Historical Resolutions Archive

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #99
Discrimination Accord

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Belgrade-beograd

Description: The United Nations,

NOTING the precedent of international law towards greater human rights and equality for all,

RECALLING the sentiments of such documents as “Universal Bill of Rights”, “Definition of Marriage”, “Freedom and Equality”, and “Sexual Freedom” in the separation of governments from discriminatory practices and ideologies,

UPSET by the lack of previous legislation (at the time of this document’s composition) directly prohibiting governments from discriminatory practices,

CITING as a possible cause of such oversight the incorrect interpretation of the “Gay Rights” document, which in practice does virtually nothing to protect citizens’ rights:

RESOLVES upon protecting all persons and groups in member nations from discrimination by their respective member governments;

REQUIRES member governments to fairly and equally apply the following rights of citizens as they are upheld by international and national law:

1. The right to protection under law, especially protection from harassment and violence,

2. The right to participate in government,

3. The right to fair judicial proceedings and law enforcement application especially as guaranteed by international law,

4. Any social dividends paid out to or provided for persons or groups deemed by member national or international government to be in social need (unemployment benefits, health care, etc.), including, but not limited to, those social dividends secured by international law,

5. Any other rights granted citizens of a member government by requirement of international law;

COMMITS to fighting ignorance and prejudice, MANDATING member nations create or allow large-scale education programs of ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity;

ENCOURAGES all nations to work towards eliminating “hate crimes”, or violent, malicious crimes spurned on by a lack of tolerance of cultural, ethnic, racial, or other differences;

URGES regional awareness of cultural, racial, and cultural differences, given the often close ties of a nation’s diversity with its region’s diversity;

CLARIFIES the United Nation’s position by reiterating the following:

§ The UN condemns discrimination by governments, discrimination on the basis of differences in recognized religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, age, language, school of thought, or intelligence.

§ The UN disallows member governments from discriminating the previously described rights (protection under law, participation in government, etc.) based upon such differences.

§ The UN also recognizes the need, at times, for member governments to differentiate upon these difference during extreme security risks or other especial events or conditions, and allows for member governments to differentiate treatment to a reasonable degree (as can be justified by the risk), provided the treatment of all returns to an equal state once the risk or state of extreme condition has passed.

Votes For 11,035 (63%)
Votes Against 6,347 (37%)

Implemented Thu Apr 14 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #100
Natural Disaster Act

A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.


Category: International Security


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Groot gouda

Description: DEEPLY REGRETTING loss of life and material damages as a result of natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, floods, blizzards, etc;

NOTING that these disasters do not stop at national borders;

OBSERVING the Tsunami Emergency Warning Center as instituted by the Tsunami Warning System (Resolution #90);

NOTING that the aforementioned Resolution #90 has limited effect for other natural disasters;

ALSO NOTING that the measures implemented by this resolution can and should be used for further research and development of natural disaster warning systems;

1. DEFINES "natural disaster" as any disaster caused by (physical) geographical, geological or meteorological processes, including but not limited to earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, typhoons, floods, blizzards, etc;

2. ESTABLISHES a Natural Disaster Assessment Organisation (NDAO) which has the following tasks:
a. Conduct research on natural disasters, preventative methods and monitoring systems,
b. Coordinate international cooperation on this field, in scientific research and in practical solutions,
c. Create protocols for warning about possible disasters, evacuation plans and local disaster awareness programmes,
d. Maintain contacts with local authorities and local organisations in order to improve communication of information about possible natural disasters and how to respond to them,
e. Maintain contacts with national governments participating in the NDAO, the Tsunami Warning Center, and the UN;

3. EMPHASIZES that the NDAO is meant primarily for natural disasters with an international impact;

4. REQUESTS that member nations collect and share geological, meteorological and other relevant data with other countries and the NDAO to assist in monitoring, forecasting and researching natural disasters;

5. URGES all nations to establish and fund a National Geological Survey and a National Meteorological Office which can colelct data, contribute to the NDAO as well as work on a national or regional level on the monitoring of potentially dangerous sites and conduct research;

6. EMPHASIZES that technology alone is not enough, but warning and evacuating the population efficiently is just as important, as well as having plans for dealing with a disaster and the rebuilding of the affected region;

7. URGES all nations to contribute financially, organisationally or otherwise to the NDAO;

8. CALLS UPON all nations to provide care and assistance in case of a natural disaster, by themselves or through recognized UN organisations such as the International Red Cross;

The People's Republic of Groot Gouda would like to thank Grosseschnauzer, Mikitivity and the Nederland region for their input.

Votes For 12,955 (81%)
Votes Against 3,094 (19%)

Implemented Sun Apr 24 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #101
Right to Learn about Evolution

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Saint lucius malfoy

Description: REGRETTING the threat to human rights which is the suppression of learning about evolutionary theory;

AWARE that some of causes of this suppression are political and/or religious based fears that evolution is an alternative to belief in a deity;

NOTING that many religions do not feel threatened by evolutionary theory. Furthermore it is unlikely that God is so malevolent as to plant evidence that our planet is aged 3.5 billion years;

EMPHASIZING the United Nations must collectively discourage the suppression of this grand unifying theme called evolutionary theory. Teachers of the idea should also be free from imprisonment and persecution.

