Draft: Abolition of Capital Punishment Act

[Ambridge County]

NOTING that capital punishment is an abuse of human rights,

RECOGNIZING that discrepancies exist within the capital punishment system to the point where innocent individuals are executed,

RECOGNIZING that capital punishment has not been proven to deter crime,

HEREBY abolishes the act of capital punishment.

It's a bit weak now, but input would be appreciated. I probably won't submit it; it's more of a run-through than anything else.

[Burninati0n]

My advice: drop it.

I think that the majority of WA members will not like the WA deciding how they can and cannot punish their own criminals. It's a sovereignty issue.

Myself included in that category

Though, if you are really wanting to go through with it, put in a few clauses about understanding how some feel it is necessary to execute people for certain crimes. Then go into a definition of capital punishment, then the reasons it is bad, then outlaw it.

[One Starr]

ooc: I understand that the objection of solely Nat SoV is not useable, but I have to say that this seems to be little more than an attempt to micro manage nations, and punishment of crimes should be left to the individual nations.

Plus I must vehemently disagree that Capital Punishment is an abuse or violation of so called Human Rights. (Plus this then leaves to beg the question of nations inhabited by Non Human Sentients -what about their so called Rights?)

Please defend your assertion that it is an abuse or violation of Human Rights.

OC: "And while it may not have proven to deter crime in Your Nation, who are you to say that it has not done so in Mine? The wide spread knowledge that if you violate certain of One Starr's few laws that you WILL be put to death, no appeal process, no sitting for years on a so called 'Death Row', is quite deterent I assure you."

[Ambridge County]

The problem with capital punishment is the hypocrisy surrounding it: Murder is bad unless it is sanctioned by the state. Capital punishment is an archaic and barbaric act that violates the sanctity of life -- admittedly, evil life, but life nonetheless.

I know that some nations feel that the death penalty is a deterrent to crime, but this is not something that can be proven empirically.

[One Starr]

But I have to disagree that judicially ordered execution is murder, just as a soldier killing in combat is not murder. Murder is the illegal taking of life.

[Ambridge County]

But I have to disagree that judicially ordered execution is murder, just as a soldier killing in combat is not murder. Murder is the illegal taking of life.

The laws of war are different. And it is also the phrase "judicially-ordered" that irks me: How is it acceptable for a small group of people to judge whether one lives or dies? If it can be tolerated in one circumstance, eventually it'll spread out to all circumstances.

[A mean old man]

IC: Not taking into account the mechanics or material of the draft, I like to give my nation's kids a good paddlin' when they get a bit too clever. It shows them how low they really are compared to authority. OOC: Therefore, I'd have to oppose this proposal, just based on the beliefs of my nation.

[Grays Harbor]

opposed. drop it. Do not push your personal morals onto other nations.

[Allbeama]

I am prepared to vote against this as it is simply because it has weak reasoning behind it. And in the interest of my sovereignty I also oppose this.

[Tanaara]

"When a person has committed a crime grave enought to warrent the death penality, why should I ask the honest, law abiding Citizens of my nation to fund such a criminals continued life? That criminal has voluntarily abrogated the human compact, they have let loose of their humanity. I don't allow viscious dogs to live, why should a person who has voluntarily chosen such reprehensible actions recieve preferential treatment?"

[New Olwe]

Vehemently opposed. Your version of capital punishment might not be a deterrent, but your version of capital punishment is probably lethal injection or something similarly wimpy. If executed properly (pun intended), I assure you that the death penalty is indeed a deterrent.

Also, on a personal note to the delegate from A Mean Old Man: I've been a very naughty girl.

Isabelle Hayes, Olwean Ambassador to the WA

[Central Slavia]

Our government expresses utmost contempt for this hopefully ill-fated resolution.
I think that it is a human right, a right of the masses to dispose of those who seek to harm society, by the arm of justice which our people's tribunals represent.
Executing a wrongdoer is no more murder than putting him in jail constitutes false imprisonment, or fining an act of theft.
I advise you to spend your time working for your country in more productive ways.

RSDr. Stefan Kozlovic , WA Delegate of DR of Central Slavia

[Elktown]

Criminals will be punished however each nation decides.

[Vystercia-Nasucrea]

A basic part of the role of government is the power to coerce. Indeed, the very nature and purpose of government is inherently coercive. Without capital punishment, government is as toothless and impotent as parents who can't spank their children.

