NationStates

Essential Medication Act
A resolution to ban, legalize, or encourage recreational drugs.

Category: Recreational Drug Use
Decision: Legalize
Proposed by: Mousebumples

Description: THE WORLD ASSEMBLY:

UNDERSTANDS that each nation within this august body has its own individualized laws regarding recreational drug use inside its own borders.

RESPECTS the right of each nation to make such decisions due to the lack of international law on the subject.

REALIZES that some patients receive inadequate and/or substandard medical treatment due to the limitations of pharmacology and legal restrictions within their nation of residence.

BELIEVES that medical professionals should be able to prescribe evidence-based treatments for their patients’ use when standard courses of therapy prove to be ineffective or insufficient.

DEFINES “medically essential drug” (MED) as a medication or treatment that is necessary to improve management and/or treatment of a patient’s medical condition but is specially regulated and/or restricted within a given nation.

REQUIRES, at minimum, that member nations allow their citizens medicinal access and medicinal use of MEDs.

PERMITS member nations to implement any/all of the following restrictions on the medicinal access and use of MEDs within their sovereign borders:
• Patients may be required to try evidence-based standard course(s) of therapy for a sufficient duration to allow for adequate symptom control to be obtained. Patient-specific waivers must be available in the event that such trials would result in untenable adverse harm.
• Practitioners who prescribe MEDs may be required to obtain a special certification in order to ensure that MEDs are being used solely for medicinal purposes. The certification must have reasonable and attainable standards.
• Member nations may require MED dispensaries to institute reasonable security measures to prevent theft and/or unauthorized possession of MEDs.

CLARIFIES that nothing in this text limits a member state's ability to outlaw or legalize recreational use of MEDs or other drugs.

Votes For: 4,532
Votes Against: 1,807

Implemented Wed Dec 22 2010

[WAR124 on NS] [WAR124 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Repeal "Missing Minors Database"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #120
Proposed by: Darenjon WA Embassy

Description: WA Resolution #120: Missing Minors Database (Category: International Security; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The General Assembly,

APPLAUDING the intent of Missing Minors Database, and believing in the guaranteed safety of minors,

BUT ACKNOWLEDGING several flaws with the resolution, including that:

1. It does not count as "abduction" cases where abductors, with the purpose of harm, coerce or deceive minors into voluntarily attaching themselves to said abductor;

2. It requires alerts regarding all missing minors be broadcast in "all available media", leaving confusion and differing opinions regarding whether privately-owned media is affected, and it does not allow for limitation of more-frequent alerts to within a certain radius of where the minor was last seen;

3. Further, it requires that "all border crossings [and] transportation hubs" and "all...legal enforcement authorities," everywhere in the nation, be sent an overwhelming mass of notifications about every missing minor in the nation, including runaways;

4. It counts runaway minors as "abducted", ignoring the differences between cases in which a minor is forcibly taken against their will, and cases where a minor chooses to leave of their own volition;

5. It forces nations to expend law enforcement resources towards the locating and apprehension of said runaways, who may not wish to be found and may have good reasons for leaving their family's home, then does not attempt to address the issues behind the runaway's choice to leave the home;

6. It suggests that, upon a minor's return to their family, the case be considered "resolved" and no further action is pledged or required to ensure the minor's and community's continued safety, including possible prosecution of a minor's abductor;

7. It requires needless paperwork in cases in which a parent or guardian wishes to travel across international borders with a minor and without the other parent or guardian, and does not expound requirements in cases where a minor has more than two parents and/or legal guardians;

REALIZING that "Missing Minors Database", despite its laudable intent, is a highly flawed resolution,

The General Assembly hereby repeals "Missing Minors Database".

Co-authored by Quelesh

Votes For: 4,884
Votes Against: 1,165

Implemented Sat Jan 1 2011

[WAR125 on NS] [WAR125 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Extinction Preparation Act [Struck out by Resolution #154]
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: The Associated Peoples

Description: REALIZING that a major catastrophe could threaten the existence of any number of species.

SEEKING to install safeguards for the recovery of any species that falls victim to an extinction event.

RECOGNIZING that many nations may have safeguards in place.

CONCERNED that such safeguards can be lost due to disasters both natural and manufactured.

BELIEVING that all nations can benefit from mutual preparation.

HEREBY:

I. AUTHORIZES the creation of the Extinction Preparation Research Facility (EPRF).
a.) The facility will be located in a neutral World Assembly controlled territory. Ideally, in an arctic region well above sea level, with little to no seismic activity, to minimize the danger of damage due to electrical failure, flooding or structural damage.
b.) The facility is to be staffed, constructed and maintained by the World Assembly Scientific Programme (WASP).
c.) Member nations may use this facility freely, while non-member nations may use it for a nominal fee, which will provide additional funding for upkeep.

II. EMPOWERS staff scientists to research advanced methods of artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, cloning and efficient horticultural replenishment, as well as the study of keystone species and methods for rebuilding ecosystems.
a.) All discoveries shall be made available to any establishment showing legitimate interest.

III. URGES member nations to supply specimens of seeds, saplings and genetic animal materials (sperm, eggs and DNA).

IV. REQUIRES acceptable preservation methods to be observed.

Co-authored by The Coyote Coalition

Votes For: 4,442
Votes Against: 3,800

Implemented Thu Jan 6 2011

[WAR126 on NS] [WAR126 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Conscientious Objector Act [Struck out by Resolution #129]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Otrenia

Description: An act to protect the right of conscientious objectors to refuse military service for moral, religious, or philosophical beliefs.