CLARIFIES it is not the intention of this proposal to enforce a curriculum upon nations which have varied cultural and societal tastes. Specifically a nation may decide to not include evolutionary theory in the classroom because a lack of interest by teachers and/or students. This will not be interpreted by the UN as evidence of suppression. Suppression is defined as written laws preventing the teaching of evolutionary theory or punishing those who teach it.

MANDATES a strong symbolical disapproval against any member state that persists to physically imprison / punish teachers or students for engaging in evolutionary studies.

REITERATES the need for member nations to allow students to learn about evolutionary theory;

ASKS member nations work with world leaders to prevent the suppression of evolutionary theory in the classroom.

Votes For 11,868 (72%)
Votes Against 4,536 (28%)

Implemented Sun May 8 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #102
Repeal "Required Basic Healthcare"

A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.


Category: Repeal


Resolution: #17


Proposed by: Powerhungry chipmunks

Description: UN Resolution #17: Required Basic Healthcare (Category: Social Justice; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The United Nations,

CALLING TO MIND the passage of “Required Basic Healthcare” from June 5, 2003 and its presumed ‘replacement’, “’RBH’ Replacement” from June 26, 2003,

RECOGNIZING “Required Basic Healthcare” as a valuable reference document, though outdated in its methods of delivery, as conceded by “RBH Replacement”,

RECOGNIZING FURTHER the UN’s decision that “Required Basic Healthcare” not be enforced, as per clause 1 of “’RBH’ Replacement” which states, “[t]he resolution “Required Basic Healthcare” is to be no longer enforced by the UN”,

NOTING the possible confusion to member nations over which resolution to enforce given the lack of the ‘repeal mechanic’ at the time of passage for “Required Basic Healthcare” and “RBH Replacement”,

NOTING FURTHER other older, poorly-worded resolutions or sets of resolutions which came about prior to the ability to repeal and CALLING for repeals to all such resolutions in order to clarify the international law imposed on member nations by the UN,

AIMING to make easily understandable the UN’s enforcement regarding healthcare,

DETERMINING it a clerical and technical necessity to repeal “Required Basic Healthcare”, as well as a required measure to elevate the nature of legislation in the UN:

REPEALS “Required Basic Healthcare”.

Votes For 12,011 (77%)
Votes Against 3,559 (23%)

Implemented Fri May 13 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #103
Right to Refuse Extradition

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Saint uriel

Description: ACKNOWLEDGING that capital punishment (the death penalty, execution) is a contentious issue, with many different viewpoints

ACKNOWELDGING ALSO that situations involving international fugitives may be very diplomatically delicate

ENCOURAGING nations to resolve matters of international fugitives through discussion and diplomacy

AFFIRMING that a nation should not be forced to be a party to execution against its will

AFFIRMING ALSO that this resolution shall not affect each nation's sovereign right to allow or ban capital punishment within its own borders

BE IT RESOLVED that UN member nations shall have the AFFIRMED RIGHT to refuse, if they so desire, extradition (deportation) of international fugitives to any UN member nation IF the extraditing nation may reasonably believe that the fugitive may face capital punishment if extradited

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UN member nations may exercise this right without fear of military reprisal from any other UN member nation

Votes For 10,746 (71%)
Votes Against 4,468 (29%)

Implemented Fri May 20 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #104
Computer Crimes Act

A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.


Category: International Security


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Gwenstefani

Description: Computer Crimes Act

NOTING the increasing trend for computer networks to be interconnected and to transcend national borders;

AWARE that the vast majority of businesses and most national and international economies rely on these systems and the information contained within;

ALERT to the dangers of allowing such a vital and grand-scale system to remain unprotected by international law; dangers which could cause massive economic, and other, damage to individuals, corporations and states alike through the damage or theft of computer systems or the information contained therein;

PROHIBITS the following practices:

1) The use, spread, and creation without proper safety precautions*, of computer viruses and other similar malicious programs including worms, Trojans, or any other program which damages, or otherwise adversely affects, computer systems; or destroys, damages, manipulates or steals information without authorisation. This excludes security specialists in their attempts to find new ways of defending against viruses, so long as they are creating and using such programs solely for that purpose, and do not use them without the authorisation of the owners of the computer system. They still may not spread them, and they must use proper safety precautions* (*to prevent spread and/or direct damage to computer systems or data in them without the express permission of the owners).

2) Computer hacking, defined as the intentional unauthorised access to, or unauthorised use, theft, manipulation or damage of information stored electronically.

3) Identity theft, defined as any unauthorised attempt to use or steal elements pertaining to another individual’s identity, including credit card details.

MANDATES that any business, organisation (either governmental or non-governmental) must take security measures to protect any confidential data contained in them, especially that data that pertains to information about their customers or members of the public. Such measures may include, but are not limited to, password protection of systems, data encryption, firewall installation, and virus scanning software, etc.

URGES all UN nations to implement security measures or legislation to protect these computer networks and the information contained on them through the promotion of, and education on, such measures, including encryption, password protection, firewalls, virus scanning software, and the use of secure operating systems, etc.

ENCOURAGES international cooperation between national law enforcement agencies, as well as the voluntary co-operation of the computer and Internet industry, in an attempt to reduce computer crime and improve the security of global computer networks and systems

ESTABLISHES the International Computer Security Institute (ICSI) whose tasks shall be to:

1) monitor international computer crime and work with law enforcement agencies to prevent it

2) promote and encourage the development of new security systems to help prevent computer crime

3) create and co-ordinate education programmes on computer crime prevention

and which shall be funded by voluntary donations by states, organisations, businesses or individuals.

