Passed General Assembly resolutions

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Prevention of Terrorism"
A proposal to repeal a previously passed resolution

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #12
Proposed by: Wachichi

Description: WA Resolution #12: Prevention of Terrorism (Category: International Security; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: ACKNOWLEDGING the resolution’s valiant effort to fight and eliminate both international and internal terrorism,

NOTING that the Prevention of Terrorism resolution fails to ever define or interpret what constitutes a terrorist, terrorist organization, or terrorism,

REGRETTING that the proposal allows too broad an interpretation of the controversial words mentioned above,

REALIZING that such undefined terms could lead to false accusations between member states toward possibly innocent and neutral states, which could lead to declarations of war, and endangering international peace,

NOTING that the resolution in question does not outline any specific steps or take any concrete action that would actually protect WA member states from terrorism;

FURTHER NOTING that the resolution does not bar member states from providing financial or material support for terrorist individuals or organizations;

FURTHER REGRETTING that the resolution in question prevents more effective legislation on terrorism from being introduced;

SEEKING an opportunity to establish a better, more accurate resolution to help more effectively fight global terrorism with well established definitions of those mentioned in this and former Resolutions,

The World Assembly hereby repeals the “Prevention of Terrorism” resolution.

Votes For: 5,516
Votes Against: 1,146

Implemented Sat Nov 15 2008

[WAR24 on NS] [WAR24 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

WA Counterterrorism Act [Struck out by GA 613]
A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.

Category: International Security
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: The Altan Steppes

Description: The World Assembly,

REALIZING the importance of expanding and improving international co-operation among WA States, on a bilateral and multilateral basis, which will contribute to the elimination of acts of international terrorism and their underlying causes and to the prevention and elimination of this criminal scourge,

RECOGNIZING terrorism as a major threat to the lives and well-being of civilians and non-combatants;

CONDEMNING the loss of life and harm that result from terrorist acts;

NOTICING the principle of the inalienable right to self-determination and independence of all peoples under rogue regimes and other forms of alien domination, and upholding the legitimacy of their struggle, in particular the struggle of national and regional liberation movements, in accordance with the World Assembly,

RESOLVING to address the danger of international terrorism, to protect the civilian populations of member states;

A) DEFINES “terrorism” as the use of violence by non-state actors for the purpose of creating fear or terror, to achieve a social, political, or religious outcome, and either committed with deliberate disregard or specific targeting of civilians or non-combatants.

B) DEFINES “civilians”, for the purpose of this resolution, as "persons who are not members of their nation's armed forces or police."

C) DEFINES “terrorist(s)” as a person or persons whose acts fall under the definition of “terrorism”.

D) DEFINES “terrorist act(s)” as an act committed by a person falling under the definition of a “terrorist” whose cause is to achieve social, political, or religious ends through violence knowingly targeted at civilians or non-combatants.

Hereby:

1) REQUIRES member states to take all effective measures at their disposal, subject to the rule of law, to prevent non-state actors from using their territory to commit terrorist acts against another nation.
(a)This shall include, but not be limited to, making it a criminal offense to conspire, aid, abet, fund, plan or carry out acts of terrorism across international borders. Member states shall prosecute those who violate such laws to the fullest extent possible within their nation.

2) BANS WA member states from providing funding, weapons, or any other form of assistance to any party committing terrorist acts against another nation, or from using other WA states or non-member states as a third party to conduct terrorist acts against another nation.

3) REQUIRES member states to freeze, or otherwise take control of without undue delay, any and all assets of terrorist individuals or organizations within their jurisdiction which may be used to support international terrorist acts, including but not limited to: equipment, facilities, and funds.

4) URGES member states to coordinate counter-terrorism activities, and share information and intelligence on individuals and organizations that practice terrorism, to combat its spread on an international level.

5) STRONGLY ENCOURAGES member states to do everything possible to address the underlying causes of terrorism within their borders, including but not limited to: poverty, racism, inequality or indoctrinated hatred.

6) CONDEMNS the use of terrorism by any member state of the World Assembly and

7) REQUIRES any member nation employing terrorism to immediately cease and desist.

Co-Author: Wachichi

Votes For: 3 451
Votes Against: 1 247

Implemented Sun Nov 30 2008

[WAR25 on NS] [WAR25 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

World Assembly Economic Union [Struck out by Resolution #45]
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Category: Free Trade
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: New Leicestershire

Description: The World Assembly, resolved to strengthen the special bonds of friendship and cooperation among our nations; contribute to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade; provide a catalyst to broader international cooperation; create an expanded and secure market for the goods and services produced in our nations; reduce distortions to trade and ensure a predictable commercial framework for business planning and investment;


1.ENCOURAGES the free, fair and open trade/transfer of all goods, services, raw materials, commodities and labor between member states without prejudice;

2. ESTABLISHES the World Assembly Trade Commission (WATC) to arbitrate any and all trade disputes which may arise concerning the implementation of this legislation. Such arbitration may include, but is not limited to, cases involving alleged price dumping by WA members upon WA members, disputes over the interpretation of the terms and conditions of this resolution, and any alleged violations by member states;

3. AUTHORIZES the WATC to implement a process for the gradual elimination of protectionist devices restricting the trade of all goods, services, raw materials, commodities and labor, including but not limited to tariffs, duties, subsidies, subventions and quotas employed by WA member nations.

- The process will be conducted through a series of meetings convened by the WATC at its own discretion, but at least one per decade, with the goal of eventual elimination of all protectionist devices employed by WA member nations;

- Decisions arrived at by the WATC in the scheduled meetings are binding;

4. RECOGNIZES that certain domestic programs such as fuel subsidies, government stipends and small business loans are not protectionist in nature. Authorizes the WATC to review these programs and declare any that are not in fact protectionist in nature to be outside the scope of this resolution;

5. DECLARES that nations may apply reasonable restrictions on trade in the following cases:

- to ensure the stability of industries supplying essential products (such as military equipment or other items vital to national security);
- in times of severe economic crisis, where such measures are required to ensure a stable supply of essential products;
- to collect revenue for the sole purposes of economic recovery following severe collapse;
- in other special circumstances, as determined by the WATC.

6. AFFIRMS the right of nations to impose regulations, including embargoes, for cultural, safety, environmental, human rights, ethical or other reasons, on goods and services and their manufacture, subject to WATC approval;

7. EMPHASIZES that WA member nations reserve the right to employ retaliatory tariffs towards non-WA nations to prevent price dumping and authorizes the WATC to review and rule upon alleged cases of price dumping by WA members upon WA members;

8. REQUIRES member governments to establish programs to alleviate the possible impact of this resolution on workers and their families. Examples of the services provided by such programs are job retraining, help with relocation of displaced workers and training or assistance in small business start-ups.

