Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Clarification and Amendment
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Request name | Motions | Initiated | Votes |
---|---|---|---|
Wikipediocracy-related conduct | 21 October 2024 | 4/3/2 | |
Marine 69-71 | Motions | 26 October 2024 | 0/0/0 |
Covert canvassing and proxying in the Israel-Arab conflict topic area | 6 November 2024 | 0/0/0 |
No cases have recently been closed (view all closed cases).
Request name | Motions | Case | Posted |
---|---|---|---|
Clarification request: Eastern Europe | none | (orig. case) | 24 July 2022 |
Clarification request: Conduct in deletion-related editing | none | (orig. case) | 28 August 2022 |
Amendment request: Wikicology | none | (orig. case) | 28 August 2022 |
Clarification request: Gender and sexuality | none | (orig. case) | 7 September 2022 |
No arbitrator motions are currently open.
Requests for clarification and amendment
Use this page to request clarification or amendment of a closed Arbitration Committee case or decision.
- Requests for clarification are used to ask for further guidance or clarification about an existing completed Arbitration Committee case or decision.
- Requests for amendment are used to ask for an amendment or extension of existing sanctions (for instance, because the sanctions are ineffective, contain a loophole, or no longer cover a sufficiently wide topic); or appeal for the removal of sanctions (including bans).
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- Choose one of the following options and open the page in a new tab or window:
- Click here to file a request for clarification of an arbitration decision or procedure.
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{{subst:Arbitration CA notice|SECTIONTITLE}}
to do this. - Add the diffs of the talk page notifications under the applicable header of the request.
Please do not submit your request until it is ready for consideration; this is not a space for drafts, and incremental additions to a submission are disruptive.
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- Motivation. Word limits are imposed to promote clarity and focus on the issues at hand and to ensure that arbitrators are able to fully take in submissions. Arbitrators must read a large volume of information across many matters in the course of their service on the Committee, so submissions that exceed word limits may be disregarded. For the sake of fairness and to discourage gamesmanship (i.e., to disincentivize "asking forgiveness rather than permission"), word limits are actively enforced.
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- Sanctions. Please note that members and clerks of the Committee may impose appropriate sanctions when necessary to promote the effective functioning of the arbitration process.
General guidance
- Arbitrators and clerks may summarily remove or refactor discussion without comment.
- Requests from blocked or banned users should be made by e-mail directly to the Arbitration Committee.
- Only arbitrators and clerks may remove requests from this page. Do not remove a request or any statements or comments unless you are in either of these groups.
- Archived clarification and amendment requests are logged at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Index/Clarification and Amendment requests. Numerous legacy and current shortcuts can be used to more quickly reach this page:
Clarification request: Eastern Europe
Initiated by Mhawk10 at 21:07, 24 July 2022 (UTC)
List of any users involved or directly affected, and confirmation that all are aware of the request:
- Mhawk10 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (initiator)
Confirmation that all parties are aware of the request
Statement by Mhawk10
The decision enables discretionary sanctions on topics relating to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, broadly construed. To what extent does the scope of the case apply to events that occur within Russia and Kazakhstan and locales within Russia and Kazakhstan on the basis of their geographical location?
Russia is a transcontinental country spanning Europe and Asia, and only part of the country is within Eastern Europe. Read in the most narrow way, only the geographic portion of Russia that is within Eastern Europe would fall under the scope of the discretionary sanctions (no part of Russia is in the Balkans, so that part of discretionary sanctions is moot). Given that there is a bit of uncertainty regarding the borders between Europe and Asia within Russia, and that part of Russia (such as Vladivostok) is clearly not in what is generally considered to be in Europe. As such, this leaves open the question of whether EE applies to events that take place within the Russian Federation based on the lack of clarity surrounding the Europe-Asia border. Is all of Russia considered to be part of Eastern Europe for the purpose of these sanctions, or only the part of Russia that is within Eastern Europe? And, if only the part of Russia in Eastern Europe is considered to be within the scope of the discretionary sanctions, where does Eastern Europe stop? And, would events that are of national importance to the Russian Federation that occurred in Asian Russia (such as the poisoning of Alexei Navalny within the scope of WP:EEWP:ARBEE?
