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by The 😈 Admiral General 👿 of Amerion. . 720 reads.

Celestial Mandate


MANDATE
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DEFINITIONS


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FOREWORD


Enactment of the Celestial Mandate Act, 2017

This Act shall contain the text of the Celestial Mandate, as so provided by the Order of Stars, together with amendments which may be made by the governments of the Core Worlds, and done so in accordance with the divine teachings of the Order, thereafter. The Celestial Mandate Act, 2017 contains the Universal Declaration of Rights and other provisions, including the procedure for amending the Celestial Mandate.

The Celestial Mandate Act, 2017 shall also contain a schedule of repeals of certain constitutional enactments. The new enactments shall be used in place of the former, but their former may be found in the schedule.

Amendment of the Celestial Mandate Act, 2017

The Celestial Mandate Act, 2017 may be amended by textual amendment; repeals, amendments, additions, or substitutions, which shall be the exclusive right of the Cosmic Council.

The various classes of enactments modifying the Celestial Mandate Act, 2017 may be dealt with as follows:

1. Repeals

Repealed provisions (e.g. section 2) have been deleted from the text and quoted in a footnote.

2. Amendments


Amended provisions (e.g. section 4) are reproduced in the text in their amended form, and the original provisions are quoted in a footnote.

3. Additions

Added provisions (e.g. section 8) are included in the text.

4. Substitutions

Substituted provisions (e.g. section 16) are included in the text, and the former provision is quoted in a footnote.


UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF RIGHTS


The Celestial Union of Lazarus affirms that:

1. All Core Worlds are sovereign. Each Core World has the right of self-determination in that Core World's domestic policies, including, but not limited to, issue selection and World Assembly (WA) membership;

2. Each Core World's rights to free speech within reasonable and appropriate restrictions imposed by law, and free press shall not be infringed, and shall be encouraged, by the Cosmic government;

3. Each Core World has the right to assemble, and to petition the government;

4. Participation in the government is voluntary. Participation in the WA shall not be a condition of civil service;

5. No Core World holding WA member status in NationStates shall be obligated to endorse any official of the government. The right to add an endorsement or withdraw an endorsement is a sovereign right of that Core World as a WA member;

6. All Core Worlds have the right to be protected against the abuse of powers by any official of the government. Any Core World has the right to request the recall of any official of the government in accordance with the Mandate; that is deemed to have participated in such acts;

7. No Core World shall be held to answer for a crime in a manner not prescribed by the Mandate or the law. No Core World shall be subjected to being twice put in jeopardy for the same offence. No Core World shall ever be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against itself.

8. When charged with criminal acts, Core Worlds shall be accorded a fair, impartial, and public trial before the Celestial Inquisitorial Court. In any criminal proceeding, a Core World is presumed innocent unless guilt is proven to the fact finder by reasonably certain evidence. No Core World convicted of a crime shall be subject to a punishment disproportionate to that crime.

9. No Core World shall be dismissed from the Union (ejected from the region), or banned from any forum, except as expressly authorised by the Mandate or law, except in cases where an imminent security threat is posed. Should any official of the Cosmic government with authority to act, declare that the immediate ejection or ban of a Core World is an urgent matter of regional security they may order the ejection or banning of the world. Any ejected or banned Core World shall have prompt and immediate recourse to judicial review of the matter. The Celestial Being and the Sovereign shall not exercise the power of ejection or ban unless expressly authorised by a specific action of the government pursuant to the Mandate or law.

10. Each Core World is guaranteed the organisation and operation of the Cosmic government on fundamental principles of democracy, accountability, and transparency. No action by the governmental authorities of the Union shall deny to any Core World, due process of law, including prior notice and the opportunity to be heard, nor deny to any Core World the equal and fair treatment and protection of the provisions of the Mandate. No government shall have the power to adopt or impose an ex-post facto law or a bill of attainder as to any act for purposes of criminal proceedings.

11. Each Core World entitled to a vote in any manner under the fundamental laws of the Union is entitled to the equal treatment and protection of that Core World's right to vote.

12. No government has the power to suspend or disregard the Mandate, the Universal Declaration of Rights, or the law. In the event of an actual emergency, the government, with the express consent of the Core Worlds of the Union or their representatives, is authorised to act in any reasonable manner that is consistent as practicable with the pertinent provisions of the Mandate.


AFFIRMATION


An Act for the universe of Lazarus; the Core Worlds, territories, sentinel beings, and the thereof; and for Purposes connected therewith:

Whereas the Core Worlds and territories, within the Lazarene boundaries immortal, have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Celestial unit under the Divine guidance of the Celestial Being:

And whereas such a Union would conduce to the Welfare of Core Worlds and promote the Interests of all sentinel beings:


PREAMBLE


We, the members of the Celestial Union of Lazarus, hereby institute this Mandate to affirm the divine powers of the Cosmarchy and to protect the rights and freedoms of all people within the Celestial Union under the divine guidance of the Order of Stars. The Celestial Union embraces and promotes universal peace, freedom, and prosperity for all, and do form this Holy Connection.