Votes For: 2,841
Votes Against: 1,622

Implemented Sun Dec 7 2008

[WAR26 on NS] [WAR26 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Freedom of Assembly [Struck out by GA 536]
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Cookesland

Description: Nations of the World Assembly,

BELIEVING that it is an inherent right of every individual to freely associate and assemble,

APPALLED that in some nations this right is not enjoyed by all their peoples,

APPLAUDING the use of peaceful protest as a means to bring about political discussion and/or change,

DENOUNCING violence, fear, and/or terrorism as ways of bringing about these changes as a result of restriction of these freedoms,

Hereby establishes the following:

1.) All individuals shall have the right to peacefully assemble, associate, and protest to promote, pursue, and express any goal, cause, or view.

2.) No Government, Federal Authority, Corporation, or any other political or social group may take any action to infringe upon these rights; unless the individuals organizing are trespassing on private property and/or if circumstances beyond the control of the Government threaten the safety of those organizing.

3.) These things having been ordained, states that Freedom of Assembly cannot be extended towards any call for: violence, rioting, and/or actions that would cause harm to innocent people.

Votes For: 3,636
Votes Against: 1,487

Implemented Mon Dec 15 2008

[WAR27 on NS] [WAR27 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Fair Criminal Trial"
A proposal to repeal a previously passed resolution

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #13
Proposed by: Gobbannaen WA Mission

Description: WA Resolution #13: Fair Criminal Trial (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The World Assembly,

WORRIED that dealing with both pre-trial and at-trial rights in a single resolution leaves too little room for either,

CONCERNED that witnesses may refuse cross-examination at their whim,

AWARE that the right to face one's accusers is an essential part of a free trial,

CONCERNED that trials must be fully open, and may in no part take place in privacy,

VERY CONCERNED that jury deliberations are part of a trial, and that public deliberation will put undue pressures on jurists,

ALARMED that the defence counsel must be supplied with any documentation relevant to the case, no matter how confidential,

APPALLED that client/patient privilege, amongst other confidential arrangements, is thus wiped out at a stroke,

ALARMED that files related to national security can also be revealed and discussed in detail in open court,

OUTRAGED at the security hole that every single member nation of the World Assembly is now required to have,

Hereby repeals resolution 13, "Fair Criminal Trial".

Votes For: 2,780
Votes Against: 1,577

Implemented Mon Dec 22 2008

[WAR28 on NS] [WAR28 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Patient's Rights Act
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: New Leicestershire

Description: The World Assembly, believing that all persons have the right to participate in the assessment of their medical needs, the development of their treatment plans and to receive information concerning their condition and treatment; asserting that medical professionals must be able to provide these services without undue government interference in the doctor/patient relationship; and further asserting that patients have the right to expect confidential treatment of all communications and records relating to their care;

Hereby declares that:

(I) Patients have the right to emergency medical treatment under circumstances requiring lifesaving procedures. A physician or qualified caregiver may provide treatment without the patient’s consent if, because of emergency circumstances, including the patient’s physical or mental state, it is not possible to obtain their consent.

(II) All persons who are lawfully present within any WA member nation have the right to undergo any non-emergency medical procedure deemed necessary and beneficial to the patient by their physician or other medical professional, which is legal for that person in the nation where the procedure is performed, and for which confirmed funding is available.

(III) Patients have the right to be involved in decisions concerning their care and to be given full and accurate information about the nature of their illnesses, diagnostic procedures, risks and necessity of alternative procedures, the proposed treatment and the costs involved, provided that such information does not violate the medical confidentiality of other persons.

(IV) Patients may refuse treatment, provided that such refusal does not endanger the health of others. In non-emergency circumstances, treatment may be given without the patient's consent only in the presence of a legal instrument issued by a court of jurisdiction stating that the patient is not competent to make decisions.

(V) Patients have the right to be given full and accurate information about the persons and institutions directly and personally involved in their care as it relates to their care.

(VI) Personal medical records and the contents of such records, including consultations between patients and physicians, shall be held in the strictest confidence and shall not be made available to any third party without the consent of the patient, with the following exceptions:
(i) Records shall be released in response to a warrant, subpoena, or similar legal instrument issued by a court of jurisdiction.
(ii) Physicians may make the patient's personal medical records and the contents of such records available to their colleagues and any healthcare professionals involved in the patient's treatment for the purpose of providing medical care to the patient and for other reasons such as morbidity study. Records entirely stripped of all personal details may be published.

(VII) The standard of care shall not be affected by religion, race, sex, nationality, country of birth, or other such grounds, except where such factors are medically relevant to the required course of action.

(VIII) For the purposes of this legislation, "patient" may also refer to a legal guardian if the patient is under the age of majority, or is an adult unable to understand their rights under this Act.

(IX) Patients shall be fully informed of their rights in a manner they can understand.

Votes For: 3,228
Votes Against: 797

Implemented Sat Dec 27 2008

[WAR29 on NS] [WAR29 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Freedom of Expression [Struck out by 433 GA]
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Omigodtheykilledkenny

Description: Assured that freedom of expression is an essential human right deserving of international protection;

Determined that no one should have to put their lives, families, liberty or property at risk for expressing honest dissent with, otherwise criticizing or even satirizing their leaders, governments, societies, churches or any other institutions of established power;

Chastened by the sacrifices already made by prisoners and victims of conscience throughout the world;

Nonetheless convinced that free expression does not extend to such abuses as defamation, incitements to disorder, or academic fraud;

Agreed that for purposes of this resolution defamation is defined as the use of knowingly false information, or the raising of such with reckless disregard for its truthfulness, in a deliberate attempt to impugn the character or reputation of any individual, group or organization, excepting government institutions or political leaders,

Be it therefore resolved that the World Assembly:

Affirms the right of all people to express their personal, moral, political, cultural, religious and ideological views freely and openly, without fear of reprisal;

Requires member states to respect and uphold this right in all available media to all individuals under their jurisdiction;

Expects member states to enforce this right fairly and equitably in the application of national laws;

Allows member states to set reasonable restrictions on expression in order to prevent defamation, as well as plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement, and other forms of academic fraud; incitements to widespread lawlessness and disorder, or violence against any individual, group or organization; the unauthorized disclosure of highly classified government information; the unauthorized disclosure of strictly confidential personal information; and blatant, explicit and offensive pornographic materials;

Forbids member states from abusing these restrictions in an effort to stifle free expression among law-abiding citizens.

