[3rd Draft] Suicide Prevention Act

[Avoin Mieli]

Ambassador Antoniou,
The nation of Avoin Mieli would like to express our strict opposal to this proposal. The universal problem we, as a nation, see are is following:

How would this Act lower suicide rates without mandating a law in which a person who is aware of a suicidal person in their life, but does not notify the proper authority figure(s) without going to jail. (In other words, Is this Act suggesting that if a person does not notify the police about a suicidal person in their life and that person does in fact take their life, would the person that refused or did not report their intentions go to jail? If that is the case, that is a severe invasion of our Civil Liberties as a world.)

If this bill actually reaches the voting floor in the World Assembly, you can bet money that Avoin Mieli will not support this bill and if by some miracle that this bill passes, Avoin Mieli will draft a bill in an attempt to repeal your act.

Kindly,
The High Lord Erick William Pope
Avoin Mieli President

[Meekinos]

We see the police or other law enforcement types as being detrimental to providing support aid to the individual who would be contemplating such a thing. This is why the draft is designed to force member nations to address root causes and provide education for the distressed individual. We find it revolting and utterly barbaric that someone would even suggest the criminalization of such an act. It is self-harm and incarceration will not solve it. Compassion, support, education; we believe these to be what is needed for the individual to recover. The only form of detainment we could view as necessary is medically recommended supervision with the person able to make their own choice. Our end objective is not to ban it, since it is impossible but to simply invest in prevention. We do not believe in depriving individuals of their mobility rights when they aren't a threat to others. Self-harm is only a threat to one's self and should be addressed in a compassionate environment.

[Meekinos]

We have made a small change. We do not know if it would work but we are tabling our change. Please let the delegation know which you prefer, or if you believe a third option is better.

[Avoin Mieli]

[quote="Meekinos";p="3026114"]Compassion, support, education;quote]

The Republic of Avoin Mieli would like to make a rebuttal:
Compassion and Support are key in treating a mentally ill person, however, why would we educate one on the possible consequences of their actions? Wouldn't they already understand? We believe that we should not criminalize nor educate someone contemplating taking their own life, but instead we should use more funding towards Medical Care, so we can get better help to these people.

[Meekinos]

Compassion, support, education;quote]

The Republic of Avoin Mieli would like to make a rebuttal:
Compassion and Support are key in treating a mentally ill person, however, why would we educate one on the possible consequences of their actions? Wouldn't they already understand? We believe that we should not criminalize nor educate someone contemplating taking their own life, but instead we should use more funding towards Medical Care, so we can get better help to these people.

Education means helping more than just the individual. Prevention needs sober individuals as well who can see the big picture and can help those who may have fallen between the cracks; individuals to help shine a light into the darkest corners.

[Avoin Mieli]

Compassion, support, education;quote]

The Republic of Avoin Mieli would like to make a rebuttal:
Compassion and Support are key in treating a mentally ill person, however, why would we educate one on the possible consequences of their actions? Wouldn't they already understand? We believe that we should not criminalize nor educate someone contemplating taking their own life, but instead we should use more funding towards Medical Care, so we can get better help to these people.

Education means helping more than just the individual. Prevention needs sober individuals as well who can see the big picture and can help those who may have fallen between the cracks; individuals to help shine a light into the darkest corners.

But aren't we educating enough? Aren't we only bringing fear into the mind's of the Youth around the world that they will be deemed a criminal or wrong if they are suicidal because children can easily take things out of context? We can't regulate suicide rates, which is why a bill such as this would fall through in the WA if it indeed got to the floor. Suicide rates are not something that can just automatically change with the passage of a bill, like the Environment or the Economy.

[Meekinos]

Compassion, support, education;quote]

The Republic of Avoin Mieli would like to make a rebuttal:
Compassion and Support are key in treating a mentally ill person, however, why would we educate one on the possible consequences of their actions? Wouldn't they already understand? We believe that we should not criminalize nor educate someone contemplating taking their own life, but instead we should use more funding towards Medical Care, so we can get better help to these people.

