Passed General Assembly Resolutions

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Reducing Automobile Emissions"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #257
Proposed by: The Dark Star Republic

Description: WA Resolution #257: Reducing Automobile Emissions (Category: Environmental; Industry Affected: Automotive) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Vexed that WA Resolution #257, "Reducing Automobile Emissions", is not thoughtfully considered and does not show appropriate regard for the interrelated nature of human, economic and environmental factors,

Regarding the Resolution's requirement that "all member nations ... take any and all economically viable measures to reduce automobile emissions" to be crass, clunky, and about as subtle as a gynaecologist in a gas mask,

Observing that this harsh mandate takes no account:

• of whether any environmental or other gain from such reductions is balanced by their cost even if they meet the nebulous standard of being economically viable,
  
  
• of the difficulty of even determining what constitutes economic viability given the lack of context the Resolution provides,
  
  
• of measures that are technically economically viable but that violate civil rights, pose significant non-economic viability issues, or are otherwise environmentally harmful,
  
  
• of the cost-benefit analysis of offsetting higher automobile emissions with other more consequential environmental actions,
  
  
• of whether these reductions actually meet the "recommendations" the Resolution empowers the IAEC to create,
  
  
• or in fact, of anything whatsoever other than the sole monomaniacal goal of reducing automobile emissions,

Opining that the general benefits of international law to reduce automobile emissions are not sufficient to atone for these severe legislative defects:

Mandates the repeal of WA Resolution #257, "Reducing Automobile Emissions".

Votes For: 10,623
Votes Against: 3,829

Implemented Fri Apr 10 2015

[WAR324 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Responsible Arms Trading [Struck out by Resolution #326]
A resolution to slash worldwide military spending.

Category: Global Disarmament
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Sciongrad

Description: The General Assembly,

Reaffirming its commitment to international peace and goodwill,

Recognizing the extreme hazard to national populations posed by the unregulated trade of weapons and armaments,

Hoping to limit the involvement of member nations and their citizens in violence made possible by the aforementioned unregulated trade of weapons and armaments,

1. Defines the term "armament" as military equipment, specifically weapons and ammunition, which possess a practical application in military conflict, including the parts necessary in their construction or production;

2. Defines the term "transfer" as the movement of an armament from one member nation, political subdivisions thereof, or non-state entities associated with a member nation to any other such entity, including non-member nations and non-state entities not associated with any nation;

3. Defines the term "end-user certificate" as an affidavit completed by the buyer of armaments subject to the provisions of this resolution which verifies that said buyer is the final recipient of the product;

4. Assures member nations of the exclusive right to determine purely internal arms trading and firearm policy, excepting those regulations recognized by the terms of this resolution or extant international law, future regulations which seek to prevent firearms from being sold to or used by individuals that pose a danger of performing imminent lawless action, or future resolutions which seek to relax regulations on purchasing firearms for recreational reasons only;

5. Requires all manufacturers, exporters, and brokers of armaments within member nations to register with the relevant governments of the nations in which they operate, and the terms of such a registration shall, at minimum, encompass the provisions of this resolution;

6. Mandates that the export of armaments by any manufacturer, exporter, or broker operating within a member nation shall make the sale of their armaments conditional on the completion of an end-user certificate by the buyer; member nations are strongly urged to implement systems of end-use monitoring to ensure that the end-user certificate is authentic, when possible;

7. Prohibits the sale or transfer of armaments if:

• There is reason to suspect that they will be used in contravention of extant World Assembly legislation on human rights,
  
  
• There is reason to suspect that they will be diverted from their originally intended recipient, or
  
  
• There is reason to suspect they will be used to initiate, or aid the aggressor in, a war of conquest or expropriation;

8. Further prohibits the sale or transfer of armaments to non-member nations with the intent of then transferring them to nations where the aforementioned circumstances apply.

Votes For: 10,205
Votes Against: 5,177

Implemented Wed May 6 2015

[WAR325 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Responsible Arms Trading"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #325
Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum

Description: WA Resolution #325: Responsible Arms Trading (Category: Global Disarmament; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: Affirming the need for the securitisation of weapons for the peaceful lives of civilians across the world,

Recognising that war is an inevitable part of human nature as well as a conflict which can lead to the creation of new nations and the achievement of radical change, and

Believing that peace and prosperity are best preserved by the protection of civilians and not overregulation of arms used generally for defence,

This august World Assembly;

1. Objects to the definition of armament, as it includes the 'parts necessary in their construction or production', which includes items such as wood, metal, brass, and saltpetre, since this is an overly broad definition which includes many resources which are and are not used in armament production;

2. Realises that clause (4) is a piece of boiler-plate filler which does nothing, since it exempts from regulation weapons that are not regulated and only binds future regulations to relax gun control laws for 'recreational purposes only' and tighten said laws in the case of posing 'imminent lawless action', the first of which is irrespective of the violent nature of non-developed countries and the second of which is irrelevant, as any regulation passed would ipso facto make violations 'imminent' and 'lawless';

3. Objects to the requirement that 'exporters and brokers of armaments within member nations ... register with the relevant governments of the nations in which they operate', as this would mean government oversight over all armament production facilities and endanger the freedoms of civilians who may want to overthrow dictatorships;

4. Decries clause (7), which prohibits the sale of weapons:

1. if there is a possibility of diversion, which may occur in the chaos of war (e.g. blockades, interception, etc.) and or
   
   
2. if there is a possibility of use in a 'war of conquest or expropiation', the definition of which is not well defined, and hence, can include cases where nations may wish for payments of war indemnities (thus expropriating wealth), colonies, and or claims of uninhabited territories;

5. Believes that the mandate for the issuance of 'end-user certificates' is irrespective of the chaos of war, which may lead to the capture of war materiel, hence forcing that 'said buyer' might not be the 'final recipient of the product'; and thus; this esteemed World Assembly;

6. Repeals the resolution on Responsible Arms Trading.

Votes For: 11,921
Votes Against: 3,885

Implemented: Thu May 14 2015

[WAR326 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Sexual Privacy Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #16
Proposed by: The Dark Star Republic

Description: WA Resolution #16: Sexual Privacy Act (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Acknowledging that WA Resolution #16, "Sexual Privacy Act", mandates that all member nations legalise incest,

Understanding that children conceived by closely related persons can be in severe danger of inheriting congenital birth defects,

Believing that there is a compelling government interest in restricting incest,

Regretting that such action is illegal under WA law with the Sexual Privacy Act in place,

Resolves the situation by repealing WA Resolution #16, "Sexual Privacy Act".

