Coalition to Abolish Slavery, Trafficiking and Linked Enterprises (CASTLE Accords)
Preamble: The enslavement of, and trafficking in human beings has spread unchecked throughout the international community. Human beings are treated as mere chattel, compelled by force to devote their lives to furthering the economic interests of others, without any choice in the matter or opportunity to partake in the benefits of their toils. While slave owners and business entities supporting the slave trade live in the lap of luxury, slaves themselves often times do not even receive basic necessities.
We, the undersigned nations, are in agreement that these practices must cease. All human beings, regardless of economic background, gender, national origin, race or religious preference are entitled to the basic rights of freedom from involuntary servitude and the right to partake in the benefits of their labors. The signatories of the CASTLE Accords stand resolved to use economic, military and political power, in the manner they choose most appropriate, to bring about an end to organized slavery, human trafficking, and the private and public entities that support and profit off of slavery and human trafficking.
Article I: Definitions
Involuntary Servitude- The act of economically exploiting or enslaving an individual, without that individual's consent, and denying that individual the benefits of his or her labor. For the purposes of the CASTLE Accords, lawful criminal imprisonment does not fall within this definition.
Material Support- The act of giving financial, military, physical or political assistance to any person, organization or nation engaged in the practices of slavery or human trafficking.
Trafficking- The act of moving an individual, either within a nation, across borders or through international waters, for the purposes of enslaving that individual or delivering that individual to a person, organization or nation that will enslave the individual.
For the purposes of the CASTLE Accords, the terms 'member' and 'signatory,' unless otherwise stated, shall be considered interchangeable.
Article II: Entrance and Ejection Provisions
1.) For founding members, entrance shall be granted upon signing the CASTLE Accords and formalized upon the completion of local ratification procedures.
2.) Prospective members wishing to join after the formal announcement of the CASTLE Accords may do so by first completing local ratification procedures, then submitting an application which will be considered and voted upon by sitting members. Voting time will last for a maximum of ten days. A simple majority vote at the end of that time period will be sufficient to allow entrance to a prospective member. A simple majority vote, out of all current members, reached before the conclusion of the ten day period will immediately end voting and result in acceptance.
3.) A signatory to the CASTLE Accords may be ejected if sixty percent of the current membership, rounded to the nearest whole number, vote to eject that signatory. The ten day maximum voting period shall be considered applicable to ejection votes as well as entrance votes. Any member may call for an ejection vote, at any time.
4.) A signatory may resign from the Accords at any time, for any cause or no cause. Prior to resignation, the departing member must provide fair market compensation for any CASTLE equipment within that member's territory.
Article III: Member Responsibilities
1.) "In the event of an attack upon one member by a nation that sponsors slavery or is attempting to further the slave trade, all other members are obligated to provide military assistance to the defending CASTLE Accords signatory. Should the attack be a result of the CASTLE Accords member's own independent aggressive actions, then the mandatory defense requirement will be considered void as to the attacked nation only. Signatories are obligated to defend nations conducting aggressive actions as part of a sanctioned CASTLE Accords operation.
2.) Members of the CASTLE Accords are encouraged, though not required, to advise one another of ongoing economic, military and political operations aimed at combating the slave trade.
3.) Members are obligated to follow the Kázmér Doctrine on Patriation of Liberated Slaves.
4.) The final monetary costs of any sanctioned CASTLE action shall be distributed equally among all non-participating members, in order to prevent certain signatories from bearing the entire financial burden of CASTLE operations.
5.) Members are required to hold an election every six months to appoint a new Governing Council.
Article IV: Member Privileges
1.) Signatories are permitted to follow their own domestic laws regarding the treatment of captured slave owners, slave traders and other individuals associated with providing material support to the enslavement or trafficking in human beings. Alternatively, signatories may choose to turn over prisoners to any other CASTLE Accords member so that that nation's domestic laws may be used instead.
2.) Signatories are permitted to act independently of the CASTLE Accords if they so choose to. Military actions taken independently of CASTLE shall not trigger the mandatory defense protocols of this treaty.
