[Withdrawn] General Amnesty Act

[Cormac]

I would like to submit the following Act for the Chief Scribe's consideration as "other legislation that requires immediate attention," per clause 4d of our temporary rules.

On second thought, I would like to submit this draft now for discussion, and to make clear we intend to act on it as soon as a new constitution is ratified, but I would like for this to wait until after the new constitution is ratified. We will continue re-admitting returnees to citizenship on a case by case basis in the meantime.

General Amnesty Act

(1) All residents of Osiris are hereby granted amnesty against criminal charges or further in-game penalty for participation in the April 2016 conflict against the Transitional Government of the Osiris Fraternal Order (TGOFO).
(2) Amnesty is granted only for actions taken against the TGOFO prior to enactment of this law. Future acts against the TGOFO or its successor state will not be included in this amnesty.
(3) Amnesty will not impact upon the Pharaoh's lawful exercise of the power to approve or reject applications for citizenship in the Osiris Fraternal Order.
(4) Amnesty will not impact upon the Pharaoh's discretion to prevent the return of banned nations to Osiris until such a time as their regional influence is depleted, though such residents may return to Osiris with non-influential puppet nations in the meantime.
(5) Amnesty will not be applied to anyone acting on behalf of a foreign region or organization without previous residency in Osiris, even if their acts against the TGOFO involved nations that re-founded in Osiris.

[Transdavisia]

I'd agree with this- even though they disagreed with the TGOFO, we should let them back in just like we did you and Syl- these people have great minds and we'd love for them to come back. The only problem I forsee is that there might be some tension between supporters of the TGOFO and the supporters of the rouge government.

[Cormac]

I'd agree with this- even though they disagreed with the TGOFO, we should let them back in just like we did you and Syl- these people have great minds and we'd love for them to come back. The only problem I forsee is that there might be some tension between supporters of the TGOFO and the supporters of the rouge government.

First, I've heard they prefer burgundy over rouge. This may only be a rumor.

Secondly, and more seriously, I suspect many of them will not immediately return to Osiris, but I would like to make clear that we have followed through on our promise of amnesty and that they will be welcomed back to the community at any time. That said, this amnesty is only against prosecution and in-game penalty. It is a promise that they can return to residency and participation in the community, but it isn't a guarantee of citizenship. Anyone we believe may still be harboring resentment and might need more cooling off may not immediately be granted citizenship, but may instead be asked to apply for a culture gatepass and constructively participate in the community for a while.

[Biyah]

My only concern is the timing, I almost think this should go into effect the moment the new government is enacted. Else, a saavy lawyer type could try weaseling in after continuing to war by saying 'new government, I never fought you, let me in'.

It doesn't mean much when the amnesty is being granted by and for a transitional government. But if enacted as a certainty to the new government, voted and attached as part of the restart package, we could then start with a clean slate all around.

Being provisional head, you could allow people back in until that time on a case-by-case basis, should they come back and apologize (or whatever your standards are).

~B

[Cormac]

My only concern is the timing, I almost think this should go into effect the moment the new government is enacted. Else, a saavy lawyer type could try weaseling in after continuing to war by saying 'new government, I never fought you, let me in'.

It doesn't mean much when the amnesty is being granted by and for a transitional government. But if enacted as a certainty to the new government, voted and attached as part of the restart package, we could then start with a clean slate all around.

Being provisional head, you could allow people back in until that time on a case-by-case basis, should they come back and apologize (or whatever your standards are).

~B

Those are valid points. This would mean more coming from the constitutional government, which should be back in place within a matter of weeks.

Perhaps we'll just let this draft sit here in the meantime, so they'll know we're serious about reconciliation and mean to act on it as soon as constitutional government is restored. And, as you said, any returnees can be readmitted to citizenship on a case by case basis, which has already happened in one case.

[Dalimbar]

As a note, the Chair recognizes this proposal as falling under Category D, and if it is the wish of Convention, may be voted on along with other Category D proposals which appear before Convention.

[Jakker]

Just for clarity sake, what does "criminal charges or further in-game penalty" refer to? Examples and non-examples?

[Severisen Montresor]

Here is how I interpret the statement:

Say that one of the members who supported the JW Government decided to return to Osiris and regain citizenship, in good faith toward working with and for the OFO. This act would basically prevent their actions during the conflict being used against them, legally, or in-game. If they returned, and then began a new seditious effort, this would not protect them from that charge.

Basically people are exchanging recognition of the current government for the amnesty of actions taken during the conflict.

The further in-game penalty would presumably apply to someone who was tarting/speaking out on the RMB and was ejected from the region. Returning a puppet, simply, will not result in their immediate expulsion, presumably, but this would not allow someone to move a puppet in, and work against the government again, with impunity going forward. That being said, high influence nations that were costly to eject are not going to be allowed back in immediately, for reasons that should be obvious.

[Cormac]

Sev pretty much has it right.

[Jakker]

Here is how I interpret the statement:

Say that one of the members who supported the JW Government decided to return to Osiris and regain citizenship, in good faith toward working with and for the OFO. This act would basically prevent their actions during the conflict being used against them, legally, or in-game. If they returned, and then began a new seditious effort, this would not protect them from that charge.

Basically people are exchanging recognition of the current government for the amnesty of actions taken during the conflict.

The further in-game penalty would presumably apply to someone who was tarting/speaking out on the RMB and was ejected from the region. Returning a puppet, simply, will not result in their immediate expulsion, presumably, but this would not allow someone to move a puppet in, and work against the government again, with impunity going forward. That being said, high influence nations that were costly to eject are not going to be allowed back in immediately, for reasons that should be obvious.

Thanks for the insight, Sev. I'd be interested to see how that all plays out in practice for the future.