Votes For: 3,225
Votes Against: 992

Implemented Thu Jan 1 2009

[WAR30 on NS] [WAR30 on Nswiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

World Health Authority
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Belarum

Description: The World Assembly,

Believing that the nations of not only the World Assembly, but those outside WA jurisdiction should be committed to the health and well-being of their people,

Further believing that good health is a key component in socioeconomic growth, development, and progress,

Deeply concerned by the potential lack of prevention and control of disease or other threats to good health in the respective member states of the World Assembly, as well as the potential lack of coordination between agencies of nations in bringing medical advances and preventative measures to nations of the WA in fighting disease, as well as addressing overall health concerns,

Emphasizing the importance of disseminating crucial information concerning current and emerging threats to global health throughout the international community, to include nations which may not hold membership in the World Assembly,

Resolving to bring decent health standards as well as coordination and preparedness to combat threats to health to as many nations as possible, hereby:

I) Strongly encourages nations to make spending commitments to achieving decent health standards for their people;

II) Further encourages coordination between the existing health agencies of nations in order to promote decent health standards in the international community;

III) Establishes the World Health Authority (WHA), with the mission to:
-identify, assess, and communicate current and emerging threats to global health,
-actively research treatment, cures, and preventative measures concerning threats to global health,
-coordinate efforts between WA member states in preventing and controlling serious health concerns;

IV) Mandates the establishment of WHA offices in the member states of the World Assembly, as necessary in order to:
-monitor the global health situation in order to prevent and control emerging threats,
-articulate and advise governments on health matters with information that is both ethical and evidence-based,
-disseminate crucial information and research concerning health internationally in a quick and orderly fashion,
-coordinate and/or support relief efforts in WA member states in partnership with the appropriate agencies or take responsibility itself should those agencies be unable to respond;

V) Strongly encourages individual nations to:
-create agencies concerned with the health of their people,
-research ways to prevent and remedy threats to decent health,
-disseminate such information in the international community in order to impede threats to decent health.

Votes For: 3,284
Votes Against: 838

Implemented Tue Jan 6 2009

[WAR31 on NS] [WAR31 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Veterans Reform Act [Struck out by Resolution #36]
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Studly Penguins

Description: Co-authored by Nebulantis

The World Assembly,

DEFINING, a 'veteran' who has served, or is currently serving, in a nation’s armed services during times of peace or war, whether through conscription or by one’s own free will,

ALSO DEFINING, ‘civilian life’ as the pursuit of an existence external to a nation’s armed services

RECOGNIZING that most nations and regions have armed services,

ALARMED by the inadequate treatment of returning veterans in some nations, regarding employment, medical care, and psychiatric care,

EMPHASIZING the need for a comprehensive and updated strategy to assist returning veterans,

1. ESTABLISHES the WA Veteran Assistance Offices (WAVAO), an organization designed to carry out the actions outlined in this resolution;
a) Endorses the founding of WAVAO in all WA-member nations;
b) Proclaims the World Assembly shall finance WAVAO in its entirety, within WA-member nations;
c) Notes that the cost of WAVAO, financed by the World Assembly, shall include the establishment of offices, services, and other expenses incurred by the program;
d) Invites WA-member nations to assist non-member nations who desire to establish WAVAO in their own states, at the discretion of the former;

2. DECLARES that all returning veterans shall be guaranteed full re-instatement, conditional upon a satisfactory review to their place of employment, upon their return to civilian life;

3. URGES that this re-instatement shall include, but not be limited to, the following;
a) Current or equivalent position at time of deployment;
b) Rate of pay at time of deployment, appropriately adjusted for inflation or deflation;
c) Access to any bonus pay or monetary raise that the veteran would have achieved under typical circumstances;
d) Reasonable consideration of the veteran for promotions that they would have been eligible for;

4. ENCOURAGES that this re-instatement shall also include assistance in finding alternative employment, under the following conditions;
a) Veteran may select any employment or government agency of their choosing, should they wish to seek this assistance;
b) The selected agency shall assist in trying to find employment for the veteran that matches their current skills, technical ability, and past job history;
c) Until sufficient employment is achieved, the veteran shall receive a check equal to their monthly rate of military pay, payable monthly for a maximum of twelve months, and financed by the World Assembly through the WAVAO;
d) If acquired employment is lost, the veteran shall be subject to their jurisdiction’s unemployment laws and code.

5. SOLEMNLY AFFIRMS that all veterans shall be offered access to state-of-the-art medical and psychiatric treatment, with monetary assistance being provided by the World Assembly through the WAVAO as needed;

6. FURTHER RESOLVES that monetary insurance shall be provided for combat-related injuries and illnesses, and that the WAVAO shall work with the individual nation to determine appropriate compensation levels for different conditions;

7. REMINDS all nations that dishonorably discharged veterans may be excluded from any of the services applied by this resolution, at the individual nation’s discretion.

8. PROCLAIMS that a veteran under investigation for war crimes / already found guilty of war crimes, will be excluded.

Votes For: 2,423
Votes Against: 2,165

Implemented Thu Jan 22 2009

[WAR32 on NS] [WAR32 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Coordinating Relief Aid"
A proposal to repeal a previously passed resolution

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #5
Proposed by: Pantherai

Description: WA Resolution #5: Coordinating Relief Aid (Category: Social Justice; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: ACKNOWLEDGING that, in principle, such a resolution is an admirable effort to better provide relief aid to areas that need it,

APPLAUDING all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on providing such humanitarian aid,

NOTING that, although providing relief aid should be a fundamental part of The World Assembly, the coordinating of NGOs is not an effective way to go about it. This is because, naturally, many NGOs would prefer not to affiliate themselves with an organisation such as The World Assembly and shall continue to work independently thus making coordination of relief aid a fruitless task.

SEEKING an opportunity to establish a resolution which would put World Assembly resources to a more effective system of providing humanitarian aid,

AND HOPING that a resolution will, in the future, be put forward to create a World Assembly body that will, while working closely with NGOs in an informal capacity, shall provide its own structure of providing relief aid.

The World Assembly hereby repeals the 'Coordinating Relief Aid' Resolution.

Votes For: 2,582
Votes Against: 1,429

Implemented Tue Jan 27 2009

[WAR33 on NS] [WAR33 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

International Transport Safety [Struck out by GA 732]
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.