Article V: CASTLE Accords Operating Arms
1.) A Governing Council will be established, consisting of five members chosen by a vote of the general membership body. Each signatory of the Accords shall have five votes, which must be cast for five different candidates. The members with the five highest vote totals will serve as the Governing Council for a six-month term. In the event of a tie for the final seat there will be a run-off election between the tied nations. A Governing Council member may be ejected under the same rules as Article II, Clause 3. A Governing Council member ejected under Article II, Clause 3 proceedings will be considered ejected from CASTLE.
2.) The Governing Council shall have the authority to appoint one member to serve as Director of Military Affairs. The nation appointed to this position shall not also be a sitting member of the Governing Council.
3.) The Governing Council shall have the authority to appoint one member to serve as Director of Economic Affairs. The nation appointed to this position shall not also be a sitting member of the Governing Council.
4.) The Governing Council shall have the authority to appoint one member to serve as Director of Political Affairs. The nation appointed to this position shall not also be a sitting member of the Governing Council.
5.) The remaining signatories, including the nations appointed to Directorships, shall sit in a General Assembly.
Article VI: Governing Council
1.) The Governing Council shall at all times consist of an odd number of nations, in order to deter tie votes. The Governing Council must maintain a minimum of five members, except when a sitting Governing Council member has been ejected or resigned. A special election shall be convened immediately in order to fill the vacated seat within ten days.
2.) A simple majority vote among the members of the Governing Council shall constitute the Council's acceptance or rejection of any measure, so long as that measure is within the Council's authority.
3.) The Governing Council shall have direct control over any and all funds donated to finance the operations of CASTLE.
4.) The Governing Council shall have the authority to veto a vote of the General Assembly, except in membership admission or ejection proceedings.
5.) A member or all members of the Governing Council may be recalled by the General Assembly, following a sixty percent majority vote of the General Assembly. In the event of a recall the sitting Governing Council will remain in place until their replacements are elected. Once the replacements are elected, the sitting Governing Council will yield its seats to the new Governing Council.
6.) The Governing Council shall issue one report on the general state of CASTLE affairs per term. The report must be issued no earlier than three months into the current term, and no later than five months into the current term.
Article VII: Director of Military Affairs
1.) The Director of Military Affairs shall be appointed by the Governing Council, and will serve at their pleasure.
2.) The Director of Military Affairs will be responsible for managing the armed forces donated to CASTLE, analyzing and reporting on potential military threats to CASTLE, as well as anti-slavery military operations reported to CASTLE by the signatories.
3.) The Director of Military Affairs shall have the authority to appoint or discharge deputies and other staff at his or her discretion.
4.) The Director of Military Affairs may be granted emergency powers, by a simple majority vote of the Governing Council, and a simple majority vote of the General Assembly. These powers shall be considered in effect from the time that they pass until the close of that Governing Council's term of office, and the powers must be clearly defined in advance of their award.
Article VIII: Director of Economic Affairs
1.) The Director of Economic Affairs will be responsible for managing the financial, humanitarian and other civilian contributions to CASTLE.
2.) The Director of Economic Affairs will be responsible for setting a budget for CASTLE offices, and ensuring that the budget is submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
3.) The Director of Economic Affairs will be responsible for ensuring that the protocols of the Kázmér Doctrine on Patriation of Liberated Slaves are followed by all CASTLE signatories.
4.) The Director of Economic Affairs may be granted temporary supplemental powers by a simple majority vote of the Governing Council, and a simple majority vote of the General Assembly. These temporary powers will extend until the conclusion of the current Governing Council's term of office, and the powers must be clearly defined in advance of their award.
5.) The Director of Economic Affairs shall have the authority to appoint or remove deputies and other staff as he or she sees fit.
Article IX: Director of Political Affairs
1.) The Director of Political Affairs will be responsible for managing foreign relations on behalf of CASTLE.
