Passed General Assembly Resolutions

[Imperium Anglorum]

Legal Competence
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Bears Armed Mission

Description: The World Assembly,

Believing that the freedom to make important decisions about one’s life for oneself is a fundamental ‘sapient right’ that should not be unreasonably restricted;

Hereby, within any limits set by earlier resolutions that are still in force,

1). Defines the term ‘Legal Competence’ as meaning a status in law whose possessors (i.e. ‘legally competent’ persons) are considered mature and mentally capable enough to give their informed consent on important decisions and who are therefore eligible to validate legally-binding contracts, manage finances and property and businesses, agree to or refuse medical treatments (except for any measures against disease that are legally required), make valid wills, emigrate, act as legal guardians for persons who lack this status, and enjoy any other rights that applicable laws declare are also (like all of those listed above) linked to possession of this status, without needing consent from a parent or other ‘guardian’ for any of those actions;

2). Requires all member nations to have clear and fair rules about when and how a person becomes recognised as possessing Legal Competence within their jurisdiction, and to make those rules publicly available, and specifies that _
i/ The only criteria that can be used for denying a person Legal Competence are immaturity (defined by chronological age and/or psychological testing), mental illness, very low intelligence, or physical injuries or illnesses that currently make it impossible for that person to exercise informed consent;
ii/ For any of those criteria other than chronological age, the decision as to whether or not they apply must be made by appropriate experts acting (and allowed by the authorities to act) objectively without fear or favour;
iii/ A person’s active dissent from the views of national or local authorities on any matter (including but not limited to politics, religion, philosophy, or economics) cannot be used as “evidence” that the person is unsuitable to possess this status;
iv/. There must be a reasonable system for appeal against any refusal to recognise a person as legally competent on any basis other than just their chronological age, whether the appeals are made by those persons themselves or by others acting on their behalf;
v/. If subdivisions within a member nation are allowed to set thresholds for this status for their own peoples separately then any person who has been granted this status by any of those jurisdictions must still be recognised as holding it by every part of that nation;

3). States that any person classified as not legally competent must have at least one legally competent person officially recognised as a ‘guardian’ to make relevant decisions for them and protect their interests, and also that people who are not legally competent must not be employed in combat;

4). Acknowledges the right of member nations to set reasonable thresholds of maturity and/or mental capability for people to hold any other rights or responsibilities within their jurisdictions (including but not limited to, whatever is legal there in terms of political matters, criminal responsibility, sexual matters, access to and operation of weapons or vehicles or other devices, participation in hazardous activities, use of drugs, and gambling), and that in these cases a single government can assign different thresholds for different rights or responsibilities.

Votes For: 7,135
Votes Against: 2,282

Implemented: Sat Jul 19 2014

[WAR299 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Child Pornography Ban
A resolution to restrict civil freedoms in the interest of moral decency.

Category: Moral Decency
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Wrapper

Description: BELIEVING that the children of the world need safeguarding from physical abuse and emotional cruelty;

RECALLING current national and international laws in place to protect children's rights and well-being;

HOWEVER CONSCIOUS of loopholes in existing international laws that permit the exploitation of children in the production and dissemination of child pornography;

The General Assembly HEREBY:

DEFINES "visual recording" as filming, photographing, videotaping, or producing any visual or audiovisual representation, including:
-- purposeful recording via discrete means such as a hidden camera;
-- realistic depiction, such as computer-generated animation, that is difficult to distinguish from the recording of a real person.

DEFINES "child" as someone who has not yet attained the age of consent in the nation in which he/she is present at the time of recording, regardless of citizenship or residency.

DEFINES "child pornography" as the visual recording of one or more children engaging in real or simulated sexual activities, including the visual recording of nude children primarily for sexual purposes.

BANS the production, possession, solicitation, sale and distribution of child pornography in all member nations.

BANS the exportation of pornography from member nations, when the youngest person depicted is below the age of consent in either the distributing or the receiving nation.

BANS the importation of pornography into member nations, when the youngest person depicted is below the age of consent in either the distributing or the receiving nation.

MANDATES that nations treat violations of this resolution as criminal offenses, and proceed accordingly.

CLARIFIES that this resolution does not cover the following:
(1) The visual recording of persons who have attained the age of consent but have not reached the age of majority;
(2) The act of visually recording nude images, provided it is not intended to be used for sexual purposes;
(3) The act of visually recording oneself for private, personal use;
(4) The act of transmitting a visual recording of oneself to another person or persons privately but not publicly, nor the receipt or possession of such recordings;
(5) The use or transfer of recorded evidence to be used in criminal or civil cases;
(6) Accidental recording of child pornography, such as via security camera footage, provided that such recording is not distributed, sold or copied, except to be provided to law enforcement as potential evidence in a criminal or civil case under subclause (5) above;
(7) The unsolicited receipt, such as via electronic means or parcel delivery, and subsequent temporary possession of child pornography, provided that such materials are turned over to law enforcement authorities upon discovery;
(8) Non-realistic, artistic representations, such as drawing, animation, painting or sculpture;
(9) Other anatomical representations used for non-sexual purposes, including educational areas such as biology and pediatric medicine.

FURTHER CLARIFIES that member nations may place additional restrictions not covered under this resolution, provided that such restrictions do not violate international law.

Votes For: 8,486
Votes Against: 649

Implemented Wed Jul 23 2014

[WAR300 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Ban on Leaded Fuel
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

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

Description: The World Assembly,

Recognising that internal combustion engines burning various organic fuels, such as short-chain hydrocarbons, are a method widely used for propelling vehicles,

Aware that burning short-chain hydrocarbons in some types of engine can lead to irregularities in the combustion cycle, a situation called ‘knocking’ that both reduces fuel-efficiency and increases wear on the engines,

Informed that one solution found for this problem is the addition of other chemicals to the fuel as ‘anti-knocking agents’, with organometallic compounds containing Lead (e.g. Tetra-Ethyl Lead) as a common choice for this role although reliable alternatives to them also exist,

Concerned that using those organometallic compounds for this purpose disperses Lead into the environment where it can be taken up directly by some life-forms and can also pass on accumulatively up the food-chains involved, possibly crossing national borders in the process, because Lead is a cumulative poison to many types of organism and can cause serious health problems even at sub-lethal dosages,

Believing it desirable to end this spreading of poison;

Defining the term ‘leaded fuel’ to mean any fuel mixture including organometallic compounds of Lead, or of any other metal of comparable or worse toxicity;