Category: Free Trade
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Cobdenia

Description: UNDERSTANDING that the international transport of both passengers & cargo is a necessary part of world trade

DESIRING international transportation systems to be consistent in its safety & reliable throughout the nations of the World Assembly

CONVINCED that the international standardisation of safety features, accident investigation and communications is the best means towards greater transport safety

HEREBY

1) FOUNDS the International Transport Safety Committee (ITSC)

2) CHARGES the ITSC to enact regulations pertaining to the safety, communications, markings & signals, distress signals, loading limits, emergency protocols, the provision of life saving equipment, mechanical inspection protocol, standards of accident investigation, and search & rescue procedures for international shipping, aviation, and railways

3) FURTHER AUTHORISES the ITSC to set training and, where deemed necessary, experience requirements for internationally operating:
a) Cockpit Personnel, Flight Attendants and private pilots on aircraft
b) Masters, Deck & Navigation Officers, Chief Engineers & Engineering Officers, Stewards and Seamen on merchant vessels
c) Enginemen, Guards, and Brakemen on trains, and Signalmen & Station Staff on international railway lines
d) Maintenance Personnel & Officials involved in the upkeep & operation of transport systems

4) DECLARES that the ITSC undertake cost benefit analysis, feasibility & technological practicality studies, and other considerations before issuing regulations. Regulation will vary depending on the type, design & construction date of the aircraft, sea vessels, locomotives & rolling stock in question, as well the infrastructure surrounding such, and whether its use is classified as private or commercial

5) MANDATES that all aircraft, seagoing vessels, trains & railway routes operating internationally, and their relevant infrastructures, conform to ITSC requirements, subject to exemptions in article 6. Nations may require transport based in their own countries to conform to higher standards

6) AUTHORISES the following exemptions to article 5:
a) Domestic transport need not comply with ITSC regulations
b) Military craft & related control systems operating in peacetime need only comply with communications directives in circumstances where a threat is posed to civilian craft. Military craft operating during in wartime or involved in military operations are exempted fully from ITSC regulations
c) Military airfields & naval dockyards operating in peacetimes, and domestic transport hubs, must also comply with communications, markings, emergency equipment requirements, and avail themselves to civilian transport in distress

7) PROHIBITS nations from barring WA member state commercial transports in compliance with ITSC regulations from operating in their airspace, territory or territorial waters, or preventing such from docking, landing, or otherwise embarking/disembarking passengers & loading/unloading freight,
a) Nations are permitted to introduce reasonable requirements of prior notification and authorisation, but such are not to be refused on the grounds of the nation of the transport’s origin
b) Nations may refuse entry &c., if there are necessary practical reasons for doing so, such as limited capacity or quarantine, or in times of war or economic sanctions.

Votes For: 2,839
Votes Against: 1,070

Implemented Sun Feb 1 2009

[WAR34 on NSwiki] [WAR34 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

The Charter of Civil Rights [Struck out by GA 704]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Urgench

Description: Hailing the work in furtherance of personal freedom already achieved by the World Assembly and,

Recognising this work as the preeminent task of civilisation and,

Seeking to augment this,

The World Assembly,

Requires W.A. member states to fairly and equally enact and enforce the following articles,

Article 1.

a ) All inhabitants of member states are equal in status in law and under its actions, and have the right to equal treatment and protection by the nation they inhabit or in which they are currently present.

b ) All inhabitants of member states are entitled to rights secured to them in international law and the law of the nation they inhabit or in which they are currently present.

c ) All inhabitants of member states have the right not to be and indeed must not be discriminated against on grounds including sex, race, ethnicity, nationality, skin color, language, economic or cultural background, physical or mental disability or condition, religion or belief system, sexual orientation or sexual identity, or any other arbitrarily assigned and reductive categorisation which may be used for the purposes of discrimination, except for compelling practical purposes, such as hiring only female staff to work with battered women who have sought refuge from their abusers.

d ) Member states are enjoined to counteract ignorance and prejudice, and are urged to create or support education programs in ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity.

e ) The application of both emergency legal measures and Martial law during periods of national crisis must also respect the provisions of this resolution.


Article 2.

a ) Unfair and unreasonable discrimination, on the grounds outlined in clause c) of article 1 of this resolution, in private employment, housing, education, employment benefits, compensations and access to services provided to the general public shall be prohibited by all member states.

b ) Unprovoked violence against or intimidation of any person on the grounds outlined in clause c) of article 1 of this resolution shall be a civil cause and criminal offense in all member states.

c ) Member states shall actively work towards eliminating criminal incidents motivated by hatred or prejudice based on cultural or societal differences.

d ) Nothing in this article shall be construed as to deny additional or stronger protections against discrimination and abuse enacted by member states.

Votes For: 3,076
Votes Against: 1,513

Implemented Fri Feb 6 2009

[WAR35 on NS] [WAR35 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "Veterans Reform Act"
A proposal to repeal a previously passed resolution

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #32
Proposed by: Zarquon Froods

Description: WA Resolution #32: Veterans Reform Act (Category: Social Justice; Strength: Strong) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: SADDENED by the fact that this resolution was submitted before it was effectively refined;

OUTRAGED at the multitude of flaws this resolution holds within its body;

DISMAYED by the fact that member nations will be required to fund care for another nation's "veterans", including, but not limited to, those soldiers who have recently been at war againt them or those they will be at war with in the future;

ALARMED by this resolution’s definition of “veteran” that includes not only those citizens who have willingly joined their nation’s armed services, but also those who have been conscripted which, in certain cases, can include a vast majority of a nation's citizens;

CONCERNED that the WA Veterans Assistance Office (WAVAO) requires all member nations to incur the monetary cost of all services allocated by Section 4 of the "Veterans Reform Act" through use of the W.A. General Fund;

MORTIFIED that the expenditures incurred to the General Fund by the WAVAO are exponential, un-restricted, unregulated and extremely vulnerable to corrupt abuse, leading to a high likelihood of massive depletion of W.A. funds;

HEREBY repeals the Veterans Reform Act.

Votes For: 3,122
Votes Against: 892

Implemented Wed Feb 11 2009

[WAR36 on NS] [WAR36 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Fairness in Criminal Trials
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Gobbannium

Description: The World Assembly,

UNDERSTANDING that anyone may be accused of a criminal act, whether innocent or not;

DESIRING that the innocent not be wrongly punished and that the guilty not be wrongly exonerated;

BELIEVING that rigorous examination of evidence will aid this cause;

RECOGNISING that nations have many different equally valid legal systems;

OBSERVING that persons from many nations travel to other nations for a variety of reasons;

CONVINCED that agreement amongst member states on the basic legal rights of individuals concerning trials can further protect travellers and improve relations between nations;

MANDATES that all persons charged with criminal offences in the jurisdictions of member nations shall be brought to trial with such reasonable speed as is consistent with both prosecution and defence properly assembling available relevant evidence;

DEFINES "criminal offences" as those prosecuted by the state or a state-appointed actor;

REQUIRES that such trials be directed impartially by someone competent in the area of law concerned;

REQUIRES further that such trials be adjudicated impartially by person or persons competent to understand the proceedings;