Additionally, there are parts of western Kazakhstan that are generally considered to be within Europe, though I imagine that the remedy relating locus of the case's particular dispute was not intended to capture portions of the Atyrau Region or West Kazakhstan Region. Does "Eastern Europe" for the purpose of this decision include the portion of Kazakhstan that is considered to be within Europe, or no portion of Kazakhstan at all? — Ⓜ️hawk10 (talk) 21:07, 24 July 2022 (UTC)
- This is an inquiry for a broader understanding, with the giving alerts, talk pages notices, etc. in mind. I was a bit surprised when I didn't see a talk page notice on the Poisoning of Alexei Navalny page even though there is one on the Alexei Navalny page. — Ⓜ️hawk10 (talk) 22:08, 24 July 2022 (UTC)
- Given the facts at this AN thread, I think that some users (like me) would benefit from knowing whether the topic of Crimean Tatars within the Soviet Union (for example) is within the scope of
WP:EEWP:ARBEE. I don't think it's entirely abstract at this point. — Ⓜ️hawk10 (talk) 04:02, 1 August 2022 (UTC)- altered WP:EE links to WP:ARBEE Cabayi (talk) 09:03, 14 August 2022 (UTC)
- Given the facts at this AN thread, I think that some users (like me) would benefit from knowing whether the topic of Crimean Tatars within the Soviet Union (for example) is within the scope of
Statement by GizzyCatBella
How about the Soviet satellite state of East Germany? Additional illustration - Greece and the European part of Turkey. This might be confusing to the young (born in 2000 +) - GizzyCatBella🍁 15:37, 14 August 2022 (UTC)
Comment by GoodDay
If my memory serves me correctly? The countries in Europe that were under Soviet influence or control, were described as "Eastern European countries", as being behind the "Iron Curtain". The East (Communist) vs West (Democracy), etc. GoodDay (talk) 14:24, 17 August 2022 (UTC)
Statement by {other-editor}
Other editors are free to make relevant comments on this request as necessary. Comments here should opine whether and how the Committee should clarify or amend the decision or provide additional information.
Eastern Europe: Clerk notes
- This area is used for notes by the clerks (including clerk recusals).
Eastern Europe: Arbitrator views and discussion
- Is there an actual issue at the moment where this would clarification would have an impact or is it an inquiry for a broader understanding (such as editors who might need an alert, talk pages where the notice would appear, etc)? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Barkeep49 (talk • contribs) 21:35, 24 July 2022 (UTC)
- I also don't see a one size fits all answer here and the AN thread linked as a reason why an answer is needed doesn't strike me as a particularly great place to weigh in either. The best I can offer is that at least some parts of Russian topics will fall with-in the scope of EE. Do all parts? That's what I'm not ready to say today, as maybe yes, maybe no. I would need more input from the community than this ARCA has achieved for me to say. Barkeep49 (talk) 20:25, 2 August 2022 (UTC)
- My understanding of the original disputes that led to this particular discretionary sanctions regime is that the disputes were more along ethnic lines within certain parts of Europe. The various situations presented in the original request for clarification all seem to be edge cases, and would be probably best dealt with on the individual merits of a known conflict or dispute as it arises; the particulars of geographical location would be but one factor in determining whether this discretionary sanctions regime applies. For example, ethnic disputes involving Kazakhstan would probably be lumped under "Central Asia" and not "Eastern Europe (let's ignore for a moment what does and doesn't have a DS regime presently). In contrast, my instinct would be to lump anything Russia-related under Eastern Europe given the likely cultural basis for a dispute. But, I should emphasize again that I don't see a good one-size-fits-all answer here. Maxim(talk) 17:40, 27 July 2022 (UTC)
- Crimea is in Eastern Europe, so editing conflicts related to that region (and to go along with Maxim's line of reasoning, ethnic-related conflicts in particular) would fall under the Eastern Europe DS regime. Primefac (talk) 13:48, 1 August 2022 (UTC)
- Is this a generational/cultural thing requiring memories pre-dating the fall of the wall (1989)? Eastern Europe is the former Soviet Union and its satellite states east of the Iron Curtain. Cabayi (talk) 09:03, 14 August 2022 (UTC)
- I'm still thinking this over but the response here suggests that a clarification by motion (instead of a routine archiving of this ARCA) would be appropriate. Best, KevinL (aka L235 · t · c) 06:12, 19 August 2022 (UTC)
- Is this actually causing problems? Do we have any examples of misunderstandings that are leading to sanctions being actioned or not actioned based on this misunderstanding, or are we simply looking at the hypothetical on the terminology. It's a "broadly construed" topic for a reason - because there is some grey area in terminology, and I'd rather we didn't get bogged down in minutiae when it's not causing any actual problems. WormTT(talk) 11:57, 30 August 2022 (UTC)