Votes For 11,811 (74%)
Votes Against 4,053 (26%)

Implemented Wed May 25 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #105
* REPEALED *
National Systems of Tax

A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.


Category: Social Justice


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Powerhungry chipmunks

Description: The United Nations,

RECOGNIZING unbalances in monetary wealth between different citizens as unavoidable in most, if not all, member nations,

DETERMINING the interpretation of this unbalance, whether as an incentive for achievement or as the bane of the poor, differs among member nations,

RESIGNED to the fact that member nations will likely never agree, with any convincing degree of consensus, on specific theories regarding taxation or agree on the quality of various economic models,

DISGUSTED that there might be some member nations which attempt to pass legislation as a cudgel to force those of dissenting economic and moral opinions on taxation into their collective, arbitrary molds of ‘rightness’ and ‘wrongness’ in taxation systems,

VALUING member nations' right of self-determination, since they may determine the individual characteristics of their government much more adequately than the UN, which is far removed from the individual nation’s various situations and unique qualities,

DEEMING, still, it worthwhile to advocate a few basic measures of social justice upon the tax systems of member nations, which are generally agreed upon by all as a middle-ground:

1 ENCOURAGES member nations, and all nations in the world, adopt progressive systems for taxation, which is to say that the tax rate for a citizen increases as a citizen increases in earnings;

2 REQUESTS member nations allow for those who cannot pay their debts to declare bankruptcy: so they may not be pursued by lenders whom they have no means to pay;

3 EXHORTS all nations to investigate, critically, their respective taxation systems, detached from political motivation, to uncover what values of human liberty and social justice their taxation system upholds and in what ways it may fail to address one or the other;

4 DECLARES it the right of the individual member nation, ultimately, to determine its individual system of tax without interference by the United Nations,

That is to say, we RESERVE the right for individual nations to determine ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘how’, and ‘how much’ to tax--exclusively and independently (including, but not limited to, a nation’s tax model, tax exemptions, those who are taxed,tax rates, targeted taxation and all other choices regarding a nation's system of tax), excluding, of course, cases in which the United Nations has already resolved upon international standards for certain aspects of a member nation's system of taxation at the time of the passing of this resolution.

Votes For 7,511 (52%)
Votes Against 6,811 (48%)

Implemented Mon May 30 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #106
* REPEALED *
Protection of Dolphins Act

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


Category: Environmental


Industry Affected: All Businesses


Proposed by: Real paradise

Description: The United Nations,

RECONGNIZING that dolphins are extremely intelligent, man-loving and friendly mammals, that symbolize to millions around the world the spirit of freedom, happiness and togetherness,

ALARMED by the killing of dolphins around the world, whether intentional of accidental,

OBSERVING that the prevention of dolphin killings will not in any way hurt any of the states' economies,

RECALLING UN resolution #70 (Banning Whaling), and acknowledging that it accidentally omitted dolphins,

1. Condemns in the strongest terms the intentional killing of dolphins around the world.

2. Declares that the hunting or intentional killing of dolphins in extra-territorial waters is a crime according to the International Law, unless when done in circumstances where it is absolutely necessary for the saving of human lives or the prevention of an ecological disaster.

3. Urges all states to legislate a provision similar to that of article #2 above.

4. Calls upon all its members to find ways to minimize the accidental killing of dolphins in the fishing business.

5. Calls upon all states to prevent dolphin abuse, in any way that they see fit, provided that no dolphin shall ever be preferred over human lives.

Votes For 11,333 (66%)
Votes Against 5,726 (34%)

Implemented Fri Jun 10 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #107
* REPEALED *
Ban Chemical Weapons

A resolution to slash worldwide military spending.


Category: Global Disarmament


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Mayakovskia

Description: The United Nations,

NOTING the positive consequences of Resolution 16, "Elimination of Bio Weapons", to global security and human welfare;

NOTING ALSO the precedents set by the following Resolutions: 40 (Banning the use of Landmines); 51 (Children in War); 57 (Reduce Black Market Arms Sales); 75 (The Nuclear Terrorism Act); 83 (The Eon Convention on Genocide); and 92 (Humanitarian Intervention) and their positive contributions to global security and human welfare;

REGRETTING that, although there are specific laws banning the trafficking and use of biological and nuclear weapons, there are as yet no such laws on chemical weapons;

BELIEVING that the world should be free of chemical weapons, as it now is of biological weapons;

RESOLVES to ban all production and trafficking in chemical weapons, and to take steps towards the ultimate decommissioning of all chemical weapons currently in existence.

Votes For 10,006 (58%)
Votes Against 7,109 (42%)

Implemented Wed Jun 15 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #108
Repeal "Elimination of Bio Weapons"

A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.


Category: Repeal


Resolution: #16


Proposed by: Reformentia

Description: UN Resolution #16: Elimination of Bio Weapons (Category: Global Disarmament; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: NOTING: UN resolution 16 for the "Elimination of Bio Weapons", although expressing an admirable goal, is completely inadequate to that goal. The text of the resolution contains nothing more than one statement describing the undesirable aspects of biological weapons and one statement saying it’s important to eliminate them. Unfortunately there are no statements:

-- Defining a single criteria for what specific weapons it's talking about
-- Establishing that they actually BE eliminated, rather than just saying it’s important.
-- Specifying how they should be eliminated (such as forbidding their elimination through using them all up on other nations).
-- Accounting for what should be done about the fact that non UN member nations will still have these weapons.
-- Etc…

FURTHER NOTING: That given these shortcomings it is currently possible for any nation to do ALL of the following without EVER being in breach of resolution 16:

--Produce biological weapons.
--Stockpile biological weapons.
--Trade in biological weapons.
--Actually USE biological weapons.