DEFINING a conscientious objector as an individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, or religion.

DECLARES that a person may claim the right to be a conscientious objector because of their moral, religious, or philosophical beliefs.

DECLARES that a person may claim the right to be a conscientious objector because they are pacifist, non-interventionist, non-resistant, antimilitarist, or other reason.

DECLARES that a person may not be punished in any way due to their refusal to perform military service for moral, religious, or philosophical beliefs.

DECLARES that persons performing military service may develop conscientious objections.

REALIZING that different nations have differing views on conscription and military service.

THEREFORE DECLARING that each nation has the right to question those persons seeking conscientious objector status, however these questions may, in no way, be deliberately misleading, confusing, or self-incriminating.

FURTHER authorizing nations, at their discretion, to require conscientious objectors to fill non-combatant roles, or civilian service roles for an equal amount of time as those who perform the involuntary military service the conscientious objectors have objected to.

DECLARES that this resolution does not prevent further regulation, by member nations or the World Assembly, to protect conscientious objectors.

Votes For: 4,616
Votes Against: 4,578

Implemented Mon Jan 10 2011

[WAR127 on NS] [WAR127 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

On Abortion [Struck out by GA 551]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Charlotte Ryberg

Description: The World Assembly,

ASSERTING that it is the duty to protect the health of living persons;

ACCEPTING the controversy surrounding the legality of abortion;

NEVERTHELESS CONVINCED that it is inappropriate for member states to deny abortion to any pregnant female who are at risk of death if their pregnancy is not terminated;

Therefore:

1. REQUIRES member countries to legalise abortion for cases where:
a) The pregnancy resulted from involuntary sexual activity and/or sexual activity in which at least one of the parties could not legally give consent;
b) Severe foetal abnormality would result in a child being born with an incurable condition which is fatal and/or painful;
c) There is a risk of a life-threatening physical or mental condition which would result in the death or life-long severe disability of the pregnant woman if the pregnancy continued;

2. FURTHER REQUIRES member countries to ensure that abortion facilities are easily available to patients seeking abortion in circumstances under Section 1;

3. MANDATES that such abortions may only be carried out with the informed consent of the patient without coercion: if the patient is incapacitated and unable to make their wishes known, the patient's legal next-of-kin may make the decision on their behalf;

4. FURTHER MANDATES that physicians who carry out abortions must be trained to the same accepted medical standards that all surgeons are held to, and that abortions are carried out in a way that is as painless as possible while preserving the mother's physical health;

5. DECLARES that no physician may be compelled to perform abortion against their moral stance;

6. DECLARES that it is neither a criminal offence nor a cause for civil suit to have obtained abortion for reasons under Section 1 and no inhabitant of a member country shall be subject to prosecution for having done so, nor otherwise subjected to harassment or persecution in law or at the instigation of the state in consequence;

7. INSISTS that all member nations retain the ability to legalize abortion for purposes not covered under the preceding clauses either unilaterally within their own jurisdiction or collectively through World Assembly resolution.

Votes For: 6,359
Votes Against: 2,556

Implemented Fri Jan 14 2011

[GA 128 on NS] [GA 128 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Repeal "Conscientious Objector Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #127
Proposed by: Diogenes Epicurius

Description: WA Resolution #127: Conscientious Objector Act (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: RECOGNIZING that there are many religious, philosophical and ethical systems that forbid violence.

UNDERSTANDING that many individuals who object to violence are at risk for punishment from their government and fellow citizens for failing to perform in military duties.

RECOGNIZING that the rights of these individuals should be protected.

PRAISING the attention that GA Resolution #127 has brought to this issue.

CONCERNED that under the current language of the "Conscientious Objector Act," active military personnel may falsely develop "objections" when faced with performing as prescribed in a legal contract which includes combat duties.

CONCERNED that such an act creates a dangerous precedent in countries in adherence to international law of soldiers signing up for combat positions and then being able to break their contract when called upon to do their duty.

CONCERNED that such efforts could cripple nations of the World Assembly if they engage in combat with a state not in adherence to international law.

CONCERNED that such precedent threatens all contracts made with a government by proxy.

RESOLVES that General Assembly Resolution #127, "Conscientious Objector Act" should be repealed immediately.

REQUESTS that should the "Conscientious Objector Act" be repealed all member nations should do their utmost to abide by the rest of the motion until a better worded act may be presented to this Assembly.

Votes For: 5,747
Votes Against: 2,598

Implemented Tue Jan 18 2011

[WAR129 on NS] [WAR129 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Elections and Assistance Act [Struck out by GA 575]
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Glen-Rhodes

Description: RECOGNIZING that free and fair elections are vital to the preservation and success of democratic institutions,

ACKNOWLEDGING that nations transitioning from a non-democratic system of government to a democratic system of government face special challenges in both forming an electoral system and ensuring the legitimacy of elections themselves,

RESOLVED that all nations who choose to have elections should comply with certain common expectations of what constitutes a free and fair election,

The World Assembly hereby enacts the following:

Article I - Definitions

Sec. 1. "Public office" shall herein mean any office of a government that is subject to an election, whether that election be direct or indirect, popular or otherwise.