Votes For: 12,262
Votes Against: 3,397

Implemented Sun May 24 2015

[WAR327 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Rights of Indigenous Peoples [Struck out by Resolution #329]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Vancouvia

Description: The World Assembly,

Recognizing the existence of indigenous peoples within member states of the World Assembly and the possible existence of indigenous peoples who have yet to be contacted but may eventually live in the territory of member states;

Defining indigenous as culturally-distinct peoples who inhabited a country before the arrival and their knowledge of a now-dominant culture or cultures;

Acknowledging that non-indigenous cultures may offer assistance and aid to the indigenous peoples they come in contact with, and vice versa;

Concerned that indigenous peoples have suffered or will suffer injustices and discrimination at the hands of dominant culture(s), despite the possible illegality and immorality of such actions;

Seeking to not only maintain the cultural rights of indigenous peoples, but also to provide for their well-being;

Urges member nations to cooperate with indigenous peoples in a peaceful and respectful manner, and to seek to obtain indigenous peoples’ consent before engaging in any measures that may affect them;

Recommends member nations allow indigenous peoples to own and maintain their artifacts and their ancestors' artifacts;

Implores member nations to permit uncontacted indigenous peoples to continue to live within their native lands, and to permit contacted indigenous peoples to continue to live within their lands if they presently are doing so, unless a legitimate governmental need requires such land and no reasonable alternative exists, in which case the indigenous peoples in the area affected shall be given fair compensation and adequate time to prepare for their relocation to reasonably close and similar lands;

Prohibits member nations from forcibly assimilating indigenous peoples, or eradicating, reducing, or limiting their culture, with exceptions provided in cases in which existing international law prohibits specific practices of the indigenous peoples;

Encourages member nations to provide access to healthcare, education, employment, and representation for indigenous peoples.

Votes For: 9,611
Votes Against: 5,657

Implemented Mon Jun 1 2015

[WAR328 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Rights of Indigenous Peoples"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #328
Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum

Description: WA Resolution #328: Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: Distressed and mortified that 'Rights of Indigenous Peoples' would allow culturally distinct minority groups to circumvent the legitimate authority of member nations, as the resolution attempts to '[prohibit] member nations from ... limiting [indigenous] culture[s]' in clause (5),

Maintaining that it is a violation of human rights to make some groups 'more equal' than others,

Concerned that the resolution permits ritual murder, as ritual murders are not prohibited by international law,

Believing that ritual murder is immoral and a violation of human rights,

Further disapproving of the resolution as it prohibits governments from pursuing public health initiatives or executing infrastructure programmes for economic development in their own sovereign territory if there are beliefs to the contrary,

Confident that international economic development is important for the functioning of the free society and building of the modern society,

The World Assembly hereby,

Repeals the resolution on the 'Rights of Indigenous Peoples'.

Votes For: 9,876
Votes Against: 4,693

Implemented Sun Jun 7 2015

[WAR329 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

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

Category: International Security
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Jean pierre trudeau

Description: The World Assembly,

Confirming the rights of member nations to produce and possess nuclear weapons for offensive and defense purposes,

Concerned that nuclear weapons which are not properly tested have a probability of not functioning as intended, possibly producing far higher yields than predicted,

Also realizing the need for safe and secure testing of nuclear weapons, which seeks to mitigate the damage to the environment and non-participating actors,

Thus resolving to enact a sensible policy that allows for the safe testing of nuclear armaments whilst protecting the environment and its inhabitants,

The General Assembly hereby,

1. Requires members to refrain from testing nuclear weapons in open atmospheres if it could lead to the excessive harmful contamination of the environment, inhabited or agricultural land,

2. Demands member nations refrain from testing nuclear weapons in a manner which could directly cause harm to civilians or government personnel,

3. Directs member nations to halt testing nuclear weapons at altitudes which could produce a damaging electromagnetic pulse to non-involved civilian or government facilities, vehicles, and equipment,

4. Urges member nations to cease high altitude nuclear weapon testing if it has a high probability of creating artificial radiation belts around a planetary body,

5. Further urges member nations halt testing nuclear weapons in a manner which could lead to harmful damage to civilians, government personnel, or their structures via artificial seismic activity,

6. Further directs member nations take all necessary security precautions to prevent unauthorized access to nuclear testing sites, materials or confidential data surrounding nuclear tests,

7. Further demands that member nations classify all information and materials related to nuclear testing as state secrets and prevent this information or material with anyone not authorized to have access to this information,

8. Empowers the World Health Authority to demand presence at any test with a reasonable probability of producing a nuclear yield to monitor the effects of such test solely in regards to the health of general populace which may be affected.

Co-Authored by: Pharthan

Votes For: 8,042
Votes Against: 4,512

Implemented Mon Jun 15 2015

[WAR330 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "The Gem Trading Accord"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #113
Proposed by: Losthaven

Description: WA Resolution #113: The Gem Trading Accord (Category: Free Trade; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The General Assembly:

Aware that many nations and individuals trade in gemstones and profit by that trade;

Recalling that GAR #113, "The Gem Trading Accord," puts in place a complicated regulatory scheme whereby the citizens of member nations must comply with various testing, standardization, and certification rules if they wish to trade in gems;

Summarizing GAR #113's regulatory scheme as follows:

* Two committees are established: the International Gemological Agency (IGA) and the International Gemological Laboratory (IGL);

* The IGA: (1) establishes standards of gemstone quality in cooperation with the IGL, (2) discusses gem trading issues and arbitrates disputes, (3) ensures that only WA standard quality gems are marketed as such, (4) accredits laboratories to certify gems, and (5) provides experts on gem fraud;

* All gems must be certified by an IGA accredited laboratory to be lawfully traded, trade in gems not certified by IGA accredited laboratories is outlawed, and trading in non-certified gems is criminalized;

* The IGL: (1) establishes standards of gemstone quality in cooperation with the IGA, (2) assists IGA accredited laboratories in certifying gems, and (3) assists producers of artificial gems to differentiate their products from natural gems;