Clarification request: Conduct in deletion-related editing
Arbitrators have clarified. firefly ( t · c ) 09:03, 28 August 2022 (UTC) |
---|
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it. |
Initiated by Johnpacklambert at 12:56, 22 August 2022 (UTC)
List of any users involved or directly affected, and confirmation that all are aware of the request:
Statement by JohnpacklambertMy topic ban says I am not allowed to participate in deletion discussion or anything like unto it. The whole discussion in imposing it was about articles. I am wondering if it extends to Categories for discussion, especially such discussions that are only speaking about renaming an existing category, and not at all trying to get a category deleted. John Pack Lambert (talk) 12:56, 22 August 2022 (UTC)
Statement by GoodDayYour bringing this to WP:ARCA, will not result in a block or ban, JPL. GoodDay (talk) 14:05, 22 August 2022 (UTC) Statement by GuerilleroI would like the arbs to consider expanding Johnpacklambert's topic ban to include notability, broadly contrued. Part of the reason that he was topic banned was due to distruption around the notability of atheletes and he is now at WT:Notability (sports) continuing the same sort of behavior. --Guerillero Parlez Moi 14:07, 22 August 2022 (UTC)
Statement by ThryduulfNote that Seraphimblade has closed the Arbitration Enforcement request with the outcome Statement by {other-editor}Other editors are free to make relevant comments on this request as necessary. Comments here should opine whether and how the Committee should clarify or amend the decision or provide additional information. Conduct in deletion-related editing: Clerk notes
Conduct in deletion-related editing: Arbitrator views and discussion
|
Amendment request: Wikicology
Initiated by Jayen466 at 08:32, 28 August 2022 (UTC)
- Clauses to which an amendment is requested
- List of any users involved or directly affected, and confirmation that all are aware of the request
- Jayen466 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (initiator)
- T_Cells (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Confirmation that all parties are aware of the request
- Information about amendment request
- Temporary lifting of site-ban to allow T-Cells (formerly known as Wikicology) to participate in Village Pump discussions concerning his person
Statement by Jayen466
T_Cells' site-ban has come up in the context of his receiving WMF grant money to coordinate the Wikipedia Pages Wanting Photos contest. If he is being discussed here then he should, as a basic principle of courtesy, be allowed to comment in that discussion, if he wishes to do so.
- Thanks, KevinL. I think that fully covers it and nothing more need be done. You will I'm sure watch his talk page and so will I. --Andreas JN466 22:49, 28 August 2022 (UTC)
Statement by T_Cells
Statement by Indy beetle
With all due respect to Jayen466, I don't think this is really necessary. The case of Wikicology/T Cells is simply being used as an example for a broader phenomenon, and that discussion is more geared towards WMF process, not the particulars of Wikicology's behavior. -Indy beetle (talk) 08:39, 28 August 2022 (UTC)
- The discussion has moved more into the particulars of the Wikicology case. That said, I see no benefit to creating a precedent whereby every time a case is discussed, we unban and solicit the participation of the formerly banned editors when they have not formally appealed the ban. As an example, the loose ends of the recent deletions discussion arbcase will take at least months to tie up, probably years or even indefinitely. By this standard, Lugnuts' ban would be de facto reversed while the implications of the case and literal thousands of his stubs are scrutinized. That would make no sense. I have no objection to T Cells being informed of the discussion on one of their nonbanned areas of participation, but then they should appeal the arb enforcement the normal way, explaining how they've learned from their mistakes and whatnot. -Indy beetle (talk) 13:48, 29 August 2022 (UTC)
Statement by HandsomeBoy
I remember clearly most of the events that led to the block of T Cells. I remember I was really pissed at him (his editing style), and how Wikipedia was accommodating him. Fast forward to 2022, and we have a transformed editor that has improved in almost all aspects on and off wiki. I am not supporting this because I got to know him more, I am supporting because the way he handles issues has significantly changed (even reborn) and I am very confident the factors that led to his block will not arise again. This is the right step in the right direction. Back to the subject of this amendment, T Cells has been a dedicated volunteer for Yoruba wiki, Commons and Meta spaces, and I believe this will allow him coordinate the activities better. It has been years, no one should be revoked for life, except in special cases which I do not think this should fall into.
Statement by {other-editor}
Other editors are free to make relevant comments on this request as necessary. Comments here should address why or why not the Committee should accept the amendment request or provide additional information.
Wikicology: Clerk notes
- This area is used for notes by the clerks (including clerk recusals).