Sec. 2. A "plebiscite vote" shall herein mean any vote put forth for the public to decide on an issue where the public’s vote is binding.

Article II - Principles of Free and Fair Elections

Sec. 1. Where all direct elections are held for public office, a secret ballot shall be used, whereby no person’s vote shall be involuntarily disclosed to the public.

Sec. 2. In all elections for public office, the aggregate results of the elections shall be made publicly available and open to scrutiny.

Sec. 3. Nations are encouraged to establish an independent body or bodies to monitor and officiate all elections for public office.

Sec. 4. Nations are encouraged to use a vote-counting methodology that does not provide a disproportionate advantage to any candidate or groups of candidates.

Article III – Assistance

Sec. 1. To assist nations transitioning from a non-democratic to a democratic form of government, hereinafter "transitioning nations," the Organization for Electoral Assistance (OEA) is established.

Sec. 2. The OEA shall assist creating electoral systems in transitioning nations when called upon by those nations for that purpose.

Sec. 3. As an advisory body, the OEA shall not have any binding authority on creating electoral systems, but shall strive to promote democratic principles, including universal suffrage and voting accessibility.

Sec. 4. The OEA shall monitor elections and plebiscite votes in transitioning nations, when asked to do so and only in the capacity agreed upon by the transitioning nations in question, excepting the mandatory provisions in Sections 5, 6, and 7 of this Article.

Sec. 5. The OEA must have access to voting locations without undue interference, to monitor possible fraud, voter intimidation, ballot tempering, and other unfair and fraudulent activities. The OEA shall make publicly available any all reports of the previous to the press and relevant institutions.

Sec. 6. The OEA must be allowed to either observe and monitor the tallying of votes or be a party therein.

Sec. 7. If the OEA serves in an observational capacity, OEA vote counts shall be nonbinding; however they should be conferred reasonable consideration in electoral disputes. If the OEA serves as a party in vote tallying, OEA vote counts shall be binding.

Sec. 8. Member nations are encouraged to assist in monitoring non-member transitioning nations’ elections and plebiscite votes, per consensual terms and conditions.

Article IV – Clarifications

Sec. 1. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require elections in nations where no elections are currently held.

Sec. 2. However, nothing in this Act shall be construed to deny the peoples' right to self-determination.

Votes For: 5,374
Votes Against: 2,635

Implemented Sat Jan 22 2011

[WAR130 on NS] [WAR130 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Military Freedom Act [Struck out by GA 652]
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

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

Description:
Article I, Preamble:

The World Assembly recognizes the need for able persons to fight in the military of member nations. It further recognizes that many persons may have religious, conscientious, or moral reasons for objecting to combative military service. The World Assembly believes that these persons should not be compelled to serve against such beliefs. It hereby enacts this resolution to protect these persons.

Article II, Definitions:

1) A conscientious objector shall, for the purposes of this resolution, be considered a person who has genuine religious, conscientious, or moral objections to participation in war, wherein:
1a) Such objections are held against participation in war of any form, rather than participation in a specific war, except as noted in §1b.
1b) Objection to a specific war shall be considered valid if the war is one of aggression as defined below, or the objector is within two degrees of consanguinity of any citizen of the opposing nation's military.

2) A war of aggression shall, for the purposes of this resolution, be considered an armed conflict initiated by the conscientious objector's nation without prior provocation from the nation being attacked.
2a) Provocation shall be considered only violent and aggressive acts, terrorism, espionage, or credible threats thereof, against the objector's nation or its allies.
2b) Such shall only be considered provocation if it was funded, sponsored, or approved of by the government of the nation being attacked.
2c) Military occupation of another nation with the uncoerced consent of that nation's rightful government shall not be considered a war of aggression.

3) Combative military duties shall, for the purposes of this resolution, be considered any duty wherein a person is required to directly cause injury or death to any person.
3a) This shall include, but not be limited to, the use of any weaponry, the equipping of weaponry to machines or vehicles, and the control of any machine or vehicle equipped with weaponry.
3b) This shall not include administrative duties or the furnishing or preparation of medical and food services.

Article III, Requirements of Nations:

1) No nation shall compel a conscientious objector to serve in combative military duties.
2) No nation may punish or penalize a conscientious objector for that status.
2a) Nations may compel conscientious objectors to serve in non-combative military or non-military duties.
3) Nations may make a good-faith effort to determine the veracity of a person's claim of conscientious objector status.
3a) This may include psychological evaluation of the person in question, as well as non-coercive, non-intimidating interviews with those familiar with the person in question.
3b) Nations must consider in these determinations the possibility that a person may develop objections during or following military service.
4) Nations may require those acquiring conscientious objector status while serving in a combative military duty to continue said duty for a pre-determined, finite period of time prior to reassignment to a non-combative duty.
4a) Such period shall exceed neither six months nor the term for which the duty was originally assigned.
5) This resolution shall not be construed to prohibit nor require the establishment of compulsory military service.

