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House Elf Civil Rights Act Passed by Minister
Topic Started: Jan 27 2008, 11:01 PM (458 Views)
Professor Illiad Kaar
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Transfigurations Professor
Hermione Weasley, entering her sixth year as Minister of Magic, passed a new piece of legislation last week. The House Elf Civil Rights Act has been in the works since Mrs. Weasley was appointed the first female Minister of Magic. In a recent interview we asked why she had pushed so hard for this act to be passed. In response she stated, “I have always been for the house elves’ freedom. I even headed a liberation movement in my days at Hogwarts. But when it comes down to it, the house elves have been forever suppressed under the rule of their families - often mistreated - and these fundamental laws will bring an end to that.”

Essentially these laws grant every house elf their freedom and establish rights granted there of. These rights include a minimum weekly payment of fifty sickles and the freedom to choose who they serve. This act also makes it illegal to turn away a house elf’s working application in any wizarding establishment. Anyone caught in violation of the House Elf Civil Rights Act will be fined five hundred galleons and sentenced to an appropriate amount of time in Azkaban pending hearing.

Reactions have varied dramatically over the past week and after questioning a few employees at the Ministry, it is apparent that there are two sides to this argument. When asked what she thought of the Act, the aurora Marie Kingsly responded rather defiantly, “I can not believe it was passed. I was sure it was going to be outvoted by the lower party. Now let’s just hope something goes horribly wrong.” As a follow up she was asked why she felt this way. “Why?” she questioned sarcastically and laughed. “House elves have been under humans in all of wizarding history, it seems barbaric any other way.” Next Hans McEnroe, head of the Misuse of Magic Department was asked his opinion and responded, “I feel it should have been a long time ago. The lives we forced them to live were nothing less than oppressive and it seems only right that we set them free.” It should be noted that Marie Kingsly, before this had become law, had a house elf, and Hans McEnroe did not. They both said this fact does not influence their opinions.

Before the House Elf Civil Rights Act was passed many house elves had already obtained their freedom through other means. Some had been given their freedom and those who work at Hogwarts have been free to come and go as they please. Now that every house elf is legally free, it seems the next step is for them to become accustomed to the wizarding way of life.
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