OBT Forum

There are no interstellar laws.  If you all want to agree to some go ahead, but I doubt everyone will sign on.

As long as we avoid recreating the Star League, I can live with that.

As long as we avoid recreating the Star League, I can live with that.

You already have 20 factions who wish to do that in their own way...

The original Ares Convention Articles before they were rescinded in 2579 by the Star League

Article I forbade the use of nuclear weapons against all civilian targets and planets and military targets within 75,000 kilometers of a planet.
       â€”Amend to use of nuclear weapons within a planetary atmosphere

Agreed.

Article II forbade orbital bombardment except against vital military targets which were not near populated areas.
       â€”Amend to forbid the use of orbital bombardment on planets with no clear military, command or communication value.

There would need to be clarification of that. I can see some loopholes a warship could jump through. Alternatively a blanket-ban on orbital bombardment although I suspect that wouldn't be acceptable to everyone.

Article III established the white flag with adorned red S as universal symbol of surrender and truce, which all signatories agreed to abide by.
Article IV established the right of safe passage under a sign of truce and conditions for its loss.
Article V explicitly disavowed combat in cities—unless a military target was within the city—and against civilian targets.
Article VI forbade research, development, and use of biological and chemical weapons.

Agreed.

I'd also suggest a specific statement that signatories will also consider all the above articles to apply in their actions towards non-signatories except in retaliation for actions that would contravene them. I believe that non-signatories were considered fair game under the originals: let's try to take the moral high ground on this.

Appendices

Appendix A comprised of the definition of combat forces, ranging from definitions of infantry to aerospace forces. Since the Conventions were supposed to be followed by uniformed combatants, extensive definitions of uniforms were also part of this section.

Appendix B defined what a valid military target during warfare was.

Appendices C and D defined civilians and civilian assets. Notable for their ridgy.
       â€”Suggest Amending to include specific definitions for pirates, irregular forces, etc.

How do you propose to define them?

Appendix E clarified the rules for surrender and treatment of surrendered forces, as well as safe passage for humanitarians, noncombatants, and civilians through hostile territory.

Appendices F through H defined the nature of military force and hostile action. Aside from seeking to limit open conflicts, these appendices introduced the idea of conducting proxy battles via sports matches, simulation games, or duels.

Appendices I through L defined weapons of mass destruction. The restrictions for their use were so strict that not even tear gas could be used against foreign troops.
       â€”Amend to remove non-lethal forms of chemical weapons.

I'm not clear why this is desirable. Reasons?

Appendices M through O defined boards of inquiry and investigative commissions for violations of the Ares Conventions. In practice, this should be by Starlight.
       â€”Amend to create an investigative branch of StarLight for the sole purpose of reporting violations back to this board for voting purposes.

Appendix R defined the allowable uses of espionage and intelligence operations. Unlike the rest of the Conventions, this appendix was far less restrictive and only banned outright assassination.

Appendix X
       â€”Add interdiction to the Appendix as an allowable punishment for violation of this convention by adhering board members' nations.

Given that the original Conventions effectively had no enforcement, some improvement would be in order.

Being more specific, I recommend that following the presentation of sufficient evidence and a simple majority vote (not 2/3rds) excluding the accused, any signatory who breaks the Conventions towards another signatory receive a 6 month Interdiction, extendable if such actions continue.

Being more specific, I recommend that following the presentation of sufficient evidence and a simple majority vote (not 2/3rds) excluding the accused, any signatory who breaks the Conventions towards another signatory receive a 6 month Interdiction, extendable if such actions continue.

Like the UN the accused should get a vote no matter what.  No one has veto powers like the winners of WWII do.  Getting a majority vote should not be that hard, even with the accused voting if the evidence is really good.

In the interest of keeping the new Ares Conventions as clear as possible, here's what we have so far...


Articles

Article I: Forbids the use of all weapons of mass destruction, to include: Nuclear, Biological, Lethal Chemical, and exotic weapons (i.e. Asteroids)—but not including orbital bombardment by conventional capital-grade weapons—capable of destruction over a wide area as well as inflicting catastrophic damage to property, a planetary environment and massive loss of life over a short period of time within a planetary atmosphere.