Wikicology: Arbitrator views and discussion
- As an individual administrator action, I will temporarily restore T Cells' talk page access; he can if necessary ask for comments to be copied over from there. I'll reset the TPA block after the village pump discussion has concluded. I don't think further ArbCom action is necessary at this time. Best, KevinL (aka L235 · t · c) 19:50, 28 August 2022 (UTC)
- @Indy beetle, I hear your concern. I think those cases are distinguishable because the discussion of T Cells involves his activities since the ban and outside enwiki, and it would be prudent to allow him to comment if necessary. I don't think we're setting any general rules here.
Unless any arbitrators have an objection, I will direct the clerks to close this ARCA in about 24 hours. (cc @ArbCom Clerks: ) KevinL (aka L235 · t · c) 16:59, 29 August 2022 (UTC)- @HandsomeBoy, this ARCA really isn't about whether T Cells should be allowed to edit – it's a narrow request to allow him to participate in one discussion involving him. I agree with my colleague below that any substantive change to his sanctions should require an appeal from him, not a third party. Best, KevinL (aka L235 · t · c) 18:35, 29 August 2022 (UTC)
- @Indy beetle, I hear your concern. I think those cases are distinguishable because the discussion of T Cells involves his activities since the ban and outside enwiki, and it would be prudent to allow him to comment if necessary. I don't think we're setting any general rules here.
- I think the idea of someone banned on enwiki whose global actions still create problems for enwiki is an interesting one, but I am not a fan of third party appeals in general and this fact pattern doesn't merit an exception. If T Cells would like to appeal their ban, in whole or in part, I would certainly entertain it. Barkeep49 (talk) 21:15, 28 August 2022 (UTC)
- It also occurred to me that we have precedent in using the meta talk page when we (enwiki) need to communicate with a banned user on a topic of importance to enwiki with Fram during their ArbCom case. The specifics of that need were different but that seems like the right way to have a dialogue if needed rather than some kind of unasked for temporary unban. I will repeat that if T Cells wishes to appeal their ban through the traditional methods, I am open to that. My thinking in this case has not been about the merits of such an appeal, because there hasn't been a true appeal for me to consider. Barkeep49 (talk) 15:10, 29 August 2022 (UTC)
- Concur with the above. Primefac (talk) 09:14, 29 August 2022 (UTC)
Clarification request: Gender and sexuality
Initiated by Sideswipe9th at 21:21, 7 September 2022 (UTC)
List of any users involved or directly affected, and confirmation that all are aware of the request:
- Sideswipe9th (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (initiator)
Confirmation that all parties are aware of the request
Statement by Sideswipe9th
I'd like to request clarification on the title, and scope of the Gender and sexuality discretionary sanctions please. There appears to be a disconnect between the title of the case, and the text of the remedy. The title of the case implies that this case covers all edits relating to both gender and sexuality, however the text of the remedy states that the scope is limited to [disputes] regarding the proper article title, pronoun usage, or other manner of referring to any individual known to be or self-identifying as transgender
(remedy 1), and any discussion regarding systemic bias faced by female editors or article subjects on Wikipedia, including any discussion involving the Gender Gap Task Force
(remedy 2). While there is considerable overlap between the various communities under the LGBT+ umbrella, with many individuals belonging to more than community, by a plain reading of the text, neither of the two active remedies in the case involve sexuality.
My requests for clarification are;
- Are edits relating to sexuality within the scope of the Gender and sexuality discretionary sanctions, if those edits are in relation to a person who is not trans or non-binary?
- If edits relating to sexuality are within the scope, can the text of the remedy be amended to make this clearer?
- If edits relating to sexuality are not within the scope, can the name of the case be amended to make this clearer?
Thanks. Sideswipe9th (talk) 21:21, 7 September 2022 (UTC)
Statement by Seren Dept
I believe the scope notes you refer to are preceded by this, the active remedy, which is much more broad:
...with the following sole remedy: "Standard discretionary sanctions are authorized for all edits about, and all pages related to, any gender-related dispute or controversy and associated people."
I think the elements you're referring to specifically are there just to be clear about situations from preceding cases or clarification requests. At the time of GamerGate there had already been several fraught cases and I think the committee decided that participants would move these fights to other similar topics or that similar conflicts would appear later.
Seren_Dept 00:01, 8 September 2022 (UTC)
Statement by {other-editor}
Other editors are free to make relevant comments on this request as necessary. Comments here should opine whether and how the Committee should clarify or amend the decision or provide additional information.
Gender and sexuality: Clerk notes
- This area is used for notes by the clerks (including clerk recusals).