Human rights in Gjorka

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Human rights in Gjorka are protected by Constitution of Gjorka and any laws passed by the National Assembly. Gjorka generally is considered one of the best countries for protection of human rights. The Global Democracy Index ranks Gjorka as a full democracy and the 8th highest score worldwide. Gjorka is considered the one of freest country in the world for LGBTQ citizens with almost little to no differences legally existing between heterosexual and homosexual persons. Gjorka's major problems with human rights include systemic racism and xenophobia. Minority groups such as Khoroshiyans and Akaroans have traditionally faced major institutional barriers in the country, some of which are still present today.

Equality

Racial

Racial inequality has been a consistent and major problem throughout Gjorkan history. Gjorka's two largest ethnic minorities, Khoroshiyans and Akaroans, had faced significant hurdles both legally and in society.

Khororhsiyan

A sign reading "Khoroshiyans Get Out! This a Gjorkan Neighborhood!"

Campaigns against Khororhsiyans have taken place throughout Gjorkan history. During the First Gjorkan Republic, organized campaigns against Khoroshiyans ceased but they were still unable to vote or hold public office and were considered "undesirables". During the Second Gjorkan Republic, President Ciara de Valera began an organized ethnic cleansing campaign against Khoroshiyans which included dispersing Khoroshiyan villages across Gjorka or to prison camps to make way for Gjorkan settlers. Any resistance to the deportations led to a "siege policy" where towns would be cut off and forced to starve or submit. This campaign caused the formation of the Front for the Liberation of Khoroshiya and beginning of the Insurgency in Roscommon. After De Valera's death, her successors slowly ended this campaign instead choosing to focus on fighting the Front.

Following the Black Revolution, despite the return of democracy a ban on Khoroshiyan politicians running for office was implemented as part of the effort to placate Gjorka's far-right groups for peace. This ban would not be repealed until 2003 when President Wallace repealed the ban. However, the ban would be de facto re-instated 3 years later by President Marnell who as part of a crackdown on the Front banned any Khoroshiyan politicians with ties to the Front which included nearly every major Khoroshiyan political and the ban of nearly all Khoroshiyan parties that had been created in the wake of Wallace's repeal.

In contemporary times, Khoroshiyans remain significantly inequality with their Gjorkan counterparts. The Marnell ban on Khoroshiyan politicians remains in place, causing the Khoroshiyan Civic Initiative to be the only major party arguing for Khoroshiyan interests. No anti-discrimination laws exist for Khoroshiyans at the present, and in many cases local governments have taken steps to encourage discrimination. Unemployment is nearly 20% for Khoroshiyans, much higher than the 6.1% national average.

Akaroan

Since the settlement of Dontalamh by Lord Shipwell in the early 16th century, discrimination against Akaroans has been commonplace. During the rule of the Third Kingdom of Gjorka, Akaroans and Gjorkans remained segregated in society. Akaroans were not allowed to enter Gjorkan colonies such as Nua Ross and Port Thior and likewise Gjorkans were banned from entering inland as part of the peace following the First Dontalamh War. This peace was voided by the First Gjorkan Republic, and inland colonization of the islands resumed beginning the Second Dontalamh War. Following the Gjorkan victory in the war, a re-settlment campaign began across the island where Akaroans villages were burnt and survivors sent to live in camps deep in the inland.

This policy of segregation and re-settlement briefly ended during the Second Gjorkan Civil War when socialist militias took control of the islands. The newly formed Socialist government promoted racial equality and closed down the camps to allow for Akaroans to return to their homes. Once the islands were recaptured in 1919 by the victorious Second Gjorkan Republic, the new government attempted to re-introduce segregation and resettlement camps leading to the Third Dontalamh War. Despite the Black Revolution and return of democracy, the new Gjorkan government did not initially end the war instating prolonging it for two more years. However in 1974 due to intense pressure from mainland citizens, a peace treaty was negotiated with the Akaroan rebel groups giving Dontalamh special autonomous status which granted many freedoms including the status of Gjorkan and Akaroan as equal languages on the islands.

In contemporary times, Akaroan inequality remains an issue on the mainland, but conditions have improved greatly in Dontalamh. Anti-discrimination laws and affirmative action laws have been passed in the islands. Despite legal equality, societal differences still exist and many Gjorkans and Akaroans live in segregated communities despite the end of segregation laws. On the mainland, discrimination remains a critical issue as nearly 50% of Akaroans who moved to the mainland to find work are forced to return to Dontalamh within 3 years according to the Gjorka Times.