Hereby requires that each WA member nation _

1. Begin at once to restrict the numbers of vehicles requiring leaded fuel for efficient running that it produces and imports, so that the annual average number of such vehicles in use for civilian purposes within its borders for any year after one year has elapsed since the date of this resolution’s passage (or since the date when the nation first joined the WA, if later) will be no higher than the annual average number of them in use there for the year immediately before that initial date, and take further steps so that within no more than four years since that initial date no such vehicles at all are produced there for civilian use;

2. Begin at once to restrict the amounts of leaded fuel that it produces and imports for civilian use, so that the total amount of such fuels available for civilian purposes within its borders per year after one year has elapsed since the same initial date as for clause #1 will not exceed the total amount that was available there for that use during the year immediately before that initial date (or, if supplies were restricted during that previous year because the nation was at war for any part of that year, the total amount available there for that use during their most recent full year of peace instead if their government would prefer this figure), and take further steps so that within no more than four years since that initial date no such fuels at all are produced within its borders or brought into therein for civilian use;

3. Begin at once to restrict both the numbers of vehicles requiring leaded fuel for efficient running and the amounts of leaded fuel which it produces and imports for military use, on the same basis as it must restrict the availability of such vehicles and fuels for civilian use within its borders, unless it is in a state of open warfare at any stage during the four years following the relevant initial date in which case it may postpone the deadlines once by whichever is less out of a further four years or the duration of hostilities.

Votes For: 6,255
Votes Against: 2,822

Implemented Sun Aug 17 2014

[WAR301 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Individual Working Freedoms
A resolution to develop industry around the world.

Category: Advancement of Industry
Area of Effect: Labor Deregulation
Proposed by: Gruenberger Overseas Affiliate Territory

Description: The World Assembly,

Strongly reaffirming its commitment to individual liberty,

Believing that individuals should be as free as possible from undue government interference in making decisions governing their personal lives,

Convinced that the issues of when, how often, and for how long an individual works should remain an issue for private negotiation between employer and employee,

Dissenting from the view that one standard working week can be determined as a universal diktat, given the diversity of national economies, the particulars of industries working on cyclical, seasonal or other irregular working patterns, and the varying conditions, demographic, environmental, developmental, and otherwise, of member nations,

Considering any attempt to impose a universal manacle of working time restriction to be a grossly unfair abrogation of individual freedoms,

Desirous of reaching a fair compromise on the issue:

1. Encourages all nations to grant their people the greatest possible degree of freedom in determining their terms of employment, with specific regard to working time;

2. Calls upon all nations to respect the rights of individuals to be free to make choices about their terms of employment, and equally of individuals to seek representation or counsel during such negotiations;

3. Mandates the removal of working time regulations that serve only to reduce individual liberty and that do not serve any other purpose;

4. Reserves the right of all nations to choose whether to set specific regulations on workweeks and working time in the general public interest;

5. Promotes a healthy harmony of national and individual rights in economic decision-making.

Votes For: 6,182
Votes Against: 3,235

Implemented Fri Sep 5 2014

[WAR302 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Debris Prevention [Struck out by Resolution #343]
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: Manufacturing
Proposed by: Defwa

Description: SEEKING to protect access to space for all nations

DISTRESSED by the rapidly increasing accumulation of debris in orbit

RECOGNIZING that prolonged accumulation of debris in orbit can impede space travel and orbital operations

RESOLVING to reduce the amount of debris in orbit

INSTRUCTS member nations to have systems in place to certify the compliance of objects planned to be launched into orbit with the guidelines of this resolution

REQUIRES member nations to take all action necessary to prevent the launch of objects from their territory into orbit that have not been certified as compliant with this resolution, allowing exceptions only when loss of life would occur as a result of such actions

In order to reduce the quantity of potentially harmful debris in orbit, all objects launched into space must have the following abilities and are required to take the following actions

A- To Deorbit in one of the following fashions prior to becoming nonfunctional:
1- Complete deterioration into non damaging remains during descent and prior to collision
2- Landing or collision in international waters, unclaimed undeveloped territory, or the territory of nations that consent to the collision or landing
3- Entering into a junk orbit assigned by WASP
4- Any method that removes the object from the vicinity of the body it previously orbited without harming other artificial objects in orbit

B- To Maneuver in order to avoid other objects in orbit in order to prevent damage of property

STATES that WASP will take into account the desires and needs of the relevant nations when assigning a junk orbit and will not contradict orbital classifications around a celestial body created by any entity representing, with consent of the governed, all nations on that body

CLARIFIES that this resolution will not impede or restrict the rights of nations to do battle in space so long as all damage done is part of a declared act of war against the owner of the object, the nation the object was launched from, or if the object services or benefits the enemy

Votes For: 5,288
Votes Against: 4,595

Implemented Thu Sep 18 2014

[WAR303 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "The Landmine Convention"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #40
Proposed by: The Dark Star Republic

Description: WA Resolution #40: The Landmine Convention (Category: Global Disarmament; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Taking note of the passage of WA Resolution #40, "The Landmine Convention",

Troubled that the definition of "landmine" used in this resolution includes mines designed to become non-operational after a certain time has elapsed,

Considering that given these landmines do not necessarily pose significant risks to civilians they should not have been prohibited and that this technical flaw undermines the resolution's claims to concern for civilian casualties,

Suggesting that nations with the technical capacity to comprehensively demine mined areas post-conflict may be capable of deploying landmines in a way that poses little risk to civilians,

Recalling that the WA has several times voted to not ban or to repeal bans on chemical weapons and that denying WA members conventional area denial munitions is therefore inconsistent with general international law,

Further aware that WA member nations have many responsibilities in wartime, for the protection of civilians and prisoners of war, and that non-member nations, who outnumber WA members severalfold and have provoked many international incidents of war, hold no such obligations,

Concerned that the occupation of any WA member nation's territories by non-member nations could result in war crimes over which the WA would have no jurisdiction nor ability to arrest,

Therefore believing that any area denial munitions available to WA member nations should be permitted in the defence of their territory from armed occupation by hostile non-members,

Heartened that repeal of this resolution will not preclude future legislation to continue the demining work of the World Assembly Demining Agency:

Repeals WA Resolution #40, "The Landmine Convention".