Votes For: 4,737
Votes Against: 2,925

Implemented Sat Feb 5 2011

[WAR132 on NS] [WAR132 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Repeal "Missing Minors Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #131
Proposed by: Sanctaria

Description: WA Resolution #131: Missing Minors Act (Category: International Security; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: NOTING that the Missing Minors Act has good intentions;

RECOGNISING that GA#131 was intended as a replacement for a previously repealed resolution,

HOWEVER REALISING that the Act does not put in place effective measures for the finding of missing children,

THE WORLD ASSEMBLY,

ACKNOWLEDGES the following limitations of the resolution text:

»1: there is a lack of a clear distinction between a runaway and a missing child;

»2: the safety of a missing child is put in doubt due to the lack of details regarding a database and whether the public, including child abductors, would have access;

»3: it allows nations to reclassify what constitutes a minor in their nation, thereby enabling them to bypass the creation of an MCO, the main efficacy of this Act;

»4: while individual member nations are able to apply to the WA for funds, nations are merely "recommended" to provide adequate funding for MCOs, thereby allowing nations to evade the spirit of this Act by setting a substandard level of monetary funding;

»5: the resolution only applies when the custodian is unaware of the whereabouts of the minor, oblivious to the fact that some custodians neither care nor want said minors;

»6: the resolution doesn't adequately deal with the situation when a child returns, of their own freewill or otherwise;

Hereby

REPEALS GA #131, the Missing Minors Act.

Votes For: 6,446
Votes Against: 1,996

Implemented Wed Feb 9 2011

[WAR133 on NS] [WAR133 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Guns and Mental Capacity [Struck out by Resolution #150]
A resolution to tighten or relax gun control laws.

Category: Gun Control
Decision: Tighten
Proposed by: Darenjo

Description: The General Assembly,

AWARE of the sad fact that there are those among the sapient beings of the universe that suffer from varying forms of mental incompetency,

ALSO AWARE that in many nations, gun rights are a fundamental part of their constitutions or laws,

BELIEVING, however, that those deemed to be mentally incompetent, in the interest of protecting themselves and their peers, should not be allowed to handle guns,

The General Assembly hereby,

I. DEFINES, for the purposes of this resolution,
1. "Gun" as "a device easily transported by one person, designed for the basic purpose of causing damage to beings and property, that uses a series of steps, ending in the usage of a manual trigger, that fires, at high speeds, small projectiles, or burst or streams of concentrated energy";
2. "Mentally Incompetent" as those who, in the professional opinion of a medical professional trained to make such observations, are "unable to distinguish between real and imaginary events" or "unable to understand the potential consequences of their actions";

II. CLARIFIES that for a being to count as being "mentally incompetent" they need only fit one of the above definitions for "mentally incompetent";

III. DECLARES that a judge or other judicial body may order someone to be tested for being "mentally incompetent", and can recommend that somebody be classified as such, but cannot order somebody to be considered "mentally incompetent" for the purposes of this resolution;

IV. BANS those who are "mentally incompetent" from purchasing, selling, handling, using, or assisting in the testing of guns;

V. ALLOWS for those who are "mentally incompetent", to challenge their status and take a test that, should they pass, would lift from them the status of "mentally incompetent" for the purposes of this resolution only;

VI. CHARGES the World Health Authority (WHA) with creating a list of conditions that could potentially cause someone to become "mentally incompetent", creating a test for the purposes of Article IV, and actively disseminating that information, through the Universal Library Coalition (ULC) and other information banks;

VII. CLARIFIES that this does not affect the gun laws of individual nations with regards to people not deemed to be "mentally incompetent";

Votes For: 6,027
Votes Against: 3,277

Implemented Tue Feb 15 2011

[WAR134 on NS] [WAR134 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Convention On Wartime Deceased
A resolution to restrict civil freedoms in the interest of moral decency.

Category: Moral Decency
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Serrland

Description: DEFINING wartime as a period of conflict between two armed entities,

DEFINING desecration as the act of defiling, profaning, or otherwise mutilating and causing undue trauma,

DEFINING the field of battle as the location at which an armed conflict resulting in casulties has occurred or is occurring,

NOTING that in wartime situations there are casualties and deaths,

FURTHER NOTING that emotions may run high in wartime situations, resulting in unbecoming behavior,

CONCERNED that the bodies of deceased combatants and civilians may be desecrated in acts of rage, violence, or malice,

AWARE that the bodies of the deceased should be treated with respect,

COGNIZANT of the impact that the desecration of a body can have on the family, friends, and relations of the deceased,

The World Assembly hereby

DEMANDS that states take appropriate measures to prevent the desecration of deceased civilians, military personnel, and any others who may fall on the field of battle,

CONDEMNS those who partake in such acts, as well as those governments that support said activity,

STRONGLY SUGGESTS that nations make provisions for the proper burial or other post-death rituals, depending on the culture of the nation or of the deceased in question, whenever possible,

RECOMMENDS that appropriate measures be taken to ensure the repatriation of the deceased to their nation of origin, whenever possible,

PROHIBITS the needless dismembering of deceased combatants on the field of battle

Votes For: 5,922
Votes Against: 3,455

Implemented Wed Feb 23 2011

[WAR136 on NS] [WAR136 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Repeal "Universal Standard Time Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #135
Proposed by: Krioval

Description: WA Resolution #135: Universal Standard Time Act (Category: Free Trade; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

NOTING that nations have been able to measure time independently of one another,

NOTING that the World Assembly has functioned sufficiently well in the absence of a "universal" system of time,

FURTHER NOTING that international commerce is not directly enhanced by an externally imposed clock,

CONCERNED that the physical nature of the universe precludes a single, externally imposed system of measuring the passage of time,

FINDING that many nations have means of timekeeping that are more precise than those described therein,

DETERMINED that an externally imposed "universal" system of time does nothing to benefit international trade or diplomacy,

DECLARES that "Universal Standard Time Act" be stricken from international law.

