[DRAFT] Assisting the Bereaved

[United Massachusetts]

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Assisting the Bereaved
Category: Human Rights | Strength: Mild | Proposed by: United Massachusetts

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Trying to understand the complexity and difficulty of grief-related emotions and the toll they take on bereaved individuals, and in particular on the young, who in many cases are made to deal with the harsh realities of death at a tender age,

Realizing that though loss is a unique and highly personal experience, the powerful testimony of the bereaved the world over has provided this Assembly sufficient reason to believe that certain rights are necessary to ensure that each person is able to grieve in their own way come to terms with loss,

Seeking to protect said rights and provide help to grieving individuals, rather than have them suffer in silence,

The General Assembly, invoking its name to affirm international support for grief awareness, by the advice and consent of the delegates and member nations thereof, and by the authority of the same, in this present session assembled, hereby enacts the following:

ARTICLE I : RIGHTS OF THE BEREAVED

1. For the sake of this resolution, "bereaved individual" shall be defined as any individual having recently experienced the death of an immediate family member, who shall be defined as a "deceased individual."
   
   
2. Each bereaved individual shall be entitled to:
   
   
   1. be involved in and present at funeral or other final rites barring prior written objection from the deceased individual,
   2. access or visit the remains of the deceased individual, except where doing so is infeasible, dangerous, or poses a public health risk,
   3. be provided the truthful circumstances of the death and of the deceased individual's life by the state,
   4. and access counseling or guidance services at low, non-prohibitive cost.
3. Member states shall make available the relevant counseling or guidance services to bereaved individuals at low, non-prohibitive cost.

ARTICLE II: ASSISTING GRIEVING CHILDREN

1. Member states shall take any steps necessary for the protection of the physical safety of bereaved minors, including the provision of sufficient foster care and adoption services.
   
   
2. Member states shall provide other services necessary to protect their emotional well-being, especially through state schools, and shall take action to ensure that school officials are capable of providing help to said bereaved minors.
   
   
3. Member states are urged to provide financial assistance towards efforts to bring together bereaved minors for healing in camps, bereavement groups, and similar services.

An issue very near and dear to my heart. Also, I don't care whether you think this is an international issue. So, those comments aren't helpful or constructive. Please keep feedback to the draft, thank you.

As always, I try to be civil. Having said that, there is the chance that I'll get heated in this thread. I lost both my parents when I was young, and the loss was particularly hard on my. I'm not fishing for sympathy; I just want to raise awareness towards the trials of those dealing with loss at a young age.

[Tinhampton]

You have my complete and unabashed support.

[The Sheika]

So far I have no objections. Full support.

[Christian Democrats]

How is this an international issue, and why is this proposal Human Rights instead of Social Justice?

[United Massachusetts]

How is this an international issue, and why is this proposal Human Rights instead of Social Justice?

I'm not convinced that something not being an international issue is a reason to prevent progress on the matter.

As for the category, I initially wanted to frame it in a Human Rights light (ie. Rights of the Bereaved). If SJ is the better category, I'll change it.

[Imperium Anglorum]

I guess I agree with UM on the international issue questions. No action inaction distinction means that procedural questions like these are of only marginal relevance to be substantive questions of rights and happiness.

[Wallenburg]

in cases where the bereaved individual is held in state custody, be provided truthful answers to questions they have regarding the deceased individual, except where national security would thereby be put at risk,

National security is a bit of a high bar. What of ongoing criminal investigations?

Member states shall also take action to combat against the targeted exclusion of bereaved minors,

What do you mean? Targeted exclusion from what?

[Cosmopolitan borovan]

What about prior oral objections from the deceased in clause two section a?

[Linux and the X]

Final rites, not final rights.

We have some concern about family conflict as a result of incompatible people attending the same funeral service.

[Kowani]

What about prior oral objections from the deceased in clause two section a?

Unless it’s on tape or otherwise recorded, can you prove they said it? Eyewitnesses? I somehow doubt most people are going to go around saying “Man, I hope X doesn’t come to my funeral.” However, a written document is verifiable. At least, much more than hearsay and gossip.

[Kenmoria]

“Complete and full support.”

[Bears Armed]

"So when soldiers are killed in action, and being buried 'in the field', the government must arrange transport for their relatives -- safely, I presume -- in and out of the war-zone? The burial at sea of dead naval personnel must be delayed until relatives can reach their ships?
"Oh, and what of the cases -- which presumably might occur in some member nations -- where the deceased was part of a fairly new colonising mission on a planet other than the one where their relatives reside?"

