[DRAFT] Repeal: Voting Equality For Freed Inmates #419

[Chants]

ACKNOWLEDGING the reasons stated behind the resolution by the author to highlight a system of judicial values whereby the convicted criminal is seen to have paid their debts to the offended society in full by time served incarcerated are shared by many members,

REMINDS the assembly that not all societies represented within this international body agree that such debts are paid when incarcerated criminals are released and that the deprivation of a vote is just as valid of an ongoing punishment as additional years of incarceration or probation,

FURTHER suggests that the lack of a civil vote within society due to previous incarceration can be used successfully as a non-violent and inexpensive means of deterrence to potential criminals,

OBJECTS to this blatant disregard of national sovereignty in reference to the operation of detailed and often highly complex inner workings of member nation’s criminal justice systems by this body without proper research or forethought.

[Morover]

ACKNOWLEDGING the reasons stated behind the resolution by the author to highlight a system of judicial values whereby the convicted criminal is seen to have paid their debts to the offended society in full by time served incarcerated are shared by many members,

REMINDS the assembly that not all societies represented within this international body agree that such debts are paid when incarcerated criminals are released and that the deprivation of a vote is just as valid of an ongoing punishment as additional years of incarceration or probation,

FURTHER suggests that the lack of a civil vote within society due to previous incarceration can be used successfully as a non-violent and inexpensive means of deterrence to potential criminals,

OBJECTS to this blatant disregard of national sovereignty in reference to the operation of detailed and often highly complex inner workings of member nation’s criminal justice systems by this body without proper research or forethought.

"The only real argument you have here, in my opinion, is the idea of using exclusion to the voting process and an inexpensive way to deter future criminals. That being said, even that argument is weak, and, frankly, somewhat of a disgrace to democracy. Speaking as a representative from a nation which does not have democratic elections, I cannot imagine holding the idea of a vote against your citizens."

"GAR#419 is a strong resolution, and I see no reason for a repeal. Against, unless you can come up with some better reasons."

[Chants]

"The people of many democracies see this as a reasonable punishment and have democratically enacted these laws. What is to say this is anymore undemocratic than a life sentence whereby even the resolution currently standing would not grant them voting rights? Additionally the principle of national sovereignty is supposed to be a paramount principle of the WA. This is a very precise and targeted resolution which affects everyday life of foreign nationals with no accountability from large portions of the voting members of the WA. Why should a Monarchy, Dictatorship, or Anarchic polity have sway over how a Democracy operates? If we were all to respond to the same standards then I would see a resolution determining how an heir is decided for a monarchy and set guidelines for disinheritance. After all, its not truly a pure hereditary system if the first born isn't king or queen. But my people are democratic so we do not live those countries affected by our vote."

[Kenmoria]

"The people of many democracies see this as a reasonable punishment and have democratically enacted these laws. What is to say this is anymore undemocratic than a life sentence whereby even the resolution currently standing would not grant them voting rights? Additionally the principle of national sovereignty is supposed to be a paramount principle of the WA. This is a very precise and targeted resolution which affects everyday life of foreign nationals with no accountability from large portions of the voting members of the WA. Why should a Monarchy, Dictatorship, or Anarchic polity have sway over how a Democracy operates? If we were all to respond to the same standards then I would see a resolution determining how an heir is decided for a monarchy and set guidelines for disinheritance. After all, its not truly a pure hereditary system if the first born isn't king or queen. But my people are democratic so we do not live those countries affected by our vote."

“Your main argument, therefore, appears to be national sovereignty. This is very weak, as it is one of those propositions that is inherently flawed, due to the nature of the World Assembly. Although it is true that there would be a problem with, for example, a resolution managing the exact building regulations or speed limits in a state, that would be for reasons of micromanagement, which is distinct from. national sovereignty. You forfeit that privilege, of having the complete control over your laws, when you join the WA.

The other argument you have, as I can see two in your proposal, is that holding the right to vote as part of a punishment when giving sentencing could form a deterrent, and therefore dissuade potential criminals. The ambassador from Morover has covered my point well, but I wish to add that voting also dissuades re-integration into society upon release, by placing barriers betwixt criminals and society.”