IT IS PROPOSED: This resolution be repealed so that it may be replaced with a new, effective resolution.

Votes For 12,663 (80%)
Votes Against 3,199 (20%)

Implemented Tue Jun 28 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #109
Nuclear Armaments

A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.


Category: International Security


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Flibbleites

Description: REALIZING that UN members are outnumbered by non members by about 3 to 1,

ACKNOWLEDGEING the fact that UN resolutions only affect UN members,

NOTICING the fact that many non member nations are hostile towards UN members,

REALIZING that the UN members need to be able to defend themselves if attacked,

NOTICING that the UN has twice defeated resolutions attempting to ban UN members from possessing nuclear weapons,

1. DECLARES that UN members are allowed to possess nuclear weapons to defend themselves from hostile nations,

2. PRESERVES the right for individual nations to decide if they want to possess nuclear weapons.

Votes For 8,379 (55%)
Votes Against 6,835 (45%)

Implemented Sun Jul 3 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #110
United Nations Security Act

A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.


Category: International Security


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Texan Hotrodders

Description: The NationStates United Nations,

NOTING that warfare and violence are not acts which this body wishes to encourage.

NOTING WITH REGRET that there are certain unavoidable situations in which warfare and violence are necessary for the defense of sovereign persons and nations.

CONCERNED that many member nations are ill-equipped to conduct an effective defense of the sovereign persons and nations.

FURTHER CONCERNED that there are many nations that are not members of this body and are hostile to it and may attack the member states of this body.

ENCOURAGES all member states to ensure that they have the ability to effectively defend their sovereign nation from attack in the interest of protecting their citizens.

DECLARES that all member states have the right to construct and utilize any and all weapons that are necessary to defend their nation from attack, except where previous legislation by this body that is still in effect has placed restrictions on that right.

Votes For 9,667 (58%)
Votes Against 6,886 (42%)

Implemented Fri Jul 8 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #111
Civilian Rights Post War

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Strong


Proposed by: Waterana

Description:

Recognising war is an inevitable part of the NationStates world.

Fully aware there is a standing resolution already protecting the rights of POWs.

Alarmed by the absence of protections for non-combatants living in an occupied nation after a war has ended, and the possible abuses that can and are being perpetrated against conquered civilians by invading nations.

Convinced measures are necessary for the protection and fair treatment of non-combatants not involved in the armed forces of any nation involved in the war.

A non-combatant is a civilian of any age who did not take up arms against the invading nation either before or after the cessation of hostilities.
The invading nation(s) is those who are in occupation of all or part of the conquered nation after the cessation of hostilities.

Declares that immediately following the cessation of hostilities in any war all UN invader nation(s) involved in the occupation will implement the following….

- All conquered non-combatants must be treated with dignity and respect regardless of sex, age, position in society, religion or cultural group
- The invading nation must, immediately after cessation of hostilities, provide protection and security to the conquered civilian population against violence and looting.
- No non-combatant will be prevented from leaving the conquered nation with any personal possessions they wish to take, however the invading nation is within its rights to prevent anyone entering said nation.

- No non-combatant will be subjected to summary execution.
- No arrests are allowed without just cause and any person who is detained must be charged with a recognised crime and brought to trial as quickly as possible.
- No searches of private homes, businesses or places of worship may be carried out without just cause.
- Body searches of non-combatants are not allowed without just cause and if done the procedure must be carried out in a private setting. Any searches of women must be carried out by and only in the presence of female soldiers or police. No such searches of children are permitted.
- No non-combatants will be forcibly removed from their home or district and relocated unless such a move is necessary for their own safety in cases of unsafe structures, insurgent activity or other just reasons. They must be allowed to return as soon as possible after the problem is solved.

- The invading nation must rapidly restore medical services and hospitals within the conquered nation and provide medical aid to those non-combatants who require it.
- The invading nation must rapidly restore any essential services, including but not limited to water, sewerage, electricity and food distribution networks destroyed or disrupted because of the war.
- The invading nation must repair any infrastructure, including but not limited to bridges, roads, homes, places of worship, schools and businesses destroyed or damaged because of the war.
- Any non-combatants drafted to assist the rebuilding must be paid a fair wage for their work.

Any civilian who takes up arms after the cessation of hostilities and actively seeks confrontation with the invading nation may no longer be considered a non-combatant.

Votes For 10,532 (72%)
Votes Against 4,068 (28%)

Implemented Wed Jul 13 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #112
Repeal "National Systems of Tax"

A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.