* Member nations are urged to investigate gem fraud, IGA laboratories are direct to "make every effort" to protect jewelry being tested, and any repair work incurred in testing must be detailed to the owner;

Concerned that GAR #113 deceived member nations into believing that regulating economic activity and trade would somehow increase the freedoms of their people; and that, in fact, prohibiting people from freely buying and selling gems has restricted economic liberties and freedoms;

Noting that clause "c" of GAR #113 states that "the IGA will accredit laboratories within member states to test and assess the quality of gems," and that clause "h" bans all trade in gems that are not certified by an IGA accredited laboratory;

Further noting that GAR #113 does not help poor or developing nations establish local gem testing laboratories within their jurisdiction;

Concerned that some member nations lack the advanced infrastructure needed to support a local IGA-accredited gem testing laboratory, thus requiring those nations to incur great expenses to send gems abroad for testing (or to outlaw gem trade altogether);

Concluding that the laboratory testing and accredation requirements stymie free trade by making it more difficult for people in developing countries to enter the gem trade, and by making it easier for people in established nations to create monopolies;

Recognizing that undue regulation of commercial gem trading neither increases economic freedom, nor promotes the free trade of goods;

Observing that nations outside the World Assembly are free to trade gems without complying with GAR #113's onerous regulations, thus creating an international market for gems in which citizens of member nations are (at best) disadvantaged and (at worst) completely unable to participate;

Convinced that disadvantaging or preventing individuals from freely participating in international markets is not a legitimate goal for this Assembly;

Resolved that the gem trade is not so serious an area of international concern as to justify needless meddling by the World Assembly, and that individual member nations are perfectly capable of regulating trade in gems on their own;

Now, therefore, GAR #113 is hereby REPEALED.

Votes For: 10,925
Votes Against: 1,641

Implemented Tue Jun 23 2015

[WAR331 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Nuclear Power Safeguards Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #315
Proposed by: Jean pierre trudeau

Description: WA Resolution #315: Nuclear Power Safeguards Act (Category: Environmental; Industry Affected: All Businesses) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Applauding the efforts of General Assembly Resolution #315 to protect the environment from harmful radioactive byproducts associated with associated with nuclear reactor failures,

Concerned clause 3(1) defines nuclear power as "as the use of sustained nuclear reactions of fission to generate heat and do useful work", whilst failing to take into account the nuclear reactions from fusion which produce highly energetic gamma rays which are known to be fatal to living organisms,

Confused that clause four "LIMITS the resolution to facilities not mobile under their own power to protect facilities which may have other means of protection" whilst failing to take into account devices such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators, and nuclear reactors aboard spacecraft and satellites, which if entering the atmosphere of a habitable celestial body can spread radioactive material over vastly larger distances than a single non-mobile nuclear reactor,

Befuddled by the confusing and very technical wording of clause 5(2), which can be very difficult to understand, let alone implement in nations that are just developing nuclear power to meet their energy needs,

Further confused that clause eight states "MANDATES nations to establish procedures and arrangements to maintain safety and update them as deficiencies are discovered", yet clause seven clearly states "REQUIRES reactor plant agencies to abide by advisories and mandates of the NSO" leading to confusion as to who actually has authority over the safety of nuclear plants,

Disappointed in the lack of clear language and punctuation that make this resolution a travesty to international law,

Hoping the World Assembly passes clear and concise guidelines that actually prevent unaffiliated persons from being affected by nuclear power disasters in the future,

Hereby repeals "GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION # 315 "Nuclear Power Safeguards Act".

Votes For: 10,590
Votes Against: 2,017

Implemented Sat Jun 27 2015

[WAR332 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Preserving Antimicrobials
A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health
Area of Effect: Research
Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum

Description: Recalling the gradual evolution of organisms through natural selection over many generations and the growing resistance of microbes to chemical therapies due to that evolution,

Remembering that resistant microbes are spread through international borders without consideration of the state of public health in those countries,

Believing that the success of modern health initiatives is due in part to our effective use of antibiotics and antimicrobials,

Concerned about the consequences of inaction on this front and resulting effects on later generations,

Worried about how previously helpful interventions may no longer be effective and the resulting increase in the lethality of infections for all people leading to the end of an era free from constant epidemics,

Convinced that immediate action is necessary to stay ahead of this evolved resistance to chemical interventions,

The World Assembly hereby:

1. Instructs the World Health Authority to create a mechanism of monitoring the spread of antimicrobial resistance in all member nations and international zones or borders as well as publish a report on a periodic basis to inform about the status and prevalence of such resistance;

2. Establishes an ‘Antimicrobial Resistance Workgroup’ inside the World Health Authority to coordinate between nations on this topic and inform member nations about relevant consequences of possible public health policies;

3. Mandates immediate action to be taken to lower infection rates in all places of treatment as well as public and private areas to improve public health and lower the need of chemical therapies, actions which may include:

1. education of medical practitioners on the correct usage of antimicrobials,
   
   
2. educational literature on the necessity of completing a full course of antimicrobials,
   
   
3. severely limiting the amount of antimicrobial substances exposed to livestock, and
   
   
4. large investments in infection control;

4. Recommends that nations keep detailed statistics to monitor the prevalence and spread of resistant microbes;

5. Encourages development of new antibiotics through government-sponsored contests and grants to stay ahead of evolving resistance to already widespread chemical therapies for infection.

Votes For: 10,424
Votes Against: 1,865

Implemented Fri Jul 3 2015

[WAR333 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Protected Status in Wartime
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description: Praising the protected status accorded to certain parties in armed conflict;

Echoing the notion that such protections are developed in the interest of all parties, civilian and combatant;

Appalled at their abuse, which inherently degrades those mutual restraints and makes the conclusion or relief of a conflict a distant goal;

Certain that the few, necessary restrictions on warfare that this august Assembly has sought to emplace to be a fair balance between strategic interests and civilian protection, and;

Endeavoring to prevent those abuses that do equal harm to innocent bystanders and civilians and the brave soldiers proudly serving their nation’s highest call to duty;

The General Assembly enacts the following measures:

1. During a time of armed conflict, member states’ combatants shall not falsely utilize the protected status accompanying the symbols or uniforms unique to humanitarian relief workers or organizations, or unarmed medical personnel.

