NationStates Jolt Archive

DAP Resolution
A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.


Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Pila

Description:

1) The use of the abbreviation "DAP" HENCEFORTH meaning
Document Archiving and Preservation.

2) The United Nations, NOTING the continued use of
obtrusive document archiving methods to hide
(a) information,
(b) facts, and;
(c) political intentions
from other member nations;

3) NOTING ALSO that the cost of such archiving is
oftentimes directly or indirectly the cause of
(a) conflict,
(b) loss of life,
(c) loss of property, and;
(d) infringement of indavidual's rights
of those citizens of nations practicing
these acts.

4) RECOGNIZING the need for secure preservation of
documents in order to protect all nations and peoples
of this great assembly.

5) ACTING in accordance with the United Nations Charter,
(a) REMINDS all member nations of our responsability
to preserve the rights of humanity;
(b) STRONGLY ENCOURAGES all member nations to
discontinue the use of Document Destruction and
Relocation to cause what is known in layman's
terms as "Red Tape."

6) CALLS UPON all member nations to employ safe
centralized preservation methods of archiving documents
to lessen those malicious effects outlined above.

Voting Ends: Sun Aug 8 2004

While this proposal is not without merit, I find it hard to justify this as an issue worthy of the United Nations. Eliminating "red tape" isn't something you can legislate and enforce from a global perspective, and such an act would interfere with several legitimate forms of government. The Sophistan government has never condoned dictatorial rule, but recognizes it as an accepted political system, and, barring acts of aggression of similar trespasses, chooses not to interfere with their political systems. Because many dictatorships have an expressed interest in suppressing information and other practices effictively banned by this resolution, I consider it a move against their sovereign decision to be mean.

First, I would like to state that it is open to adjustments, in fact it is encouraged, because I want to see this proposal, or a similar proposal succeed.

Perhaps some alterations would be a good idea, after all, it is my first proposal. I believe the point I'm trying to convey is that because of the concealing of information while under survey the US/Iraq incident escalated so rapidly, for example, if the Iraqi had kept more accurate records, and had those available during which the time they were accused of possesing weapons of mass destruction, the UN could have addressed this issue in a more effective fashion.

I'm not addressing petty issues like "Getting a copy of the deed to my house was so difficult because of all the red tape." I just included indaviduals rights as well because it seemed like a good way to address the issue fairly

This is a good idea, though I would like to see more legislation as to how they do it.

if the Iraqi had kept more accurate records, and had those available during which the time they were accused of possesing weapons of mass destruction, the UN could have addressed this issue in a more effective fashion.

Or perhaps the paperwork wasn't filed because the weapons never existed?

"Sorry, Saddam. We can't approve your N1070 form because you listed zero under 'weapons of mass destruction in posession.' Please refer to line 842, and check the box labeled 'lie about this to the UN.'"

/tangent

Even if a nation does posess records, just because someone wants them isn't always a good enough reason to give them out. Should Sophista be obligated to turn over the designs for its advanced-warning radar systems every time someone comes knocking? Nevermind that it would effectively allow an attacker to circumvent our missile defense shield, the UN resolution says we have to.

At this point, some of you might say, "But Daniel! This resolution doesn't make you turn over your documents. It only says that you have to keep better track of them. Maybe you should form a card catalog or something?" to which I reply, "What business does the UN have saying my records aren't kept appropriately? What standard is there for "good" archiving versus "bad" archiving. If the building storing our records burns down, are we not allowed to move it to a new building for fear of relocation?"

The list goes on and on.

You make a very valid point.

I still want to find some sort of common ground in this issue, I think it is a valid suggestion, perhaps it just needs some adjustments. Perhaps if other members can offer some suggestion as to how we can reach a common ground on this matter?

It wasnt supposed to be like a card catalogue or manual on proper document management for nations, that would restrict their ability to govern themselves, and the UN's goal is not primarily to tell nations how to run their government. But the UN should have the capability to ban or sanction the Edit: deliberate destruction of documents that might prove useful in possible future investigation.

We would like to express our agreement with respresentative of the great nation of Sophista in regards to this proposal. While the ideal of increasing governmental transparency is laudable, there certainly needs to be more work done to improve this proposal before it becomes a proper resolution.

To the esteemed delegate from Pila, might we suggest that your efforts in this area be redirected to empowering citizens to obtain documents from their respective governments and the United Nations itself instead of trying to legislate a wholesale reorganization of the administrative practices of member nations? What we have in mind is a sort of and international "Freedom of Information Act" whereby individuals could request documents from their national governments and/or the UN. Of course, the need for secrecy in such areas as national defense and intelligence would need to be respected, but the overall goal of governmental transparency could be furthered by such an Act.

My government looks forward to hearing the opinions of other nation states, especially this proposal's author on these issues.

5) ACTING in accordance with the United Nations Charter,
The what?

Aside from that we agree with Sophista.

Lady Desdemona of Merwell,
Senior UN representative,
The Black New World

To the nation of Pila:

I would like to congratulate you on a well attempted proposal, but do feel that at this time, it is not ready for quorum. I look forward to possibly working with you in the re-structuring of this proposal, and my door is open anytime should you have questions.

An international FIOA act, while a step up from our current situation, it still doesn't avoid the conundrum of conflicting with other forms of government. I agree in principle that such progress in legislation would benefit the world, but I can't make that call on behalf of the whole United Nations.

OOC: If only I had read the stciky on proposals before submitting, I could have brought the draft to the floor of debate and had addressed these issues before submitting. In all honesty, in light of your comments I realize that there were oversights, and infringements on the rights of nations themselves.

I take note of the fact that the issue raised here has gathered some attention, and I will begin work on a proposal which takes a step closer to the ideal without infringing on the sovereign rights of nations and their governments.

I also propose that we maintain a forum on the subject so as I may retain some feedback from nations who oppose and support it.

I'm sure this proposal will find more approval if it is a collaboration of the efforts of nations with discenting opinions.

These are the basic issues I would like to address in this proposal:
1. Protection of Documents including Military and Economic records from destruction.
1.a Asigning a duration of time as to how long a document must be preserved before its intentional destruction meeting with the suggestions and recommendations of nations.
2. Reasons for guidelining the Preservation of Documents.
2.a Establish the grounds upon which a document can be requested from a nation.
2.b Establish the right of all member nation's government's to deny documents to its citizens and other member nations without formally being in reciept of a subpeona stating grounds and being approved by the UN.

Please feel free to submit ideas for this proposal.