In our Imperial Welfare Union, all policy reflects our values. One core value is reverence for human rights. Therefore, foreign and diplomatic relations are under the joint purview of the High Commission for Foreign Affairs and the High Commission for Human Rights. The specific nature of the establishment of foreign and diplomatic relations must by approved the High Court for Human Rights, Avalonia's highest court for judicial review.

Within this structure, Avalonian foreign and diplomatic relations are shaped by human rights, and the state must keep standards when assessing the potential for international relations and partnerships. Other indicators for our review of a nation as a potential partner are respect for international norms, environmental justice, and cultural dedication to civil and political rights. As this policy introduction expands upon, there are some policies that may be held by foreign governments that are at such odds with universal human rights that they represent to the Avalonian state serious unsurmountable obstacles to foreign and diplomatic relations.

It is important to note that diplomatic relations are only a requisite for receiving international aid from Avalonian Direct Aid - other forms of aid from Avalonian non-profits, reserve funds, and Sonderburg Institutes may not require diplomatic relations.

The Avalonian government periodically reviews the policies of foreign states, and assigns to them a special "tier", which represents a frame of potential, within specific restraints. It does not reflect the pure potential for relations, but only the structural limits to cooperation. The tiers are as follows:

First Tier - High level cooperation and integration

• Tier 1A: Nations with which the Avalonian government currently cooperates and integrates

• Tier 1B: Nations with which the Avalonian government does not currently cooperate or integrate, but would like to

In order for a state to be placed in the First Tier, the nation may not have any of the following:

• Policies of Severe Concern [under the 1920 Act]

• Policies of Concern on Internationalist Grounds

• Policies of Limited Concern

Second Tier - Cooperation and Normalized Relations

• Tier 2A
  Nations with which the Avalonian government currently cooperates and maintains normalized relations

• Tier 2B
  Nations with which the Avalonian government does not currently cooperate or maintain normalized relations, but would like to

In order for a state to be placed in the Second Tier, the nation may not have any of the following:

• Policies of Severe Concern [under the 1920 Act]

• Policies of Concern on Internationalist Grounds

Third Tier - Cooperation in International Matters and Limited Relations

• Tier 3A: Nations with which the Avalonian government currently cooperates in international matters, and maintains limited relations

• Tier 3B: Nations with which the Avalonian government does not currently cooperate in international matters or maintain limited relations, but would like to

In order for a state to be placed in the Third Tier, the nation may not have any of the following:

• Policies of Severe Concern [under the 1920 Act]

Fourth Tier - States Without Obligation

• Tier 4A: Nations with which the Avalonian government currently has ongoing cooperation on matters on humanitarian grounds.

• Tier 4B: Nations with which the Avalonian government will consider cooperation on case-by-case humanitarian grounds.

In order for a state to be placed in the Fourth Tier, the nation has demonstrated that policies of all of the following nature are in place:

• Policies of Severe Concern [under the 1920 Act]

• Policies of Concern on Internationalist Grounds

As of now, the Avalonian High Commission for Foreign Affairs has noted nations with which it currently cooperates and integrates on a high level [T1A], or would be interested in high-level cooperation and integration [T1B]. Although not explicitly an immediate priority, the Avalonian government sees international integration as one of the most effective ways of strengthening international respect for human rights, democracy, and popular welfare. In coordination with the High Commission for Human Rights, it does note (in red) its specific concerns with each country, which may require clarification (specified with *). A double asterisk indicates a policy that the Avalonian Government would like to have more clarification on the enforcement of the law, and the sentences for violaters. Diplomatic relations may have already been established with some of the nations listed here; These nations are underlined.

• The Happy Accident of San Pera [T1B]

This list is not exhaustive, and subject to addition and removal of nations.

The High Commission for Foreign Affairs notes here the nations with which it either currently cooperates and maintains normal relations [T2A], and the nations with which it would like to cooperate and maintain normal relations [T2B]. In coordination with the High Commission for Human Rights, it does note (in red) its specific concerns with each country, which may require clarification (specified with *). A double asterisk indicates a policy that the Avalonian Government would like to have more clarification on the enforcement of the law, and the sentences for violaters. Diplomatic relations may have already been established with some of the nations listed here; These nations are underlined.

[TBD]

This list is not exhaustive, and subject to addition and removal of nations.

The High Commission for Foreign Affairs notes here the nations with which it either currently cooperates in international matters and maintains limited relations [T3A], and the nations with which it would like to cooperate in international matters and maintain limited relations [T3B]. It does note (in red) its specific concerns with each country, which may require clarification (specified with *). A double asterisk indicates a policy that the Avalonian Government would like to have more clarification on the enforcement of the law, and the sentences for violaters. Diplomatic relations may have already been established with some of the nations listed here; These nations are underlined.

[TBD]

This list is not exhaustive, and subject to addition and removal of nations.

The High Commission for Foreign Affairs notes here the nations with which it either currently cooperates on humanitarian grounds [T4A], and the nations with which it would like to cooperate on humanitarian grounds [T4B]. It does note (in red) its specific concerns with each country, which may require clarification (specified with *). A double asterisk indicates a policy that the Avalonian Government would like to have more clarification on the enforcement of the law, and the sentences for violaters. Diplomatic relations may have already been established with some of the nations listed here; These nations are underlined.

[TBD]

This list is not exhaustive, and subject to addition and removal of nations.

It is a point of importance that Avalonian Foreign & Diplomatic Relations are guided not by the interests of the Avalonian state, but the interests of humanity and the amelioration of global affairs, peace, and prosperity. Therefore, the domestic situation in foreign nations are the deciding factor when it comes to Avalonian diplomacy.

In 1920, the Avalonian Parliament passed the Outland Act, now known as the 1920 Act, which was a milestone in the incorporation of human rights into the Avalonian governance superstructure. The 1920 Act restricts the government from establishing diplomatic relations with nations implementing any of the following policies. Nations may still open representative offices at the non-diplomatic level.

Theocracy - Worship of the official state religion is mandatory.

Heterosexuality - Same-sex relationships are illegal.

No Marriage - Marriage is prohibited.

Atheism - Religious worship is prohibited.

[In Conjuction with No Abortion]No Contraception - Contraception is illegal.

No Abortion - Abortion is illegal.

Geronticide - Citizens are not permitted to reach old age.

Capital Punishment - Citizens may be executed for crimes.

Corporal Punishment - Criminals may be ordered to undergo physical punishment.

Human Sacrifice - Religious sacrifice of human beings is legal.

Child Labor - Children may be legally employed as workers and contractors.

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Slavery - Slavery is legal

No Emigration - Citizens are not permitted to leave.

Child Self-Rearing - Children are left in the wilderness to raise themselves.

Avalonia strongly disapproves of the following policies, and will only establish diplomatic relations, with complete trade restrictions, unless an explicit agreement is reached.

Weapons of Mass Destruction - The nation claims the legal right to use WMDs.

Autocracy - The nation does not hold democratic elections.

State Press - Only state-controlled media is permitted.

No Dissent - Public protests are illegal.

Conscription - A period of military service is compulsory for all citizens.

No Judiciary - The nation has abolished the court system.

State Surveillance - The state heavily monitors citizen behavior and communication.

No Internet - Citizens may not connect to the Internet.