Education means helping more than just the individual. Prevention needs sober individuals as well who can see the big picture and can help those who may have fallen between the cracks; individuals to help shine a light into the darkest corners.

But aren't we educating enough? Aren't we only bringing fear into the mind's of the Youth around the world that they will be deemed a criminal or wrong if they are suicidal because children can easily take things out of context? We can't regulate suicide rates, which is why a bill such as this would fall through in the WA if it indeed got to the floor. Suicide rates are not something that can just automatically change with the passage of a bill, like the Environment or the Economy.

Nor did abortion rates automatically change with the introduction of resolution #44: Reduction of Abortion Act. In fact, the rate of abortion cannot be fully regulated either. The act comes into force immediately but the changes do take time. Some changes are immediately apparent when dealing with rights, but not with legislation which has a long term view. Even environment and economic bills don't show immediate, automatic changes. The law is there but the results are yet to be apparent. It is foolish to think that because there is no instant gratification that it is not worth the vote.

There is a difference between a law being automatically passed and the results becoming apparent. Just because it takes a while for results does not reduce the value of the objective.

[Avoin Mieli]

Compassion, support, education;quote]

The Republic of Avoin Mieli would like to make a rebuttal:
Compassion and Support are key in treating a mentally ill person, however, why would we educate one on the possible consequences of their actions? Wouldn't they already understand? We believe that we should not criminalize nor educate someone contemplating taking their own life, but instead we should use more funding towards Medical Care, so we can get better help to these people.

Education means helping more than just the individual. Prevention needs sober individuals as well who can see the big picture and can help those who may have fallen between the cracks; individuals to help shine a light into the darkest corners.

But aren't we educating enough? Aren't we only bringing fear into the mind's of the Youth around the world that they will be deemed a criminal or wrong if they are suicidal because children can easily take things out of context? We can't regulate suicide rates, which is why a bill such as this would fall through in the WA if it indeed got to the floor. Suicide rates are not something that can just automatically change with the passage of a bill, like the Environment or the Economy.

Nor did abortion rates automatically change with the introduction of resolution #44: Reduction of Abortion Act. In fact, the rate of abortion cannot be fully regulated either. The act comes into force immediately but the changes do take time. Some changes are immediately apparent when dealing with rights, but not with legislation which has a long term view. Even environment and economic bills don't show immediate, automatic changes. The law is there but the results are yet to be apparent. It is foolish to think that because there is no instant gratification that it is not worth the vote.

There is a difference between a law being automatically passed and the results becoming apparent. Just because it takes a while for results does not reduce the value of the objective.

Yes but we're trying to ask is this:
How can we lower suicide rates without the use of programs that will only scare children? We must find a universal answer, Perhaps a form of Medical Treatment that funds could be directed to that would develop a cure for depression.

[Meekinos]

Compassion, support, education;quote]

The Republic of Avoin Mieli would like to make a rebuttal:
Compassion and Support are key in treating a mentally ill person, however, why would we educate one on the possible consequences of their actions? Wouldn't they already understand? We believe that we should not criminalize nor educate someone contemplating taking their own life, but instead we should use more funding towards Medical Care, so we can get better help to these people.

Education means helping more than just the individual. Prevention needs sober individuals as well who can see the big picture and can help those who may have fallen between the cracks; individuals to help shine a light into the darkest corners.

But aren't we educating enough? Aren't we only bringing fear into the mind's of the Youth around the world that they will be deemed a criminal or wrong if they are suicidal because children can easily take things out of context? We can't regulate suicide rates, which is why a bill such as this would fall through in the WA if it indeed got to the floor. Suicide rates are not something that can just automatically change with the passage of a bill, like the Environment or the Economy.