Votes For: 6,869
Votes Against: 2,613

Implemented Sat Oct 4 2014

[WAR304 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "The General Patent Charter"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #93
Proposed by: Railana

Description: WA Resolution #93: The General Patent Charter (Category: Free Trade; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: Affirming the practice of granting inventors certain exclusive rights associated with their inventions in exchange for the detailed public disclosure of that invention, which promotes scientific and technological innovation,

Believing that World Assembly harmonization of patent law, as attempted by GAR #93, "The General Patent Charter", is necessary, as the effectiveness of patents is substantially reduced when other member states fail to recognize them,

Regretting, however, that the target resolution's myriad flaws necessitate its repeal,

Concerned that the target resolution fails to clarify the extent to which member nations are required to recognize the validity of patents issued by other member nations, especially:

a. whether the right of national patent offices to renew patents under clause 2 of the target resolution compels all member nations to recognize such a renewal, as patents must always be "recognized in all member countries" under clause 1 of the target resolution,

b. whether, if this is in fact the case, this seemingly unrestricted renewal right would effectively allow a single member nation to prevent a patent from entering the public domain in all member nations indefinitely,

c. whether, if this is not the case, the target resolution effectively prohibits all member nations from renewing patents, as patents must always be "recognized in all member countries" under clause 1 of the target resolution,

Saddened that this lack of clarity largely prevents the target resolution from accomplishing its stated purpose of ensuring the "mutual recognition of patents issued by member countries,"

Disappointed that the target resolution fails to provide adequate protection against "submarine patents", or patents whose issuance and publication are intentionally delayed with the intent of launching litigation against infringing industries that developed during the delay,

Alarmed that the target resolution compels member nations to offer patent protection to domestic inventors, even though member nations may prefer to implement some other form of recognition for intellectual property for their own citizens, which is an issue with no international significance,

Hoping that a replacement resolution governing the foreign recognition of patents will soon be passed,

The General Assembly,

Repeals GAR #93, "The General Patent Charter".

Votes For: 6,934
Votes Against: 2,081

Implemented Sun Oct 12 2014

[WAR305 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Rules of Surrender
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description: COGNIZANT of the World Assembly’s enduring commitment to ensuring ethical standards in warfare;

FINDING UNTENABLE the international community’s lack of just standards on the treatment of combatants laying down arms, and;

RESOLVED to rectify this oversight;

The General Assembly,

DEFINES surrender as the act of combatants capitulating to an enemy force during a time of armed conflict between nations;

DEFINES a parley as the negotiation for surrender, ceasefire, or other form of truce between representatives of parties in an armed conflict;

DEFINES a symbol of truce as an inviolable signal made by a party of the conflict for the cessation of hostilities and intention to parley, including signals of military tradition such as waving a white flag, laying down arms, or other internationally recognized symbol so associated;

DEFINES hors de combat as a state in which a combatant is immediately recognizable as unable to engage in combat, including the state of being wounded, incapacitated, unarmed, or otherwise incapable of defending themselves;

OBLIGES member states to extend the following protections and duties:

Article I. Those parties participating in a parley, under the protection of a symbol of truce, or in the process of complying with the terms of a negotiated surrender are entitled to the following:

1. Protection from assault, injury, or detainment by any combatant party to the conflict while displaying, broadcasting, or otherwise openly utilizing a symbol of truce;

2. Good faith in all negotiations relevant to the conditional surrender by combatants party to the conflict;

3. Expectation of all rights and protections afforded by World Assembly law, regardless of the status of the combatants’ nation of origin;

Article II. Those parties participating in a parley, under the protection of a symbol of truce, or in the process of complying with the terms of a negotiated surrender have the duty to:

1. Comply, in good faith, with all accepted terms of surrender, insofar as they are legal and do not constitute an outrage of personal dignity, and;

2. Refrain from perfidious activity while under the protections of a symbol of truce, including but not limited to abusing the protections of a symbol of truce, feigning surrender to take advantage of the enemy, or using a symbol of truce or parley to screen force deployment, munitions resupply, or reconnaissance operations;

Article III. Those parties accepting surrender have the duty to:

1. Immediately recognize and confer upon the surrendering party all the protections of prisoner of war status following the satisfaction of the terms of surrender, and;

2. Refrain from perfidious activity as it relates to the process of negotiating and accepting surrender;

ASSERTS that member states shall consider combatants found hors de combat to be surrendering and accordingly extend the protections outlined in Articles I and III, subject to the belligerents’ reasonable ability to comply with the duties outlined in Article II.1;

DECLARES that those belligerents in violation of the duties herein shall have their protections as outlined in Article I.1 revoked as the situation requires;

MANDATES that member states consider the deliberate and knowing violation of these Articles a war crime, and exercise their jurisdiction over violators appropriately.

Votes For: 7,757
Votes Against: 1,416

Implemented Sun Oct 19 2014

[WAR306 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Anti-Counterfeiting Pact
A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.

Category: International Security
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description: Recognizing the negative impact of counterfeit currency operations on nations;

Realizing such actions not only degrade value of and trust in legitimate currency within nations, but also obstruct free trade and damage relations between economic partners;

Determined to protect commerce between nations and foster international goodwill;

Whereas the term legal tender shall be defined as a medium of exchange recognized by a nation or other assigned political division as valid for meeting a financial obligation;

The World Assembly thusly resolves:

1. Except in the case of declared war, member states are henceforth required to outlaw the counterfeiting, and associated commission of counterfeiting, of foreign currency with the intention of releasing it as legal tender into the market to devalue currency or otherwise defraud another member state.

2. Member states in a declared state of war are exempt only to counterfeit the legal tender of those entities with whom a state of declared war exists.

3. The World Assembly Numismatics Authority (WANA) shall be re-established and tasked with creating an investigative framework for the screening, detection, and source-tracking for counterfeit tender. The WANA shall liaise with relevant member state authorities to investigate, coordinate, and disseminate information on both state- and non-state-sanctioned counterfeiting operations.

4. The WANA shall inspect the minting facilities of member states for illicit counterfeiting operations either on request or if there is credible evidence to suggest such an operation’s existence, and issue nonbinding evaluations of a member state’s anti-counterfeiting security.

5. Member states shall take all necessary steps to suppress counterfeiting operations in their jurisdiction, and shall promptly notify both the WANA and the entity whose tender is being counterfeited of such incidents.

6. Member states will cooperate with WANA investigations to the fullest extent practicable, including maintaining a single point of contact with the WANA.

7. Member states are required to prosecute those individuals violating the provisions set forth in this law to the same degree that they would prosecute those involved in a comparable domestic counterfeiting operation.

