This one's in queue now, and I'm not going to miss it like that last one...so here it is for your viewing/voting/critiquing pleasure

Quote: 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-UN member nations that also accept these limits, and reach similar agreements with non-members,

7. FOUNDS the Marine Arbitration & Recognised International Thalassic Institutional Management Executive, (MARITIME), and charges it to arbitrate in international disputes about territorial claims in the seas and national jurisdiction.

Co-authored by Shesharlie[/quote]

Quote: Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Iron Felix

Description: Deploring the practice of forced labour, including bonded labour, debt-servitude and other forms of unfree labour, and

Believing that all persons have the right to leave their employment at any time and to be free from threats, violence or coercion from their employer,

The United Nations

1. Abolishes the practice of forced labour in all UN member nations;

2. Defines "forced labour" as a situation in which persons are required to enter jobs by any means other than freely agreed contracts or to perform work against their will, under coercion or threat of extreme hardship to themselves or their families, including violence or detention;

3. Notes that for the purpose of this resolution the term 'coercion' shall be defined as excluding
a. the use of legal systems to enforce contracts;
b. the withdrawal of state-paid allowances from unemployed persons who refuse work that is offered to them and that they are capable of performing;

4. Accepts that nations may allow work to be compelled from
a. Persons performing either military service or alternative national service, as required by law;
b. Persons who are sentenced to such labour as a punishment for crimes;
c. Prisoners of War, and civilians interned during wartime, as allowed under international law;

5. Declares that no person may be committed to a contract against his or her will, except as clause #4 allows. Additionally, in the case of minors who are legally old enough to work the consent of a parent or other legal guardian may be required as well as the consent of the child itself;

6. Declares that any person who is currently bound to an employer because of any hereditary arrangement rather than by his or her own consent has the right to leave that employer's service. Persons willing to remain in such service are entitled to have a fair contract drawn up under binding independent arbitration;

7. Declares that all persons have the right to leave their jobs at any time unless required, by a stated condition of employment or a contract freely entered into, to give specific and reasonable prior notice of abandoning the position. Failure to provide such notice may release the employer from any contractual or similar obligations;

8. Declares that the specified duration of a contract of employment may only be extended or shortened by the freely given consent of both parties, or by an order from a relevant court;

9. Declares that all persons have the right to be free from violence, threats of violence, enforced indebtedness, and other forms of undue coercion by their employers;

10. Prohibits all other forms of labour which would meet the definition of forced labour as stated in this resolution.[/quote]

Go.

Text of an open telegram to the nations of the IDU

Friends,

You may have heard reports of a ship disembarking on the coast of your fine region. As the captain of this ship, I assure you that we come in peace and wish to makes ties with other members of the region. I am not, however, at liberty to disclose our home nation or eventual intentions at this time.

I hope for a long and friendly relation with each of your nations.

Signed,

PETER J. THOMPSON
CAPTAIN, XXS CAPRICORN

With

A. EDGAR MORIARTY
FIRST OFFICER, XXS CAPRICORN

MORRIS RICHARDSON
SECOND OFFICER, XXS CAPRICORN

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

Description: Convinced that all persons bear the inherent right to express political, ideological, religious, cultural, social, moral and ethical views freely and openly, without fear of reprisal;

Commending extant legislation on this subject, affirming and guaranteeing rights to free expression in some media;

Nonetheless determined that freedom of expression remains an essential human right deserving of international protection,

Be it therefore resolved:

Member nations are required to uphold rights of free expression in all available media to all individuals under their jurisdiction.

Member nations are empowered to enforce this article through appropriate legislation.

For purposes of this resolution, free expression does NOT include:

- defamatory speech designed deliberately to impugn the character or reputation of individuals, groups or organizations (excepting government institutions and political leaders), using knowingly false information, or raising accusations with reckless disregard for their truthfulness;
- speech intended to incite widespread lawlessness and disorder, or violence against any individual, group or organization, including the government officials or entities, and members of political opposition groups;
- publicizing information deemed classified by governments for national security purposes;
- publicizing information of a strictly personal nature, including mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, medical records, financial records, or details on private legal consultations or private financial transactions;
- obscene, salacious or pornographic materials.[/quote]

A follow-up to the recent repeal of "End slavery".

