Constitution of the Free State of Renasia

The constitution of the Free State of Renasia was enacted in November of 2012 and amended on February 13, 2014. It remained in force until the dissolution of Renasia on May 5, 2015.

Preamble

In today's world, there are many in power who espouse the unthinkable, those who would see us trapped in the world of intellectual darkness in order to preserve their beliefs and faith. The anti-intellectualism grows rife, more and more often we see these ideas taking hold, in popular movements, in the thoughts of the common people and in the halls of power.

The ideals of the Enlightenment, the necessity of human autonomy, the importance of reason and progress and the essentiality of secularism; these noble values are a dying flame lighting our world, and many would see them extinguished. They would see us condemned to a life in cold and dark ignorance.

The role of the artist, the philosopher, the academic and the writer are more and more dismissed in favour of the idolisation of celebrity, of business people or of preachers of ignorance. This is not a sustainable system for the continuation of society.

While we sink into a deep pit of consumerism, of conspicuous consumption and of self obsession, we use up the resources we could use to build a sustainable system, both economically and socially. We are, in effect, burning ourselves out. As we destroy our capacity for healthy intellectual development, we also wipe out any chance for societal and economic development which could be sustained.

However, there is a solution. For those of us who still hold dear the ideals held by the great philosophers, artists and intellectuals, we must find ourselves a nation more in touch with these ideals, one which will support its people, support the intellect and provide its citizens with the kind of environment which fosters continued and continuable progress.

To this end, we establish a state and nation, made up of such people, and it shall be called Renasia. It will seek to create a platform for these ideals, and in the long term, a home and environment where the Enlightenment might live free of the scourge of anti-intellectualism, which is so rabid in modern culture.

Let us unite under this banner, let us build a nation and let it take root. We are Renasians, we represent the best of society, and discard the unnecessary and often poisonous actions and attitudes of the modern world. Let us find our own culture, our own lands and our own governance. We must, for the sake of ourselves, for the sake of our descendants and for the sake of humanity.

Let us raise our heads, look to the skies and proclaim to them, to the world and to all its people:

“We are Renasian, a single people with many lineages and with much to offer. Here we stand and here we begin to build our nation. May it rise and never fall. Omnes Unum Fieri!”

For we should seize upon our skills, on our initiative, and from here, build a nation and a state which might best serve to be a bastion of intellectualism, sustainability and of Enlightenment forever more. Long live the Renasian people, our State, our Nation, and our ideal.

Article I – Structure of the Renasian State

Section I: Executive and Legislative Power

From this point onwards, all legislative powers of the nation on a national level are vested in one body, the Guntanu'tl, which shall itself be consisted of five members; the Meritarch, Vice Meritarch, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and the Supreme Judge.

The Meritarch and Vice Meritarch are drawn from the two highest members of the meritoregister, which ranks citizens by their national contributions. The Meritarch is the one who scores most highly on the list, the person in second place being made Vice Meritarch. Collectively, these two are called the Meritarchy and are responsible for economic policy, science and technology, education, and other technical aspects of government.

The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor are elected from the people left after the Meritarch and Vice-Meritarch have been appointed. The Chancellor is the person who receives most votes, their Vice being the elective second place candidate. Collectively, these two are called the Chancellery and are responsible for culture, healthcare, and other social aspects of government.

The Supreme Judge is appointed by the four other members of the Guntanu'tl from the remaining citizen body.

Section II: Heads of State

The Heads of State are the Meritarch and the Chancellor; they will serve to be the spokespeople of the nation on the international stage.

Section III: The Judiciary

The Judiciary shall consist solely of the Supreme Judge. It is their duty to judge cases, to oversee the constitution and to decide the “spirit of the law” allowing an extension beyond the mere word of the law.

Section IV: Pay of Officials

Renasian officials will each receive an allotment of money, correlated to the meritocratic points they accrue in their term, with the highest performer receiving 100 pecunes, the next receiving 50 pecunes and so on down to the fifth. The net pay of officials will thus be 193.75 pecunes yearly base.

Section V: Election term

Elections and appointments are to be made once yearly, during the first week of October, without fail.

Section VI: Legislative Process

Any Bill must be passed as follows:

Drafted by the Guntanu'tl with the approval of constitutionality by the Supreme Judge
Be made available to the people, to gather objections or addendums
If sufficient objections be garnered, such that one third of the populace object, the bill must be subject to full referendum
If not, the Bill returns to the Guntanu'tl. There it is voted upon, with simple majority being needed to pass the bill
Should a tie be found, the Bill is then subject to full referendum

Should a tie be found in referenda of any kind, the Bill will be considered defeated.