8. Non-member states voluntarily complying with the responsibilities set forth shall be entitled to equal access to this law’s protections and benefits. Member states shall make no distinction between WANA-compliant non-member states and member states in regard to the provisions set forth in this law, except as required by extant legislation.

Votes For: 8,995
Votes Against: 1,116

Implemented Sun Nov 23 2014

[WAR307 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Nuclear Arms Protocol [Struck out by 379 GA]
A resolution to slash worldwide military spending.

Category: Global Disarmament
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Chester Pearson

Description: The World Assembly,

UNDERSTANDING that nuclear weapons are an integral part of some nations deterrence strategy,

ALSO REALIZING the potential threat posed to civilians caught in the blast effects of nuclear detonations,

DEEPLY ALARMED that international law permits civilians to be targeted by nuclear weapons,

CONFIRMING the right of member nations to possess and use nuclear weapons in warfare,

THUS RESOLVING to enact a sensible policy that mitigates the civilian casualties resulting from a nuclear exchange between hostile nations,

The General Assembly hereby:

1. For the purposes of this protocol defines a nuclear weapon as an explosive weapon which derives it power solely from nuclear reactions,

2. Demands member nations take all necessary precautions to ensure they do not deliberately target civilian populations with nuclear weapons unless a hostile nation deliberately shields key strategic military assets within civilian populations,

3. Permits the usage of nuclear weapons in a reciprocal role should another hostile nation deliberately target civilian populations in defiance of this accord,

4. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution shall be interpreted as affecting the right of member nations to utilize nuclear weapons against military targets as part of their defense strategy.

Votes For: 7,805
Votes Against: 2,897

Implemented Sat Jan 3 2015

[WAR308 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Marine Debris Accord [Struck out by Resolution #311]
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses
Proposed by: Wilorin

Description: Defines marine debris as being any material unable of rapid degradation having been intentionally or unintentionally disposed of or discarded in any marine environment;

States that intentional debris discharge is the result of deplorable environmental apathy;

States that unintentional debris abandonment is the result of preventable negligence;

Recognizes the threat that marine debris poses to aquatic species, primarily through reduced body weight, clogging of gizzards (in seabirds), increased risk of disease, starvation by digestive tract blockage, gut ulceration, perforation by sharp debris, and death;

Recognizes the threat that marine debris poses to the marine ecosystem, through the elimination of key species, the interference with natural processes, and the general disturbance of the health of the seas;

Recognizes the threat of marine debris on human safety and health through the transportation of bio-hazards, or the ingestion, entrapment, or physical injury caused by dangerous substances;

Notes the longevity of plastic, microplastics, polystyrene, rubber, sanitary and sewage-related materials, metal, cigarette filters, glass, ceramics, wood, cloth, cardboard, and fishing gear or equipment;

Notes that marine debris can travel many thousands of miles and spread to every local region, regardless of any amount of environmental protection that that local area may employ;

Suggests that marine debris is a global issue that requires a coordinated global effort;

Hereby requires that member nations implement the following policies for the betterment of the health of the marine ecosystems:

a. Member nations must require of all private and public industries minimal waste disposal procedures, so as to ensure that debris does not intentionally or unintentionally enter the marine ecosystem.

b. Member nations must enact minimal legislation barring citizens from littering or otherwise leaving debris in coastal areas--primarily beaches.

c. Member nations must enact legislation to deter the loss of fishing nets, lines, and other hazardous fishing-related equipment.

d. Member nations must maintain basic sewage and waste-water management facilities which do not allow for discharge of untreated waste into oceans or waterways.

e. Member nations must enforce a ban on all intentional discharges of debris from ships, save for the discharge of properly treated sewage.

f. Member nations must take appropriate steps to avoid the escape of debris and waste from coastal landfills.

Hereby forms the International Marine Debris Management Commission (IMDMC), and tasks it with the following duties:

a. Analysis of the current state of the marine environment, and quantification of the current status of the oceans, specifically relating to marine debris.

b. Provide available consultation to member nations for implementation of required policies.

c. Establish basic outreach programs to inform the global public of the dangers of marine debris.

d. Encourage member nations to collaborate and coordinate efforts in the prevention of intentionally and unintentionally discharged marine debris.

e. Implement comprehensive and continually adaptive action plans to protect the marine environment from marine debris.

Votes For: 9,657
Votes Against: 2,152

Implemented Wed Jan 14 2015

[WAR309 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Disabled Voters Act
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Christian Democrats

Description: The General Assembly,

Recognizing that many citizens of member states, in effect, are unjustly deprived of their voting rights because of common physical or mental impairments, such as blindness, that have absolutely no effect on their capacity for making reasoned choices,

Wishing to pass legislation preventing such forms of disenfranchisement,

Seeking to provide reasonable accommodations that enable such people to exercise their democratic freedom,

1. Declares that no person who is otherwise qualified to vote shall be denied the right to vote in a public election on account of blindness, deafness, developmental reading disorder, developmental coordination disorder, limited mobility, or any other physical or mental impairment that does not diminish general intelligence;

2. Requires that member states and their political subdivisions, in all public elections, allow any person covered by Section 1 the freedom to receive assistance in voting from an individual whom he or she has selected freely;

3. Permits member states and their political subdivisions, at their legal discretion, to prevent an individual from rendering assistance under Section 2 if that individual is:

1. younger than the national or local age of majority;
2. ineligible to vote because of a criminal conviction;
3. guilty of committing electoral fraud in the past;
4. the employer or an agent of the employer of the impaired person;
5. an agent of the labor union or professional association of the impaired person;
6. an agent of a political party or a political campaign; or
7. an agent of the government or one of its instrumentalities;

Provided that no adult family member or cohabitant shall be denied the ability to render assistance if he or she is selected freely by the person who is receiving assistance;

4. Directs member states and their political subdivisions to make good-faith efforts to ensure that all persons covered by Section 1 receive appropriate accommodations allowing them to vote in public elections on an equal basis with voters who do not have physical or mental impairments;

5. Grants any person covered by Section 1 or an appropriate representative the right to sue the government in an appropriate domestic court and to receive appropriate equitable relief from that tribunal if the government does not meet its obligations under this resolution;

6. Affirms that this resolution does not prevent the passage of future resolutions protecting or promoting voting rights in public elections; and

7. Clarifies that this resolution does not affect private elections (such as elections for private clubs or organizations) and that it does not require member states or their political subdivisions to hold elections for public offices.

