Slavery in Lethea
Slavery is legal almost everywhere in Lethea, but the Southern Lethean countries have drafted international laws regarding their treatment and their rights. The treatment of slaves in less uniform in other regions as they lack any such agreements and so each nation-state has had to come up with their own laws.
People who are indebted to someone can willingly become a slave in order to pay the wealth back.
Criminals can become slaves as punishment for a crime.
Punishing the slave without a valid reason is illegal.
Any children the slave has while he is enslaved will be free.
Slaves have the right to seek legal aid if they are being unjustly physically harmed.
The Reasonable and Humane Slavery Act of 1249 AA
History
Following the Gulf Slave Rebellion of 1243 AA, the Southern Lethean governments decided that something had to be done in order to avoid unrest amongst the slaves. As fears arose of another, far larger rebellion, all states were eager to come to some kind of agreement. The treaty was signed on the 32nd of Vernavar.Becoming a slave
Prisoners of war whose families aren't wealthy enough to pay for a ransom become slaves.People who are indebted to someone can willingly become a slave in order to pay the wealth back.
Criminals can become slaves as punishment for a crime.
Slave Rights
Killing or mutilating slaves is illegal.Punishing the slave without a valid reason is illegal.
Any children the slave has while he is enslaved will be free.
Slaves have the right to seek legal aid if they are being unjustly physically harmed.
How strictly are these laws enforced? History teaches us that as soon as people aren't looking (or stop caring), things get grim in a hurry. I also imagine that most people think this is nice and all, but would still prefer to be.. You know.. Free. :D How is that situation?
Creator of Araea, Megacorpolis, and many others.
Every country that has agreed to follow the Reasonable and Humane Slavery Act of 1249 AA decided how severe they want the punishment for violating rights to be. So while in one country a slave owner could be imprisoned for violating the slaves rights, in another, they could receive a tiny fine. Yes, most slaves do want freedom and there are active political movements, most led by religious leaders, that are calling for their emancipation.
Maker of Maps
Are there states that have agreed to follow it and have punishments in place, but just don't reinforce it very vigorously? More of a show than an actual act?
Creator of Araea, Megacorpolis, and many others.
There are definitely countries that don't care about that international treaty, but I haven't gotten around to figuring out which ones follow it and which ones don't.
Maker of Maps