutions or jurisdictions without capital punishment, any person charged or likely to be charged with a capital offence. Nor shall any person be extradited to a place likely to commence judicial proceedings, which would contravene World Assembly legislation, against that person.
   
   
8. No member nation shall carry out a capital sentence on any person which has not had their case record certified by the Division within the last year. Nor shall member nations carry out such a sentence before the Division has certified that there exist no irregularities in the case record, the defendant has exhausted all available appeals, or the Division has certified that all procedures involved with carrying out that capital sentence comply with provisions set forth in World Assembly legislation.
   
   
9. All individuals currently sentenced to capital punishment or charged of a capital crime shall be afforded the protections of this resolution.

Votes For: 9 244 (52.2%)
Votes Against: 8 475 (47.8%)

Implemented Mon Sep 17 2018

[443 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Convention On International Oil Spills [Struck out by 446 GA]
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: Mining
Proposed by: Rovikstead

Description: The World Assembly,

Recognizing oil as a natural resource relied upon by many as a common source of fuel and energy, and forms the basis of a lucrative industry for most member nations;

However concerned with the many dangers of the extraction of oil in oceanic bodies, especially towards the marine ecosystem and quality of the nation’s water sources, posing risks including but not limited to:

1. Poisoning and killing off maritime life;
2. Spurring unnatural growth in certain algae populations that could threaten underwater plants’ ability to produce oxygen;
3. Stunting larval development and growth of maritime creatures;
4. Contaminating the nations' drinking water and spreading hazardous carcinogens including cancer-causing agents;

Fearing the demanding, nearly insurmountable task of cleaning up after an oil spills in international waters, and the inevitable threats that come with the spillage;

Desiring to prevent future oil spills in international waters, and facilitate their clean-up through a series of measures member nations are urged to take and through the dedication and work of the World Assembly Disaster Bureau;

Hereby:

1. Obligates member nations to establish appropriate legislation prohibiting the usage of faulty equipment in maritime oil extraction, create and uphold standards of safety of efficiency, and design oil spill emergency response plans;

2. Urges member nations to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, and switch to alternate, eco-friendly energy sources including solar, wind, or geothermal energy;

3. Mandates that all oil extraction operations working in international waters take the following precautions to prevent oil spillage:

1. Inspect the operation thoroughly and check for any deterioration and leaks in equipment annually, especially oil drums, generators, and associated piping;
2. Test oil containers for integrity regularly;
3. Clean oil tanks every couple of years to prevent the corrosion and rusting of the tank;
4. Ensure that spill kits are easily accessible at oil extracting operations;

4. Strongly urges member nations do the following in the event of an oil spill:

1. Spray dispersants, a type of chemical agent that breaks up oil molecules and make them more easily biodegraded, on the area of oil spillage;
2. Use biological agents (nutrients, enzymes, and microorganisms) to further facilitate the biodegradation of oil spills;
3. Set booms made of absorbent material in the water along the edge of the oil spillage to contain the oil;
4. Rinse oiled shorelines and ruses using hoses that supply low or high-pressure water streams, and collect the runoff with plastic-lined trenches and sorbent materials;
5. Till and rake the shores and land penetrated by oil so that it can be exposed and evaporated, left to degrade naturally, or washed with pressure hoses;

5. Extends the authority of the World Assembly Disaster Bureau to:

1. Launch extensive relief efforts in the event of an oil spill in international waters;
2. Investigate allegations of dangerous and reckless mismanagement of maritime oil extraction;
3. Finance national projects to establish more safeguards against international oil spills at the request of the member nation;

Votes For: 12 810 (74.6%)
Votes Against: 4 372 (25.4%)

Implemented Tue Sep 25 2018

[444 GA on NS] [Official Debate Topic]