The Sutherland Opinion of Societal Observation 001
Preamble: In the spirit of all that is honorable, fair, and just I, Tanya Burding, a servant of Sutherland and of the Eras Society of Honorable Nations do speak out on behalf of the Sutherlan people and for the benefit of all parties in dispute of this societal observation. I swear to provide an opinion which is reasoned and meant to be fair to all involved for a better Eras.
Question 1: Does Benolia have just cause to capture pirates who have acted against the state but do not hold citizenship within their nation and try them according to Benolian Law?
Opinion 1: Under normal circumstances, those who commit crimes against others while in another country are tried according to the rule of law in which the crime has been committed. However, the crimes in question of the Ereion plunderers have taken place in open waters not being controlled by any one nation. A logical course of action would be the beginning of a dialogue between the states of Benolia and Ereion, but be it noted that the instability of governance in Ereion makes that an impossible end. Therefore, this member of the society see it reasonable to consider those vessels plundered through the act of piracy as an extension of the territory by which they receive their origin. Therefore, any vessel that has been attacked in the Genovian Strait by the pirates gives the national origin of the attacked vessel the authority to try such attackers by their own law. This right does not only exist for Benolia but any nation that has been a victim of these plunderers.
Assisting Points to Question 1:With this opinion, it is important to also remember some points when dealing with the prosecution of the Ereion nationals. The human dignity must always be remembered during legal processes. Even though the plunderers are not citizens of those countries they offend, they must be afforded the same rights as a citizen would hold during the deliberative legal process. Theft is a serious crime but not one that deserves hasty action by the state such as execution, mutilation, or extensive torture. Furthermore, if imprisonment is the cost of their actions, let they be treated as equally as any prisoner that holds citizenship of the offended state. It is just also that precautions are taken within the prisons to ensure the safety of the pirates so that individuals may not take liberties to infringe on their rights in the fashion of a vigil ante for the law of the state is certainly for all and not just the privileged.
Question 2:Is Benolia's expansion of maritime territory within the Genovian Strait justified if it is for the capturing of pirate actors who have caused damage to Benolia's economic wellbeing and providing of basic goods to the citizens under their jurisdiction?
Opinion 2:As aforementioned in Opinion 1, there is not justification of territorial expansion within the Genovian Strait. Benolia and any other nation that sends vessels through the strait for economic or diplomatic purposes has the right to protect its possessions by use of defensive force with and only with the intent of defense. A neutral strait allows all nations to freely defend what is theirs.
Assisting Points to Question 2:It is necessary to deal with the problem between Benolia along with other esteemed nations and the pirates of Ereion. A suggestible course of action would be to provide humanitarian aid to the pirate communities because their acts are obviously out of a need to survive rather out of spite or hate for Benolia. The providing of humanitarian aid should not include military supplies or arms that could effect the fragile balance of power that plagues Ereion currently. Any attempt to influence the internal structure of Ereion would be a grave overreach of any nation’s power. Therefore, may humanitarian action be the seed by which prosperity and the betterment of Ereion conditions comes about. It is important that this action of humanitarianism is not seen as an act of blackmail by the pirates. The Ereion community is in great need of prosperity and a return to societal stability and an act of charity can be the beginning rather than an act of selfish influence or power hungry desire.
Conclusion: All of these points have been approved by both the Arc-Wonderess and Arc-Regent of Sutherland. This opinion has no political authority over any nation within or external to the Eras Society of Honorable Nations but rather acts as an advisory document in the hope that it may aid all involved nations in the formation of their very important decisions concerning the matter. May endless good come from it.
Signed in faith and peace,
VERITAS