Category: Repeal


Resolution: #105


Proposed by: Powerhungry chipmunks

Description: UN Resolution #105: National Systems of Tax (Category: Social Justice; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The United Nations,

APPLAUDING “National Systems of Tax” for upholding nations’ rights to self-determination in the area of tax systems,

RECOGNIZING the short treatment, however, which “National Systems of Tax” gives some very important, international issues concerning tax systems (such as tariffs and international tax incentives),

NOTING, ESPECIALLY, the resolution author’s willingness and desire to address such issues,

ACKNOWLEDGING, with reluctance, the mechanical need to repeal “National Systems of Tax” in order to re-address those important international issues and to more adequately secure national rights,

ASSURING member nations of future legislation, which will be more comprehensive and explanatory in scope, more serviceable to member nations in protecting their rights to determining their own tax systems, while more permitting of international determination of international taxation issues:

REPEALS “National Systems of Tax”.

Votes For 10,510 (78%)
Votes Against 3,024 (22%)

Implemented Mon Jul 18 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #113
* REPEALED *
UN Biological Weapons Ban

A resolution to slash worldwide military spending.


Category: Global Disarmament


Strength: Strong


Proposed by: Reformentia

Description: NOTING bioweapons are an unpredictable and dangerous weapon to ALL parties in a conflict, combatant and non-combatant alike.

DECLARING “bioweapons” are contagious biological viruses, bacteria or microbes with the effect of harming, incapacitating, or killing a person upon infection. Alternately, "vaccines" are neutralized forms of bioweapons individually administered to a voluntary subject to stimulate immune response to those bioweapons, and which pose a negligible (less than 0.5%) chance of causing injury beyond the required immune response or death.

DECLARING a "virus" to be a microscopic infective agent with DNA or RNA guiding its actions.

CONVINCED the possession or use of such bioweapons by any UN or NON UN member nation presents an unacceptable risk to the safety of all nations and are unnecessary to national defense.

TAKING NOTE of the need for nations to develop effective defenses against such bioweapons.

HEREBY RESOLVES:

1. The possession, production, trafficking or use (either directly or through proxy) of bioweapons as defined by this resolution is forbidden to all UN member nations.

2. Exception is made to Article 1 for trace amounts of no more than 250mg of any bioweapons required for the purpose of counter-agent research. Such trace amounts it is the responsibility of any nation researching them to keep secured against risk of any infection to anyone. They are to be so secured within a multi-tier (minimum of 2 tier) quarantined building in that nation, and kept under the highest of that nation’s military security.

3. In any circumstances not covered by Article 2: Any bioweapon proscribed as described in this resolution which at any time is in the possession of a member nation or known to be in the possession of its citizenry must be immediately and completely destroyed through a method which incorporates all possible safeguards against any release of the agent.

4. Though being infected is not illegal, if a proscribed agent is present in an infected individual they must undergo immediate isolation and treatment.

5. UN member nations are proscribed from military partnerships of any kind with any nation known to be using, trafficking, producing or in possession of bioweapons which are proscribed as described by this resolution.

STRONGLY URGES:

6. UN member nations to employ trade sanctions or incentives as they see fit to any nation known to be using, trafficking, producing or in possession of bioweapons which are proscribed as described by this resolution, in any circumstances where the application of such sanctions or incentives would represent an effective means to having that nation abandon such bioweapons.

7. UN member nations issue a formal statement of intent that in the event that a nation/nations employs bioweapons against a UN member nation, forces will be committed to the defense of that member nation, and/or reprisals upon the offending nation/nations. The terms and conditions of such a statement to be left to the discretion of each individual member nation.

Votes For 8,557 (57%)
Votes Against 6,382 (43%)

Implemented Sat Jul 23 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #114
* REPEALED *
Establish UNWCC

A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.


Category: Social Justice


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Sunteria

Description: The United Nations,

OBSERVING the neglect of the basic Human Right to sanitary water;

NOTING that lack of sanitary water is the leading cause of death in third world countries;

FURTHER NOTING the absence of past resolutions in favor of sanitary water and its accessibility;

IN THE INTEREST OF providing third world regions with sanitary water;

1. ESTABLISHES a new UN funded committee of scientists and engineers, the United Nations Water Cleansing Committee (UNWCC), to use the sewage and waste water pumped in from surrounding areas to create fresh, sanitary water by means of plant life;

2. AUTHORIZES the committee to create artificial oases and reserves which will hold water and use hydroponic plants to cleanse the waste-water of all phosphorous, nitrates, salts, and ammonia which render it unfit for human consumption;

3. BELIEVES WITH SCIENTIFIC MERIT that the water, having been cleansed by these plants, will be sanitary enough for those disadvantaged peoples who previously had limited access to quality water; and

4. SUGGESTS that the establishment of the UNWCC would further human rights and raise the quality of life for millions of people.

Votes For 10,319 (72%)
Votes Against 4,047 (28%)

Implemented Thu Jul 28 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #115
Freedom of Conscience

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Ecopoeia

Description: We, the United Nations, recognise that freedom of conscience is a fundamental human right that transcends national borders and note with regret that the governments of some member states persecute and commit acts of violence against those who merely express beliefs or thoughts that are not state-approved.

Accordingly, we hereby:

1) DEFINE a ‘prisoner of conscience’ as a person who is detained or imprisoned, not for use of, nor encouragement to use, violence; not for openly supporting nor recommending hatred for racial, religious, sexual or similar reasons to provoke people to discriminate, or to be hostile or violent; but for their political, religious or other beliefs, or their ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, colour or similarly unjustifiable reasons; and accordingly

INSIST that all member states immediately and unconditionally release any prisoners of conscience they are currently detaining and

PROHIBIT member states from detaining prisoners of conscience in the future.