2. During a time of armed conflict, member states’ combatants shall not falsely utilize the protected status accompanying the symbols or uniforms of neutral or uninvolved parties with the intention of engaging the enemy, shielding themselves from enemy action, otherwise disguising forces to execute a military objective, or for the general purpose of upsetting the neutrality of any party.

3. During a time of armed conflict, member states’ combatants shall not utilize the protected status of civilian noncombatants by disguising themselves as such with the intention of engaging the enemy, shielding themselves from enemy action, or to otherwise execute a military objective, with the singular exception of those individuals escaping Prisoner of War status as defined by WA law. Member states’ combatants are not restricted from utilizing civilian equipment or clothing, provided they alter or mark them in a clear and obviously recognizable way so as to prevent being mistaken for civilians, or otherwise remain immediately recognizable as combatants.

4. During a time of armed conflict, member states’ combatants shall not falsely utilize the protected status guaranteed to any other particular category or group of individuals and their associated symbols, subject to the immunities and exceptions granted by General Assembly law.

5. Member states shall consider actions contrary to the provisions of this law to be an abuse of protected status in wartime, and therefore an illegal war crime.

6. Member states shall consider command responsibility in the prosecution of the abuse of protected status in wartime, and shall consider orders to the contrary of these provisions to be manifestly illegal. Member states shall further ensure that subordinates can refuse such orders without fear of penalty.

7. Nothing in this law shall be construed as preventing ruses or deceptions in armed conflict that do not rely upon deception by inviting the confidence of an enemy with regard to protected status under World Assembly law.

Votes For: 10,177
Votes Against: 2,044

Implemented Tue Jul 7 2015

[WAR334 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Prohibiting Animal Abuse [Struck out by Resolution #337]
A resolution to restrict civil freedoms in the interest of moral decency.

Category: Moral Decency
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Losthaven

Description: The Member Nations of the World Assembly:

Recognizing that animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing stress, fear, and pain;

Convinced that there is no just cause for intentionally abusing an animal, and that animals should be cared for in ways that support a healthy life free from suffering;

Resolved that animal abuse is utterly unjustifiable and should be universally condemned and prohibited;

Now, therefore, the General Assembly hereby enacts the following provisions, subject to the rules and laws set by earlier WA resolutions that are still in force:

1. Defines an "animal" for the purposes of this resolution as any non-person species of mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish.

2. Prohibits the intentional abuse of animals, including:

* causing an animal serious and debilitating bodily disfigurement;

* inflicting physical trauma or intense pain on an animal;

* recklessly abandoning an animal or otherwise placing the animal at grave risk of death, injury, disfigurement or disease;

* torturing an animal;

* sexually assaulting an animal; and

* maliciously or cruelly killing an animal;

3. Clarifies that the following acts do not constitute abuse and are not prohibited by this resolution:

* acts of veterinary medicine - including the acts of a licensed veterinarian taken in the course of caring for an animal, emergency aid provided to an animal in distress, and any other acts based on sound veterinary science;

* animal research that is conducted for a legitimate scientific purpose and does not needlessly inflict pain or suffering;

* butchering, slaughtering, or killing an animal for food or other consumption, so long as the methods used are not cruel and the animal is killed as swiftly and painlessly as possible;

* acts of pest control, including any reasonable method of dealing with pests that is not unnecessarily cruel,

* the employment of properly trained animals in potentially dangerous situations or occupations - such as law enforcement animals, guard dogs, war horses, and other service animals - so long as the animal is adequately handled for use in such situations and the intent is to avoid harm to the animal,

* acts based on the science of animal breeding and appropriate care;

4. Outlaws the use of animals in fighting sports, or any other exhibition where the purpose, theme, or substance of the exhibition endangers the long term health and safety of the animal;

5. Requires that any person who keeps an animal - whether commercially, as a pet, or for any other purpose - must provide that animal with reasonable and appropriate care, including:

* food of appropriate quantity and quality to keep the animal healthy,

* access to a sufficient quantity of clean water to satisfy the animal's needs,

* sufficient space for exercise as necessary for the health of the animal,

* regular maintenance of the animal's space to keep it reasonably free of debris, waste, and disease, if the animal is kept in an enclosure,

* shelter, refuge, or other appropriate protective barriers that supply reasonable protection from weather and injury, and

* adequate personal attention and care necessary to keep the animal free from distress, injury, neglect and disease;

6. Further requires that any person who keeps an animal must, to the best of their means and ability, provide the animal with access to professional veterinary care deemed necessary to relieve the animal from distress, injury, neglect or disease.

Votes For: 8,882
Votes Against: 3,618

Implemented: Tue Jul 14 2015

[WAR335 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

World Space Administration [Struck out by Resolution #339]
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: Bitely

Description: NOTING the interest that humanity has of exploring the cosmos.

RECOGNIZING the need for cooperation between member states to explore the universe.

REALIZING the need for further research and development of equipment for efficient cosmic travel.

FURTHER realizing the safety risks cosmic space travel creates.

DEMANDING member states to enact safety regulations for space travel within their governed territory.

FURTHER demanding no member state shall knowingly allow a spacecraft to operate if it has fallen into disrepair.

THE World Assembly hereby Establishes the "World Space Administration" herein referred to as "W.S.A."

COMMISSIONING the W.S.A. to:

i. preform cosmos research and development.

ii. build cosmic spacecraft(s).

iii. Train cosmonauts to explore and promote WA ideals through the cosmos.

iv. Preform missions of exploration through the cosmos.

v. Create cosmos travel bylaws and policies.

vi. Regulate all WA member states cosmos travel.

FORBIDDING the W.S.A. to:

i. create, maintain or assemble a military.

ii. form and maintain a cosmic police force.

FUNDING for the W.S.A. will come from the WA fund and VOLUNTARY contributions from member states.