COMMENDS to the consideration of member nations a jury of the accused's peers as such trial adjudicators;

INSISTS that the accused be permitted expert representation by a professional versed in the area of law concerned;

INSISTS that the accused and their representative be permitted to confer in private as regards the facts and presentation of the case, and that no part of such a conference may be revealed to any third party without the explicit permission of the accused;

FURTHER INSISTS that governmental or charitable mechanisms be set up to provide such representation to those accused otherwise unable to afford it;

REQUIRES that the accused be capable of understanding proceedings, through the provision by the court of translators and carers as necessary;

REQUIRES that evidence-giving, any addressing of the trial adjudicators by either the prosecution or defence, and any procedural or legal directives made by the trial director shall be open and transparent, excepting that individual evidence-giving may be done with the public excluded if the trial director agrees that openness would present a risk to national security;

OBSERVES that ceremonial or religious activities of the court not related to evidence-giving, addressing the trial adjudicators, or directing the course of the trial may or may not be required to be open at the determination of member nations;

FORBIDS prejudicial public discussion of a trial and prejudicial private discussion with the trial adjudicators while the trial is in progress;

REQUIRES that the accused, through their representative, be permitted to question those who bear witness against them;

ALLOWS that the identity of witnesses may be concealed as deemed appropriate by the trial director, provided there are reasonable grounds to fear that the witnesses concerned may otherwise be endangered or unfairly coerced;

REQUIRES that the accused may not be forced to self-incrimination, and that this constitutes sufficient reason for them to refuse to answer a question put to them during the trial;

OPINES that a trial should be held reasonably locally to the place of commission of the crime;

HEARTILY RECOMMENDS the use of a verdict of "Not Proven" where the trial adjudicators think it appropriate.

Votes For: 2,905
Votes Against: 1,058

Implemented Tue Feb 24 2009

[WAR37 on NS] [WAR37 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Convention Against Genocide
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Kelssek

Description: WHEREAS genocide is a most reprehensible crime and an affront to civilisation itself; and,

CONVINCED that no circumstance can justify the commission of genocide; and,

SEEKING to enact measures to prevent and punish acts of genocide,

NOW THEREFORE, the World Assembly enacts as follows:

1. (1) Genocide shall be defined as any act committed, or measure enacted, with the intent to destroy, in whole or partially, an identifiable group of persons on the basis of belief, ethnicity, nationality, culture, or a perceived innate characteristic, which for the purposes of this resolution shall include sexual orientation.

(2) Acts of genocide include, but are not limited to: killing or inflicting serious harm upon members of the group, creating living conditions for the group which tend to bring about its physical destruction, forcibly removing children from the group, or taking measures to prevent births within the group.

2. Member nations are prohibited from perpetrating acts of genocide, and must take action against non-state groups undertaking such activities whithin their borders.

3. Member nations must provide aid, protection and refuge to victims of genocide to the best of their ability, and must deny such aid to the perpetrators of genocide.

4. Genocide, conspiring to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to genocide, attempting to commit genocide, and complicity in genocide shall be punishable acts in all member states.

5. (1) Nations must facilitate the extradition of those suspected of the crimes specified in section 4 to the appropriate authority should they have escaped outside of the appropriate authority's control, subject to national and international law.

(2) The crimes specified in section 4 may not be considered political crimes for the purposes of preventing extradition proceedings.

6. In consideration of the gravity of the crime of genocide, member nations are strongly urged to apply the harshest penalties under their laws for the punishment of those convicted of genocide, and part of the sentence shall include measures to prevent those found guilty of genocide from repeating such acts.

7. The final goal of action against genocide is to uphold the rights of sapient beings, and actions taken against genocide should be consistent with this higher goal.

Votes For: 3,219
Votes Against: 965

Implemented Sun Mar 1 2009

[WAR38 on NS] [WAR38 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

The Right to a Lawful Divorce
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Sionis Prioratus

Description: THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD ASSEMBLED,

CELEBRATING the cultural diversity of its member states,

RECOGNIZING that legal unions of marriage vary among member nations and include civil contracts regulating the union of two or more persons including nationally recognized effects on the common estate and inheritance rights of the parties,

RECOGNIZING the fallibility of sentient desires and actions, failures which can touch aspects fundamental to a person's pursuit of happiness, among them the choice of entering in good faith in a partnership for the purpose of lasting a lifetime,

RECOGNIZING that unions of marriage may become unwanted, untenable, undesirable, harmful, and even dangerous,

APPALLED that certain member States have not desisted to devise ever subtler ways to try to ignore self-evident sentient rights, such as the right to happiness, the right to avoid harm to oneself and one's children, the right to self-determination, and the right to pursue a second chance in life,

ENACTS the following resolution:

1) Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage, which ceases to have legal existence between the requesting party or parties to said marriage from the date the divorce is legally and finally pronounced, and shall henceforth be available to all inhabitants of the World Assembly member states without let or hindrance.

2) Any of the parties to a marriage may ask for and obtain a lawful divorce in appropriate legal systems of the member state which they inhabit, which shall resolve such dissolutions fairly, equitably, and with promptitude.

3) Legal parenthood shall never be annulled by the sole reason of a divorce. In case the divorcing parties to a marriage have children, appropriate legal systems of member states shall resolve issues of custody of and support for said children with an overriding priority of the best interests of each and every child.

4) Upon divorce proceedings, appropriate latitude shall be given in the defense of personal assets, and appropriate legal systems of member states shall determine equitable distribution of the parties’ common estate and inheritance rights.

5) No penalty of any kind shall be imposed on a party or parties seeking divorce for the sole reason of such seeking or for the sole reason there is no consent of all parties to such divorce.

6) Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed so as to dictate the beliefs or the internal, solely religious procedures and rites any religion should follow.

Votes For: 2,833
Votes Against: 1,807

Implemented Sat Mar 7 2009

[WAR39 on NS] [WAR39 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

The Landmine Convention [Struck out by Resolution #304]
A resolution to slash worldwide military spending.