2) DEFINE a ‘disappearance’ as an instance when a person has been taken into custody by government authorities or by an armed political group, when this person’s whereabouts and wellbeing are kept secret without the full, informed, uncoerced consent of the individual in question; and accordingly

INSIST that any institution or group holding such an individual to reveal the whereabouts and condition of the ‘disappeared’ person.

3) CONDEMN extrajudicial executions by governments, killings caused by the unnecessary use of lethal force by law enforcement officials and killings of civilians in direct or indiscriminate attacks by governments or armed political groups.

Votes For 9,892 (70%)
Votes Against 4,179 (30%)

Implemented Wed Aug 3 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #116
Mitigation of Large Reservoirs

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


Category: Environmental


Industry Affected: All Businesses


Proposed by: Mikitivity

Description:

The NationStates United Nations,

RECOGNIZING that many large watersheds and river systems cross international boundaries, and thus represent a shared resource between riparian and coastal nations;

OBSERVING the international nature of the economic benefit to ocean and freshwater commercial fisheries of abundant and healthy anadromous fish populations, such as salmon;

AWARE that salmon represent an important source of Omega-3 fatty acids, though farmed salmon tend to have higher concentrations of dioxins and PCBs than wild salmon;

NOTING the desire to increase the maximum electrical output of existing hydroelectric plants by increasing the height of reservoirs or to design new hydroelectric power plants in order to meet growing electricity demands;

FURTHER NOTING that electrical power generation is often one of several uses of the water stored in multi-use reservoirs;

BEARING IN MIND that the operation of large-reservoirs alters the unimpaired (i.e. natural) flow, water temperature, nutrient availability, and sediment load in the water downstream of the reservoir, which has led to the decline in many native species' populations;

CONCERNED that methane emissions from decomposition in reservoirs could contribute substantially to global warming;

CONVINCED that in order for hydroelectric power to be of net beneficial use, that the environmental and commercial impacts of reservoir releases must be managed or mitigated in a sustainable way;

1. APPROVES of continued research into various large-scale reservoir mitigation measures including the design and operation of temperature control devices, construction of fish passage structures (such as fish ladders), use of pulse flows during migration and other critical periods, and maintenance and restoration of wetlands (which are important nutrient sources);

2. CALLS UPON nations to investigate and promote water supply and electrical demand reduction strategies, such encouraging energy efficient equipment, telecommuting and alternative work weeks, and operating large-scale industrial equipment during off-peak electrical demand periods;

3. SUGGESTS that adaptive management techniques such as timing reservoir releases to periods that are beneficial to both riparian wildlife and power users can minimize some of the impacts associated with large-scale reservoir releases;

4. RECOMMENDS the restoration of flood plains and seasonal wetland habitats, including designing flood bypass areas and seasonal agricultural easements;

5. FURTHER RECOMMENDS that these wetlands and flood bypasses be used to offset the need for dedicated flood storage in large multi-use reservoirs; and

6. EXPRESSES ITS HOPE that other alternative energy sources will be considered as supplements or alternatives to hydroelectric power generation, with the understanding that a sustainable power supply needs to be diverse and manageable in order to accommodate long-term economic stability.

Votes For 8,949 (65%)
Votes Against 4,807 (35%)

Implemented Mon Aug 8 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #117
The Microcredit Bazaar

A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.


Category: Free Trade


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Powerhungry chipmunks

Description: The United Nations,

REAFFIRMING the United Nations’ stance against poverty and suffering,

TAKING NOTE, via the impoverished throughout the world, of the cyclical nature of poverty across generations, and of the detrimental effect of poverty among a people to the surrounding peoples, nations, etc.,

OBSERVING previous success of so called “microcredit” at enhancing the lives of people or peoples currently trapped by deprivation, as well as the society surrounding them and future generations among them,

DETERMINING that citizens in UN nations, who have the ability to participate in “microcredit” but do not, might trade more regularly and freely via “microcredit” (which the UN believes to have greater effect than many forms of humanitarian aid) if they had information regarding “microcredit” and assurance of its financial security and honesty,

DETERMINING FURTHER that the distribution of such information would help free the trade of microcredit and make it more economically feasible for microcredit transactions to occur:

1.DEFINES “microcredit” as a financial transaction, or the trade of loans for relatively small sums of money for the purpose of sustaining life and employment, the repayment of which is supported by local communities alongside the individual(s) who received the loan;

2.ESTABLISHES “The Microcredit Bazaar”, which will set up chapters in all interested member nations for the purpose of educating citizens in said member nations on microcredit and of securing, presenting, and overseeing reputable organizations by which those citizens can trade microcredit with the impoverished;

3.CHARGES “The Microcredit Bazaar” with verifying reputable microcredit organizations, managing queries for a 'Bazaar' chapter, ensuring just and honest distribution of loaned money, ensuring repayment of loans, ensuring the reimbursement of unpaid loans, facilitating educational literature concerning microcredit to member nations, as well as the distribution of that literature as arranged with individual national governments;

4.EMPOWERS “The Microcredit Bazaar” with the authority to negotiate with national governments the location, length of stay, and extensiveness in presentation of 'Bazaar' chapters within member nations;

5.ENCOURAGES UN citizens everywhere to invest in the impoverished through microcredit, and, specifically, to attend local 'Bazaar' chapters;

6.EXPRESSES its utmost gratitude to any who contribute to the abolition of poverty, be it through microcredit, at one of “The Microcredit Bazaar” chapters, or otherwise.