Votes For: 5,520
Votes Against: 4,014

Implemented Sun Feb 27 2011

[WAR137 on NS] [WAR137 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Repeal "Space Research Station Program"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #115
Proposed by: Darenjo

Description: WA Resolution #115: Space Research Station Program (Category: Education and Creativity; Area of Effect: Educational) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The General Assembly,

RE-ACKNOWLEDGING that many nations are not able to reach outer space, either due to financial or technological restraints,

BELIEVING that all nations who desire to reach outer space should be able to do so,

NOTING the wide margin with which "Space Research Station Program" passed,

BUT FINDING several flaws with said resolution, including that:

1. It only creates one space station to fit the needs of over 12,000 World Assembly member-states spread over several star systems,

2. It requires that the WASRS rely solely on the donations of nations, corporations, and individuals, but does not require said nations, corporations, and individuals to donate anything at all, calling into question the ability of the space station to fund itself,

3. The WASRS, due to both the rules of the World Assembly and the wording of the resolution that created it, cannot defend itself from attack, in a current situation where some space-faring WA members have openly declared their hostility to the WASRS, or from space objects which pose a threat to the WASRS,

4. There is no specified purpose for the space station, meaning that the only actual effect of it at this point is the creation of purposeless bureaucracy,

5. Nations have no obligation to participate, and those that do choose to participate have no obligation to participate in a responsible manner, leaving the way open for more subtle opponents of the WASRS to sabotage or damage the station from the inside, needlessly endangering the lives of some of the WA's best scientists,

6. There is no provision or set-aside funding for either replacing, repairing, or even maintaing the WASRS in the case of attack, internal sabotage, and normal space wear,

BELIEVING that the problems with the resolution far outweigh its potential benefits,

NOTING that many nations have managed to reach outer space without the WA's help, and that several others have no desire to reach outer space at the present time,

The General Assembly hereby repeals Resolution #115, "Space Research Station Program".

Votes For: 6,806
Votes Against: 2,814

Implemented Thu Mar 3 2011

[WAR138 on NS] [WAR138 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Consumer Product Safety [Struck out by Resolution #241]
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Cool Egg Sandwich

Description: The World Assembly,

ACKNOWLEDGING that a predominant role of this body is to promote and protect the general welfare of the citizens of its member nations;

REALIZING that in many instances citizens of WA member nations are sustaining injury, illness, or even death directly related to unsafe consumer products;

RECOGNIZING the need for a regulatory body charged with maintaining international safety standards of said consumer products;

DEFINES a “consumer product” as any article, or component thereof, produced or distributed for a consumer to purchase, i.e. toys, automobiles, household chemicals, electronics etc.; however, exempts any article not customarily intended for use, enjoyment, or consumption by a consumer.

DEFINES an “unsafe consumer product” as any consumer product that can pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure a consumer while used properly and according to age / training / safety requirements;

PROHIBITS the import to and export from WA member nations of consumer products that qualify as “unsafe consumer products” according to the terms of this legislation;

STRONGLY URGES member nations to prohibit manufacturers and distributors from producing and/or distributing “unsafe consumer products”;

STRONGLY URGES member nations to impose financial penalties on manufacturers and/or distributors guilty of producing and/or distributing “unsafe consumer products”;

ESTABLISHES a “Consumer Product Safety Council”, hereafter CPSC, to maintain international consumer product safety standards;

CHARGES the CPSC with the investigation of consumer products on an international scale in order to identify “unsafe consumer products” and prevent their import to and export from WA member nations;

FURTHER CHARGES the CPSC with assisting citizens of WA member nations seeking financial compensation, legal recourse, or product recall associated with “unsafe consumer products”;

URGES individual WA member nations to provide funds, where applicable, to facilitate CPSC organizational efforts;

CONCLUDES that a CPSC will promote a higher level of consumer safety on an international level, leading to a decline in injuries and deaths associated with consumer products.

Votes For: 6,047
Votes Against: 3,640

Implemented Mon Mar 7 2011

[WAR139 on NS] [WAR139 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Institutional Psychiatry Act [Struck out by GA 602]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Unibotian WA Mission

Description: The General Assembly,

Hereby Demands:

1. All persons with a mental illness — or who are being treated as such persons — have the right to:
• Voluntary residency in a mental health facility in addition to psychiatric treatment, counselling and rehabilitation by mental heath professionals that are held to the same high standards as all other fields of practiced medicine;
• Not be subject to exploitation for economic, sexual or other gains (e.g., human exhibitions, prostitution);
• Not be subject to degrading treatment and physical, mental or any other form of abuse;
• At-least robust allowances for visitation with their offspring — unless said persons' present behavior suggests that their presence is a danger to their children as determined by domestic courts;
• Be employable -- dependent upon their ability to perform said work without their mental illness establishing a new threat to the safety and wellbeing of themselves or others as determined by domestic courts;
• Freedom of communication, which includes freedom to send and receive uncensored private communications with anyone outside or inside in a mental health facility with respect to domestic court restraining orders (i.e., "no contact" provisions), and inalienable access to communicational services (postal and telephone) and newspapers, radio, television and other forms of media;

