Legislation:SBR/T004-005/Original text

Signing clause, title and preamble

Second Würtige State Joining Treaty
T004-005
The Treaty defining the principles of the Würtige Empire, to which the Technocratic Capital and all Member States hereby agree.

The signatories, conscious of their responsibility to the human race, animated by their resolve to serve and protect the technocratic principles, have adopted this Treaty in order to represent the bonds of their shared history, continuing a legacy of prosperity that has brought them closer together, and to co-operate as partners and as friends.

All those within states, nations and territories come together under Würdigeland have achieved unity and capability in determination of the Würtige Empire. This Treaty is thus valid to all citizens and claimed individuals of the Würtige Empire.

Title I: The Empire

Chapter 1: General provisions

1. The official languages of the Empire are English, German, and Portuguese, with English to be used as the working language of the Imperial Government.
2. The Empire is to be known as—
   1. the Würtige Empire (English);
   2. das Würtige Kaiserreich (German).

Chapter 2: The Capital

1. The Capital City of the Empire is South Würdigestadt. South Würdigestadt, and the Technocratic Capital of Würdigeland as a whole, are understood to be the seat of the Empire.

Title II: The States

Chapter 1: Composition of the Empire

1. The Empire is composed of—
   1. The Technocratic Capital of Würdigeland;
   2. The Member States;
2. A nation becomes a Member State by ratifying this treaty, and being approved by a two-thirds majority of the Imperial Council.
3. The Technocratic Capital of Würdigeland is to be governed directly by the Imperial Government.
4. A nation stops being a Member State following a referendum with a majority of voters in favour of exit.

Title III: The Imperial Government

Chapter 1: The Emperor

1. The Emperor of the Technocratic Capital of Würdigeland is to be the Emperor of the entire Würtige Empire.
2. In the Technocratic Capital of Würdigeland, the Emperor is the Head of State.
3. In the Member States, the Emperor is not Head of State, but acknowledged as the Emperor of the Würtige Empire.

Chapter 2: The Imperial Council

1. There is to be an Imperial Council of the Würtige Empire, the legislative body of the Empire.
2. Each Member State is to send one delegate to the Imperial Council, by a method determined by their own internal processes.
3. The Imperial Council is to make ordinary decisions with the support of a majority of members voting, provided that the number of members voting exceeds some minimum quorum number.

Chapter 3: The Imperial Executive

1. There is to be an Imperial Executive, the executive body of the Empire.
2. The Imperial Executive is to be composed of a Chancellor, and Ministers appointed by the Emperor on the advice of the Chancellor.
3. The Chancellor must have the support of the Imperial Council. The Emperor is to nominate a Chancellor, and the nominee must have the confidence of a majority of members of the Imperial Council to take office.
4. The Imperial Council may hold a vote of confidence in the Chancellor, but only if three months or more have passed since a previous vote of confidence. If the Chancellor does not have the confidence of the Imperial Council, their office is vacated.

Chapter 4: The Imperial Judiciary

1. The heads of the judiciaries of each member state will sit in a bench as the Imperial High Court, each member known as an Imperial High Justice.
2. The Imperial High Court will be the highest court in the Würtige Empire on matters relating to Imperial legislation or this treaty.
3. Decisions of the Imperial High Court are made by a vote of the majority of Imperial High Justices.
4. The Imperial High Court may issue such writs and orders as appropriate in each case in aid of its jurisdiction.
5. The Imperial High Court is to have the power of Judicial Review over the actions of the Imperial Government.

Chapter 5: Imperial Legislation

1. Legislation passed by the Imperial Council is to take one of the following forms:
   1. Acts, which empower the Imperial Government and take force in the entire Empire;
   2. Compacts, which empower the Imperial Government and take force in those Member States which agree to them;
   3. Treaties, which empower the Imperial Government to represent internationally those Member States which agree to them;
   4. Recommendations, which empower the Member State Governments and take force in those Member States which agree to them.
2. The Imperial Council may pass Compacts, Treaties, and Recommendations on any issues, but may only pass Acts concerning the following issues—
   1. Administrative and procedural issues of the Imperial Government;
   2. Defence of the Empire;
   3. Interstate commerce;
   4. Amendments to this treaty, but only with a two-thirds majority of the Imperial Council in favour.

Title IV: Bill of rights

Chapter 1: Universal protection

1. Everyone is entitled, without discrimination, to the protections afforded by this Treaty. Everyone is equal before the law.
2. Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by competent national tribunals for any violation of their rights as afforded by this Treaty or any other law.

Chapter 2: Dignity

1. The dignity of the person is inviolable.

Chapter 3: Right to life

1. Everyone has the right to life and physical integrity. No one may be subject to slavery or servitude; torture; cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Chapter 4: Right to a fair trial

1. Everyone is entitled to a fair and expedient hearing by an independent court in the determination of their rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against them.
2. No one may be convicted of the same offence more than once.
3. No one may be held liable on account of any act or omission which would not have imposed liability, under national or international law, at the time when it was done.
4. No one may be compelled to provide evidence against themselves in any legal action.

Chapter 5: Freedom of expression

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and to inform themselves from generally accessible sources. Freedom of reporting is guaranteed.
2. Everyone has the right to free association. All persons have the right to assemble peacefully without prior notice or permission.
3. Everyone has the right to choose and exercise their religion. No public authority may restrict the free exercise of religion.

Chapter 6: Right to privacy

1. No one may be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon their honour or reputation.

Chapter 7: Freedom from discrimination

1. No person or any group of people may be subject to discrimination on the basis of any personal, social, or cultural characteristic. All public authorities must take reasonable measures to protect everyone against discrimination.

Chapter 8: Right to property

1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others, and no one may be arbitrarily deprived of their property.

Chapter 9: Right to freedom of movement

1. Everyone has the right to move freely between any Member State.

Chapter 10: Right to a protected environment

1. Everyone has the right to a protected healthy environment.

Chapter 11: Right to healthcare and housing

1. Everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services (including reproductive healthcare and emergency medical assistance), food and water and social security.
2. Everyone has the right to housing adequate to maintain their health and wellbeing.

Chapter 12: Right to an education

1. Everyone has the right to a basic education.

Chapter 13: Limitations on government power

1. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law may be enacted by either the Imperial or a Member State government.
2. No law, decision or act of an Imperial or Member State public authority may be arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, irrational, improper, malicious or disproportionate.
3. No domestic public or private law or decree, either Imperial or Member State, has effect unless it is published for everyone to see.