Votes For 7,474 (60%)
Votes Against 4,889 (40%)

Implemented Sat Aug 13 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #118
The Sex Education Act

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Love and esterel

Description: The United Nations,

DEEPLY DISTURBED that in many Nations:
-A- Sexual education is lacking
-B- Education about female sexuality is often unheard of and no mention is made of the clitoris, the statistically most erogenous zone for women, which is not directly correlated with reproduction
-C- Lack of quality sex education can lead, many times, to unplanned teen pregnancies and unnecessary abortion

OBSERVING that:
-D- Sex has two important functions: reproduction and pleasure
-E- Sexual activity is a common activity, contributing to the happiness of many people, worldwide

URGES:
-1- All Nations to organize and secure some sexual education courses for all, before the age of 18-years; and
-2- All Nations to include in these courses, information about male sexuality, female sexuality, opposite-sex relationships, same-sex relationships, masturbation, birth control methods, abortion right, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases without any value judgment

Votes For 10,048 (72%)
Votes Against 3,921 (28%)

Implemented Tue Aug 23 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #119
UNCoESB

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


Category: Environmental


Industry Affected: All Businesses


Proposed by: Venerable libertarians

Description: In these times of Population growth expanding into environmentally sensitive areas of the NS world, with natural habitats being encroached. With over fishing and hunting of game running unchecked, a side effect is the ever greater numbers of animals on the brink of extinction. It is with these concerns we enact the United Nations Conservation of Endangered Species Bill, UNCoESB
Article 1:The Executive
On ratification by the General Assembly, the UN shall set up an executive body to monitor NS World wildlife numbers. The Executive shall decide what numbers apply to each level of animal population and what Species receive the title "Endangered" and the protections the title affords. The Executive shall control funding and see it is used where it is most required.
Article 2:Quotas.
International best practise should be adopted in forming quotas and heavy penalties should be applied if these quotas are broken. Imposition of quotas should ensure that total bans on fisheries or game hunting of a specific species should be a rare event.
Article 3:Education.
National governments are charged with educating local populations in the benefits of conservation of species that are heavily hunted within their national boundaries.
Article 4:Species of National Importance.
Where there are species regarded with a sense of national importance, National governments may apply conservation orders on that species within its own national boundaries and impose national restrictions to hunting of that species. These restrictions shall only apply within the National boundary and are not applicable to neighbouring Nations unless an agreement has been set by the neighbouring countries.
National Governments may set penalties for breaches of these national conservation orders.
Article 5:Monitoring
The UN in conjunction with National and Regional Governments, Non Governmental Organisations and Environmental agencies shall constantly monitor closely wildlife numbers in their area of concern. These numbers shall be tallied yearly so they may show increases or decreases in the numbers of wildlife. If considerable decrease or a recurring trend of decrease in population is noted local conservation attempts shall be instituted at a national level aided by local populations and national agencies.
Article 6: Capture and Breeding
If local populations decrease to a worrying level then local Zoological and Marine specialists shall step in to capture and breed, in an attempt to reverse the decrease in numbers. Also, if larger populations of the same animal exist in another part of the NS world steps should be taken to introduce new blood lines to the endangered species.
Local Bans shall be instituted on hunting of the endangered animal until such time as it is deemed safe to do so. Quotas shall then be applied to the hunting of the recovering species.
Article 7:Full Escalation.
Where a Species of animal has come dangerously close to world extinction levels, The UN shall impose a Full escalation of Protection to the species. All hunting of the species shall be expressly forbidden. Full funding shall be granted for the escalation of steps to conserve the species and to rebuild its population to an acceptable level for the species to recover. Criminal charges shall be brought against any individual or group in contravention to this.
We hereby enact the UNCoESB.
The Author wishes to thank the Nation of “Yeldan UN Mission” whose assistance has been invaluable.

Votes For 9,396 (68%)
Votes Against 4,503 (32%)

Implemented Fri Sep 2 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #120
Repeal "Ban Chemical Weapons"

A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.


Category: Repeal


Resolution: #107


Proposed by: Powerhungry chipmunks

Description: UN Resolution #107: Ban Chemical Weapons (Category: Global Disarmament; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The United Nations,

UNDERSTANDING the sentiment against chemical weapons, which can cause large-scale destruction, present in "Ban Chemical Weapons",

NOTING, HOWEVER the precedent of the UN to allow citizens in member nations a reasonable level of self-protection, as well as the precedent for member nations to encourage the preservation of order and lawfulness within their boundaries,

RECOGNIZING that tear gas and smoke ordnance, which are chemical ‘weapons’ used by some nations to justly enforce the law and preserve order, are banned by “Ban Chemical Weapons”,

RECOGNIZING that mace and pepper sprays, which are vital chemical mechanisms for innocent civilians in defending themselves from dangerous criminals (especially in cases of robbery, assault, and rape), are banned by “Ban Chemical Weapons”,

REALIZING "Ban Chemical Weapons" unfortunately makes no differentiation between war-time chemical weapons and peace-time chemical ‘weapons’, affecting them all,

GRIEVING the loss to police enforcement and persons in urban areas (especially women in urban areas) of these vital chemical tools for law enforcement and self-protection:

REPEALS "Ban Chemical Weapons".