Nor did abortion rates automatically change with the introduction of resolution #44: Reduction of Abortion Act. In fact, the rate of abortion cannot be fully regulated either. The act comes into force immediately but the changes do take time. Some changes are immediately apparent when dealing with rights, but not with legislation which has a long term view. Even environment and economic bills don't show immediate, automatic changes. The law is there but the results are yet to be apparent. It is foolish to think that because there is no instant gratification that it is not worth the vote.

There is a difference between a law being automatically passed and the results becoming apparent. Just because it takes a while for results does not reduce the value of the objective.

Yes but we're trying to ask is this:
How can we lower suicide rates without the use of programs that will only scare children? We must find a universal answer, Perhaps a form of Medical Treatment that funds could be directed to that would develop a cure for depression.

While we believe there is a need to better understand the underlying reasons through the use of medical research, medicating individuals isn't always the best idea. This is designed to be a multi-prong approach. Nowhere in the text of the proposal is there anything that resembles scare-mongering as you apparently seem to think. If the ambassador believes this, please show us where you get this from so we can adjust the language in the proposal.

We believe our language so far to be even-handed. We do not believe we are trying to scare-monger anyone, least of all children. We sincerely believe that by approaching the issue from more than one angle there is a way of accomplishing the end goal.

We have refrained from directly inputting anything on patients, their rights and their treatment, since there are actual resolutions on the topics and we do not wish to have this overlap. Also, if you haven't noticed, ambassador, the strength of this is meant to be mild; some of what you are suggesting would alter this and require stronger language on our part. We feel stronger language will scare individuals and probably deter other ambassadors from supporting this.

We are also trying to accommodate unique cultures in this where suicide is a normal part of life.

[Lowell Leber]

I find this line to be false, especially when individuals considering suicide would disagree with it as well.

Whereas the lives of each individual person is important as any other;

I ask, given that the above premise could be proven to be false, that it be removed from the language of this resolution before my nation would consider supporting this.

With Regards,
Ms. A. McGuire.
High Commissoner for WA Affairs,
The Governing Syndicate of Lowell Leber.

[Meekinos]

I find this line to be false, especially when individuals considering suicide would disagree with it as well.

Whereas the lives of each individual person is important as any other;

I ask, given that the above premise could be proven to be false, that it be removed from the language of this resolution before my nation would consider supporting this.

With Regards,
Ms. A. McGuire.
High Commissoner for WA Affairs,
The Governing Syndicate of Lowell Leber.

Although we feel a variation on the clause would be nice, we have removed it for now.

We ask though, why do you believe it to be false?

[Manticore Reborn]

At the behest of the author, the Star Kingdom of Manticore Reborn has extensively reviewed the current draft of this proposal. On the whole, this is a well reasoned and well written proposal. However, being an ambassador, we did find the need to make some minor changes in the spirit of international cooperation.

Suicide Prevention Act

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Mild

The World Assembly,

Acknowledging that Suicide is controversial issue and may not be in the best interests of the individual, their community or their nation;

Defines, for the purpose of this resolution, “Suicide” as the act of an individual choosing to end their own life for their own reasons when there is no medical necessity reason or cultural reason behind it;

Understanding that the termination of said life may cause grief and sorrow to the surviving family and friends in some cultures;

Believing that ritual suicide in some cultures should be the prerogative of the individual culture while unnecessary suicides prevented;

The World Assembly, hereby acknowledges that while suicide is ultimately the choice of the individual and that is impossible to outlaw; there is a need to reduce the rate at which individuals decide to commit Suicide;

In order to prevent Suicide, and reduce the rate thereof, it is hereby mandated that where the individual's Suicide is not influenced by either a medical reason or by cultural traditions:

1) Each member nation shall establish the following:
i) Outreach programs staffed by professional counselors, who in their impartial ability are able to provide non-judgmental guidance and support information to individuals who are contemplating Suicide
ii) A national educational campaign to erode external causes that may lead a person to commit suicide, such as but not limited to, bullying, domestic abuse, et cetera.