2.) The Director of Political Affairs will be responsible for receiving applications from prospective signatories, and communicating acceptance or rejection to said nations.
3.) The Director of Political Affairs shall have the authority to appoint or remove deputies and other staff as he or she sees fit.
Article X: General Assembly
1.) The General Assembly shall have the authority to amend the provisions of the CASTLE Accords at any time, following a two-thirds majority vote.
2.) The General Assembly shall have the authority to establish a budget for CASTLE. That budget must be paid by the membership of CASTLE, with the General Assembly having the authority to split the costs as they see fit.
3.) The General Assembly shall have the authority to declare war on behalf of CASTLE, in furtherance of the Accords' goals of combating slavery, human trafficking and other related enterprises. The Governing Council has the authority to veto a declaration of war, pursuant to Article VI Clauses 2 and 4.
4.) The General Assembly shall have other authorities referred to earlier in this document.
Kázmér Doctrine on Patriation of Liberated Slaves
Chapter One
Article I
Clause 1 - Nations signatory to the "Kázmér Doctrine," by the act of signing do signify that they prohibit Trafficking in Human Persons within their borders and spheres of influence, openly condemn it before the world, and are ready to take the next humanitarian step and help create a bastion of hope.
Clause 2 - The Kázmér Doctrine neither prohibits nor endorses using military action to liberate slaves. It is a humanitarian effort completely independent from national foreign policies, activities, and methods for liberation of slaves. The focus is on transitioning the freed peoples into their new freedom in a manner that gives them the resources to do and become what they were previously not free to do and be.
Clause 3 - Nations signatory to the "Kázmér Doctrine" hereby identify themselves as willing to accept freed peoples as citizens, and aid in the processes that prepare them to take their place as citizens of the free world.
Article II
Clause 1 - Peoples freed by the signatory nations should be sent for processing at a centralized location. However, this does not prohibit nations from making a private offer of citizenship up front, so long as it is an option and not forced upon them.
Clause 2 - Freed peoples should be documented and recorded, and given food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention as appropriate and operationally feasible. Access to the International Red Cross and religious clergy should be provided. Signatory nations agree to meet these standards when making a private offer of citizenship.
-- 1: Food and water should be provided en route, but sparingly to prevent aggravation of any medical conditions, especially from malnutrition or allergies.
-- 2: Shelter should be made available within two (2) hours of arrival. FUSCHIA recommends keeping large supplies of disposable paper scrubs on hand to clothe them until more permanent clothing can become available.
-- 3: Medical and psychological triage: within four (4) hours of arrival, or as soon after as is operationally possible, this being a top priority within that time frame.
Clause 3 - Freed peoples should undergo a screening process to determine their fitness for entering free society in order to protect both the person and society at large.
-- 1: Examination by a medical provider and a social worker should be done to determine if the person is medically clear to proceed. Either may recommended a psychological consult if the question is raised as to whether the person may be a danger to themselves or others. The medical provider must ensure that the person does not have any communicable disease or medical condition likely to deteriorate in 28 days, and is responsible for disposition to appropriate care in patients who are suspected of carrying a contagion. Patients with a physical condition that prevents them from sufficiently caring for themselves must be accounted for, and the social worker must ensure that arrangements are made for continuity of care for patients who fall into this category.
-- 2: Access to the International Red Cross should be made available during this time in order to enable them to make contact with persons who should be made aware of their status.
-- 3: It is highly recommended to have chaplains and religious clergy present to tend to the spiritual needs of the freed peoples. The focus should be on spiritual comfort of the individual, and therefore, religious proselytization should be refrained from unless the freed person brings up the subject of conversion.
+++ a. This does not prevent clergy from raising philosophical issues specific to the freed persons voiced concerns.
+++ b.No personnel shall be prohibited from sharing their religious views, so long as it is phrased in the context of what they personally believe, and the freed person does not object to their expression. If a freed person expresses objection to hearing what the personnel says, discussion on the subject should be discontinued immediately.