Votes For 7,681 (51%)
Votes Against 7,250 (49%)

Implemented Wed Sep 7 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #121
Adoption and IVF Rights

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Significant


Proposed by: Love and esterel

Description: The United Nations,

OBSERVING that
-A- Adoptions and births from IVF, in the same manner as natural births, contribute to the happiness of many adults and children, worldwide

REGRETTING that in some Nations:
-B- Same sex couples and non married couples are discriminated against, for they are not allowed to adopt children
-C- Couples cannot adopt children from a different nation, even if these couples respect the standards defined by the nation of which the child is resident
-D- Adoption is sometimes a front for the selling of a child for money

-E- IVF (In-Vitro fertilization) is forbidden

MANDATES all nations to allow:
-1- Same sex couples and non married couples to adopt children with the same standard that opposite-sex and married couples are held to.
Nations will be permitted to allow Biological Parents to indicate their preference of the adoptive parents' religion, marital status and/or sexual preference before signing their parental rights away. This shall only apply in the case, both the child was willingly given away by parents but not purposely abandoned

-2- Opposite-sex and same-sex couples, regardless of marital status, from other UN countries shall be allowed to adopt children if these couples meet the standards defined by the nation of which the child is initially residing in.
Nations will be permitted to give priority of adoption to a local couple over a non-local couple

URGES that in all nations:
-3- Only nationally accredited adoption organizations can conduct the adoption procedure; and
-4- Adoptive parents be forbidden to give money to this adoption organizations, to any person working in or related to this association, to the biological parents and to people related to the biological parents; adoptive parents are welcome to donate money to any adoption organizations that they did not use and are not attempting to use to adopt children

ENCOURAGES
-5- Scientific stem cell research in order that, in the future, sterile men and women can have gametes (spermatozoon and ovum) with their own genetic identity, these gametes being harvested from their own stem cells,

URGES:
-6- All UN Nations to allow IVF, whether the gametes concerned were naturally produced or produced in the way defined in paragraph [5]

Thanks to all Nations that helped edit and improve this proposal in the UN forum

Votes For 7,926 (57%)
Votes Against 5,918 (43%)

Implemented Mon Sep 12 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #122
* REPEALED *
Promotion of Solar Panels

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


Category: Environmental


Industry Affected: All Businesses


Proposed by: Starcra ii

Description: BEING a fact that the burning of Fossil Fuels in order to make electricity is fast destroying the environment.

AWARE that there are other means of making electricity other than Solar Panels and Fossil Fuels.

NOTING that Solar Panels provide each home with the most reliable source of electricity.

REALISING the expense that the promotion of Solar Panels incurs,

On the passing of this resolution, the UN and all it's members will -
1) Begin projects to promote Solar Panels in all homes and places of work.

2) Will set aside an amount of government funds going to the environment into the project of manufacturing and distributing Solar Panels.

3) Over the period of ten years and a month after this proposal passes Solar Panels should be installed in all homes and places of work and leisure.

4) After the period of ten years and seven months all burning of fossil fuels shall be halted and electricity shall be generated by Solar Panels, together with and environmentally friendly methods each respective nation should wish to introduce.

5) The UN shall hold meetings as often as necessary to discuss the funds needed in order to carry out the project.

ASSUMING and REALSING that not all nations may be able to make the transition in the time period given above -
1) The UN shall meet to discuss possible ways of aiding the nations in question.

2) A time extension shall be given, the amount will be decided individually for each nation depending on the amount of wealth of the nation.

MAKING note that -

1) Each nation has the right to decide the price of the Solar Panels distributed in their nation. As well as whether to provide subsidies for those with lower income.

2) That each nation that burns fossil fuels does damage to other nations as well as their own.

3) That burning fossil fuels is putting a limit on how free our children and other future generations will be in the world when it comes to enjoying luxuries that are disappearing as we speak such as, fresh air, clean oceans and community gardens.

4) The burning of fossil fuels is one of the factors that depletes the Ozone Layer, which in turn melts the polar ice caps.

FINALLY NOTING that the mass introduction of Solar Panels everywhere will give us the long term benefits we will never enjoy if we do not implement this resolution.

Votes For 8,285 (55%)
Votes Against 6,777 (45%)

Implemented Sat Sep 17 2005

[The Dourian Embassy]

HISTORICAL RESOLUTION #123
Labeling Standards

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights


Strength: Mild


Proposed by: Antrium

Description: SEEING THAT some companies may label their products incorrectly, or misuse words like “fresh“ and “organic“, and also seeing that there is a rising number of people that need to be able to know what is in what they are eating, this proposal imposes the following:

I. If a product is marketed in one or multiple countries that speak different official languages, all labels on the product must be in all official languages of those countries, and must all translate to mean the same thing.

II. Defining “fresh” as “not stale, sour, or decayed” and “not altered by processing,” and defining “organic” as “food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides.” Nothing may be labeled “fresh” or “organic” unless it fits the above definition.

III. All people have the right to know what is in the food they eat. This means all packaged products must be labeled with (if applicable) the ingredients of the product, and nutrition facts, which should include the amount of fat, trans fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, sodium, protein, vitamins and minerals, and calories in the product. Also, all packaged products must be labeled with the country where the product was grown/made.

Votes For 11,399 (78%)
Votes Against 3,190 (22%)

Implemented Thu Sep 22 2005