WA Resolution: On the rights of Nomads

[MinnaCaroline]

Description: This resolution recognises that nations have Nomadic populations who may have been deprived of their basic rights. It also recognises that aspects of a nomadic lifestyle may cause controversy among settled societies. This resolution restores basic rights and access to public services to nomadic communities who have been deprived of them; it will encourage better communication between settled and nomadic communities with the object of creating greater social harmony.This resolution also accepts that with these rights come responsibilities.

For the purposes of this resolution Nomadism will be defined as any lifestyle or way of living which in an organised and/or traditional manner is not settled in one place, either part or all of the time. Lifestyles which require peripatesis to find resources or to husband animal herds, follow animal migrations or the seasons are also defined as Nomadic.

The World Assembly:

1. Requires that its Member Nations not discriminate against persons on the basis of their following a nomadic lifestyle or those who identify themselves as ethnically nomadic. Member nations must introduce laws to prevent discrimination against Nomads in the provision of goods and services, and private sector employment practices.

2. Requires that its Member Nations not institute policies of forced settlement on communities who live a nomadic lifestyle, though it allows nations to institute programmes of voluntary settlement of nomads where no level of coercion is brought to bear on these communities.

4. Requires that its Member Nations create formal systems of liaison between settled communities and Nomads which will clarify both parties needs and concerns, with the object of fairly and openly resolving disputes between these parties.

5. Requires that its Member Nations appoint Nomadic persons with appropriate expertise within their civil services to advise government departments on how best to tailor government services to the cultural and practical needs of Nomads. Where no such persons currently exist the provisions of clause 4 should suffice.

6. Requires its Member Nations to allow freedom of movement to nomads on terms agreed between nomads, settled communities and their governments, where such freedom does not constitute a material breach of national laws concerning trespass, vandalism or destruction of natural habitat, where these laws are not in material breach of clause 1. of this resolution. Further, Member Nations which are not currently at war with each other or in a state of otherwise hightened antagonism with each other, should cooperate to allow Nomads properly regularised but easily facilitated access across international borders, fairly allowing freedom of movement whilst maintaining border integrity.

Voting Ends Monday August 11, 2008

[MinnaCaroline]

I am against this one, if anyone wants to disagree please tell me your reasons so I can reconsider my vote. Thanks!

[Arotianis]

hmm, my first instinct was to go against this one, but if you read through it it doesn't have anything particularly bad. It requires nations to not discriminate against nomads, although it is pretty vague on what would be considered discrimination. It prohibits nations from instituting policies of forced settlement, and requires that they be allowed to move around as long as it doesn't interfere with local trespass laws. I think that overall this is pretty basic stuff, it doesn't give gypsies the right to set up in your backyard, I think we should go ahead and pass it.

[Shelter From The Storm]

I am against this. Good government implies good education, health care, social services and other services that are difficult to provide to nomadic populations.

In addition, conflict invariably arises over control of land between those who wioch to settle in one place, farm, ranch or set up industrial activities, and those who wish to wander freely looking after their maurauding herds of sheep, goats, caribou or whatever.

Nomads often do not respect international boundaries and often have a fluid conception of citizenship and its obligations.

Individual countries should be able to influence their own cultures and lifestyles. Granting rights to nomads may be a good fit in some cultures, but not in others.

[MinnaCaroline]

Voting is now Closed:

The resolution "On the Rights of Nomads" was defeated 5,744 votes to 2,822.

[Sinn Féin's Ireland]

heavy.

What's up with the overwhelming NIMBYism?

[Shelter From The Storm]

What's NIMBYism?

[MinnaCaroline]

As seen on Wiki:

NIMBY is an acronym for Not In My Back Yard. The term is used to describe opposition to a new project by residents, even if they themselves and those around will benefit from the construction. Often, the new project being opposed is generally considered a benefit for many, but residents nearby the immediate location consider it undesirable and would generally prefer the building to be "elsewhere".

Projects likely to be opposed include incinerators, power plants, and prisons,[1] but far more commonly the concept is associated with obstruction and objections to transportation improvements and mobile

[Estayland]

Like Tedward Kennedy who wants more alternative energy but doesnt want windmills around his boating area.