Votes For: 10,278
Votes Against: 2,391

Implemented Fri Jan 23 2015

[WAR310 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Marine Debris Accord"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #309
Proposed by: Mundiferrum

Description: WA Resolution #309: Marine Debris Accord (Category: Environmental; Industry Affected: All Businesses) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Recognizing that marine pollution is greatly destabilizing the marine environment and endangering the economies of various sea-dependent nations,

Arguing that the resolution "Marine Debris Accord" doesn't help cleanly enough with the aforementioned problem, in that:

Firstly, marine debris is badly defined, so that standard procedures such as burial at sea, naval warfare, and even environmentally conscious actions like the sinking of non-biodegradable materials for the creation of new coral reefs, and the releasing of environment monitoring probes and buoys, are practically barred by the resolution;

Secondly, the treatment of waste is also badly defined, so that, for example, even waste that is simply made to look shiny can be considered as treated waste, and discharged into the environment without other, more important considerations in mind, like biodegradability or lack of hazardous materials;

Thirdly, the terms on the loss of fishing nets would be a major impediment on the meager economies of many nations in this assembly, as it focuses more on the loss of the nets, rather than the longevity of the nets' materials;

and Finally, the restrictions imposed upon ships close off situations in which the ships must jettison cargo for their own integrity, thus preventing worse environmental situations, such as the ships sinking themselves;

Thus concluding that the resolution, though fair in its ideals, requires more work before finally being accepted by this assembly,

Hereby Repeals General Assembly Resolution #309, Marine Debris Accord.

Votes For: 9,574
Votes Against: 2,447

Implemented Tue Jan 27 2015

[WAR311 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

On Universal Jurisdiction [Struck out by 452 GA]
A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.

Category: International Security
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Railana

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

Believing that such crimes are so heinous that the international community bears a collective responsibility to bring those who are guilty of such crimes to justice,

Concerned, however, about the potential lack of accountability and abuses of power associated with granting criminal jurisdiction to an international court,

Convinced, therefore, that the best means to fulfill this responsibility is to grant individual World Assembly member states the right and obligation to prosecute such individuals,

The General Assembly,

1. Defines "universal jurisdiction" as the right to claim criminal jurisdiction for a crime allegedly committed by an individual, regardless of where or when the crime was allegedly committed, or the citizenship, nationality, or country of residence of that individual;

2. Declares that all World Assembly member states have the right to claim universal jurisdiction with respect to any act that constitutes a "crime against humanity" or a "war crime" under World Assembly legislation, or for which universal jurisdiction is implicitly or explicitly recognized under World Assembly legislation;

3. Requires member states to safely and fairly prosecute individuals suspected of committing an act listed in section 2 in cases where:

1. the individual is within the territorial jurisdiction of that member state,
2. the individual has not already been given a fair trial for that crime by another state, and
3. there is evidence which would lead a reasonably intelligent but cautious person to believe that the individual is guilty of that crime;

4. Directs member states to ensure that the severity of the sentence assigned to an individual following a conviction of a crime listed in section 2 of this resolution is consistent with the severity of their crime;

5. Strongly encourages member states to volunteer any evidence relevant to the prosecution of an individual for a crime listed in section 2 of this resolution;

6. Permits member states to transfer an individual subject to prosecution under section 3 of this resolution to the jurisdiction of another member state that is able and willing to safely and fairly prosecute that individual for the same alleged crime or crimes;

7. Forbids the World Assembly from preempting a member state's claim to universal jurisdiction under this resolution, including but not limited to through an international criminal court or a substantially similar institution, to the extent permitted by this and previous World Assembly resolutions;

8. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution grants member states the right to claim universal jurisdiction over individuals that are not currently within the member state's territorial jurisdiction;

9. Further clarifies that nothing in this resolution precludes the World Assembly from passing further legislation on criminal jurisdiction, international police or judicial cooperation, or extradition.

Votes For: 9,393
Votes Against: 2,376

Implemented Wed Feb 4 2015

[WAR312 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

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

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #15
Proposed by: Omigodtheyclonedkenny

Description: WA Resolution #15: Freedom of Marriage Act (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Reaffirming its commitment to the cause of human rights and extending protections for LGBT persons across the NS world,

Resolving itself, however, of the need to remove wasteful, redundant and unnecessary legislation from its books,

Recalling that subsequent to Freedom of Marriage Act's adoption, Resolution #35: The Charter of Civil Rights (COCR) was enacted, forbidding discrimination by governments and/or public-service providers based on any "reductive categorisation," not just sex or sexual preference,

Contending that the passage of COCR eclipses the need for a Freedom of Marriage Act, as COCR effectively outlaws discrimination in the performance and recognition of marriages, and in a far more efficient manner,

Believing that this is evidenced by the fact that Freedom of Marriage Act only addresses discrimination in marriage based on sex, whereas COCR also outlaws discrimination against interracial, interfaith or intercultural couples,

Further condemning the confusing and needlessly complicated legal structure created by Freedom of Marriage Act, in which undefined "religious communities" are exempted from its terms, leaving theocratic regimes and nations with privatized marriage in doubt as to which set of rules they are meant to follow,

Reminding member states that repealing this act will not authorize discrimination against same-sex couples in any way,

Hereby REPEALS Resolution #15: Freedom of Marriage Act.

Votes For: 9,064
Votes Against: 2,611

Implemented Sun Feb 8 2015

[WAR313 on NS] [WAR313 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Defense of Self and Others"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #183
Proposed by: Bananaistan

Description: WA Resolution #183: Defense of Self and Others (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: the World Assembly

Approving of the intentions of resolution #183 to allow for a person’s right to self-defence,

Regretting that resolution #183 relies on the institution of the "judiciary" despite there being no international law requiring the independence of the judiciary, the proper functioning of the judiciary, or even the existence of the judiciary,

Observing that under the terms of the second operative clause a person cannot be prosecuted for using reasonable force yet under the terms of the third operative clause the decision as to whether reasonable force was used or not is reserved to the judiciary,

Believing that this presents a significant barrier to a member state’s prosecution services from initiating prosecutions where the use of reasonable force may be used as a defence in legal proceedings, as the prosecution services themselves are unable to make a determination as to what constitutes reasonable force,

Noting that this is a serious contradiction within resolution #183: an individual cannot be prosecuted for the use of reasonable force yet the determination of whether that individual used reasonable force is a decision reserved to the judiciary,

Regretting that resolution #183 contains a definition of reasonable force which is inexact due to the usage of the vague terminology: “within a reasonable degree of the smallest amount of force”,

Contending that the definition used is so unclear that many criminal acts of violence may not be prosecutable due to the lack of guidance to prosecutors, judges and others involved in potential legal proceedings as to what exactly constitutes reasonable force, and by extension, therefore, what constitutes excessive force,

Realising that prosecutors should retain the right to bring prosecutions against those they suspect may have used more than reasonable force and that suspects are entitled to whatever form of fair trial may be used in a member state,

Maintaining that resolution #183 unintentionally introduced an almost all pervasive immunity from prosecution to any person claiming they used reasonable force,

Further believing that the use of reasonable force to defend oneself or others should be no more than a valid defence in legal proceedings,

Hereby:

Repeals resolution #183, "Defense of Self and Others ".