Hwa Sue,
Legal Attaché,
Bears Armed Mission to the World Assembly
(and anthropomorphic male Giant Panda)

... who stamps the copy that he's been handed of this draft

THIS IS NOT AN
INTERNATIONAL
ISSUE.
OPPOSED.

[Larisia]

"This has the Imperatorium's complete support. The only issue I see is that some species don't feel emotion or have a different idea of emotion, and many cultures have much less of a taboo around death, as is the case with vampires in our nation, who celebrate death as a part of life, or the humans of the Hindu religion, who believe that destruction and death are vital parts of the cycle of creation."

[Separatist Peoples]

"Opposed. Death should be dealt with stoically and privately, with little deviation from regular operations. Bereavement is unseemly."

[Pronentia]

I am in complete agreement that the bereavement process should help minors as well as adults coping with depression (I know that wasn't on there but would be a good idea).

[Sougra]

I do have some issues regarding the draft itself.

Regarding Aritcle I, Section 1, couldn't someone be in deep mourning over the death of a friend or a cousin? Since you explicitly mentioned immediate family, someone who's in deep mourning for a cousin or any other distant relative, or even a close friend would be exempt from the proposal itself. Of course, specifically stating immediate family members is somewhat inoffensive to most nations, so if this is necessary for this to pass, go ahead.

Aritcle I, Section 2 has some logistical issues, some of which have been mention by Bears Armed's Ambassador. I wish to mention a situation in which someone is, for example, an enemy of the state in their respective country. For example, a known capitalist in a socialist or communist nation, a fascist, a racist, an atheist, a theist, etc. Or, those who are seen as national security threats or.

Basically, if the bereaved individual is someone the state itself is against in some way, most likely an activist for something the state does not like, this proposal would make it seem as if this WA law applies to them as well.

And c) only mentions those in state custody, so while people such as criminals are mentioned, these people are not. It also assumes that there is, in fact, a state at all. But perhaps the assumption of an anarchist nation existing in the WA is not one that's preposterous in and of itself, and would create even further problems. As such, this is a statement of something to consider, but not one that's incredibly important, as it seems that without a state, the proposal itself is rendered moot.

Article II, Section 2, states "state schools" shall deal with action regarding helping bereaved individuals. Now, the proposal does have the word "especially" in it, therefore making it a bit more of an addendum, but it does assume that the nation itself funds education, which I believe some members of the WA may not.

Of course, there's a possibility that what I'm talking about here may be addressed in some form with previous WA legislation, since I'm by no means an expert on WA legislation or mattes regarding the WA itself.

[Forensatha]

Against

[United Massachusetts]

"Bereavement is unseemly."

"Please leave the drafting room, Ambassador."

Against

"Care to state why?"

I do have some issues regarding the draft itself.

Regarding Aritcle I, Section 1, couldn't someone be in deep mourning over the death of a friend or a cousin? Since you explicitly mentioned immediate family, someone who's in deep mourning for a cousin or any other distant relative, or even a close friend would be exempt from the proposal itself. Of course, specifically stating immediate family members is somewhat inoffensive to most nations, so if this is necessary for this to pass, go ahead.

"I initially wanted to include friends or cousins. Having said that, the grief of losing one's mother, for instance, is much more intense than of losing one's cousin in most cases. I just wanted to have a definition that can be somewhat limited in scope, since we are asking the state to do a significant amount in this."

Aritcle I, Section 2 has some logistical issues, some of which have been mention by Bears Armed's Ambassador. I wish to mention a situation in which someone is, for example, an enemy of the state in their respective country. For example, a known capitalist in a socialist or communist nation, a fascist, a racist, an atheist, a theist, etc. Or, those who are seen as national security threats or.

Basically, if the bereaved individual is someone the state itself is against in some way, most likely an activist for something the state does not like, this proposal would make it seem as if this WA law applies to them as well.

"United Massachusetts is committed to defending the rights of dissidents and of their relatives. We believe that everyone deserves the right to grieve, regardless of who they are."

And c) only mentions those in state custody, so while people such as criminals are mentioned, these people are not. It also assumes that there is, in fact, a state at all. But perhaps the assumption of an anarchist nation existing in the WA is not one that's preposterous in and of itself, and would create even further problems. As such, this is a statement of something to consider, but not one that's incredibly important, as it seems that without a state, the proposal itself is rendered moot.

"Fixed. Ish."