2) Each member nation shall empower its health care system - whether public or private - to:
i) Better address underlying psychological issues that may be associated with suicidal thoughts and tendencies by expanding neurological research.
ii) Support skilled professionals in the field of psychological and psychiatric medicine.

In member nations where ritual suicide is culturally acceptable, the individual shall be given a choice as to whether or not they wish to perform it. They shall be permitted counseling by a trained professional counselors on the matter as to the cultural significance and purpose of the suicide and allowed to understand and appreciate the act, if they so desire to seek such counseling.

Nothing in this act shall be construed as to limit the options available to prevent suicide, so long as the options employed reflect the spirit of this resolution in which the goal is to compassionately prevent suicide by providing the individual with care and support.

Further, nothing in this act shall limit a reasonable person, fully able to understand and appreciate the consequences of their choices, from performing the selfless act of self-sacrifice in good faith in order to save the lives of others should the situation merit such a choice.

[Charlotte Ryberg]

The suggestions from Star Kingdom of Manticore Reborn are plausible.

Yours etc,

[Manticore Reborn]

The suggestions from Star Kingdom of Manticore Reborn are plausible.

Yours etc,

Can the honorable Ms. Harper make any suggestions which would raise the level of this proposal from plausible to likely?

[Charlotte Ryberg]

In member nations where ritual suicide is culturally acceptable, the individual shall be given a choice as to whether or not they wish to perform it. They shall be permitted counselling by a trained medical professional on the matter as to the cultural significance and purpose of the suicide and allowed to understand and appreciate the act.

In this clause, this should be qualified by a ban on forced suicide. Something like:

In member countries where ritual suicide is culturally acceptable, no individual may be forced against their will to perform it. Individuals who opt to do so shall be offered counselling by a trained medical professional on the matter as to the cultural significance and purpose of the suicide and allowed to understand and appreciate the act.

What do you think?

[Manticore Reborn]

How about:

In member nations where ritual suicide is culturally acceptable, it is the individual's right to perform the act free from persuasion. They shall be permitted counseling by a trained professional counselors on the matter as to the cultural significance and purpose of the suicide and allowed to understand and appreciate the act, if they so desire to seek such counseling.

[Ille-Povrois]

The Principality of Ille-Povrois has been dealing with this subject for a long time, since it represents a social problem in our country.
The Government has stablished a program of prevention of suicide, with free psychiatric treatment and educative campaigns for early diagnosis of suicidal tendencies, the search for help and the appreciation of life.
We have good results and the suicide rate has declined in the last years.

We pledge to full support this resolution.

Your, sincerely

Countess Emilie Poisson
Bureau of Foreign Affairs
Principality of Ille-Povrois

[Charlotte Ryberg]

How about:

In member nations where ritual suicide is culturally acceptable, it is the individual's right to perform the act free from persuasion. They shall be permitted counseling by a trained professional counselors on the matter as to the cultural significance and purpose of the suicide and allowed to understand and appreciate the act, if they so desire to seek such counseling.

Something like that, as long it is suggestive of preventing member states from forcing suicide.

[Lowell Leber]

I find this line to be false, especially when individuals considering suicide would disagree with it as well.



I ask, given that the above premise could be proven to be false, that it be removed from the language of this resolution before my nation would consider supporting this.

With Regards,
Ms. A. McGuire.
High Commissoner for WA Affairs,
The Governing Syndicate of Lowell Leber.

Although we feel a variation on the clause would be nice, we have removed it for now.

We ask though, why do you believe it to be false?

I am glad that you ask that question ambassador. My nation feels that why all citizens deserve equal treatment before the law, obviously some individuals are more important than others. Some have families that rely on them for support, financial and otherwise, whereas others can lead their lives without having an effect on anyone. How this portains to suicide is that if an individual feels that their life is less important than others, and cannot reconcile themselves to this fact, then suicide is their right since it is their life they are taking. Morally, if no one is emotionally or financially dependent on said person, it is acceptable.