Section VII: Powers of the Guntanu'tl

The powers of the Guntanu'tl are found exhaustively here, excluding any that might have been outlined above:

To instate taxes, and to denote the proper levels of taxes to be collected by the Meritarchy
To sanction loans to or from other nations, or to groups within the nation
To set regulations and standards on intra- and international trade
To set the procedure for the naturalisation of citizens into Renasia
To declare war
To create any law which passes through it, and pass it into statute
To create, dismiss and manage any armed forces in protection of our nation or her allies.
To hold to account any member of this nation on constitutional charges, acting as prosecution in cases in front of the Judiciary

Section VIII: Limits of the Guntanu'tl

The following are limits, placed in this constitution, on the powers of the Guntanu'tl:

No one may be held without charge, for a period of time exceeding 8 hours.
No tax or duty may be laid upon medicine or other life saving items
No one, however serious their crime, shall have their rights as a human being under this document stripped away, or be sentenced to death.
No money may be assigned outside of the budget laid down by the Meritarchy

Section IX: Role of the Heads of State

The Heads of State, will be the officials who act as the spokespeople of the state to the world. In this role, they shall have no special power within the Guntanu'tl, other than to act as a mediator in discussing.

The Heads of States' duties, which either can fulfill, given the consent of the other, are as follows:

The ratifying of international treaties on behalf of the nation
Introduction of bills into the Guntanu'tl
Representing the nation at international events, summit and conference
Leading the nation in days of celebration and mourning
Acting as spokesperson to the public on behalf of the State
Acting as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, which includes active duty in times of war. In this capacity, the Chancellor shall be commander in chief of basic forces, with tactical forces falling under the jurisdiction of the Meritarch.

Section X: Swearing in of the Heads of State

The Heads of State must be sworn into office either by the previous heads of state, or should this not be possible, the heads may swear each other in. They must be sworn in upon the following oath, before receiving the Heads Of State's Seal:

I swear before the peoples of this land,
To do my duty, to remain just and fair,
To uphold the law and the Constitution,
To protect the legacy of our previous incarnations
And to defend honor, truth and integrity,
Throughout my term,
With both my word and my actions.

Section XI: Limits on the Power of the Head of State

The Heads of State may not, under any circumstances;

Unilaterally declare war, this is a role reserved for the Guntanu'tl
Assume a position above their Guntanu'tl peers beyond the extra duties assigned to them above
Make any decision on foreign affairs without the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor's expressed consent.

Section XII: Powers of the Judiciary

The Judiciary shall have the power, over its jurisdiction, which shall be, unless formally amended, all of Renasia to:

Maintain priority ruling as the highest court in Renasia
Establish a system of courts to try cases across Renasia
Request the testimony of any Renasia [sic]
Acquire evidence that will aid in any cases
Create precedents which must be noted formally and precisely in a codex, which shall be known as the Precedent Codex. This Codex will be used to assess future cases, and can only be altered by a Judicial Hearing and Trial, in a manner identical to Constitutional amendment.

Article II -Process for Constitutional Amendment

Section I

The Constitution is subject to review amendment at any time by the Guntanu'tl. Formal suggestions for amendments (amendata) may be submitted to the Guntanu'tl. These will be heard like Bills over the course of the assigned weeks, and those which are passed will be signed into a new constitution.

Article III - Citizenship and Naturalisation

Section I: Definition Of A Citizen

A citizen is any person who fulfils the following definitions:

Someone born to Renasian Parents
Someone who has undergone naturalisation
Someone who is granted a citizenship right by the Guntanu'tl, either through award or through title.

Section II: Naturalisation

Naturalisation is the process by which someone becomes a citizen of the state of Renasia. The process works as follows:

The person in question applies for citizenship
The application is reviewed by the Guntanu'tl
A vote is cast
The outcome decides whether citizenship is granted or not

In cases where citizenship is not passed by the Guntanu'tl, an appeal may be lobbied, with the head of state taking the task to perform a formal interview, and then either denying the request, or resubmitting it to the Guntanu'tl.

Article IV - Subdivisions

Section I: Special Autonomous Regions

Some parts of Renasia are to be known as Special Autonomous Regions (SARs). They must follow Renasian Federal Laws and the Constitution, but otherwise they are autonomous. These regions have their own governments which govern their respective regions. Renasian SARs are created by signing a treaty with the Renasian government, and further terms and conditions are to be decided by the signatories. SAR governments can also impose citizenship requirements and processes on citizens of their respective SAR if they so wish.

Section II: Renasia Proper

The part of Renasia which does not belong to any SARs is to be known as Renasia Proper. It may enact laws applying to itself by holding a conference of its citizens and deciding based on direct democracy and consensus.