2. No patient shall be subject to medication or punishment that is not in their best medical interests or lacks a therapeutic or diagnostic purpose (e.g., as a method of punishment, for the convenience of staff, misuses of seclusion or electroconvulsive therapy, lobotomization, embarrassment via group therapy);

3. Robust periods for visitation between friends, family and other persons and the patients of a mental health facility should be available unless (1) the patient requests without coercion that they not receive visits from any given person, (2) restraining orders have been established by domestic courts against visitation between the patient and certain prospective visitors, — upon said situations, mental health facilities should provide the necessary security to fulfill these request/orders;

4. Mental health facilities shall offer a pleasant environment and living conditions for at least its residents in addition to making a wealth of recreational, educational and leisure activities and an efficient complaint system available to residents;

5. No perceived threat to the social, political or cultural values of the majority (e.g., sexual orientation, unconventional gender roles or political ideology), or the suppression of dissent shall ever be the justification for a patient’s admittance to a mental health facility;

6. That nothing of this resolution shall be misconstrued as prohibiting the practice of involuntary admission to a mental health facility;

7. Member-nations (1) shall not relocate patients or mental health facilities elsewhere to circumvent this resolution, (2) shall consider further legislation on the details of admission to mental health facilities, and (3) are urged to consider any grievous deviation from this resolution by any nation as reasonable grounds for diplomatic intervention or condemnation-- not because said nation has simply 'failed to comply' with this resolution, but because of the mass social grievances that result from such deviation.

Votes For: 6,403
Votes Against: 2,277

Implemented Fri Mar 11 2011

[WAR140 on NS] [WAR140 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Permit Male Circumcision
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Knootoss

Description: The World Assembly,

AFFIRMING that male circumcision, the removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis, may be performed for a range of medical and religious reasons;

HAVING VOTED to deny a ban on male circumcision on previous occasions;

DECLARES male circumcision to be a medical procedure, and entitles patients undergoing male circumcision to all the protections associated with that status;

OBLIGES all member states to permit the practice of male circumcision, notwithstanding their authority to regulate the procedure.

Votes For: 6,495
Votes Against: 2,986

Implemented Wed Mar 16 2011

[WAR141 on NS] [WAR141 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

In Regards to Cloning [Struck out by Resolution #143]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Mahaj WA Seat

Description: DEFINES cloning as 'the creation of an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another'
DEFINES clone as 'the organism that is an exact genetic copy of another'

RECOGNIZES the risk of cloning mistakes,
URGES nations to take steps to prevent cloning mishaps,
REQUIRES that cloning only be done by trained professionals,
DECLARES that nations cannot classify sentient sapient clones as their own legal class,
REQUIRES sapient clones in member nations be extended all the legal rights, privileges, and opportunities granted to their genetically identical counterparts,
DECLARES that clones cannot be used for the purpose of or as part of a violation of other GA resolutions,
AFFIRMS the right of nations to pursue cloning of sapient beings,
PRESERVES the right of nations to illegalize such cloning in that nation,
REMINDS that nations are allowed to enact further legislation in regards to clones, so long as it does not violate this act,
Co-authored by Cool Egg Sandwich

Votes For: 5,261
Votes Against: 4,520

Implemented Sun Mar 20 2011

[WAR142 on NS] [WAR142 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Repeal "In Regards to Cloning"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #142
Proposed by: Parallaxium

Description: WA Resolution #142: In Regards to Cloning (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: While the General Assembly recognises the intent behind Resolution #142, “In Regards to Cloning”, it notes the following flaw:

The Resolution specifically:
“DEFINES clone as 'the organism that is an exact genetic copy of another'”

The wording used includes organisms that reproduce naturally in a number of ways in the definition of 'clone'.

Examples of organisms included in the definition are:
Any organism which reproduces by binary fission, in which the parent organsim divides into two genetically identical offspring.
Any organism which reproduces through budding, in which a genetically identical offspring grows off a ‘mother’ organism.
Any plant which reproduces by vegetative reproduction, in which a genetically identical plant grows from the leaf, runner, or rhizome of another plant, or from the stem of a damaged plant, or from new shoots on an existing root system, or arise from tubers or bulbs.
Any organism which reproduces through asexual sporogenesis, in which a genetically identical offspring develops from a mitospore after dispersal.
Any organism which reproduces through fragmentation, in which genetically identical offspring from fragments of the parent organism.
Any organism which reproduce through parthenogenesis, in which the female of a species produces genetically identical offspring from an unfertilised egg.
Any organism undergoing asexual reproduction, not mentioned in the list above.

Based on this definition of cloning, General Assembly Resolution #142 “In Regards to Cloning” is rendered in a different sense than that in which it was meant.

For the above reason, the World Assembly hereby repeals “In Regards to Cloning”.