Category: Global Disarmament
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Quintessence of Dust

Description: The World Assembly,

Believing victim-detonated anti-personnel landmines to be weapons whose capacity for civilian casualties outweighs any security benefits,

Requires its members to:

1. Define, for the purposes of interpreting these obligations:
- 'landmines' as explosive devices placed on or under the ground and designed to cause injury or death to persons activating the device by proximity or contact,
- 'mined area' as an area in which one or more live landmines has been deployed,
- 'dispose' to be the act of destroying, permanently deactivating, or otherwise rendering non-functional, such as through conversion to command detonation, landmines;

2. Dispose of all landmines within their present stocks as soon as is practicably possible, with due regard for safety, security, and environmental consequences;

3. Immediately and permanently cease and desist the production, deployment, and transfer of landmines, including the rendering of technical assistance in their production or deployment;

4. Seize all undeployed landmine stocks within their jurisdiction for disposal as required by Article 2;

5. Take effective measures to prevent non-state actors within their jurisdiction from effecting such actions as outlawed by Article 3;

6. Conduct prompt surveys to determine the location of mined areas within their jurisdiction;

7. Institute available precautions, as they deem appropriate and safe, to prevent casualties in mined areas, such as:
- restricting access to such areas,
- signposting such areas with clear warnings, using relevant languages as well as easily understood, non-written symbols,
- indicating the limits of such mined areas on maps and charts,
- informing the public of the dangers of mined areas,
- where possible, engaging in prompt and effective mine clearance.

The World Assembly does further:

8. Exempt from these obligations:
- the transfer of landmines for the purpose of disposal, or for the research and development of mine clearance or mine safety, providing such transfers are limited to absolute necessity,
- the production, possession and deployment of limited numbers of landmines for the purposes of research and development mine clearance or mine safety, provided such actions are conducted within secure areas and with the highest regard for safety,
- the rendering of technical assistance aimed solely at reducing the danger of landmines to non-military personnel, such as through conversion to command-detonation;

9. Establish the World Assembly Demining Agency (WADA) with a charter to:
- conduct and aid mine clearance operations, where requested,
- research and develop mine clearance technology,
- instruct civilians on landmine safety and treatment of landmine-related injuries,
- further promote landmine safety awareness through educational and informational campaigns;

10. Compel the WADA to respect the territorial sovereignty of member nations, stipulating that:
- member nations may request assistance for mined areas within their jurisdiction,
- requesting nations must provide all available information on the mined area,
- storage and disposal of removed landmines and fragments is the responsibility of requesting nations, and the WADA may refuse involvement if the requesting nation is deemed incompetent to perform such tasks.

Votes For: 2,766
Votes Against: 1,405

Implemented Thu Mar 19 2009

[WAR40 on NS] [WAR40 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Access to Life-Saving Drugs
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Sionis Prioratus

Description: THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD ASSEMBLED,

NOTING the awe-inspiring and hard-worked advancements in the pharmaceutical industry in what regards producing life-saving drugs, rescuing entire populations from despair and certain death from some of the most deadly epidemics ever known to sapientkind,

ACKNOWLEDGING that, for better or for worse, the search for financial profits and academic recognition are as of now indissociable and main driving forces for development of said life-saving drugs,

FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGING that the poorest nations most of the times only benefit from these breakthroughs after decades of their inception and after countless lives were needlessly and tragically lost, destroying families, entire communities, cities, nations, regions,

REALIZING that both concerns can be through good will and common sense be brought to a common and decent ground, balancing economic interests needed to continue the development of new life-saving drugs and the self-evident right of every sapient being to have access to the best medicines available to the cure of their ailments,

DECLARING AS OBVIOUS that no sapient being’s health should be held hostage to any nation’s ideology, notwithstanding the sacred notion that nations of all stripes are equal before this World Assembly,

RESOLVES:

1) An appropriate part of World Health Authority’s budget shall be directed for buying and distributing, when and where necessary, high-cost life-saving medications and vaccines. Negotiations shall take place between the agencies and patent holders so as to achieve a minimum acceptable price, one that does not hamper the industries affected nor further research, nor depletes the WA economic resources or otherwise adversely impacts the multitude of activities dependant on WA funding.

2) Life-saving medications’ and vaccines patents may be temporarily waivered only in the most extraordinary of situations, like in the presence of imminent or unfolding public health catastrophes, such as lethal airborne diseases with a small period of incubation, strictly for as small a period as necessary, as determined by the WHA and only after every other venue of emergency negotiations between the WA and the patent holders have been exhausted.

3) If such a waiver is to be proclaimed, patent holders shall receive financial compensation proportional to the period between such proclamation and the suspension of said waiver, after a through audit of the values disputed, done by the WHA, the WA Trade Commission, and the WA General Accounting Office, in an appropriate time frame, and always mindful of the imperative of not to adversely impact the universe of WA-funded activities.

a) Funding for such compensation shall come from the usual WA funding mechanisms. Private donations, insofar they may create a perception of bias, are strictly forbidden.

4) The WHA shall, through statistical analysis, identify diseases that affect mainly the poorest populations, diseases for which there have not been as yet serious attempts at a research for a cure or a vaccine.

a) A Health Research & Development Division is hereby created within the WHA, with the aim to research and develop cures and vaccines for said diseases. All breakthroughs arising therewith shall be put into public domain. Products arising from such breakthroughs shall be produced according to standards set by the WHA and its divisions, and distributed when and where necessary.

Votes For: 3,269
Votes Against: 1,183

Implemented Tue Apr 7 2009

[WAR41 on NS] [WAR41 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

WA Environmental Council [Struck out by Resolution #152]
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.

Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses
Proposed by: Parilisa

Description: RECOGNISING that the maintenance of a balance between the advances of modern life and the natural world is a vital but often neglected factor in the hope of the world’s continued prosperity.

REALISING that the World Assembly, as a governing body and aid to the international community as a whole, has the responsibility to help explore and protect the environment and its resources.

SECTION 1-The World Assembly Environmental Council

The World Assembly hereby creates the World Assembly Environmental Council (WAEC) as a neutral organisation for the benefit of the environment and our continued existence within it.

SECTION 2-The Aims and Activities of the WAEC

a) The WAEC shall conduct research to identify and resolve environmental problems including but not limited to: climate change, pollution, depletion of natural resources, and natural disasters, in association with experts in the respective field. Scientists shall be employed from around the world to produce detailed accounts and records for the WAEC to help them issue advice to the international community

b) The WAEC shall publish records of all its findings and activities and make them public. These shall include annual surveys of the condition of the environment and assessments of potential future dangers and damages.

c) Nations are urged to assist WAEC research within their own country. However, members must avoid putting pressure upon scientists so that WAEC work is without bias.

d) The WAEC has the authority to monitor the environment of international territory in addition to the environments of World Assembly members. All surveys and studies shall be carried out legally in accordance with international and national law.

e) Based upon the advice and suggestions of scientists and the facts made clear in WAEC scientific reports, the WAEC shall discuss and debate goals or limits to be aimed for by particular nations or by the World Assembly as a whole. The progress of nations to whom particular goals or limits have been suggested will be monitored and governments are strongly urged to cooperate with the activities of the Council.

SECTION 3- Funding of the WAEC

Funding for the WAEC shall come directly from the World Assembly; it shall receive no additional funding from other sources.