Votes For: 6,727
Votes Against: 6,443

Implemented Sat Jul 18 2015

[WAR336 on NS] [Official Forum Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Prohibiting Animal Abuse"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #335
Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum

Description: WA Resolution #335: Prohibiting Animal Abuse (Category: Moral Decency; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: Applauding the World Assembly’s stance on the paternal and protectively patronising treatment of animals,

Bemoaning the inherent problems and uncaught exceptions of large overreaching legislation, not matter the author, and,

Believing that the provisions set forth in this resolution are too broad and in the end, self-destructive of animal and sapient rights,

This august World Assembly;

1. Objects to the current state of affairs, where sapient beings are not given the same overarching protections as non-sapient animals;
   
   
2. Protests against the whiff of moral supremacy in the resolution, deciding the morals and requirements of all nations based on the morality of a subset of World Assembly members, thereby committing a crime against cultural diversity in preventing cultures from exercising their religious and societal traditions;
   
   
3. Considers that the resolution's prohibition of self-defence against animals as harmful to sentient populations, since:
   
   
   1. the killing of an animal which is attacking a person would clearly be an intentional actions which inflicts physical trauma or intense pain on an animal,
      
      
   2. this is not itself not excepted in clause (3), the clause which contains exceptions placed there to appease certain outspoken members of the World Assembly,
      
      
   3. and thus, prohibits the killing of an animal in the case of an attack;
4. Chuckles at the imprecision of the definition of animal in this resolution, as jellyfish, a collection of microscopic species of non-person animal, are given the protections of this resolution, even when they lack a nervous system capable of feeling pain or many other types of negative stimulus;
   
   
5. Seriously recognises the implications of the above clause, as this would mean that the definition of animal would include all manners of species which are poisonous, invasive, or destructive to ecosystem health and hence grant the same protections to those undesirable types of animal;
   
   
6. Derides the doublethink necessary to state in the same resolution that (i) all abuse of sentient non-person mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or fish should be prohibited in clause 2, (ii) unless the animal is raised for butcher, slaughter, or the killing of persons, in clause (3).b and (3).e and thus, all right;
   
   
7. Observes that in cases where animal reproduction or needs is not entirely understood, putting an animal in a zoological garden is illegal, since this would endanger the 'long term health and safety of the animal' in clause 4;
   
   
8. Hopes that this resolution is to be replaced by a more acceptable alternative without the flaws of this current resolution;
   
   
9. Repeals this unfortunately flawed yet well-intentioned resolution which prohibits animal abuse.

Votes For: 9,465
Votes Against: 1,961

Implemented Wed Jul 22 2015

[WAR337 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Protection of Sapient Rights [Struck out by Resolution #352]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Excidium Planetis

Description: The General Assembly,

Applauding the efforts to secure rights for all sapient beings, regardless of race, and the many efforts not to limit such rights to only beings of the homo sapiens species;

Nevertheless Concerned at the many attempts to restrict the rights of sapient beings for purely racial reasons, including but not limited to attempts to restrict the rights of sapient machines and an attempt to make human decisions necessary in the warfare of non-human species;

Reminding the members of the WA that legislation applying only to humans has been passed before, such as the now repealed GA#16 "Sexual Privacy Act";

Believing that to secure once and for all the rights of sapient beings everywhere, a resolution is needed to affirm these rights;

Defines:

"Sapient Being" as any entity possessing both a) the ability to reason and act with appropriate judgement and b) sentience.

"Sentience" as the ability to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.

"Existing international laws" as any passed World Assembly Resolutions which are extant and not void at the time an individual may read this resolution, whether those resolutions have been passed before or after this resolution was passed.

And Hereby Declares that any sapient beings found inside member nations are not to be denied any of the rights guaranteed to humans or sapient beings by existing international laws, and that no member nation may discriminate against sapient beings for reasons of race or species alone.

Clarifies that it is the responsibility of individual member nations to determine whether a given entity is a sapient being, but that such methods of determination must apply equally to humans and any other entities examined.

Further Affirms that sapient beings shall be recognized in the eyes of the World Assembly as living beings, regardless of biological status.

Votes For: 8,489
Votes Against: 2,438

Implemented Sun Jul 26 2015

[WAR338 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "World Space Administration"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #336
Proposed by: Tinfect

Description: WA Resolution #336: World Space Administration (Category: Education and Creativity; Area of Effect: Educational) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly

Noting that the target Resolution was drafted in an attempt to promote space travel by Member States,

Recognizing that the Resolution not only fails in this goal, but also harms existing space programs of Member States,

Objecting to the Resolution's claim that Member Nations need cooperate in order to explore space, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary,

Concerned that with the inclusion of clauses that give the W.S.A authority to regulate the Interstellar and Interplanetary exploration of Member States, the Resolution cripples the ability of Member States to conduct their own Space Programmes,

Further Concerned that while the Resolution authorizes the W.S.A to regulate the Space Programmes of Member States, it fails to specify any regulations,

Extremely Confused by the Resolution's use of "Preformed", which makes many of the goals stated within the resolution impossible,

Noting that the Resolution demands that Member States disallow the use of vessels in a state of disrepair, without exception regarding vessels damaged in space or other unavoidable circumstances,

Further noting that the target Resolution contains numerous grammatical errors, which hinder comprehension of the Resolution,

Hereby Repeals General Assembly Resolution # 336, World Space Administration.

Votes For: 10,051
Votes Against: 3,432

Implemented Thu Jul 30 2015

[WAR339 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Access to Humanitarian Aid
A resolution to modify universal standards of healthcare.

Category: Health
Area of Effect: International Aid
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description:

Aggrieved by the horrors of war and conflict in the world; yet,

Inspired nevertheless by the presence of humanitarian and relief organizations seeking to lessen the suffering of innocents affected by armed conflict;

Determining the deliberate refusal of international charity and aid to civilians to be as much a violation of human rights as deliberately inflicting conditions contrary to life on a population;

Defining Humanitarian operations as operations by international organizations devoted to ensuring survival of those directly affected by a crisis stemming directly or indirectly from armed conflict, including provision of material aid and the services of trained personnel, with the intention of alleviating suffering and offering these services charitably and impartially.

Declares that member nations shall:

Allow humanitarian operations within territory affected by a crisis directly resulting from armed conflict which falls under their effective control when their own efforts to contain the crisis are insufficient, and facilitate their efforts in a fair and non-discriminative manner, without interference or punitive action.

Ensure the right of individuals affected by these conflicts to utilize humanitarian operations’ facilities and supplies in a humanitarian manner, free from hindrance.