[Imperium Anglorum]

Polls is an argument which proves too much: it would have us believe that international action against war crimes and crimes against humanity are acceptable if passed by the people. We can't accept that, no man is an island.

Moreover, polls as an argument presupposes the existence of a functioning democracy. If such a democracy were to legislate itself out of existence, why should future activities undertaken by that democracy continue to carry legitimacy?

[Sierra Lyricalia]

"The tyranny of the majority has never been a valid reason to assert 'democracy' as a swimming pool of rainbows and unicorns, ambassador. If you like your laws the way they were before this target passed, what it means is that you don't value democracy as much as you value 'the right kind' of democracy - the kind that excludes a whole bunch of scapegoats and poor people. The correct word for your system is 'oligarchy' or perhaps 'plutocracy.' And therefore, your precious sovereignty is of no concern whatsoever."

[Chants]

"The tyranny of the majority has never been a valid reason to assert 'democracy' as a swimming pool of rainbows and unicorns, ambassador. If you like your laws the way they were before this target passed, what it means is that you don't value democracy as much as you value 'the right kind' of democracy - the kind that excludes a whole bunch of scapegoats and poor people. The correct word for your system is 'oligarchy' or perhaps 'plutocracy.' And therefore, your precious sovereignty is of no concern whatsoever."

"A very diplomatic approach from someone vested with so much power. You assume that the poor are scapegoats in Chants, and you trivialize the sovereignty of nations even though it is a tenet of the World Assembly. How dare someone have an opinion differing your own."

[Sierra Lyricalia]

"The tyranny of the majority has never been a valid reason to assert 'democracy' as a swimming pool of rainbows and unicorns, ambassador. If you like your laws the way they were before this target passed, what it means is that you don't value democracy as much as you value 'the right kind' of democracy - the kind that excludes a whole bunch of scapegoats and poor people. The correct word for your system is 'oligarchy' or perhaps 'plutocracy.' And therefore, your precious sovereignty is of no concern whatsoever."

"A very diplomatic approach from someone vested with so much power. You assume that the poor are scapegoats in Chants, and you trivialize the sovereignty of nations even though it is a tenet of the World Assembly. How dare someone have an opinion differing your own."

Steph shrugs and takes another swig off her flask. "You're the one with the draft proposal, ambassador. I'm just conveying the reasons for our opposition. In point of fact we obey World Assembly law regarding the sovereignty of other WA member states, but the WA doesn't say we have to heap praise on you into the bargain. The system you intend to allow member states to return to is repugnant, and no amount of kumbaya horseshit about how much we love each other's sovereignty and respect each other and whatnot can change that."

[Kenmoria]

"The tyranny of the majority has never been a valid reason to assert 'democracy' as a swimming pool of rainbows and unicorns, ambassador. If you like your laws the way they were before this target passed, what it means is that you don't value democracy as much as you value 'the right kind' of democracy - the kind that excludes a whole bunch of scapegoats and poor people. The correct word for your system is 'oligarchy' or perhaps 'plutocracy.' And therefore, your precious sovereignty is of no concern whatsoever."

"A very diplomatic approach from someone vested with so much power. You assume that the poor are scapegoats in Chants, and you trivialize the sovereignty of nations even though it is a tenet of the World Assembly. How dare someone have an opinion differing your own."

“National sovereignty is not a tenet of the General Assembly, and never has been. The mission, and indeed slogan, of the GA is to ‘improve the world, one resolution at a time’, which cannot occur if member nations don’t have any binding resolutions given to them. Tyranny of the majority is not, and should never be, an excuse for the ignoring of the right to universal suffrage.”

[Christian Democrats]

Disenfranchisement for lawbreakers is not a punishment so inappropriate that the World Assembly should ban it. Thus, we would support an attempt to repeal Resolution 419.

[Barfleur]

"Ambassador, it is the opinion of the government of Barfleur that whether or not a convicted individual should be allowed to vote should depend on the severity of the crime committed. Therefore, I support this bill."