[DRAFT] WA Digest February 2019

[h][/h][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/sG8YGQy.png[/IMG][SIZE=7] World Assembly Digest[/SIZE]
[RIGHT][I]by El Fiji Grande, Minister of Communications[/I][/RIGHT]

[CENTER][IMG]https://www.nationstates.net/images/ga.jpg[/IMG]
[COLOR=green]General Assembly[/COLOR]
[I]Improving the world one resolution at a time.[/I][/CENTER]
[h][/h][CENTER][B]Right to Self-defense[/B]
Status: [B][COLOR=red]Failed[/COLOR][/B]
Delegate's Vote: [B][COLOR=red]Against[/COLOR][/B]
Final Vote (World): For: [B][COLOR=green]5,575[/COLOR][/B] Against: [B][COLOR=red]10,531[/COLOR][/B]
Final Vote (TNP): For: [B][COLOR=green]162[/COLOR][/B] Against: [B][COLOR=red]430[/COLOR][/B] Percentage of WA nations voting: [B]41.2%[/B][/center]

[b]Recommendation:[/b] This proposal is being resubmitted despite it having been previously repealed for cause. The author has made some minor amendments, but their attempt to shoehorn the fix into the old version, instead of rewriting from scratch has left a convoluted document that claims to fight government oppression but affords citizens no coherent means by which to do so. Many other problems can be cited, including an unnecessary grocery list of weapons and a defined threshold for their use that is highly subjective. Self defense is a very complex issue that requires case by case interpretation and evaluation far more intricate than a generic piece of legislation can address for every single WA nation. Rights to self-defense should develop organically through each nation's judiciary and be appropriate to their culture. Matters of government oppression are better handled in WA legislation that is more thoughtfully constructed than this. For this reason, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.
[h][/h][center][B]Defending the Rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities[/B]
Status: [B][COLOR=green]Passed[/COLOR][/B]
Delegate's Vote: [B][COLOR=red]Against[/COLOR][/B]
Final Vote (World): For: [B][COLOR=green]8,758[/COLOR][/B] Against: [B][COLOR=red]7,400[/COLOR][/B]
Final Vote (TNP): For: [B][COLOR=green]295[/COLOR][/B] Against: [B][COLOR=red]272[/COLOR][/B] Percentage of WA nations voting: [B]39.8%[/B][/center]

[b]Recommendation:[/b] This proposal is well-meaning in its goal of ending sexual and gender discrimination and ensuring marriage rights are fully and completely extended to the LGBTQ+ community, but close examination of the content reveals some critical flaws. Firstly, the Ministry believes that the Charter of Civil Rights (GAR#035) already prohibits discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity, making a large part of this proposal redundant. Clause 3 mandates member nations punish organizations for discriminatory practices but does not allow for an exemption for compelling practical purposes. Under the proposed legislation an organization that assists victimized women could be penalized for having a policy of hiring only biological women. Additionally, clause 5 specifically exempts religious institutions from the scope of the proposal. It is the belief of the Ministry that religious beliefs are insufficient grounds to excuse discriminatory practices. For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends voting Against the proposal.
[h][/h][center][B]Command Responsibility[/B]
Status: [B][COLOR=green]Passed[/COLOR][/B]
Delegate's Vote: [B][COLOR=green]For[/COLOR][/B]
Final Vote (World): For: [B][COLOR=green]13,020[/COLOR][/B] Against: [B][COLOR=red]2,806[/COLOR][/B]
Final Vote (TNP): For: [B][COLOR=green]501[/COLOR][/B] Against: [B][COLOR=red]72[/COLOR][/B] Percentage of WA nations voting: [B]40.0%[/B][/center]

[b]Recommendation:[/b] This well-crafted proposal seeks to ensure reciprocal protections for individuals both up and down the chain of military command. It is designed to both prevent war crimes from being committed, and to provide a disciplinary framework for those who violate the accepted rules of engagement. Given significant attention are the rights of military subordinates to legally decline orders that contravene established law, placing the onus on those issuing such orders. Similar protections are extended to military commanders, limiting their responsibility for any rogue, illegal actions of their charges in the field, provided those rogue individuals are held by their commanders, to account. Throughout existing WA legislation, actions defined as war crimes are surprisingly few and tend toward the most commonly understood and egregious acts. The mandatory education clause ensures widespread understanding of fair rules of engagement across the spectrum of the military and makes clear what actions would be contrary to those rules. The Ministry believes this framework will help to establish a prescient culture of fair conduct in combat, greatly decreasing the likelihood of illegalities. For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
[h][/h][center][B]On Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes[/B]
Status: [B][COLOR=orange]At Vote[/COLOR][/B]
Delegate's Vote: [B][COLOR=green]For[/COLOR][/B]

[b]Recommendation:[/b] This proposal wants a healthier WA and seeks to place stringent regulations on the producers of tobacco products. These regulations include the placement of clear warnings on tobacco packaging, prohibition of advertising, and mandatory public education about the risks of use. There is some common-sense regulation placed on tobacco use by the public, like a prohibition of sale to minors. As an alternative to complete prohibition, the proposal requires that nations encourage tobacco users toward safer forms of nicotine ingestion, like electronic cigarettes, gum, patches, or mists, which don't rely on the dangerous inhalation of burning tobacco leaves. While not sweeping in scope of change, this proposal does represent a transition away from the cancer-causing harms of tobacco, and a movement towards less dangerous alternatives. This should both reduce health care costs for nations and contribute to greater life expectancy throughout the WA.

For these reasons, The Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote For this proposal.
[h][/h][/center][CENTER][IMG]https://www.nationstates.net/images/sc.jpg[/IMG]
[COLOR=red]Security Council[/COLOR]
[I]Spreading interregional peace and goodwill, via force if necessary.[/I][/CENTER]
[h][/h][CENTER][B]Condemn Antifa[/B]
Status: [B][COLOR=orange]At Vote[/COLOR][/B]
Delegate's Vote: [B][COLOR=red]Against[/COLOR][/B][/center]

[b]Recommendation:[/b] A bit of effort by the author might have made this a condemnation worth supporting, but the lack of detail and concrete examples of the alleged transgressions render it difficult to justify. Condemnations must make a clear case to support their allegations. If Antifa has crossed lines, then explain against whom, provide dates, and inform as to the impact on natives.  Without that, support is impossible. Similarly, suggesting that a region is ‘just as bad’ as other regions qualifies as little more than a statement of opinion, and nothing close to grounds for WA condemnation.

For this reason, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote Against this proposal.[h][/h]