Votes For: 9,911
Votes Against: 2,564

Implemented Thu Feb 12 2015

[WAR314 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Nuclear Power Safeguards Act [Struck out by Resolution #332]
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses
Proposed by: Pharthan

Description: AIMS to set definite preventative measures for safety in regards to nuclear power

UNDERSTANDS that a nuclear meltdown can have an international effect

HEREBY defines for the purposes of this resolution:

1. Nuclear power as the use of sustained nuclear reactions of fission to generate heat and do useful work

2. Radiological disaster as a loss of control of radiation or radiological material, hazarding the safety of the public and environment or exceeding of exposure limits due to ionizing radiation

3. Decay heat as thermal energy from the fission or decay of fission products or fuel of reactors

4. Nuclear safety as the ability to prevent a nuclear meltdown or excess decay heat generation resulting in harm to the environment or public or unintended release of fission products

LIMITS the resolution to facilities not mobile under their own power to protect facilities which may have other means of protection

REQUIRES nations operating nuclear reactors applicable to this resolution to maintain their own the nuclear safety organization (NSO), to protect national and international populations, with the power and duty to:
1. Mandate shutdown of reactors deemed to not meet reactor safety standards until deficiencies are corrected and the facility is certified safe by the NSO
2. Ensure that all reactors must have available:

a. Four provided methods of Decay Heat Removal (DHR) with two methods to implement each

I. One DHR method may be the same as normal power-operation heat-removal

II. In addition to 2aI, one method must be able to account for Design Worst Case Decay Heat Generation (DHG) and still prevent a radiological disaster, without an external power source

III. Methods described in (2) must be resistant to natural disasters and their magnitudes they are susceptible to, to be determined by the NSO based on historical and geological data

IV. One remaining DHR method may be heat loss to ambient

V. If (2) cannot be met, the reactor plant must stop operations which promote DHG

b. Requirements of 2a need not be met if 2aII may be met by 2aIV

c. Two methods of ceasing DHG processes are available capable of compensating for maximum possible reactor power at operation

I. One method must not require an external power source to the facility

3. Inspect reactor plants at least once every two years to of evaluate nuclear-safety standards, procedures, systems, and materials and inform the facility of deficiencies
4. Advise courses of action and guidelines for nuclear safety to facilities
5. During investigations, test knowledge of operators of nuclear facilities to ensure they are properly trained
6. Establish exposure limits for the populace in regards to exposure to nuclear power to ensure they receive less than harmful levels of radiation exposure due to the facilities

ESTABLISHES the World Nuclear Regulatory Agency with the responsibility and power to:
1. Once every ten years certify individual nation's NSO to verify level of knowledge, attention to detail in inspections, and that the organization is maintaining standards
2. Mandate and advise the national NSO on how to correct deficiencies in order to maintain the organization operational
3. Collect information on and advise NSOs on best practices, observed in various nations to all member nations, provided the nation does not deem the information confidential

REQUIRES reactor plant agencies to abide by advisories and mandates of the NSO

MANDATES nations to establish procedures and arrangements to maintain safety and update them as deficiencies are discovered

Votes For: 6,766
Votes Against: 5,451

Implemented Fri Feb 20 2015

[WAR315 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "On Genetically Modified Foods"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #158
Proposed by: Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland

Description: WA Resolution #158: On Genetically Modified Foods (Category: Free Trade; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Deeply concerned that the definition of “genetically modified foods” used in Resolution #158 on the subject is technically flawed,

Sagely recognising that limiting definition of genetically modified foods to those involving the “introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes” does not take account of:

• The transplantation of material from same or similar species (cisgenesis);
  
  
• Genetic modification such as gene knockout without the introduction of new material, rather through the manipulation of the existing material;
  
  
• The use of recombinant RNA instead of DNA as a vector;

Strongly believing that any legislation intended to require labelling of all genetically modified foods should employ due scientific rigour in its definitions,

Further considering the scope of the requirements to label any food crossing international borders to be excessive, given that it would necessitate the labelling of food waste not intended for consumption, food products posing no risk of transgenic contamination, and small quantities intended for personal consumption rather than resale;

Severely doubting that given these flaws these requirements are useful, justified, or in the best interests of member nations, and,

Remaining fully confident in the ongoing enforcement of Resolutions #64, which requires labelling of food products to meet safety and quality standards, and #249, which prohibits harmful genetic modification technologies:

Repeals World Assembly Resolution #158, “On Genetically Modified Foods”.

Votes For: 10,742 (86%)
Votes Against: 1,767 (14%)

Implemented Tue Feb 24 2015

[WAR316 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Wartime Looting and Pillage
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description:

Noting the necessity of military conflict and the violence and destruction that often follows;

Seeking to protect civilians who find themselves caught in a situation they aren’t responsible for, and;

Striving for a fair balance between strategic considerations and civilian lives;

The World Assembly establishes thusly:

Article I. Wartime Looting

1. Wartime looting shall be defined as the forceful seizure or theft of non-essential or humanitarian relief supplies by a military entity from civilian non-combatants within a theatre of combat operations during a time of armed conflict.

2. Wartime looting shall be determined by the nature of the goods being seized; seizure of essential supplies, such as food, water, or medical supplies not distributed as humanitarian aid, and material essential for immediate military operations, shall not be considered wartime looting, provided the owners are left sufficient supplies for their own needs.

3. Essential supplies seized from non-government entities by military forces shall be replaced or compensated for as soon as possible by the nation responsible for the seizure.

4. During conflict, member states shall specifically prohibit the seizure or damage of artistic or cultural treasures without explicit permission from the artefact’s rightful governing authority, except for the purpose of temporarily securing them against damage or theft.