Quote: Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Quintessence of Dust

Description: The United Nations,

Believing that slavery violates the most basic principles of individual liberty,

Rejecting the notion that any nation has the right to permit persons to be subjected to slavery,

Further considering that international cooperation is required to eliminate the slave trade,

Therefore strongly desirous of enacting firm prohibitions on slavery,

Further wishing to deal with the problems presented by freed slaves, such as repatriation, economic restitution and the prevention of discrimination,

Realizing that where slavery persists, all forms of diplomatic and economic pressure, including exclusion and embargo, should be directed at ending the practice,

Noting that trafficking in persons constitutes a form of slavery that has proved particularly resilient to attempts at abolition and that special vigilance is required in this regard,

Also calling for future legislation on the subject of unfree labour in order to fully prevent de facto slavery from persisting:

1. Declares that all persons are free, and that no person shall be held, under the law of any nation, to be the possession, property, or chattel of any other person or any legal entity;

2. Requires the immediate release of any persons so owned, the immediate dissolution of any legal contracts enacting such ownership, and that all member nations henceforth refuse to recognise such conditions and contracts;

3. Condemns slavery in all its forms;

4. Prohibits member nations from returning persons to countries still practicing slavery, where there is probable cause to believe such persons will be returned to a condition of slavery or punished for attempting to escape from such conditions;

5. Permits member nations to require such persons to leave their territory for other nations willing to accept them;

6. Strongly endorses programs to assist freed slaves with adaptation to society, including the provision of education, vocational training, financial assistance and housing as required, as well as voluntary repatriation to nation of origin on request;

7. Requires member nations to take criminalise and take reasonable action to prevent reprisals against freed slaves;

8. Otherwise prohibits discrimination in civil, social, economic, legal and political rights, protection under the law, access to public services, travel permission and any other rights afforded by national and international law based solely on prior condition of servitude;

9. Encourages member nations to contribute assistance to areas previously reliant on slavery, in order to facilitate the transition of economic and social structure;

10. Prohibits the importation into any member nation of goods produced, in whole or in part, through slavery;

11. Further prohibits investment in companies using slavery;

12. Endorses and encourages diplomatic and economic efforts by member nations and international organizations to eliminate the practice of slavery in non-member nations, including efforts to support compensated manumission;

13. Requires nations to examine possible causes of and catalysts to trafficking in persons and to work, on their own and with other nations, towards the elimination of them;

14. Encourages even those nations having already abolished slavery to remain vigilant to forms of de facto slavery that may return and to fully assist in international efforts to totally eliminate all forms of slavery.


[/quote]

This one's in queue now. Vote will be cast the night before the deadline, or earlier if not possible. (I have to be careful with timezones...)

Quote: Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Librustralia

Description: APPLAUDING the United Nations in its promotion of civil rights and freedom of expression, especially with the Universal Bill of Rights, Freedom of Press, and Freedom of Assembly and Artistic Freedom,

NOTING WITH DEEP REGRET however that while the resolutions defend free speech, they do not protect against censorship, which can infringe on free speech,

DEPLORING the various restriction of criticism by some nations with the goal of prohibiting new ideas from being formed,

STATING that a nation that allows for free criticism and exchange of ideas is a nation that will be more able to solve the many problems inherent in its society,

SEEKING therefore to promote and protect the freedom of speech in order to better society in the long term by regulating censorship,

IN ADDITION to 'Artistic Freedom', 'Freedom of Assembly' 'Freedom of Press' and 'Universal Bill of Rights' resolutions,

1) DEFINES "free speech" as the inherent human right to express one's opinion publicly without fear of censorship, "censorship" as "the removal or withholding of information from the public by a controlling group or body".

2) REAFFIRMS the right of all persons to free speech, provided that said free speech does not call for violence,

3) PROHIBITS national governments from committing censorship except in the following cases:
a) libel or slander
b) any threat of or call to violence, either overt or implied, against any group or individual.
c) The publication of classified materials.