Votes For: 7,762
Votes Against: 2,954

Implemented Wed Mar 30 2011

[WAR143 on NS] [WAR143 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Repeal "Neutrality of Nations"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation

Category: Repeal
Resolution: GA#14
Proposed by: Sionis Prioratus

Description: WA Resolution #14: Neutrality of Nations (Category: Global Disarmament; Strength: Strong) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

REAFFIRMING that one of its roles is to promote world peace;

ACKNOWLEDGING that indeed “it is a right of any Nation that is uninvolved in a war to make a formal claim of Neutrality”;

FULLY ACKNOWLEDGING that there were good intentions behind “Neutrality of Nations” and that the vast majority of the Ambassadors and Delegates who voted for “Neutrality of Nations” did so thinking they were actually advancing the cause of world peace; hence:

DISMAYED that despite its name, GA #14 “Neutrality of Nations” does nothing to promote world peace, but does the exact opposite;

PERPLEXED that any nation may switch between “Neutral” and “Belligerent” at any time according to the terms of the Resolution, as their mood strikes them, without any penalties and without fear of acting in violation of international war conventions;

SHOCKED that section 3.a) states that any nation can have its claim of neutrality voided on the sole basis of indirect trade (which it may ultimately have no control over) of ill-defined “supplies”, such as “goods” and “personnel”, which can encompass basic humanitarian needs such as food, potable water, medical supplies and medical personnel;

OUTRAGED that GA #14 says, in relevant part:

“2. MANDATES that Belligerent Nations may not:
a) Invade or occupy a Neutral Nation during the said war, unless the World Assembly is convinced that doing so will actually improve world peace.”

SADLY NOTING that the conditions for “improv[ing] world peace” are not defined anywhere;

REALIZING the appalling potential for extreme abuse of this single clause; it gives “Belligerent Nations” unlimited power to invade or occupy any self-proclaimed neutral nation, merely by “convincing” the World Assembly that such a shameful act will “improve world peace”.

CONVINCED that such a state of uncertainty does create an international environment where war is even more probable, instead of creating peace;

THEREFORE, in the best interests of peace, THE WORLD ASSEMBLY REPEALS General Assembly Resolution #14.

Votes For: 8,253
Votes Against: 2,620

Implemented Sat Apr 9 2011

[WAR144 on NS] [WAR144 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Animal Cruelty Prevention [Struck out by Resolution #191]
A resolution to restrict civil freedoms in the interest of moral decency.

Category: Moral Decency
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Luthiland

Description:
RECOGNIZING THAT Animals, as living beings and occupants of the lands and homes of the member nations of the World Assembly offer service and companionship to inhabitants of those nations,

AND RECOGNIZING THAT cruel mistreatment of said animals is an offense to moral decency,

BE IT RESOLVED THAT
(1) All owners, overseers and caretakers of domesticated animals and livestock shall:
a) Provide medical care for the treatment of injury or illness and reduction of pain resulting from said ailments to a level deemed adequate by licensed animal medical personnel.

b) Provide clean food and water for said animals in amounts and of types adequate to maintain the health of the animal.

c) Provide said animals with a clean and comfortable living environment to a degree that a reasonable person would deem it adequate.

d) Kill and slaughter said livestock in a manner that limits the pain and suffering of said livestock.

(4) Mistreatment of domesticated animals, livestock and wild animals by means of abuse, torture, training for sport fighting and the act of sport fighting is expressly prohibited.

VIOLATION of this resolution shall incur a suitable punishment based on the severity of the offense and may include fines, imprisonment, forfeiture of said animals and prohibition from owning animals in the future.

EXCLUSIONS: The following categories of animals and actions by humans are expressly excluded from this resolution:

(i) Animals used for any religious purposes are expressly excluded from this resolution.

(ii) Animals commonly known to be pests are specifically excluded, as are all widely accepted methods of eradication of said pests.

(iii) Wild Animals commonly hunted for sport, food or fur are excluded as is the act of hunting said wild animals.

(iv) Euthanasia, or the humane killing to end suffering of an animal is further excluded.

(v) Acts of animal husbandry, selective or targeted breeding are also excluded.

(vi) This resolution is not intended to deny the use of animals currently employed as service or working animals, including but not limited to police dogs, animals used as aids for the handicapped, horses used for working situations or other animals used for purposes not widely accepted as cruel.

(vii) This resolution specifically excludes animal related laboratory testing of consumer products and medical procedures neither condoning nor condemning those actions, as it is felt that “Animal Testing” should be viewed as a separate and distinct issue.

DEFINITIONS:
(i) Domesticated Animal shall be defined as any animal that has been tamed and made fit for a human environment or born into such an environment.

(ii) Livestock shall be defined as any animal bred or tamed for the express purpose of providing food, fur, leather or other animal products.

(iii) Wild Animals shall be defined as non-domesticated animals not in the care or ownership of any person.

(iv) Pests shall be defined as any non-domesticated animal deemed to inhabit and/or cause damage to any building, structure, cropland, or other physical location or where eradication of said pest is in the best interest of the public health.

(v) abuse and torture shall be defined as any act causing physical harm, mutilation, or injury which would be deemed excessive by a reasonable person.