5. Member states are obliged to return secured artefacts to their rightful governing authority at the cessation of hostilities, and shall compensate owners for damages sustained in the interim.

6. Member states shall consider actions deliberately contrary to these provisions to be wartime looting, and therefore a war crime, and shall take all necessary steps to prevent it within their jurisdiction.

7. Member states shall consider command responsibility in the prosecution of wartime looting, and shall consider orders to the contrary of these provisions to be manifestly illegal. Member states shall ensure that subordinates can refuse such orders without fear of penalty.

Article II. Wartime Pillaging

1. Wartime pillage shall be defined as the intentional use of violence against civilians and their property by a military force, except where rendered, in the strictest sense, an absolute necessity by military strategy.

2. Member states’ military forces are obliged to prevent unnecessary or disproportionate use of violence against civilians. Military forces may respond in self-defence with equivalent force to open aggression against them by civilians.

3. Member states’ military forces are obliged to limit deliberate targeting of civilian property, except where such action is rendered an absolutely military necessity, and shall take all possible steps to protect civilian property from destruction in the territory they effectively control.

4. The use of violence against civilian persons or property for the purposes of coercion or reprisal shall never be considered a military necessity by member states.

5. Member states shall consider actions deliberately contrary to these provisions to be wartime pillaging, and therefore a war crime, and shall take all necessary steps to prevent it within their jurisdiction.

6. Member states shall consider command responsibility in the prosecution of wartime pillaging, and shall consider orders to the contrary of these provisions to be manifestly illegal. Member states shall ensure that subordinates can refuse such orders without fear of penalty.

Votes For: 10,687
Votes Against: 3,295

Implemented Wed Mar 4 2015

[WAR317 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Nuclear Testing Safety"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #119
Proposed by: Jean Pierre Trudeau

Description: WA Resolution #119: Nuclear Testing Safety (Category: Global Disarmament; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Applauding the efforts of General Assembly Resolution #119 to protect the environment from harmful radioactive byproducts associated with nuclear testing,

Concerned clause #1 defines nuclear testing as " usage of a nuclear weapon for research purposes, that is not targeted to destroy or affect a civilian, military, or prisoner populace", thus allowing nations to circumvent this by testing nuclear weapons connected to an actual delivery system,

Confused that clause 2 states "BANS nuclear testing within the area between the edge of a populated celestial body's atmosphere and twice the distance of geosychronous orbit - measured at the equator of said celestial body", while failing to take into account the magnetosphere of a celestial body, which can trap highly dangerous high energy particles, creating dangerous radiation belts,

Disappointed in the lack of clear language and typos that make this resolution a travesty to international law,

Hoping the World Assembly passes clear and concise guidelines that actually prevent unaffiliated persons from being affected by nuclear testing in the future,

Hereby repeals "GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION # 119 Nuclear Testing Safety".

Votes For: 11,754
Votes Against: 1,684

Implemented Mon Mar 9 2015

[WAR318 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Cooperation in Science Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #92
Proposed by: Ainocra

Description: WA Resolution #92: Cooperation in Science Act (Category: Education and Creativity; Area of Effect: Educational) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument:

Lauds the goals set forth in the cooperation of science act.
Wishing however to avoid the politicization of science.
Convinced that this act does not do enough to further the advancement of scientific knowledge.
Desiring to do more, for ourselves and our children.

Concerned that in section two WASP is tasked with a goal of coordinating scientific studies and research projects of international scope but given no clear framework or direction on how to accomplish that goal.

Troubled that because WASP is voluntarily funded; a funding entity could potentially halt funding of research in order to control or exploit the advancements for their own ends.

Dismayed That WASP cannot live up to its mandate of providing a public forum for free and unhindered debate on scientific research and issues as outlined in section three due to this lack of oversight in its initial mandate.

Believes that the WASP would better serve the citizens of this assembly with a broader mandate

Asserts That funding of this act under the auspices of the WA general fund would serve to put WASP beyond such political divides, and believing that funding provided by the WAGF would be both unbiased by any one member nation; as well as serving better to further the research done while simultaneously achieving the goal of making it more openly available to the entire assembly.

Knowing we can collectively provide a better future for all people
Hereby repeals GA#92 Cooperation in science act.

Votes For: 11,902
Votes Against: 1,965

Implemented Tue Mar 17 2015

[WAR319 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Infectious Disease Control
A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health
Area of Effect: Healthcare
Proposed by: Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland

Description: The World Assembly,

Supporting ongoing efforts to control infectious disease,

Recognising that international travel to territories afflicted by public health hazards of infectious disease often requires visitors bear documented evidence of medical precautions undertaken,

Concerned that differences between national means of providing such documentation may lead to either exacerbation of infectious disease through inadvertent admission of those not having undertaken medical precautions, or unnecessary restrictions on international travel through inadvertent rejection of those having undertaken medical precautions,

Believing that a single, standard, universal certificate of medical precaution would resolve this situation,

Convinced that the World Health Authority's Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Center (EPARC) is ideally suited to deliver such certification through its international position,

Seeking to implement such a process in a manner consistent with practical concerns and national sovereignty:

1. Defines, for the purpose of this Resolution, “medical precautions” as vaccinations, prophylaxis, and any other necessary medical, surgical or pharmaceutical mitigation of risk;
   
   
2. Requires that each nation encountering a public health hazard of infectious disease within their sovereign territory or any other territory under their jurisdiction:
   
   
   • Seek expert medical counsel to determine necessary medical precautions to be undertaken by visitors to that territory;
     
     
   • Publicly promulgate a travel advisory and any updates in its status until the hazard has been resolved, describing relevant medical precautions to be undertaken by visitors to that territory;
     
     
   • Inform, at minimum, their World Health Authority national office and the embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions they have established with any nation from which they permit travel, of this advisory and of any updates in its status;
3. Directs EPARC to create a single, standard, universal certificate of medical precaution (UCMP), to include:
   
   
   • Name, national identity, personal identifying information and signature of recipient;
     
     
   • Name, status and signature of medical practitioner;
     
     
   • Type, date, batch and manufacturer of dose (and where necessary booster dose);
     
     
   • Stamp of issuing authority;
     
     
   • Anti-forgery measures;
4. Mandates the introduction of the UCMP to replace all divergent comparable travel documentation within a timeframe agreed between each nation and EPARC to be practical, affordable and safe, and being not more than ten years from passage of this Resolution;
   
   
5. Enjoins nations to support the implementation of the UCMP through:
   
   
   • Training of medical practitioners in its correct employment;
     
     
   • Training of border security and immigration agents in its recognition;
     
     
   • Enforcement of legal measures to prevent fraudulent or false use;
6. Encourages nations to negotiate expansion of the scope of UCMP recognition with other parties;
   
   
7. Emphasises that possession of a valid UCMP does not confer visa rights and that administration of the UCMP does not affect a nation's rights to control immigration, emigration, or passport status;
   
   
8. Declares that the provisions of this Resolution apply only to international travel and do not affect national documentation requirements for purely intranational travel.