Consider it a war crime, and therefore illegal, to intentionally deprive individuals of humanitarian aid supplies, or prohibit their use or distribution, except in cases where reasonable alternatives can be substituted, such as in instances of controlled substances or dietary restrictions.

Consider it a war crime, and therefore illegal, to deliberately target, assault, injure, or detain the personnel, or deliberately seize, damage, or deliberately divert the equipment of humanitarian organizations while they operate within the capacity of their duties, unless one of the following conditions are met:

• Personnel fail to remain impartial, neutral and non-aggressive parties to the conflict or crisis. Acting in self-defense shall not be considered a violation of neutrality for personnel, provided the act does not exceed the purview of reasonable and immediate self-defense.

• Personnel and equipment is not clearly marked with clear and recognizable identifying markings indicating their status as neutral parties.

• Personnel or equipment fail to meet the standards and requirements of safety and public health pursuant to the applicable international regulations, or, in the case of personnel, have an outstanding warrant.

The International Humanitarian Aid Coordination Committee shall be expanded to:

• Assume control of a multilateral relief operation involving multiple international humanitarian organizations and work in concert with the host nation to best address the needs of the affected population.

• Act as liaison between the individual humanitarian organizations involved and the host government(s) to prevent unnecessary conflict between government and humanitarian operation personnel.

Votes For: 10,008
Votes Against: 1,387

Implemented Mon Aug 10 2015

[WAR340 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Living Wage Act"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #21
Proposed by: Celsuis

Description: WA Resolution #21: Living Wage Act (Category: Social Justice; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Praising GAR #21, "Living Wage Act", for its well-intentioned attempt to ensure a decent well-being for the most vulnerable members of society,

Dismayed that the resolution uses illogical means to achieve its ends,

Baffled that the resolution defines poverty lines "on an area basis, and sets no limits as to how any nation may define such areas save that they must lie wholly within the nation's boundaries", effectively allowing nations to negate the wage mandate by maliciously defining poverty line areas,

Disturbed that the resolution authorizes wages below the poverty line for individuals receiving national income or benefits, effectively permitting unequal pay for the same work,

Disappointed that the resolution fails to exempt tip-based professions from the wage mandate,

Troubled that the resolution does exempt "convicted criminals who are required to perform work in the course of their sentence", effectively approving of unethical punitive labor camps,

Concerned that the resolution defines the "basic poverty line" to include "one week's rent for an average one-person dwelling" and the "Dependent Poverty Line" to include "one week's rent for an average two-person dwelling", which will endlessly inflate the price of housing and make housing unaffordable by continuously increasing the average price of rent,

Confused that the resolution requires "that no person in full-time employment be paid the equivalent of a weekly net wage of less than 25% over the Dependent Povery Line unless that person has no dependents and explicitly waives this right", resulting in all persons in full-time employment receiving the weekly net wage of no less than 25% over the "Dependent Poverty Line", regardless of whether they have dependents or not,

Perplexed that the resolution "defines the Dependent Poverty Line as the Basic Poverty Line" to include "the pro-rata weekly cost of schooling for a dependent" regardless of whether the dependent is in school or not,

Concerned that the resolution essentially mandates that low-skill workers be permanently unemployed,

Further Concerned that the resolution "requires that power and water supply be deemed appropriate utilities", whereas power may be considered an extravagant luxury in less-modernized nations,

Acknowledging the absolute necessity to assist the poor,

Noting the serious flaws in GAR #21, "Living Wage Act", and its unsustainability,

Hereby Repeals GAR #21, "Living Wage Act".

Votes For: 9,572
Votes Against: 2,345

Implemented Fri Aug 28 2015

[WAR341 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Civilian Aircraft Accord [Struck out by GA 678]
A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.

Category: International Security
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: John turner

Text: The World Assembly,

Acknowledging the transportation of civilians via air travel is not only vital to the international economy, but to the international community as a whole;

Realizing that command and control, and communication with civilian aircraft is vital to ensure the safety and security of those aircraft, particularly when those aircraft are in international airspace;

Concerned that some nations may intentionally avoid tracking or communicating with civilian aircraft originating from nations potentially hostile to them;

Believing it is the duty of all nations to protect the lives of innocent civilians no matter the current state of diplomacy between nations;

Thus resolving to enact a sensible policy that allows for the safe and secure operation of civilian aircraft, no matter the nation of origin;

The General Assembly hereby,

1. Defines a civilian aircraft as an aircraft whether private or commercial not operating under the direction of a nation's military or engaging in national security-related activities;
   
   
2. Requires member nations to provide at the minimum:
   
   
   1. Tracking and communication of any civilian aircraft within the detection and communication range of that nation,
      
      
   2. Meteorological information and inclement emergency warnings to civilian aircraft, and,
      
      
   3. Assistance to any civilian aircraft that declares itself to be in distress within the communication range of that nation;
3. Urges member nations to ensure adequate security personnel are present on any civilian aircraft which is operating in or out of nations currently engaged in armed conflict, or where a credible threat to those aircraft is present;
   
   
4. Forbids member nations from taking military action against civilian aircraft without first warning that aircraft and permitting that aircraft to comply with instructions;
   
   
5. Confirming that nations shall have the sole sovereign rights and responsibilities to ensure pilots and crews are adequately trained and certified in the operation of their civilian aircraft;
   
   
6. Leaves to the individual member state all authority regarding regulations pertaining to equipment or training in regards to the operation of civilian aircraft.

Co-Authored by: [nation=short]Separatist Peoples[/nation]

Votes For: 8 067 (68.3%)
Votes Against: 3 743 (31.7%)

Implemented Mon 7 Sept 2015

[GA 342 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Debris Prevention"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #303
Proposed by: Vancouvia

Description: WA Resolution #303: Debris Prevention (Category: Environmental; Industry Affected: Manufacturing) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

Acknowledging the aim of Resolution #303 to seek to reduce the amount of debris in orbit;

Concerned and distressed that Resolution #303 has the following stand-alone, flagrant flaws:

I. The lack of a definition for 'debris' despite debris being the chief subject, a fundamental flaw which delinquent nations could and very likely have been exploiting in order to circumvent this resolution.

