The International Statute of Secrecy is considered the most important law in the magical world. The law was signed in 1689 and passed in 1692. You might be wondering what the difference between the signing of the ISOS and the law being passed is. Well, in colloquial terms, having it signed is basically approving the law and taking the first steps in the planning process in preparation for the law to be officially implemented. Thus, with respect to ISOS, the law took about three years to be prepared, have the particulars worked out, and made official for all magical beings to follow.
Of course, a law is ineffective unless passed by those who have authority to do so; thus the International Confederation of Wizards were the ones who were chosen to safeguard the wizarding community from Muggles and hide the existence of the wizarding world from the Muggle world.
However, these are just the surface intentions of the ISOS. There were more motives behind the formation of the ISOS. Before the law was finalized, magical creatures such as goblins, trolls, giants, and many others were conspicuously ignored from any form of law. Wizards and witches also avoided them, believing that these creatures and beings would us if we interfered. This left their societal norms intact for a long period of time, but with the ISOS, everything changed.
With the passage of the International Statute of Secrecy, all witches and wizards, as well as all magical beings of "near-human intelligence" (elves, goblins, centaurs, merpeople, hags, vampires, etc.) were expected to obey the laws set forth by the primary governing body (the Ministry of Magic, or equivalent magical body in a different country) despite the fact that they had not been represented in the law-making body that approved the statute. The wizards in charge at the time believed it would be catastrophic if some species of magical being or creature were to expose them. Therefore, around the time of the Statute of Secrecy, many laws were written to regulate magical creatures.
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Each governing body will be responsible for the concealment, care and control of all magical beasts, beings, and spirits dwelling within its territory's borders. Should any such creatures cause harm to, or draw the notice of, the Muggle community, that nation's governing body will be subject to discipline by the International Confederation of Wizards."
Clause 73 of the International Statute of Secrecy
That being said, more laws and clauses were included in the ISOS for clarification during the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, merely 17 years after the ISOS was officially passed.
Now, let's go back a little to the objectives of ISOS.
To safeguard the wizarding community from MugglesTo hide the existence of the wizarding world from the world
A close historian friend once asked me this question, "Are we protecting ourselves from the Muggles or the Muggles from us? Is it still necessary for us to hide the existence of our world from the Muggles?" We must consider whether we are indeed protecting ourselves from the possible harm Muggles could cause us. This brings us to the beginning of today's lesson.
