Ratify Liberty Pact

Motion to ratify the international Liberty Pact agreement.
Proposed by Necropolis, seconded by Conscience of the Senate.

Overview

• A treaty was prepared by Ianthe Ravenswatch and Eska Crowspeaker with reference to the trade summit to oppose slavery.
• The treaty required a constitutional vote due to expansion of the definition of a person in Imperial law.
• Passed

Date

• Winter 382YE

Campaign Outcome

• The treaty has been ratified.
• A copy of the text is required for the Constitutional Court to complete scrutiny.
• The treaty applies trade sanctions to several nations.
• The definition of a person has been updated to include hylje and daeva.
• The definition of "slavery" in Imperial law is already at least as strong as that defined in the Liberty Pact and so has not been changed.

The empress is moved. The world is moving. And we will move to a vote.
"Speaker John of Meade"

Summary of Principles

The signatory nations of the International Liberty Pact affirm that we reject the practice of slavery, outlaw it amongst our citizens, and affirm that we will work towards the abolition of slavery across the world.

We will maintain close and productive relationships with the other signatories of the pact, and through our shared prosperity we will demonstrate to the world that all nations and cultures may thrive without the practice of slavery.

Definition of Slavery

The International Liberty Pact defines slavery thusly -

“Slavery is the practice whereby a living person, through force, coercion, or being born into an enslaved family, has their liberty, personal autonomy, and the fruits of their labour unwillingly given over to another. The person is deprived of reasonable and achievable ways to gain their liberty and change their situation.”

Definition of a Person

For the purposes of the Liberty Pact a "person" is defined as a living human, orc, daeva or hylje. If any other sentient race or species is discovered the signatory nations will meet to discuss their inclusion in this list.

Definition of a Slaving Nation

The Liberty Pact defines a "slaving nation" as any nation which has not outlawed slavery amongst its citizens. At the time of the signing the Liberty Pact signatories consider this to be - Grendel, Thule, Jotun, Druj, Jarm, Asavea, Iron Confederacy, and Faraden.

Principles

1. The Outlawing of Slavery
We agree to enshrine in our law the abolition of slavery, prohibiting our citizens from taking, keeping or trading in slaves.

2. Foreign Relations
We agree to maintain positive working relationships with all signatory nations. The signatory nations will place economic or trade sanctions of their own choosing on nations defined as slaving nations above.

3.Abolition
We agree to work towards the abolition of slavery throughout the entire world.

Rights of Signatories

We, the undersigned nations, agree that we will all be conferred the following rights -

1. Assembly
Any signatory nation may call a meeting of the pact's membership if they have an issue to discuss. Each nation will send at least one representative. Nations calling a meeting must give a minimum of one season's notice to the other signatories.

2. Voting
Any motion must be voted upon by all of the signatory nations in attendance at that meeting. Motions require a majority to pass and abstention is not permitted. Signatories not present will be counted as voting against any tabled motions. All signatory nations have a single vote and all votes have equal weight.

3. Recommendations for New Membership
Any nation in the world may petition for membership of the International Liberty Pact. They will be invited to send representatives to a meeting of the existing signatories where the nation’s inclusion will be discussed and then voted upon
.
4. Amendment
Any signatory nation has the right to raise a suggested amendment to the pact, be it alteration, removal or addition. Whether the amendment is accepted will be agreed by vote.

5. Exclusion
If any signatory is determined by vote to have broken the terms of the pact, then this nation may be excluded from the pact. Should circumstances change, any excluded nation may petition for membership again in future.

6. Exit
Any signatory may declare that they are withdrawing from the pact at any time and for any reason.

Affirmation

We, the undersigned nations, commit to the above, and consider ourselves from this point ongoing member of the International Liberty Pact.

Katya of Kantor, Grand Illarch, Axos

General Elsbeth, General Council of the Commonwealth

Timov, Priest Representative of the Republic of Sumaah

Eska Crowspeaker, The Empire

Ianthe of Suns of Couros, The Empire