II. The clause "CLARIFIES that this resolution will not impede or restrict the rights of nations to do battle in space..." is problematic in that space battles naturally result in a massive amount of debris being released into orbit, yet this resolution is silent on how to prevent, reduce, or even minimize this cause of debris.

III. This resolution has done nothing to provide for the cleaning up or reduction of debris existing in orbit either both before or after its implementation.

IV. A small minority of this assembly are space-faring nations, and therefore legislation on this matter would be better instituted by nations that share the same technological capabilities.

Asserting that Resolution #303 is ineffective, insufficient, and inadequate, and that these flaws have undermined the effectiveness of this probably well-intentioned resolution;

Hereby repeals "General Assembly Resolution #303, Debris Prevention"

Votes For: 11,086
Votes Against: 1,953

Implemented Sun Sep 13 2015

[WAR343 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Minimum Standard of Living Act [Struck out by GA 629]
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Railana

Description: Seeking to eliminate extreme poverty in all states,

Believing that every person should enjoy a minimum standard of living, so long as they are willing to contribute to their society,

Convinced that World Assembly member states should guarantee this minimum standard of living to their legal inhabitants, so long as sufficient resources exist to do so,

The General Assembly,

1. Defines the "minimum standard of living", for the purposes of this resolution, as the minimum levels of access to food and water, clothing, housing, sanitation, appropriate utilities, and appropriate transportation necessary for a person to remain reasonably healthy, safe and productive in a given member state;
   
   
2. Declares that each member state is required to guarantee a minimum standard of living to all inhabitants of that member state;
   
   
3. Specifies that member states are permitted to facilitate the provision of a minimum standard of living through public or private sector initiatives, including but not limited to a minimum wage, a living wage, a guaranteed minimum income, social security, unemployment insurance, subsidized housing, food stamps, or any combination thereof;
   
   
4. Exempts each member state from guaranteeing a minimum standard of living to individuals who:
   
   
   1. are not legal permanent residents or citizens of that member state,
      
      
   2. refuse to make a good faith attempt to make restitution for crimes of which they have been found guilty by a court of law, or
      
      
   3. refuse to make a good faith attempt to support themselves without government assistance, or to engage in government-mandated job training, temporary employment or community service, without a legitimate reason, such as a disability that would prevent them from doing so;
5. Permits each member state to guarantee only a partial minimum standard of living, to the extent that that member state deems practicable and appropriate while remaining consistent with the object and purpose of this resolution, and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2, when that member state:
   
   
   1. is undergoing or recovering from a national emergency or economic crisis, or
      
      
   2. cannot guarantee a minimum standard of living without causing substantial and lasting harm to their economy;
6. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution shall be interpreted as prohibiting the World Assembly from legislating in the future on access to a minimum standard of living.

Votes For: 9,226
Votes Against: 4,971

Implemented Thu Sep 17 2015

[WAR344 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Proscription on Living Shields
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description:

Singing the praises of this Assembly’s many successes in the realm of protecting the unarmed and innocent in times of armed conflict,

Enthusiastically hoping further measures to be unnecessary, yet

Pessimistically noting the above to be exceedingly unlikely,

Remembering the protections extended to all manner of noncombatants and civilians in war by this august Assembly,

Disgusted at the increasing incidence of these protections being used against the very states sworn to uphold them,

Finding the practice of using individuals as living shields to be deliberately contrary to the historic goals of the World Assembly of protecting human rights and ensuring peace, and

Righteously amending this wrong,

1. The World Assembly defines the use of living shields as the act of an armed party intentionally utilizing unarmed noncombatants, be they volunteers or otherwise, to shield themselves or tangible assets in such a way as to compel a strategic or tactical advantage by way of manipulating a third party’s obligation to respect the protected status of the noncombatants or their perceived value therein.

2. The World Assembly further defines noncombatants to include both civilians who belong to a protected status or are otherwise taking no direct part in the hostilities, and those belligerents who, having been granted Prisoner of War or hors de combat status, are unable to take a direct part in hostilities.

3. Member states shall consider the use of individuals as living shields in the course of armed conflict illegal and a war crime.

4. Member states shall consider the use of individuals as living shields to be an aggravating circumstance when prosecuting or otherwise dealing with violators of international law, and are encouraged to take the necessary steps to protect those hostages from harm.

5. Member states shall consider a belligerent’s use of living shields a mitigating circumstance when dealing with the prosecution of troops who, due to the enemy’s violation of these provisions, find themselves directly or indirectly responsible for the accidental violation of a noncombatant’s protected status, and are encouraged to acquit the accused in situations wherein gross negligence cannot be ascribed.

6. Member states are permitted to prosecute unarmed noncombatants who voluntarily serve as living shields as they would prosecute combatants who utilize such living shields.

a. Member states are encouraged, in instances where it cannot be determined whether an individual was voluntarily or forcibly taken as a living shield, to offer to resettle those individuals in an area away from the conflict.

b. If those individuals refuse and, subsequently, are repeatedly utilized as living shields in a manner that calls into question the non-voluntary nature of their participation, member states are permitted to prosecute and detain them accordingly.

Votes For: 11,048
Votes Against: 2,679

Implemented Tue Oct 6 2015

[WAR345 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Researching Unique Ecosystems
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: Caracasus

Description: Encouraged by the ongoing efforts of the international community to invest in biological research,

Impressed by some of the potential technologies and cures that have developed from this research, but

Concerned by the rate at which unique ecosystems are disappearing, either to man-made activity or to natural changes in climate,

This august World Assembly hereby enacts the following, subject to any limits imposed by earlier resolutions that are still in force:

1.Defines for the purposes of this resolution:

a. 'unique ecosystem' as any area which is reasonably likely to contain flora and fauna that are unique to the larger ecosystem,

b. 'man made activity' as action or continued inaction taken by sentient beings that endangers the biodiversity of a unique ecosystem, up to and including mining, logging, construction or introduction of invasive species, but not counting acts of war,

c. 'natural changes in climate' as any foreseeable, long term natural event or change that endangers the biodiversity of a unique ecosystem, such as long term drought, rise in sea levels or global cooling;

2. Requires nations where man-made activity may be reasonably expected to seriously compromise a unique ecosystem to make reasonable expeditions, within their abilities, into the unique ecosystem to take stock of and collect samples of unique flora and fauna within the region;

3. Requires nations with ongoing natural changes in climate that threaten to seriously compromise unique ecosystems to make reasonable expeditions, within their abilities, into the unique ecosystem to take stock of and collect samples of unique flora and fauna within the region.