[Grays Harbor]

But I have to disagree that judicially ordered execution is murder, just as a soldier killing in combat is not murder. Murder is the illegal taking of life.

The laws of war are different. And it is also the phrase "judicially-ordered" that irks me: How is it acceptable for a small group of people to judge whether one lives or dies? If it can be tolerated in one circumstance, eventually it'll spread out to all circumstances.

How is it acceptable that 1 person can decide if one or many die, all without judicial proceedings by committing murder? How can anybody put the rights of the murderer above those of the law-abiding citizens of a nation? How can anybody claim, "There is no evidence that capital punishment works as a deterrent? Those convicted and executed are deterred. We are also curious as to why the prime argument against the death penalty has always been this "deterrent" issue? We do not execute heinous criminals who have committed murder in order to encourage others not to follow their footsteps, it is to punish those convicted of those acts so heinous as to have caused the forfeiture of their right to live.

[Charlotte Ryberg]

The Mind of Charlotte Ryberg has abolished the death penalty for all crimes, but I feel that it is not in the best interests of the World Assembly to force a moratorium on the death sentence.

[Flibbleites]

ooc: I understand that the objection of solely Nat SoV is not useable, but I have to say that this seems to be little more than an attempt to micro manage nations, and punishment of crimes should be left to the individual nations.

OOC: You can object to a proposal/resolution purely on NatSov grounds, you just can't use that as your sole reason to repeal a resolution.

[Ilharessa]

NOTING that capital punishment is an abuse of human rights,

"Nonsentient beings don't have any automatically-granted rights," Velnayanis began. "And before you protest that, I will reverse my position on human sentience the moment humans can satisafactorily defend their own sentience. If a people cannot even convince some members of their own species that they are sentient, then why should anyone else believe them?

Secondly, getting to what you actually intended to say, we would note that we do not see is as such. A violation of the natural rights of a sentient species would require doing something cruel that is not a necessary response to actions they have taken to prove they cannot be allowed out in general society. Forcing someone to live naked in a cave for a year just because they forgot to use their turn signal would be such a violation. Executing a mass-murderer who would surgically implant land mines with proximity fuses inside of children and then send them running into a shopping mall would not be such a violation."

RECOGNIZING that discrepancies exist within the capital punishment system to the point where innocent individuals are executed,

"And innocent individuals are jailed for life and end up living out the rest of their lives in a cage as a result of mistakes in justice systems, only for it to be discovered they were innocent long after their death. What is your point?"

RECOGNIZING that capital punishment has not been proven to deter crime,

The ambassadoress snorts. "Then you're not doing it right. We do not use those utterly wimpy lethal injections where the poor sod is put into a deep sleep before we pump in the chemicals. We use a sniper squad. And so far, it's been very effective."

HEREBY abolishes the act of capital punishment.

"I would agree with my colleagues; drop it."

[EvilDarkMagicians]

Do not drop it.
My nation would love to vote in this..

[New Olwe]

Do not drop it.
My nation would love to vote in this..

Then you aren't very evil.

Or dark, for that matter.

[Ambridge County]

Again, I don't intend on submitting it. I would have appreciated feedback other than yea or nay -- suggestions as to how it can be improved and how any improvements could help change your mind, etc. But I guess I was asking for a bit much.

[Ilharessa]

"Ambassador, don't be discouraged. There are some topics that are automatically going to cause trouble. This is one of them," the ambassadoress said.

[Central Slavia]

Do not drop it.
My nation would love to vote in this..

Then you aren't very evil.

Or dark, for that matter.

OOC: Yes he is. He recognises that the only one who has a right to take life is one that ignores the law

[New Olwe]

Do not drop it.
My nation would love to vote in this..

Then you aren't very evil.

Or dark, for that matter.

OOC: Yes he is. He recognises that the only one who has a right to take life is one that ignores the law

Whereas my nation, ironically enough one that is viewed as good, realizes that a proper execution should take weeks and be broadcast publicly? He's not as evil as me, I tell you.

[Ilharessa]

Do not drop it.
My nation would love to vote in this..

Then you aren't very evil.

Or dark, for that matter.

OOC: Yes he is. He recognises that the only one who has a right to take life is one that ignores the law

Whereas my nation, ironically enough one that is viewed as good, realizes that a proper execution should take weeks and be broadcast publicly? He's not as evil as me, I tell you.

OOC: Only weeks? Why rush the executions? Have it go on for a full year and set up government-sponsored betting pools!