Sex

Evie MacGannon the first and only female Majority Leader of the National Assembly

Women were first granted the right to vote in Gjorka in 1837 during the First Gjorkan Republic as part of the power sharing agreement to form the National Party, making Gjorka one of the first nations to grant women's suffrage. This right was re-affirmed in 1972 under the Constitution of the Third Gjorkan Republic after democracy returned to Gjorka.

Anti-discrimination laws based on sex were first passed in 1972 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex for hiring, promotions and pay. Laws against sexual harassment in the workplace passed in 1992 while Evie MacGannon was Majority Leader of the National Assembly. In 2007 President Marnell passed the 2007 Defense of Nation act which allowed women to serve in the Armed Forces.

Disability

Gjorka has some anti-discrimination laws but is often described as lacking. The Gjorkan Association for the Disabled and Imparied rates Gjorka a 6/10 on its global disability accommodation scale. As part of standard building codes, businesses are required to have accommodations for disabled people such as ramps and elevators. However, many of these codes were introduced in the last decade leading to many buildings having been grandfathered in without accommodations.

Gjorka does not have anti-discrimination laws in employment for disabled people. In 2006, the Disabled Workers act, and sponsored by Maria Henry the first deaf member of the National Assembly, was passed which did discourage discrimination based on ability and provided incentives for hiring disabled citizens. However, this law was repealed in 2008. In 2013 the Disability Work act was passed which mandated government agencies to have a certain percentage of their workforce to be disabled. In 2022, Government agencies remain the largest employer of disabled persons.

LGBTQ

Gjorka was one of the first nations to legalize same-sex activity and recognize same-sex relationships. In 1972, protection of same-sex activity and relationships was enshrined in the Constitution of the Third Gjorkan Republic following the Black Revolution. However, recognition of same-sex marriage would not occur until 2013 when President Vanderburg expanded protection of same-sex rights to near equal level to their heterosexual counterparts. Along with recognition of same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination laws, allowance for adoption and ability to serve openly in the armed forces was passed.

Transgender individuals did not receive equal status under Gjorkan law until 2005 when President Joe Wallace passed laws recognizing transgender citizens and allowing them to change their sex as recognized by the state. Transgenderism remains a somewhat controversial issue in Gjorkan politics, despite nearly 67% of Gjorkans supporting transgenderism (according to the Gjorka Times) major parties such as the National Social Party support repealing President Wallace's reforms and making transgenderism illegal.

Freedoms

Religion

Freedom of religion is guaranteed under Article Four of the Constitution of Gjorka, as well as the prohibition of the establishment of a national religion or any preferential treatment for one religion over another. Controversially, the pre-ambulatory clause of the Constitution contains the phrase "Create a nation bound by neither any gods nor any man nor any system..." declaring Gjorka a secular nation.

The Supreme Federal Tribunal of Gjorka ruled in O'Brien v. Flores that Article Four's freedom of religion clause also guarantees the free exercise of religion.

Expression

Freedom of Expression is protected multiple times in the Constitution of Gjorka. In Article Four of the Constitution, Freedom of Speech, Assembly, Press, Dissent and right to Petition. However, limits on expression also exist. The Supreme Tribunal ruled in McAllister v. Harper that the freedom of dissent does not protect acts of treason or attempts to overthrow the government of Gjorka. Additionally, the Supreme Tribunal ruled that freedom of speech is limited by areas such as copyrights, defamation, harassment, and broadcast media among others.

Censorship is illegal under the Constitution except in cases of Military classification. A charge of violation of the freedom of press was among the charges brought against President Rick Milhous during his investigation by the National Assembly for corruption. Additionally when President Joseph Marnell attempted to pass the Military Protection Act, which would have criminalized slander against the Gjorkan National Armed Forces, allegations of abuse of the freedom of press was brought up by members of the National Assembly but Marnell was never formally investigated nor charged.

Movement

In Gjorka, Freedom of Movement is a guaranteed right in the Gjorkan constitution or any passed law. However, Gjorka does not significantly restrict the travel of its citizen. In order for a citizen to exit or return to Gjorka they required a Gjorkan Passport. Gjorka may revoke the passport of a citizen in order to bar them from traveling abroad and has done so several times, most famously Khoroshiyan activist Panas Kostyuchenko in 2010.

Gjorka also bars its citizens from traveling to certain countries under their travel advisory. The National Assembly Committee for Global Relations is able to impose travel bans on countries on advice from the Department of Global Relations, doing so most recently in 2022 on Ajakanistan.

The right to drive an automobile is also not guaranteed in Gjorka and is a privilege attainable after certification of driving ability. Additionally, the right to fly is also not guaranteed and there is a national no-fly list.

Voting rights

Labor rights

Women's rights

Justice system

Prison system

Capital punishment

Police brutality

Racial discrimination

See also

Gjorka portal
Terraconserva portal