Look for the proposal "UN Legal Aid" in the list proposals and vote for it, it is worth it and will be a good thing.
_Myopia_
29-05-2004, 16:18
When promoting a proposal, please post a copy.
UN Legal Aid
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.
Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Greece and Cyprus
Description: We aim to improve the lives of thousands of impoversihed, unjustly put in jail people by setting up a new system. UN Legal Division, will be able to provide lawyers, money, solicitors, barristers, even QC's to ensure that a fair trial is given to those impoverished peoples around the world. We will suceed. VOTE NOW!
Approvals: 5 (Free Outer Eugenia, Toddamian, ShredsofMetal, Capitalism and freedom, Benfinan)
Status: Lacking Support (requires 142 more approvals)
Voting Ends: Mon May 31 2004
First, I think the category really ought to be social justice, as you're talking about helping poor people to be able to defend themselves in court better than they would normally with their own funds.
Second, we already have resolutions that guarantee all citizens of UN member states a fair trial and various essential principles of justice. In chronological order, the UN has already passed:
Fair trial
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.
Category: Human Rights
Strength: Mild
Proposed by: The Outer Hebrides
Description: We maitain that all nations, irrespective of their mode of government must, according to the fundamental principles under which the UN was set up, must allow their citizens the right to fair trial, or face eviction from this institution.
Votes For: 10713
Votes Against: 3069
Implemented: Sun Jul 13 2003
The Universal Bill of Rights
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.
Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Free Porcupines
Description:
...
Article 4 -- All human beings have the right to be treated equally under the law of any member nation.
...
Article 6 -- No human beings will be subjected to arrest or exile without an explicit list of their offenses.
...
Article 7 -- Any arrested person must be assumed innocent until proven guilty.
...
Article 8 -- A human beings family members cannot be held accountable for the crimes of their relative.
...
Votes For: 11169
Votes Against: 3649
Implemented: Fri Aug 8 2003
Due Process
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.
Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: The Global Market
Description: No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limbo, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himsefl, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Votes For: 9027
Votes Against: 4677
Implemented: Wed Aug 13 2003
Definition of 'Fair Trial'
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.
Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Ninjadom
Description: A statute entitled "Fair Trial" was passed on Sunday, July 13, 2003. However, this statute is vague. All it does it suggest that a 'fair trial' be given, but it never states exactly what a fair trial is. Thus, it shall be amended that a fair criminal trial shall be defined as one which: 1. Is speedy and efficient. 2. Entitles all defendants to a functional defense. 3. Allows all defendants to confront the witnesses against that defendant. 4. Presumes all defendants to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 5. Is held in the venue from which the crime was committed. 6. Entitles a defendant to a jury of his or her peers. 7. Is held before an impartial judge whom shall apply the law as it is read. 8. That renders verdicts which are proportional to the crime. 9. Makes the trial open to the public and media. 10. Entitles the defendant the right to wave any of the above rights or clauses without reason. It shall also be amended that a fair civil trial shall be defined as a trial that: 1. Is held before a judge that benefits from neither party's results at trial. 2. Awards compensation to one party only if a preponderance of evidence exists. 3. Allows all parties in a court superior to (but not equal to) Small Claims Court the right to hire private counsel as representation. 4. That renders verdicts which are proportional to the infraction. As such: all litigants, plaintiffs, prosecutors, and varying degrees of defendants will benefit and allow for a clearer interpretation of United Nations law so that due process shall be upheld, making the legal system fairer for all people.
Votes For: 12556
Votes Against: 6283
Implemented: Sat Feb 14 2004
Since defendants are entitled to things like a functional defence, if they cannot afford them they must be provided for them by some other party, most likely the government. Since governments are therefore already dealing with the provision of these things, this UN agency would be redundant.
Plus, you have said nowhere how it would be funded or how the agency will work.
East Hackney
29-05-2004, 16:47
Plus any central body for the provision of lawyers would have to work out how it's going to employ lawyers proficient in the tens of thousands of different legal codes that must exist around the NS world....