[Xiomera]

8 December 2020

Former Xiomeran Emperor found guilty, sentenced to death


The former Xiomeran Emperor, Xochiuhue, during his trial

After an eight-day trial, the former Emperor Xochiuhue of Xiomera has been found guilty of a huge slate of charges, and sentenced to death by the nation's highest judge.

Panxī, the cihuacoatl or chief justice of the Xiomeran Empire, declared that Xochiuhue had been proven to be "solely responsible and undeniably guilty" of a massive slate of over 350 charges brought against him by the Xiomeran Ministry of Justice. Among the charges were genocide, murder, manslaughter, and treason. The Xiomeran Minister of Justice, Cuicanan, served as prosecutor in a rare exercise of that power by the nation's highest justice official. "Xochiuhue was responsible for wrongdoing on a massive scale. On behalf of the Xiomeran people and the world, justice will be served when he pays for his crimes."

Xochiuhue's defense attorney, Ilochihuan, had argued that the former Emperor was not culpable of the charges against him due to insanity. This defense, however, was rejected by Panxī, who declared that the former Emperor "acted with malice and with full knowledge and awareness of his actions" during his brief reign.

For his own part, the former Emperor offered surprisingly little resistance to the charges against him, refusing to answer most questions posed to him and repeatedly stating that he had acted "for the good of the Empire and the Xiomeran people" and did not recognize the authority of the court. When asked if others in the Xiomeran government, such as the current ruler Calhualyana, bore any responsibility for the actions of the Xiomeran Empire during the civil war in Huenya, he repeatedly refused to answer, stating that "I was and am the Emperor and I made all decisions, and regret none of them."

Xiomerans in what remains of the Xiomeran Empire are openly celebrating the downfall of Xochiuhue, who the current government has labeled "the cruelest and most incompetent leader in Imperial history." However, in the areas that have separated from the Xiomeran Empire in the aftermath of the civil war, the reaction is mixed. The provisional governments of Manauia Island and the Netlcoātl Islands, along with the government of Milintica, issued a joint statement under the banner of the Alliance of Non-Aligned Nations (ANAN) calling the trial a sham. "Xochiuhue was indeed guilty of the crimes he was labeled with, but the idea that he is the only one that bears responsibility is absurd," the statement read. The statement also declared that the nations in question "will not accept a scapegoat taking all the blame" and that the upcoming talks in Jinyu to end the fighting in Huenya "must ensure justice is done to punish all the Xiomeran militarists and imperialists responsible for this tragedy."

The government of the rival Huenyan Federation issued its own statement, calling the trial "a show trial in the fashion typical of totalitarian regimes" and stating that while their government was glad Xochiuhue would face punishment, that it would not change their claim that all Xiomeran governments are illegitimate regardless of who leads them and that they must cede their authority to the Huenyan Federation.

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Yauhmi: No "rush to elections"


Yauhmi addressing the media today

In a press conference today, the Great Speaker of Huenya, Yauhmi, told the media that the newly forming nation would not "rush to hold elections" like the regime of Empress Calhualyana in Xiomera.

"The elections being called by the usurper are clearly meant to provide legitimacy to her regime, slapping a veneer of democracy onto her tyranny like the makeup covering the face of a harlot. Those elections are just meant to seat a political party and a prime minister who are absolutely loyal to the usurper, to bolster her power and make her seem like a fair leader," Yauhmi said. She urged the international community to reject the Xiomeran regime's call for the international community to send election observers, saying that "would simply help her make the false case that her regime is legitimate."

Yauhmi said that the Huenyan Federation, which is currently being run by her and a self-appointed Huenyan Assembly of tribal leaders, will "take our time and make sure we build something that lasts, and brings genuine representation and freedom to our people, rather than faking democracy." A Committee on Democratization has been formed, with representatives from all ethnic groups in Huenya and seats for both liberal and conservative Huenyans. This committee, Yauhmi said, will be responsible for creating the framework for a new government, including an elected legislature and head of government, as well as setting a timetable for elections and giving political parties ample time to form and campaign.

The press conference today was the first public appearance by Yauhmi in several weeks. Her son and heir apparent, Texōccoatl, has been holding most of the public appearances as of late. This has led to speculation that the 72-year-old Yauhmi, who was tortured in the aftermath of her overthrow at the beginning of Xiomera's civil conflict, may be ailing or in poor health. These rumors have been strongly denied by Huenyan officials, who insist that Yauhmi "is as healthy and strong as ever, and as determined to lead our people into a better future as ever."

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Kerlile to host 2021 International Women's Congress


President Rebecca Arnott of Kerlile

It has been announced that the 65th International Women’s Congress will take place in Hazelton, Kerlile in June 2021. President Rebecca Arnott of Kerlile told the media today that she was "delighted" by the decision. “We are thankful that the organizers of the International Women’s Conference have allowed us to host this conference which is close to the hearts of many in Kerlile. This is evidence that our efforts at pushing reform of some of our less inclusive policies are being recognized. We will welcome any and all world leaders who wish to attend the conference, finally being held once more in its home," Arnott said.

The International Women's Congress is a biannual conference bringing together leading feminists from around the world to discuss "the political, social, and economic advancement of the status of women." Held in various host cities worldwide since its founding in 1893, the IWC is the oldest and leading organ for mobilization on women's rights worldwide. Beginning with humble origins in the 1890s, the IWC played a crucial role in the founding of Kerlile as a women's state, the international women's suffrage movement, and the promotion of women's employment and reproductive rights. The last International Women's Congress was held in 2019 in Songshan, Laeral.

The first conference in 1893 was held in North Fleura, the territory of which is now Kerlile. At the 1913 IWC conference, a discussion on the foundation of a nation led by women was initiated by Edith Hart, eventually leading to the creation of Kerlile as a state. Kerlile has submitted bids to hold the conference often, apart from in 2019 and during the 1990s civil war, but has not been accepted since 1977.  The IWC has not been held in Kerlile since prior to the nation’s civil war in the 1990s due to concerns about human rights abuses put forward by certain countries. The decision to host the conference in Kerlile once more is seen as a sign by many that Kerlile's previously questionable reputation in the international community has been improved greatly by the Arnott administration.