Votes For: 7,911
Votes Against: 2,850

Implemented Wed Apr 13 2011

[WAR145 on NS] [WAR145 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Recognising Achievements Act [Struck out by GA 694]
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Category: Free Trade
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Ossitania

Description: The World Assembly,

OBSERVING that there is a great diversity of educational standards and philosophies between institutes of higher education,

NOTING, however, that standards of education are rarely, if ever, uniformly low in any one nation,

ALARMED that some institutes of accreditation refuse individuals access to their accreditation process based solely on the nation where their qualification was earned,

FURTHER OBSERVING that academic nomenclature varies just as much as educational standards,

CONCERNED that apprehensions about the quality of academic titles may reduce the employability of highly skilled individuals,

BELIEVING that a system clarifying the levels of education that individuals have received would be a boon to both individuals and their prospective employers,

Hereby,

DEFINES "institutes of accreditation" as any national or supranational organisation charged with determining the validity of academic qualifications and/or awarding suitably-qualified individuals with the right to use legally-protected professional titles,

CHARGES institutes of accreditation with the task of developing a functional national equivalence for all academic titles being held by those who legally seek work inside their area of operation,

OBLIGES all institutes of accreditation to supply information on qualifications inside their area of operation to other institutes of accreditation upon request of such,

PROHIBITS institutes of accreditation from refusing individuals access to their accreditation process based solely on the nation where their qualification was earned,

PERMITS institutes of accreditation to charge a nominal fee to cover the costs involved with accrediting qualifications earned in other nations,

CLARIFIES that this resolution neither requires nor prohibits any particular method or process of academic accreditation.

Co-authored by Knootoss

Votes For: 7,529
Votes Against: 2,962

Implemented Sun Apr 17 2011

[WAR146 on NS] [WAR146 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Extradition Rights
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Knootoss

Description: The World Assembly,

BELIEVING that all persons have the right to a fair trial;

HAVING PREVIOUSLY ruled that Member States may not extradite a person to a jurisdiction where there is probable cause to believe they would be subjected to torture;

HAVING FURTHER ruled that nations must facilitate the extradition of those suspected of certain severe crimes, subject to national and international law;

ENTITLES all persons inside the jurisdiction of World Assembly Member States to a legal appeal in the nation from which extradition is requested;

DECLARES that persons inside the jurisdiction of a World Assembly Member State may not be extradited to another World Assembly Member State, in the absence of a treaty governing the terms of extradition or a national law governing the terms of extradition to nations with whom no treaty has been established;

FURTHER DECLARES that a legal appeal against extradition must also be accepted if any of the following are true:
a) The nation requesting extradition cannot provide evidence that – unless rebutted – would be sufficient to prove the act for which extradition is sought;
b) The act for which extradition is sought does not constitute a crime in the nation from which extradition is requested;
c) The crime for which extradition is sought is of a political nature;
d) The punishment for the crime for which extradition is sought would not be administered in the nation from which extradition is requested;
e) The nation from which extradition is requested claims jurisdiction over the crime for which extradition is sought;

CLARIFIES that the nation from which extradition is requested may also refuse to extradite for other reasons, insofar as such refusal does not contradict existing World Assembly resolutions;

ENCOURAGES Member States to enact legislation which facilitates the prosecution of cross-border crime.

Votes For: 8,071
Votes Against: 2,828

Implemented Thu Apr 21 2011

[WAR147 on NS] [WAR147 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

Against Conflict Minerals
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Category: Free Trade
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Unibotian WA Mission

Description:
The General Assembly,

Noting that precious minerals such as tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold are mined or taxed by armed groups in various failed states and undeveloped nations, with the profits used to fund their militarization,

Acknowledging that said armed groups will often coerce locals to work in extremely dangerous working conditions for mining where numerous human rights abuses are committed,

Understanding that a boycott of conflict minerals in products is oftentimes impossible to do, as it is extremely hard to track the movement, trade and refining of conflict minerals,

Defines "Conflict Mineral" as any ore or metal, the purchase or taxation of which financially supports non-state militant(s),

Hereby:

1. Prohibits the taxation of minerals by a non-state militant group either directly or via proxy;

2. Outlaws the acquisition, ownership or management of a mining/drilling location by a non-state militant group either directly or via proxy;

3. Demands that member-nations endeavor to secure the transportation and trade of minerals so that it can be done reasonably safely without fear of reprisal or injury to the transporter by non-state militant groups, or fear of theft by non-state militant groups;

4. Forbids the direct act or facilitation of purchasing, trading or refining of conflict minerals, although charges against transgressors may be lifted if it is determined by domestic courts that the status of said mineral(s) was not genuinely known to be that of "conflict mineral(s)" by the transgressor;

5. Establishes the International Geological and Metallurgical Laboratory (IGML) as a subdivision of the WA Scientific Programme (WASP);

6. Requests that the IGML work in coordination with member-nations to investigate the source of suspected conflict minerals, and provide analysis without charge (e.g., laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) for member-nations on the sources of minerals whose sources are widely disputed;

7. Encourages member-nations to urge their domestic businesses to verify the sources of minerals used in their products;

8. Permits Member-Nations to recognize non-state militant groups as de facto state militant groups for the purposes of this legislation, and hereby avoid compliance issues with c.1-2,4 but only if there is clear and present evidence to substantiate c.8.a, and also substantiate either c.8.b or c.8.c, or both:

(A) supporters of the de jure state or neutrals involved in the conflict will not be denied social equality with all other citizens of their nation of residence by the non-state militant group (or a government established with its assistance) if said group gains sovereign or international recognition or acquires a sovereign monopoly over the legitimate use of violence or authority;
(B) the militant group is a response to some form of injustice (e.g., social, political, racial or economic);
(C) the uncoerced will of the people of the nation occupied by the militant group is invested in such a non-state militant group more so than the state militant group (e.g., a democratic liberation front).

Votes For: 7,882
Votes Against: 2,586

Implemented Mon Apr 25 2011

[WAR148 on NS] [WAR148 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]