Votes For: 2,832
Votes Against: 1,390

Implemented Sun Apr 12 2009

[WAR42 on NS] [WAR42 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

WA Labor Relations Act
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Hiriaurtung Arororugul

Description: The World Assembly, believing that the ability to form and join labor unions is an important factor in assuring proper compensation and adequate working conditions; recognizing that industrial actions are sometimes the only means available for workers to influence management decisions; however, also believing that the welfare of the general public must be of paramount concern in weighing the right of workers to engage in such actions; hereby:

1. RESOLVES that all WA member nations must recognize and ensure the right of workers to form or join unions of their choice for the purpose of collective representation, and the right of those unions to establish and join international unions and federations of labor organizations both nationally and internationally.

2. ESTABLISHES the right of all workers to engage in strikes and other industrial actions, including, but not limited to, work slowdowns, overtime refusal, work-to-rule and general strikes, provided that those actions are authorized by a union and do not cause physical harm to persons or property;
a. Employers are not required to pay wages of workers while they are on strike.
b. Workers may not be terminated from employment for participating in a strike or industrial action legally authorized by a union.
c. Employers are prohibited from engaging in actions which interfere with the right of workers to engage in strikes, or actions which interfere with the ability to maintain a strike.

3. DECLARES that national governments may exempt from the rights granted in clause 2:
a. Strikes or other industrial actions not authorized by a union.
b. Strikes or other industrial actions which significantly endanger the health or welfare of the public, such as, but not limited to strikes by medical and police personnel.

4. RESERVES to the respective member nations the right to determine the extent to which the provisions of this resolution shall apply to members of the armed forces, law enforcement personnel, providers of emergency services, and government employees providing essential public services.

5. MANDATES that labor disputes involving workers lacking the right to strike under articles 3.b. and 4 of this resolution be settled through binding arbitration administered by an independent and unbiased third party.

6. DECLARES that national governments may require unions to supply fair notice to employers and relevant government agencies in advance of industrial action.

7. AFFIRMS the right of unions and their national and international organisations to be free to draw up their own constitutions and rules, organise their own administration and activities, and formulate their own programs. National governments may require that unions operate democratically and may set a minimum percentage of membership for legal recognition of unions, not to exceed 50%+1.

8. Union members have the right to form new unions or seek representation from a different union if they feel they are not currently being provided fair and competent representation.

9. FORBIDS discrimination based on union membership where employment is concerned. Union members and non-members must be afforded equal treatment in hiring, work assignment, compensation, promotion, training and education, and disciplinary actions.

10. DECLARES that unions must abide by national law, and that national laws shall not be made to impair the guarantees provided for in this resolution.

Votes For: 2,682
Votes Against: 1,661

Implemented Fri Apr 17 2009

[WAR43 on NS] [WAR43 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Reduction of Abortion Act [Struck out by Resolution #250]
A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.

Category: Social Justice
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: The Cat-Tribe

Description: The World Assembly,

RECOGNIZING that legitimate and good-faith differences of opinion exist concerning the legality and morality of abortion, but that abortion is nonetheless a matter of concern and the reduction of abortion rates is desirable to all parties,

OBSERVING that abortion rates may be reduced by the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, improvements in relevant medical care, and increased access to information,

DEEPLY CONCERNED that member states may unintentionally increase abortion rates due to limitations on information and services that would decrease pregnancy complications and remove incentives for abortion,

BELIEVING that many resources that would reduce abortion rates are also inherently desirable such as better family planning, help for those who wish to adopt children, safer childbirth and pregnancy, prevention of rape and incest, and reduction of the emotional, economic, and physical cost on pregnant women and mothers,

DESIRING the removal of economic reasons for abortion and economic barriers to childbirth,

HEREBY:

1. DEFINES "abortion reduction services" as including all of the following: (1) abstinence education, (2) adoption services, (3) contraceptives, (4) family planning services, (5) pre-natal, obstetric, and post-natal medical care, counseling, and services, (6) comprehensive sex education, and (7) education, awareness, prevention, and counseling programs to prevent rape and incest;

2. AFFIRMS the right of individuals to access information regarding abortion reduction services;

3. STRONGLY URGES member states to research, invest in, and provide universal access to abortion reduction services;

4. FURTHER ENCOURAGES member states to provide financial aid to pregnant individuals and parents to reduce or remove economic reasons for abortion and economic barriers to childbirth;

5. EXPANDS the mission of the World Health Authority and its offices in WA member states to include:

a. providing universal access to abortion reduction services in accordance with national and local laws,

b. actively researching the subjects of the epidemiology of abortion and abortion reduction services and making public the results of such research in a non-political manner,

c. facilitating the sharing of technology among member states concerning abortion reduction services;

6. DECLARES that nothing in this resolution shall affect the power of member states to declare abortion legal or illegal or to pass legislation extending or restricting access to abortion.

Votes For: 3,166
Votes Against: 1,516

Implemented Wed Apr 22 2009

[WAR44 on NS] [WAR44 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Thread]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Repeal "World Assembly Economic Union"
A proposal to repeal a previously passed resolution

Category: Repeal
Resolution: #26
Proposed by: Southeastern Evropa

Description: WA Resolution #26: World Assembly Economic Union (Category: Free Trade; Strength: Strong) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: RECOGNIZING Resolution #26 as an abuse of the international power invested in the World Assembly

APALLED that the resolution makes no reference to developing nations (only to nations in "severe economic crisis"), not recognizing the importance of tariffs, subsidies, and other such “protectionist devices” to the improvement of developing nations’ domestic nonessential industry, which is vital to economic expansion and advancement

NOTING that Resolution #26 only benefits the few nations with powerful nonessential industries, effectively out-competing the minor industries of less developed nations due to forcibly unrestricted borders

OUTRAGED especially at the fact that the World Assembly Trade Commission (WATC) is given the unchecked power to arbitrarily regulate intra-national subsidies which do not fall under the category of international trade

The World Assembly hereby repeals the “World Assembly Economic Union” Resolution.

Votes For: 2,963
Votes Against: 1,204

Implemented Tue Apr 28 2009

[WAR45 on NS] [WAR45 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Right of Emigration [Struck out by Resolution #55]
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Charlotte Ryberg

Description: OBSERVING that in the countries of the World Assembly, people choose to emigrate from one country to another for many reasons such as:
- Pursuit of ambition, opportunity or refuge or;
- Escape from war, persecution or injustice.

WHEREAS Emigration is defined as an act of a person or more leaving one country in order to settle in another, The World Assembly wishes to promote the right of emigration for such reasons.