Article V - Human Rights

Section I: Human Dignity

Human dignity is inviolable and must be respected and protected at all times, regardless of person or situation

Section II: Right to Life

Every person has an inviolable right to life. It may never be infringed, by either state, in the form of capital punishment, by other human beings, or by enforced circumstance, in the form of unlawful war and conscription

Section III: Human Integrity

Every person has a right to the safeguarding of their physical and mental integrity. In medical and biological fields, this also means patients and subjects must be guaranteed in all procedures. Eugenic practice is outlawed, as is the practice of making the human body and it's parts commodities for trade and profit.

Section IV: Torture and Inhumane Treatment

No person shall, under any circumstances, be subject to torture or inhumane treatment as a form of punishment.

Section V: Slavery and Forced Labour

No person shall be held in the bonds of slavery and servitude, or be required to perform forced or compulsory labour, or be trafficked as a commodity.

Section VI: Liberty and Security

Every person, regardless of circumstance, has the right to liberty, and to the security of their person

Section VII: Respect for Private and Family Life

Every person has the right to respect for their private and family life, home and communications.

Section VIII: Protection of Personal Data

Every person has the right to the protection of personal data concerning them. Such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and with the consent of the concerned person, on a legitimate legal basis. Every person has the right to access data collected which pertains to them, and has the right to have it rectified.

Section IX: Right to Marry and Found a Family

The right to marry and found a family, whether biological or adoptive, regardless of gender, sexuality or race, shall be guaranteed in accordance with laws regarding the law of exercise of these rights according to age based legality within the state.

Section X: Freedom of thought and conscience

Everyone has the right to exercise freedom of thought and conscience. This right extends to change in belief of conscience, and guarantees consideration of conscientious objection. No person shall be persecuted for the expression of their thoughts or conscience.

Section XI: Freedom of Religion

Everyone has freedom to practice their own religion (a religion is hereby defined as a system of using dogma and faith to explain the functioning of the world; an institution which seeks to spread a given spiritual message and dogma which requires faith to believe), in private homes and in institutions of worship and of faith. No one shall be persecuted for their religious convictions, neither shall they be persecuted for apostasy, that is, a change of faith.

Children have the right to be brought up free of indoctrination, and as such must not be preached to below the age of majority, subject to the laws of the state. Children have the right to make up their own minds at such time as it is possible to, and should be safe guarded against manipulation.

Section XII: Freedom of Expression and Information

Every person has the right to freedom of expression, within the bounds of hate speech, through any medium. This includes the right to impart and receive information and ideas without interference by public authority or the state regardless of frontiers, save for the safe guarding of children from indoctrination as far as is possible. This also includes respect for the freedom and pluralism the media shall be afforded in all circumstances.

Section XIII: Freedom of Assembly of Association

Every person has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and protest, and freedom of association on all levels, whether religious, political, concerning trade unions or civic matters, or on personal levels. This also leads on the right to join and form trade unions for the protection of the interests of the person. It also lead to a right to form and join political parties, as they contribute to the expression of the people political will and inclination, which must be respected.

Section XIV: Freedom of the Arts and Sciences

The arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint, a freedom which will be protected by the state. Academic freedom is the cornerstone of a modern nation and must be protected and respected at all times regardless of circumstance.

Section XV: Right to Education

Every person, regardless of situation, has the right to education and to have access to vocational and continuing training, though not necessarily free of even state subsidised. This right includes, according to the laws governing suitability, free compulsory education. It also includes the freedom to found educational establishment with due respect for democratic principles and the right of the parents or carers of children to ensure the quality of the education their child receives.

Article VI – Equality

Section I: Equality Before the Law

All people are considered equal before the law, regardless of wealth, power, race, age, sexuality or gender. The equality of people before the law is of the uttermost importance and must be protected.

Section II: Non-discrimination

No person shall be subject under any circumstance to discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, ethnicity, social origin, genetic features, language, religion, belief, political, philosophical or any other opinion, or due to membership of a national minority, property, power, influence, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Section III: Diversity

The state shall respect the diversity, both in culture, religion, philosophy and language of any persons wishing to join the state. This respect is vital to fostering a culture of our own.

Section IV: Gender Equality

Equality between all people, regardless of gender identity, must and will be insured in all areas, including but not limited to employment, work and pay. This equality should also be protected from falling into positive discrimination in favour of the under-represented gender identity/identities.

Section V: Right of the Child

All children shall have the right to the protection and care they necessarily require for their well being and happiness. They may express their views freely, and, taking into consideration concerns with their age and their maturity, their views should be taken into consideration in matter which concern or directly affect them. In all actions with regard to children and their welfare, whether taken by individuals, the state, private institutions or parents, the primary consideration must be the welfare and happiness of the child, and their best interests, before all else. Every child has a protected and inviolable right to maintain on a regular basis a personal relationship and direct contact with both of their parents. The only exception is found when the exercising of this right would be in direct conflict with the child’s well being, happiness and general best interest.

Section VI: Right of the Elderly

The state recognises, respects and will protect the right of the elderly to lead a life of dignity and social independence, with the right to participate in social and cultural life, and will where possible attempt to aid them in this pursuit.