+++ c. Personnel who choose to share their religious views should be careful to remove themselves from any appearance of coercion, as some freed persons may not be of behavioral status to openly object.
-- 4: Educational and occupational screenings should be performed to determine both a rudimentary work history and education level of the freed person. This may determine what remediational education or what certifications may be necessary for them to perform their trade, or if another course of vocational education may be necessary.
Chapter Two
Article I
Clause 1 - Once a freed person shall be medically and socially cleared, the process of finding them a permanent home shall be the focus.
Clause 2 - If a freed person desires repatriation to their homeland, and it is both operationally and safely possible, it should be done with all haste.
Clause 3 - In the event that Clause 2 is an unsuitable option, the freed person should be offered information on all signatory nations. If the freed person expresses desire to apply for citizenship of another signatory nation, the host nation shall be required to start and follow through the process, making all effort to facilitate patriation.
Clause 4 - If neither Clause 2 nor Clause 3 are desired, the freed peoples may form an organized group of 20,000 or more and may apply for organization into a new nation.
-- 1. A plan or charter must be written, and voted upon by the peoples to be ruled. Definition of who may vote may be defined by the plan, so long as all who vote will be officially moved to the new nation.
-- 2. Once approved by those consented to be ruled, the charter must be ratified by a quorum of not less than five nations. However, for simplicity sake, the quorum must consist of an odd number of nations no matter what the size. The quorum size may be dependent upon how many signatory nations vote. In the event of an even quorum, the vote shall remain open in 24-hour increments to properly allow for a deciding vote.
-- 3. Any nation created under Clause 4 must ratify the Kázmér Doctrine on Patriation of Liberated Slaves, enabling the furtherance of the very mechanism by which they were formed.
Article II
Clause 1 - A central processing facility will be created at Phoenix City, New Alfegos, in the region of Nova Minor. The Fegosian Union will bear the cost and operation of initially setting up said facility.
Clause 2 - Having a central facility created, all signatory nations who encounter liberated slaves shall send said persons to the facility at Phoenix City, excepting those who choose to join the liberating nation under private agreement.
Clause 3 - The FUPF shall provide for internal security and law enforcement of Phoenix City until such time as a competent domestic Law Enforcement force can be fully employed to perform said function.
Clause 4 - The FURRF shall provide for the common defense of the centralized facilities in New Alfegos, and signatory nations shall augment them with national forces as necessary to defend it against invasion. While no concrete standard shall be established for the volume or nature of national forces to be committed in the event of an emergency, all signatory nations have a responsibility to aid the common defense of these facilities as a matter of national honor, in whatever manner necessary to counter the threats to it.
Chapter Three
Article I
Clause 1 - The Board of Phoenix City shall be served by two permanent members reserved for the Fegosian Union, and at least three non-FU members in order to form the odd number 5-or-more quorum required for international proceedings.
Clause 2 - All quorum members of the Board must be in good standing with the "Kázmér Doctrine", having no action pending against them in reference to slavery or any related issues.
Clause 3 - The quorum will have the authority to make amendments to the "Kázmér Doctrine" in order to preserve and sustain the pursuit of it's purposes.
The Board:
Signed by,
The Armed Republic of Salzland
The Federal Socialist Republic of Osea
The Afrikaner Free State of Wanderjar
The Federal Republic of Pennsylvania
The Grand Theocratic Empire of the Holy Marsh
The Kingdom of Imbrinium
The People and Senate of the Quendi
Emperor of Greater Prussia, of Allanea
The Free Republic of Libertarian Governance
Unitary Technocracy of Etoile Arcture
Free Republic of Lamoni
Fortress State of Animarnia
Revolutionary Commonwealth of Wagdog
Signed members:
West Guiana
Kingdom of Alkoul
Republic of Novikov
The Commonwealth of Rochehaut
Spectare
The Queendom of Zooey Deschanel
Jenifera
Habsburg Yugoslavia
Mediterreania
The Unitary Republic of Lykosia
Unified German State
Makibishi
Wandering Argonians
United Nation of Dinosia