With Regards,
Ms. A. McGuire.
High Commissoner for WA Affairs,
The Armed Syndicate of Lowell Leber.

[Urgench]

We cannot understand how this proposal is of international nature, surely strategies for the prevention of suicide would be better organised at a national level no? What possible benefit value would WA intervention in such strategies add?

We are also concerned that this proposal does not actually fit the category under which it is proposed it be submitted.


Yours,

[Manticore Reborn]

We cannot understand how this proposal is of international nature, surely strategies for the prevention of suicide would be better organised at a national level no? What possible benefit value would WA intervention in such strategies add?

Many believe that the Dignified End of Life Choices resolution needs to be repealed due to questions concerning its role in suicides of non-medical necessity cases. This is an attempt to stop the endless repeal attempts.

We are also concerned that this proposal does not actually fit the category under which it is proposed it be submitted.

Does the honorable ambassador have a suggestion as to what category it fits?

[Urgench]

We cannot understand how this proposal is of international nature, surely strategies for the prevention of suicide would be better organised at a national level no? What possible benefit value would WA intervention in such strategies add?

Many believe that the Dignified End of Life Choices resolution needs to be repealed due to questions concerning its role in suicides of non-medical necessity cases. This is an attempt to stop the endless repeal attempts.

We are also concerned that this proposal does not actually fit the category under which it is proposed it be submitted.

Does the honorable ambassador have a suggestion as to what category it fits?

If that is the case your Excellency, this proposal contains far too much intricate regulation of the issue. Can your Excellency explain to us why the faults of one resolution (which might just as easily be repealed and rewritten) should be remedied by the introduction of a totally separate resolution which itself contains numerous lacunae and faults?

For instance "Permitting" citizens of states where ritual suicide is common practice to obtain counselling in order to test if they truly wish to commit suicide is frankly insulting to the cultures and individuals in question, not to say logically quite out of the desirable reach of this organisation's remit, don't you agree your Excellency?

Why not just repeal the statute in question, address the issues within it which are have prompted this proposal and then resubmit it?

Yours,

[Magthere]

The Armed Republic of Magthere is in support of this bill.

[Meekinos]

We've put a copy of the modified proposal in a more accessible location for all diplomats and ambassadors to review. With our own appropriate addition of crediting the good delegation of Manticore Reborn for their collective contribution.

[Meekinos]

Many believe that the Dignified End of Life Choices resolution needs to be repealed due to questions concerning its role in suicides of non-medical necessity cases. This is an attempt to stop the endless repeal attempts.

Does the honorable ambassador have a suggestion as to what category it fits?

If that is the case your Excellency, this proposal contains far too much intricate regulation of the issue. Can your Excellency explain to us why the faults of one resolution (which might just as easily be repealed and rewritten) should be remedied by the introduction of a totally separate resolution which itself contains numerous lacunae and faults?

For instance "Permitting" citizens of states where ritual suicide is common practice to obtain counselling in order to test if they truly wish to commit suicide is frankly insulting to the cultures and individuals in question, not to say logically quite out of the desirable reach of this organisation's remit, don't you agree your Excellency?

Why not just repeal the statute in question, address the issues within it which are have prompted this proposal and then resubmit it?

Yours,

This proposal was prompted for reasons other than the need to address the issues in resolution #54.

Originally this was designed as a response to a seemingly ludicrous proposal put forth. It has since evolved due to mild interest.

The intent is not to outlaw suicide since it is futile but rather shed light into a dark corner and provide individuals with a palatable alternative. The goal of this is to respect the end choice of the individual while attempting to provide options that may not otherwise be available. We believe it is in the interests of individuals to have the power of choice and not be pigeonhole them into one corner.

We don't feel it is productive to repeal resolution #54 since it provides individuals with alternative choices when it comes to the end of their lives. They are not forced to simply wait for the reaper to take them; they have the choice to take matters into their own hands.

It's about broadening choices and horizons. Alternatives.