[Separatist Peoples]

"Bereavement is unseemly."

"Please leave the drafting room, Ambassador."

"Ambassador, you may not dictate attendance within drafting rooms. You know this. I remain within the bounds of decorum, and am therefore entitled to participate. You are, likewise, entitled to use my input any way you see fit, including ignoring it.

"Though, mere opposition with every intent of faithfully obeying your law should it pass must be infinitely better than brazen refusal to obey, yes?"

[United Massachusetts]

"Please leave the drafting room, Ambassador."

"Ambassador, you may not dictate attendance within drafting rooms. You know this. I remain within the bounds of decorum, and am therefore entitled to participate. You are, likewise, entitled to use my input any way you see fit, including ignoring it.

"Though, mere opposition with every intent of faithfully obeying your law should it pass must be infinitely better than brazen refusal to obey, yes?"

"I figured you would understand figurative language, seeing how much you use it. Bereavement shouldn't be considered unseemly--a culture that forces people to keep quiet about their loss and has them bottle up their emotions only leads to more problems."

"United Massachusetts is at least honest with regards to compliance. Rather than hop through 300 legal loopholes, we're just going to state what no one else has the bravery to."


OOC: Touche.

[Separatist Peoples]

"Ambassador, you may not dictate attendance within drafting rooms. You know this. I remain within the bounds of decorum, and am therefore entitled to participate. You are, likewise, entitled to use my input any way you see fit, including ignoring it.

"Though, mere opposition with every intent of faithfully obeying your law should it pass must be infinitely better than brazen refusal to obey, yes?"

"I figured you would understand figurative language, seeing how much you use it. Bereavement shouldn't be considered unseemly--a culture that forces people to keep quiet about their loss and has them bottle up their emotions only leads to more problems."

"United Massachusetts is at least honest with regards to compliance. Rather than hop through 300 legal loopholes, we're just going to state what no one else has the bravery to."


OOC: Touche.

"Emotions pertaining to mourning are a personal affair, ambassador. It is a cultural taboo in my homeland to show private matters so publically as to admit to them. Might as well waive one's drawers about," comments Bell, conveniently forgetting that he himself had done so much within these chambers.

"As to the matter of compliance, what is the point of drafting this if no nation will comply? Surely, it is absurd to comply with a law drafted by a delegation that admits to not noncompliance. If we disagree, should we not do the same?"

[Uan aa Boa]

I'm disappointed that you've launched another project rather than giving Ban on Capital Punishment the attention it needs in the time before a pro-death penalty proposal reaches the floor.

[Separatist Peoples]

I'm disappointed that you've launched another project rather than giving Ban on Capital Punishment the attention it needs in the time before a pro-death penalty proposal reaches the floor.

"Ambassador, I'm sure the author can handle both projects simultaneously."

[United Massachusetts]

"I figured you would understand figurative language, seeing how much you use it. Bereavement shouldn't be considered unseemly--a culture that forces people to keep quiet about their loss and has them bottle up their emotions only leads to more problems."

"United Massachusetts is at least honest with regards to compliance. Rather than hop through 300 legal loopholes, we're just going to state what no one else has the bravery to."


OOC: Touche.

"Emotions pertaining to mourning are a personal affair, ambassador. It is a cultural taboo in my homeland to show private matters so publically as to admit to them. Might as well waive one's drawers about," comments Bell, conveniently forgetting that he himself had done so much within these chambers.

"As to the matter of compliance, what is the point of drafting this if no nation will comply? Surely, it is absurd to comply with a law drafted by a delegation that admits to not noncompliance. If we disagree, should we not do the same?"

"This resolution doesn't require anyone to show private matters publicly. It merely requires the state to, where welcome, provide assistance in the grief process. Furthermore, the most powerful healing, particularly for minors, is often with others in the same boat."

"The position of United Massachusetts is that nations have an obligation to refuse compliance with morally unjust laws (laws that would hinder just action or promote unjust action). The subset of resolutions where this is the case are by nature extremely limited. And there is certainly a difference between non-compliance with one resolution on moral grounds, and refusing to comply with six resolutions because of their author."

"Your question, furthermore, is akin to asking whether conscientious objectors deserve to be protected by the military"

[United Massachusetts]

I'm disappointed that you've launched another project rather than giving Ban on Capital Punishment the attention it needs in the time before a pro-death penalty proposal reaches the floor.

"Ambassador, I'm sure the author can handle both projects simultaneously."

"I assure you I can. I was just about to head over there."