Votes For: 13 434 (93.6%)
Votes Against: 924 (6.4%)

Implemented Sat Mar 21 2015

[WAR320 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "International Expositions Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #172
Proposed by: Jean Pierre Trudeau

Description: WA Resolution #172: International Expositions Act (Category: Education and Creativity; Area of Effect: Cultural Heritage) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Acknowledging the effort of General Assembly Resolution #172 "International Expositions Act" to highlight the rich and diverse traditions of World Assembly members,

Concerned #172 mandates an "International Exposition of Culture" every year, whilst failing to account for the massive cost, and time needed to construct facilities for such an exposition to take place,

Confused by the fact the "International Exposition Authority" has the full authority to select a member nation city to host the "International Exposition of Culture", whilst failing to define the nomination criteria of such a selection,

Befuddled #172 states these expositions must be carried out in the manner of a worldwide fair, whilst failing to define what a world wide fair should entail,

Disappointed clause 7(a) states host nations have the right to deny entry to nations of which they are currently in conflict with, thus denying legitimate member states the right to showcase the heritage and culture of their nation to the rest of the international community,

Further confused that host members may not omit certain ideologies, cultures, or beliefs from these conventions, whilst simultaneously stating they may deny entry to nations of whom they are in conflict with, thus defeating the purpose of clause 7(a), by causing intentional conflict with said nation,

Hereby repeals "GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION # 172 International Expositions Act".

Votes For: 12,220
Votes Against: 1,510

Implemented: Sun Mar 29 2015

[WAR321 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

On Scientific Cooperation [Struck out by GA 594]
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: Ainocra

Description: We the collected nations of this assembly,
Understand that science is the pursuit of knowledge, and declaring that this knowledge should be used for the collective good of all sapient species. Noting that through the applied use of scientific knowledge we can shape a better existence for ourselves and our posterity. Believing that such knowledge should be freely shared so that all benefit from it, we do hereby tasks the World Assembly Scientific Programme (hereafter referred to as WASP) with the following mandate.

Defines for the purposes of this act:
Scientific literature as comprising scientific publications such as journals or books that report or review original empirical and theoretical work or research in the natural and social sciences or within a given scientific field.

1) Hereby tasks the WASP with the following mandate;

(a) To collect and archive copies of any and all publicly available scientific literature with the aim of preserving and protecting it for use now and in the future excepting only that which is illegal under extant WA law.
(b) Requires all WA members to cooperate with the WASP by supplying it with all data relevant to it's mandate within extant national and subnational law.
(c) To disseminate to any citizen of any member nation of this assembly any of this literature upon request excepting only that which is illegal under extant national or sub national law.
(d) To provide an international forum for the free circulation of ideas. In order to accomplish this goal any new theorems and experimental data submitted to WASP shall be disseminated to all member nations for the purpose of unbiased peer review in order to facilitate the most up to date scientific record possible.
(e) To coordinate with the ULC in order to maintain multiple and redundant backup copies of this archive at various locations to prevent loss due to a disaster or other calamity.
(f) To work with the ULC to ensure that only relevant data necessary to the scientific process makes its way into the archive in order to prevent confusion and excess.

2) Directs the WASP to upon request; coordinate research activities between any national, sub national, corporate or individual entities within the WA by facilitating the establishment of a joint program to encourage, develop and assist in cooperative research and development activities in science and technology including but not limited to

(a) Coordinated joint research/development projects, studies, and investigations;
(b) Joint scientific courses, workshops, conferences and symposia;
(c) The free exchange of science, technology, information, and documentation;
(d) The free exchange of scientists, specialists, and researchers;
(e) The free exchanges or sharing of equipment, materials and facilities;
(f) All in the context of cooperative research activities in order to expand the boundaries of knowledge for all concerned.

3) Directs the GAO to provide the WASP with whatever resources are needed to accomplish these goals.

(a) Permits the WASP to accept additional private funding from nations and private entities that wish to aid in the furtherment of these shared goals.

4) Forbids the utilization of the WASP for the deliberate bypassing of intellectual property laws.

Votes For: 12,737
Votes Against: 1,517

Implemented Thu Apr 2 2015

[WAR322 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

No Penalty Without Law
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Sciongrad

Description: The General Assembly,

Reaffirming its stance that "one should not be penalised for doing something that is not prohibited by law,"

Regretting, however, the lack of internationally recognized legal safeguards protecting individuals from criminal penalties in circumstances where no relevant law exists,

Believing that the World Assembly must act to rectify this oversight,

1. Declares that neither member nations, political subdivisions thereof, nor any person or organisation acting on or purporting to be acting on the authority of the member nation or political subdivisions thereof, may arrest, detain, prosecute, or punish any individual unless such action is specifically permitted by international law or a relevant member nation's established statutory laws, judicial precedents, or guidelines with the force of law;

2. Mandates that such established international or statutory laws, judicial precedents, or guidelines with the force of law shall define any punishable action in good faith so as to reasonably minimize ambiguity in enforcement;

3. Requires member nations to ensure that all established international or statutory laws, judicial precedents, or guidelines with the force of law applicable under their jurisdiction are publicly promulgated when it is determined to be both practical and necessary in preventing their inhabitants from committing punishable actions;

4. Prohibits member nations, political subdivisions thereof, or any person or organisation acting on or purporting to be acting on the authority of the member nation or political subdivisions thereof, from arresting, detaining, prosecuting, incarcerating, fining, or otherwise placing under duress individuals for violating laws that are not publicly promulgated;

5. Demands that all individuals previously convicted or currently detained in violation of any of the aforementioned principles shall be immediately freed and have their sentences nullified, and;

6. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution shall provide protection for those that claim ignorance of the law if the relevant law is publicly promulgated in accordance with the provisions of clause three.

Votes For: 7,586
Votes Against: 6,512

Implemented Mon Apr 6 2015

[WAR323 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]