The World Assembly therefore,

1. AFFIRMS the right of any person of a member state to emigrate from their current country of residence regardless of their status (such as disability, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or belief) unless the conditions in Section 2 are true.

2. PERMITS member states to waive Section 1 only if any of the following conditions are true:
a) The person is either under penal servitude or undergoing (civil or criminal) legal proceedings;
b) The person holds certain convictions directly linking to sexual offences;
c) The person is below the age of maturity (as defined in their country of residence) and lacks the consent of their legal parents or guardians;
d) The person is either militarily interned during conflict or legally mandated to remain in the current country of residence following a judicial ruling or;
e) The person is suspected of espionage or intention to carry out terrorist acts by emigrating.

3. ENCOURAGES member states to:
a) Help refugees who are fleeing from hostile situations such as: natural disasters, war, persecution or oppressive/unethical governments with respect being given to Section 1 of this resolution.
b) Help such refugees under these situations to travel safely and swiftly to countries that are more tolerant to them, and;
c) Take action or enact appropriate measures to prevent refugees from becoming stateless.

4. EMPHASIZES that this resolution shall have no effect on legislation of member states concerning on immigration.

Votes For: 3,011
Votes Against: 1,673

Implemented Tue May 5 2009

[WAR46 on NS] [WAR46 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Law of the Sea [Struck out by Resolution #163]
A resolution to restrict political freedoms in the interest of law and order.

Category: Political Stability
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: Cobdenia

Description: REALISING the current possibility for nations to claim vast swathes of oceanic territory for legal and economic reasons,

CONCERNED that such a situation has the potential to destabilise international security,

SEEKING to remedy this situation, whilst taking into account the necessity for nations to impose legal and economic jurisdiction over waters bordering their shores,

The United Nations hereby,

1. DECLARES that, for any nation with a coast:
a) The waters within 12 nautical miles of that nation's sea border should normally be counted as its 'Territorial Water', over which the nation shall have sovereign control and may enforce any and all laws of the nation in question. Waters above undersea nations are to be considered territorial in addition to those extending beyond the sea border;
b) All of the waters within 200NM of that nation’s sea border should normally be counted as its ‘Exclusive Economic Zone', within which it has the sole right to harvest natural resources, but otherwise considered as international waters;
c) All of these zones also include the floors of those waters.

2. PROCLAIMS that waters that are neither territorial nor within the exclusive economic zone be considered 'International Waters';
a) National jurisdiction is to be extended to vessels registered in that nation traversing, and on offshore installations located in, international waters and the exclusive economic zone;
b) Nations are prohibited from intentionally placing devises that may hazard shipping indiscriminately in international waters, including but not limited to sea mines.

3. AUTHORISES that the sea border is to be considered to be at the point where waters meets the land at low tide, where such a border would exist at sea level in the case of undersea nations, or an estimation of where fresh water meets salt water where the coastline is disrupted by river, etc., mouths,

4. DECLARES that any waters bordered by a single nation’s shores shall are to be considered as that nations territorial waters;

5. NOTES that possible issues of overlapping claims be resolved as follows:
a) The boundaries between the territorial waters of nations that adjoin each other on coasts shall normally be straight-line continuations of their land borders;
b) Any waters where two or more nations’ claims would overlap shall be divided along lines mid-way between those two nations’ shores;
c) Nations with overlapping claims may voluntarily agree to divisions along other lines than these, as long as they are not to the detriment of the claims of other nations and do not encroach onto international waters;
d) Where two nations’ shores are less than 25NM, and greater then 2NM, apart a median channel of 1 NM width shall be between them, and will be treated as international waters, except in the case of archipelagic nations.

6. ENCOURAGES member nations to respect these rules in their interactions with non-World Assembly member nations that also accept these limits, and reach similar agreements with non-members,

7. FOUNDS the World Assembly Nautical Commission, and charges it to arbitrate in international disputes about territorial claims in the seas and national jurisdiction.

Votes For: 3,348
Votes Against: 1,065

Implemented Tue May 12 2009

[WAR47 on NS] [WAR47 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic] [Archived Debate Topic]

[Imperium Anglorum]

Access to Science in Schools [Struck out by Resolution #260]
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: Sionis Prioratus

Description: THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD ASSEMBLED,

MINDFUL that a solid and diverse education provides the best opportunities for personal growth, and greater and more promising chances in the pursuit of happiness, with self-evident benefits for the whole of society and all the worlds,

ACKNOWLEDGING that in science there are no absolute truths; scientific theories, for example Gravity and Evolution, are subject to be proven wrong. Scientific theories are propositions to scientific questions, not absolute facts; this shall be stated whenever scientific theories are taught,

MINDFUL that teaching science has been a source of contentious debate, due to the perceived notion of a number of people of good faith that it somehow could undermine the tenets of their religions or philosophies, notwithstanding the fact that many religions do not feel threatened by science, and in fact embrace it,

ALSO MINDFUL that exposure to different worldviews encourages debate, preparing the forthcoming generations for ever-changing, progressing worlds, and development of tolerance towards different cultures,

ACKNOWLEDGING that international prohibition of Religious views in a school setting is contrarian to the principles stated above, therefore no nation shall ever be deprived of the freedom of exposing their young to Religious worldviews, should said nation see it fit,

ENCOURAGING schools to adopt religious diversity awareness courses, as long as it helps promote greater tolerance and understanding between different peoples,

RESOLVES:

1. Inclusion of peer-reviewed science in schools’ curricula shall from now on be mandatory in public schools and schools that receive governmental aid.

2. Funding for such inclusion shall come from the national education budget and/or – upon request and/or acceptance – from nations willing to provide funding, related reading, human resources, or other resources deemed necessary according to the parties involved.

3. Private schools shall have full freedom to choose to teach or not to teach whatever peer-reviewed scientific theories they want, regardless of the W.A. nation they happen to be situated.

4. Whenever Religious views acknowledged as opposing peer-reviewed scientific theories are part of a school curriculum, the time allocated for teaching said peer-reviewed scientific theories in said schools shall be at least the same time that is allocated for said Religious views.

5. For greater clarity, religious views shall not in any way, shape, or form be banned from schools’ curricula by means of international law; however, individual nations shall retain full freedom to do so by means of national law.

6. For even greater clarity, exposure to scientific theories views shall never, ever be a vehicle – be it by objective of subjective means, or any other means – to force acceptance of scientific theories. Freedom of conscience is paramount, and a person can be exposed to scientific theories and reject them altogether for itself, without any negative consequences whatsoever in what regards a person’s public life.

Votes For: 3,023
Votes Against: 1,661

Implemented Tue May 26 2009

[WAR48 on NS] [WAR48 on NSwiki] [Official Debate Topic]