Article II: Forbids the use of orbital bombardment except against vital military targets not near populated areas. Military targets include known military formations, weapons factories, military shipyards and repair facilities, fortifications, and command and control centers (i.e. regional, provincial and national capitals that provide C3 points) Use of orbital bombardment against worlds defended only by militia with no other strategic value is prohibited.
       
Article III: Establishes the white flag with adorned red S as universal symbol of surrender and truce, which all signatories agreed to abide by.

Article IV: Establishes the right of safe passage under a sign of truce and conditions for its loss (i.e. breaking a truce, false flag, etc.)

Article V: Explicitly disavows combat in cities—unless a military target is within or knowingly enters a city—and against civilian targets. Combatants will endeavor to provide the safe passage for civilians in any theater of combat if possible.

Article VI: Forbids the research, development, and use of biological and lethal chemical weapons. Non-lethal chemical weapons are not under the purview of these conventions.

Article VII: Establishes that signatories of these conventions will adhere to them in combat against other signatories. Violations of the conventions by signatories is covered in Appendix X, XI, and XII.
 

Appendices

Appendix A: defines combat forces, as infantry, conventional armor, aerospace fighters, combat DropShips, combat JumpShips and WarShips. All uniformed and non-uniformed combatants must adhere to the accords to benefit from their protection. Deviation will result in a direct violation.

Appendix B: Targets of military value include uniformed military units, military industry and command & control centers.

Appendices C and D: Defines civilian assets as civilian industries (i.e. JumpShip Yards) and enclaves. Civilians are defined by the Third Geneva Protocols.

Appendix E: Defines the rules for surrender and treatment of surrendered forces, as well as safe passage for humanitarians, noncombatants, and civilians through hostile territory. (Can be determined at a later date for RP purposes.)

Appendices F through H: defined the nature of military force and hostile action. Aside from seeking to limit open conflicts, these appendices introduced the idea of conducting proxy battles via sports matches, simulation games, or duels. (Can be defined for RP purposes at a later date.)

Appendices I through K: Defines a Sphere-wide board of inquiry and investigative commission for violations of the Ares Conventions to be organized and led by Starlight Ltd. They maintain the sole responsibility of recording and reporting violations of the Ares Conventions to the Board of Directors.

Appendix L: Defines the allowable uses of espionage and intelligence operations, including assassination.*

Appendix M: Defines the use of Interdiction as punishment for violation of the Ares Conventions. See Appendix X, XI and XII.

Appendix N: Defines non-signatories of the Ares Convention and violations of the conventions by non-signatories. See Appendix XIII.


Appendix X: Violations of the Ares Convention.
        —XI: Determining violations of the Ares Convention remains the purview of StarLight Ltd. StarLight Ltd. is the only accountable agency able to provide evidence of any and all violations to the Board of Directors. Ultimate determination of a violation will be made by the Board of Directors.
        —XII: Signatories charged with violating the accords will face an interdiction vote by the Board of Directors, with the majority voting—including the charged—for interdiction in blocks of six months, with a minimum of one pending a convicting vote for interdiction. Every six months the Board of Directors will vote to maintain the interdiction, but only if violations of the conventions have taken place during the original interdiction period.
        —XIII: Non-signatories of the Ares Conventions include any member of the Human Sphere who do not sign the accords.
          —XIIIa: Signatories shall adhere to the Conventions in combat against Non-Signatories until the accords are violated by the non-signatory faction.
          —XIIIb: In the event that a non-signatory violates the conventions the affected signatory have the option to pursue one of two distinct rights:
                    —Right I: Void the use of the Ares Conventions against the violating non-signatory until the cessation of combat
                    —Right II: Call for an interdiction vote against the violating non-signatory but require a 2/3rds vote—including the charged—for passage. Passed interdictions are covered by Appendix XII at the conclusion of the first six months. Signatories calling for an interdiction vote must maintain the Accords regardless of the vote outcome unless a second violation by the original non-signatory occurs.       


Edit: Based on Comments. * Appendix L is currently under consideration.

Need to add specific mention of nuclear weapons on planetary targets.  Use of nukes in naval battles permitted.