Section VII: Integration of the Disabled

The state recognises, respects and protects the rights of people with disabilities to benefit from measures to insure their independence, their participation in cultural and social life. The state will actively aid the social and occupational integration of the disabled into the community, sure that they might participate in the life of the community as much as possible.

Section VIII: Basic Assignments

Those people in the most desperate need may request at any time the following from their government:

Rudimentary shelter from the elements
Water
Basic food

Article VII – Liberties of the People

Section I: The Right to Home Defence

Citizens are permitted to bear any weapon for use solely in self defense, whether it be defense of their being, their property, their family and friends or our country as a whole. However, any item specifically designed as a weapon must be registered with the Chancellery in order to make sure the Guntanu'tl is aware of the present level of armedness of the population

Section II: Limits on the Right to Home Defence

The usage of home defense weapons is limited as follows in the three cases outlined:

Should you see an assailant inbound, towards your property or home, you must first warn the suspect vocally. If the suspect fails to respond, a second verbal warning or warning shot may be announced. Should this also go unheeded, force necessary only to disable or ward off the assailant is all that may be undertaken, any force past this will be counted as excessive and will be dealt with according to the law of the land.
Should the assailant be found within the house, you may apply any amount of force, by any means, to protect yourself, your family and your property. Should the assailant begin to flee, you may not apply any more force than is necessary to disable his escape.
Should the assailant be fleeing at the time of sight, you may only apply force enough to prevent his fleeing, and no more. Retributive punishment in the form of unnecessary force will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to the law of the land.

Section III: Freedom of Occupational Choice and Right to Engage in Work

Every person has the right to engage in work and pursue a freely chosen or accepted occupation, subject only the their suitability to the occupation. Every person has the right, within the state, to seek employment and to work, only accounting for the suitability of the person to the work they apply for, with no discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, age or sexuality.

Section IV: Freedom to Conduct a Business

Every person has the right to conduct a business in accordance with the relative business law and subject to business taxes within the national law and practice, so long as the business complies with state regulation.

Section V: Right to Property

Every person has the right to own, use, dispose of and give away their own lawfully acquired possessions. No one, either state, individual or collective, may deprive them of their possessions. The only exception to such a ruling is when the seizure of property is in the public interest, or in cases where the property in question is evidence in a legal case. In these cases, compensation must be paid swiftly and fairly to the subject of the loss. Usage of property is subject to laws and regulations of the state, as it is necessary for the general interest. Intellectual property will be protected by the state, in so far as it may be registered for protection under the state's intellectual property laws.

Article VIII – Standards, Styles and Flags

Section I: The Flag

The flag of Renasia is a vertical tricolour, with a stripe sequence dark green (01360a), white, pale blue (6399ab). Contained within the white stripe is the distinctive Broken Ring, centre mounted, in black and white. The flag is a symbol of Renasia. It is the property of all Renasians equally, and should be treated as such.

Section II: Changing the Flag

The flag may only be changed as a constitutional amendment, subject to all the regulations and standards which that entails.

Section III: Languages

The official language of Renasia, English, shall be used for all official purposes and documents. However, the Renasian Government recognises Russian and Veletan as being culturally significant to Renasia's people and history.

Section IV: Symbols

The symbols of the nation include the Broken Circle that is featured on the flag, the second is the circular hyperbolic, an elaborate tiling used on the Coat of Arms, on letters, documents and such, alongside the flag. The national colours are Crimson (#DC143C), Gold (#D4AF37) and Pthalo Blue (#000f89). These are to be used on sashes, crests and other items which are symbols of National Importance. Another symbol of Renasia is the Klein Bottle, in any of its immersions in three dimensions.

Article IX – Relations between Religion and State

Section I: Secularism

Renasia is based on a strict secular policy, and as such, in the following provisions, a solid bedrock for secular politics is established. Secularism is defined as follows for any future legal purpose: The right to be free from religious rule and teachings, the right to freedom from governmental imposition of religion upon the people within the State, which is neutral on matters of belief, and the responsibility to free human activities and decisions, especially political ones, from the bias of a religious influence.

Section II: Bar to those who hold religious positions holding office

No man or woman may simultaneously hold a position of religious importance within a church or equivalent and an office within the Renasian State. This is not so say that those of a religious background, or former religious officials may not hold office. The only bar is on those who currently hold religious office.

Article X – Conclusion

We, the Renasian People, hold these rights, responsibilities and restrictions to be a merited and fair system. We hold this document as a fine example of Renasian law, and a solid foundation with sufficient strength and resilience to bear the weight of a fruitful and efficient nation.

We agree to both be held, and to hold other, be they mighty or powerless, to these laws, such that they might be Just, Universal and Entrenched at the heart of our state.