4. Expands the duties of the World Assembly Science Program (WASP) to include:

a. Monitoring global climate changes to identify unique ecosystems under threat, and to notify nations of said threat to their unique ecosystems,

b. Storing and providing access to raw data from nations who have shared with the WASP,

c. Raising and providing funds and scientific support for nations who do not have the capacity to conduct a reasonable scientific expedition;

5. Encourages nations to share raw data from above expeditions with the World Assembly Science Program (WASP)

Votes For: 11,189
Votes Against: 2,164

Implemented Sat Oct 10 2015

[WAR346 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Foreign Patent Recognition [Struck out by 384 GA]
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Category: Free Trade
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Railana

Description: Recognizing that many World Assembly member states use patents to encourage scientific and technological innovation,

Believing that the international recognition of patents will incentivize the creation of new inventions throughout all member states while providing inventors with a fair reward for their labours,

The General Assembly,

1. Defines "invention", for the purposes of this resolution, as a device, method, composition or process that is useful, novel and nonobvious, even to others skilled in the same field;

2. Further defines "patent", for the purposes of this resolution, as the set of exclusive rights granted to the creator of an invention, including the right:

1. to use, manufacture, offer for sale and import or export the invention,
   
   
2. to sell or license any of these rights to others,
   
   
3. to seek an injunction and fair damages against any entity that infringes upon these rights, and
   
   
4. to extinguish any of these rights;

3. Further defines "foreign patent", for the purposes of this resolution, as any patent granted by another member state;

4. Mandates that each member state recognize the exclusive rights associated with foreign patents for the lesser of the following: ten years after the date on which the patent was granted, or the period used by the member state that granted the patent;

5. Encourages member states to extend patent terms for inventions which are subject to lengthy regulatory approval processes and other delays that reduce the effective period of protection for such inventions, such as pharmaceuticals;

6. Authorizes member states to create reasonable limitations and exceptions to the exclusive rights associated with certain foreign patents when:

1. a substantially similar invention to the invention that is the subject of the foreign patent has been patented by a different inventor in a member state, and the date on which the substantially similar invention was first granted a patent by a member state is prior to the date on which the invention that is the subject of the foreign patent was first granted a patent by a member state,
   
   
2. the invention that is the subject of the foreign patent is not currently being exploited in that member state, and the inventor has no good faith plans to exploit the invention in that member state in the near future,
   
   
3. the member state in which the invention that is the subject of the foreign patent was first granted a patent did not release the relevant patent application in a timely manner, and
   
   
4. such limitations and exceptions are necessary to enforce any additional reasonable and appropriate patent regulations created by that member state, including but not limited to regulations regarding the interpretation of clauses 1 and 2 of this resolution, so long as such regulations remain consistent with the object and purpose of this resolution;

7. Specifies that international intellectual property disputes, including but not limited to international disputes on copyrights, trademarks, or patents, constitute international trade disputes for the purposes of international law;

8. Clarifies that nothing in this resolution should be interpreted as requiring member nations to recognize any patents other than foreign patents, nor any patent in respect of an invention that is itself in violation of regulations unrelated to patent law, such as health and safety standards for manufactured goods;

9. Further clarifies that nothing in this resolution should be interpreted as limiting the World Assembly from further legislating on patents.

Votes For: 9,881
Votes Against: 4,513

Implemented Wed Oct 14 2015

[WAR347 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Convention on Ceasefires
A resolution to slash worldwide military spending.

Category: Global Disarmament
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Separatist Peoples

Description: Recognizing armed conflict and the resolution of such has a variety of nuance;

Desiring to enforce traditional customs of peacekeeping and negotiations with World Assembly authority without crippling the political advantages military conflict provides, and;

Striving to provide rules of fair conduct for such, that aggrieved parties might find recourse;

Hereby,

1. Defines an armistice as an agreement for the formal cessation of hostilities between armed parties, conditionally or unconditionally, for the purpose of negotiating a lasting peace, that does not necessarily require a halt in armed conflict in the interim;

2. Defines a ceasefire as an agreement between armed parties for the immediate and temporary halt in combat;

3. Strongly encourages member states to agree to a ceasefire for the duration of armistice negotiations, to provide civilian noncombatants the opportunity to voluntarily flee a potentially dangerous area, or to otherwise facilitate peaceful or humanitarian operations within the conflict area.

4. Permits member states to resume hostilities during a ceasefire agreement if:

a. There is no fixed duration of the ceasefire, or the fixed duration expires, provided prior notification to a relevant representative of the opposing force is made, or;

b. The ceasefire agreement is declared void due to an opposing party’s violation of the terms, provided immediate notification to a relevant representative of the opposing force is made.

5. Binds member states to not violate a ceasefire agreement without an aforementioned legitimate provision.

6. Requires member states negotiate in good faith with their counterpart(s) during an armistice agreement.

7. Mandates member states ensure that representatives who are directly or indirectly participating in armistice or ceasefire negotiations be protected from unlawful injury, assault, or detainment for the duration of the negotiation.

8. Declares that, should the negotiations fail and hostilities recommence, the aforementioned representatives shall have their protections outlined in Clause 7 extended and safe passage granted until such time as they are returned to safely to their territory such that they are not in immediate danger from the conflict.

9. Specifies that the protections and provisions outlined in Clause 6, 7, and 8 may be considered void if clear evidence that an involved party has violated the above provisions comes to light.

10. Further specifies that violation of any of the above clauses without the mitigating circumstances of Clauses 4 or 9 shall be considered a war crime by member states, and violators shall be prosecuted accordingly.

11. Tasks the International Mediation Foundation (IMF) to, upon request, supply impartial arbitrators and locate neutral meeting locations open for all involved parties to access, and shall issue binding arbitrations, with an appeals process, for all participants.

12. Member states shall extend the protections outlined in Clauses 6 and 7 to IMF arbitrators and staff operating in the capacity of their duties at all times.

Votes For: 12,364
Votes Against: 2,894

Implemented Wed Oct 28 2015

[WAR348 on NS] [Official Debate Topic]