4) MANDATES that all print, television and radio media, regardless of the size and influence of the media institution, and whether it supports or criticizes the government, cannot be shut down or censored by national governments based on content except when allowed in Clause 3.

5) ESTABLISHES the 'International Free Speech Union' (IFSU).
a) The IFSU is allowed to have at least one office in every member state and be allowed to carry out its work without any unreasonable restrictions.
b) The IFSU has the right to review all national laws and make purely advisory recommendations of how best to change those laws in order to protect free speech.
c) The IFSU is allowed to support any group's right to free speech by working within the legal system of each member state.

6) ENCOURAGES free and open debate between various political ideologies and points of view.

7) VOLUNTARY individual self-censorship, or closure of media is not prohibited.[/quote][/s]

Quote: Category: Repeal
Resolution: #6
Proposed by: Quintessence of Dust

Description: UN Resolution #6: End slavery (Category: Human Rights; Strength: Significant) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

Argument: The United Nations,

Remaining fully opposed to slavery,

Hence disgusted that existing law on the subject, UN Resolution #6 "End Slavery", fails to live up its title and does not in fact end slavery,

Concerned that Resolution #6 makes no provision for:
- the prohibition of ownership of persons,
- the freeing of those previously enslaved,
- legal protection, economic aid and social rehabilitation for freed slaves,
- the prohibition of forced labour,
- the suppression of the slave trade,

Concluding that Resolution #6 is a woefully inadequate document that, given its prevention of any more meaningful legislation on the subject, is actively damaging to the international antislavery cause,

Stressing the importance of passing comprehensive antislavery resolutions immediately following passage of this repeal, which will:
- replace the prohibition of the sale of persons,
- fully address the above unaddressed issues,
- promote international cooperation to end the slave trade,

Repeals Resolution #6.[/quote]

The original resolution is as follows:
Quote: Description: The scourge of slavery yet remains in these progressive times. People are bought and sold like cattle, unable to determine their destiny. Their families are split apart; they are allowed no possessions of their own. They are beaten, chained, and tortured.

Therefore, I propose that the following human rights be given to every peoples of this great world:

- The right to leave her or his job, given two weeks' notice.
- The right to own possessions.
- The right to travel freely throughout their country.
- The right to bodily safety from one's employer.
- The outlawing of the selling or purchasing of people.[/quote]

I'll cast our vote on Tuesday night.

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: SchutteGod

Description: The United Nations,

AFFIRMING the right of all people not to be targeted for abuse or discrimination based upon their gender, sexual orientation, or religious or cultural background;

RECOGNIZING the need for effective international anti-discrimination measures and additional protections for women and members of minority groups;

REGRETTING that Resolution #99: Discrimination Accord, while outlawing discriminatory practices by nations, may be interpreted as a prohibition of discrimination by governments only, while excluding discrimination by private groups, individuals and employers;

SEEKING to address the failures of past legislation in the area of human rights, much of which has been repealed on the grounds of ineffectiveness;

NOTING past affirmations of national prerogative on marriage and criminal-sentencing laws, somewhat limiting the scope of this remit;

Hereby enacts the following:

1. Unfair and unreasonable discrimination in employment, housing, education or access to services provided to the general public shall be prohibited by all member states, including discrimination based on a person's gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, skin color, language, economic or cultural background, physical/mental disability or condition, age, religion or belief system, sexual orientation or gender orientation;

2. Unprovoked violence against or intimidation of any person on previously stated grounds shall be a civil and criminal offense in all member states;

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

Hope it's a good one

:pisang: :funky_pisang: :pisang: :funky_pisang: :pisang: :funky_pisang:
:duck: :duck: :duck: :duck:
:yeah: :worship: :yeah: :worship: :yeah: :worship:
:argh: :argh:

Well folks I've somehow crawled out of the dust and darkness of library basements and research papers to come back, though I won't be able to particpate like previously. But still, I'm back from the dead.