A Review of General Assembly Resolutions
The Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss, having long maintained an independent United Nations office within it's borders, is now considering to join the World Assembly. With unacceptable restrictions from the United Nations on Knootian fisheries repealed, the ministry of Economic Affairs has conducted a thorough review of all General Assembly resolutions currently on the books. The result is a 'green book' which details policy with regards to existing resolutions. These have been divided into the following categories:
- Resolutions supported by the government of Knootoss which have been implemented in the Dutch Democratic Republic ("Knootoss proper") as well as being voluntarily upheld in the protectorates of Knootian Colombia and Ale-Yarok, jointly known as the "Knootian Federation". The vast majority of standing General Assembly resolutions fall into this category, and any resolution not listed in another category may be assumed to have the support of the Knootian government.
- Resolutions supported by the government of Knootoss which have been implemented throughout the Knootian Federation, where significant compliance issues have been identified. Compliance issues are provided below.
- Resolutions which the government of Knootoss has implemented in the Dutch Democratic Republic, but which will not be implemented in the Knootian Federation for reasons of economic development or domestic security. The reasons for restricting implementation to the territory where it is de jure required are provided below.
- Resolutions which are opposed by the government of Knootoss. Compliance upon joining will be minimal, and the government of the Dutch Democratic Republic will strongly support efforts to repeal these resolutions. Reasons for opposition are provided below.
Resolutions where compliance issues have been identified
- Compliance issues are rare. However, the brave efforts of the Knootian Defence Force against terrorists and rebels in Knootian Colombia have led, and most likely will continue to lead to some minor and most certainly unintentional violations of GA Resolution #9 (Prevention of Torture), WA Counterterrorism Act, GA Resolution #35, (The Charter of Civil Rights), GA Resolution #62 (For the Detained and Convicted), GA Resolution #67 (Habeas Corpus). Legislation to prevent these abuses is in place, but enforcement of these resolutions by Knootian Defence Force personnel operating outside of WA jurisdiction is at times difficult.
- Domestically, Knootian legislation is theoretically compliant with GA Resolution #70 (International Competition Law). However, the Knootian competition watchdog is generally seen as weak.
- Compliance issues exist with resolution #90 (Drug Trafficking Act). The Knootian government has failed to take serious action to prevent major corporations from illegal drug trafficking to nations with whom it has not signed a Free Trade Agreement. Its diplomats have, on occasion, pressured smaller foreign nations to promote the import of recreational drugs from Knootoss, though this is not official government policy.
- The passage of GA Resolution #116 (the Nuclear Waste Safety Act) has prompted Knootian nuclear power stations to ship nuclear waste to "underseas permanent storage areas". International requests for inspection of these "storage areas" have been denied, as waste disposal is considered a corporate matter under Knootian law.
- There is a rather elaborate Memorandum of Understanding related to GA Resolution #186, Medical Provisions in Blockades.
Resolutions where implementation is restricted to "Knootoss proper"
So as not to hinder the economic development of Knootian Colombia and Ale-Yarok, the following resolutions will not be enforced outside the Dutch Democratic Republic:
- #4 Restrictions on Child Labor Implementation restricted to Knootoss Proper
- #7 Workplace Safety Standards Act
- #19 Child Protection Act
- #21 Living Wage Act
- #43 WA Labor Relations Act
- #95 Responsible Offshore Drilling
- #97 Quality in Health Services
- # 118 Ethics in International Trade
- # 139 Consumer Product Safety
For reasons of domestic security, the following resolutions will not be enforced outside the Dutch Democratic Republic:
- #27 Freedom of Assembly
- #40 The Landmine Convention
- #58 Right to Privacy
- #84 A Ban on Forced Disappearances
- #99 Multilateral Prosecution Act
- #107 Clean Water Act
- # 119 Nuclear Testing Safety
- # 136 Convention On Wartime Deceased
Resolutions which are opposed by the government of the Dutch Democratic Republic
The government of the Dutch Democratic Republic stands in opposition to the following resolutions. She will uphold their terms as little as possible, and actively support efforts at repeal:
- #2 Rights and Duties of WA States: Knootoss wishes to reserve the right to intervene for humanitarian reasons, and stands opposed to the provisions of article three.
- #41 Access to Life-Saving Drugs: Knootoss stands opposed to provisions two and four, and desires a more market-based approach.
- #52 Food Welfare Act: Knootoss is opposed to the provision which mandates that national crop surpluses may be donated to the IFWO for distribution, as this generates unfair competition with Knootian agricultural exporters.
- #66 Endangered Species Protection : Knootoss will implement transitory policies before joining the WA, to prevent "endangered' species from holding up urban expansion. Such species will be identified and exterminated insofar as they trespass on lands designated for urban expansion.
- #86 Museums of Musical Heritage: Knootoss is opposed to mandatory pecuniary compensation.
#95, Responsible Offshore Drilling: Knootoss feels the regulations imposed by WARODA are far too stringent, limiting the efficient extraction of natural resources, to the detriment of developing economies. - #97 Quality in Health Services: Knootoss finds that the language of this resolution is extremely hostile to market-based healthcare solutions, as well as medical training provided by private institutions. The Dutch Democratic Republic is also opposed to structural funding of foreign health services, by the WHA, considering this an extremely harmful and counterproductive form of development aid.
- #102 International Criminal Court: Knootoss believes in the primacy of regional courts, and finds the ICC to be superfluous.
- #107 Clean Water Act: Knootoss disagrees with provision one, which prevents viable research into Biological Weapons. Knootian opposition to the Clean Water Act is consistent with it's opposition to General Assembly resolution #65 (Biological Weapons Conference). Knootoss desires the right to maintain a biological weapons' deterrent.
- # 118 Ethics in International Trade: the "tax on trade" in this resolution is in direct contravention of the economic freedoms of member states.
- #126 Knootoss finds the Extinction Preparation Act programmes to be a waste of WASP funding.
Conclusion
The provisions of "Ethics in International Trade" cause significant opposition in the Dutch Democratic Republic, and Knootoss has been forced to suspend it's cooperation with the General Assembly fund. The government is actively committed to repealing 'Ethics in International Trade' and may re-consider membership if further economic burdens are imposed.
EDIT: Updated April 9th 2011.