PRELIMINARY
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Short title

1. This Act, the Celestial Mandate Act, 2017, may be cited as the Mandate Act, 2017.

Construction of subsequent provisions of Act


2. Unless it is otherwise expressed or implied, the name, Lazarus shall be taken to mean Lazarus as constituted under this Act.

3. Unless it is otherwise expressed or implied, the term Core World shall be taken to mean a nation in-game as constituted under this Act.

4. Unless it is otherwise expressed or implied, the phrase Sovereign and Defender of the Realm shall be taken to mean the Sovereign and/or the Defender of the Realm.

5. Unless it is otherwise expressed or implied, the term Renewal of the Universal Cycle shall be taken to mean; in reference to the Celestial Being, the eighth day of January, May, and September; and in reference to the Sovereign, Defender of the Realm, and Convenor, the eighth day of February, May, August, and November; and in reference to the Prelates and Guardians, the eighth day of March, July, and November.

6. Where it is used, the term Him may be substituted with Her where relevant.



UNION
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Declaration of Union

1. It shall be lawful for the Celestial Being, by and with the advice of his Divine Eminence’s most honourable Celestial Council, to declare by proclamation that, on and after a day therein appointed, not being more than one month after the passing of this Act, the universe of Lazarus, the Core Worlds, and territories, shall form and be one united holy body under the name of Lazarus and with the guidance of the Order and its teachings; and on and after that day those worlds shall form and be one Dominion under that name accordingly.



DIVINE POWER
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DECLARATION


Declaration of supreme executive power in the Celestial Being

1. The executive government and supreme authority of and over Lazarus are hereby declared to be vested in the Celestial Being.

2. The Celestial Being is the Divine Representative of the Order of Stars, from whose teachings, life and the foundation of all societies, is derived from; and of whom must uphold, defend, and respect the Mandate as the supreme law of the Union.


POWERS


Power of the Celestial Being

3. All powers, authorities, and functions which are not the exclusive rights of the Cosmic Council or the Celestial Inquisitorial Court, are vested in or exercisable by the Celestial Being, with the advice of the Sovereign on behalf of his subjects, with respect to:

(a) celestial assent;

(b) referring a Bill back to the Council for reconsideration of the Bill’s constitutionality; 


(c) referring a Bill to the Court for a decision on the Bill’s constitutionality;

(d) appointing the Sovereign in accordance with the electoral vote;

(e) appointing Archbishops on the advice of the Sovereign;

(f) appointing Prelates on the advice of the Cosmic Council;

(g) appointing Guardians on the advice of the Sovereign;

(h) appointing the Grand Inquisitor on the advice of the Sovereign;

(i) call writs to be issued for elections;

(j) calling a universal referendum;

(k) receiving and recognising emissaries from alternate universes;

(l) appointing emissaries; and

(m) conferring honours.

Command of the Holy Inquisition to be vested in the Celestial Being

4. The political, moral, and spiritual guide of the Holy Inquisition, and all offensive and defensive forces is hereby declared to be vested in the Celestial Being.


ELECTION


Qualifications of the Celestial Being

5. He shall:

(a) hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than six months.

(b) not have been convicted of a crime.

(c) have held an elected cosmic government position for the continuous period of no less than three months.

Election of the Celestial Being

6. The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from amongst its membership, a member, on whom the Order shall confer the Divine Mandate to guide the universe.

Tenure

7. The Celestial Being shall retain his Divine position so long as he is pious in the eyes of the Order, as affirmed by his Divine Mandate at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months.


REMOVAL


Removal of the Divine Mandate


8. The Celestial Being shall be considered to have been stripped of his Divine Mandate, as granted by the Order:

(a) if for three weeks, he fails to forewarn of, or indicate his continued holy presence in Uniterra; or fails to, when advised, fulfil his celestial duties;

(b) if he has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to an alternate universe, with which Lazarus is in a state of war with.


(c) if he is attainted of treason; and

(d) if the world he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.

Motion of no confidence

9. Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in the Celestial Being as being worthy to represent the Order through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the Divine Mandate shall be withdrawn from the Celestial Being by the Order.

Absence of the Celestial Being

10. In the case of an absence of the Celestial Being, by the loss of his Divine Mandate, resignation, or otherwise, the Cosmic Council shall elect from amongst its membership, a new Celestial Being.


GUARDIANS


Guardians

11. The security and sanctity of the universe, as embodied through the World Assembly Delegacy, shall be safeguarded by Guardians, as so blessed by the Celestial Being.

Qualifications of Guardians

12. He shall:

(a) hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three months.

(b) not have been convicted of a crime.

(c) hold the status of World Assembly member.

Appointment of Guardians

13. The Celestial Being shall at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, select on the advice of the Sovereign, from amongst the membership of the Cosmic Council, Guardian-nominees.

14. The Cosmic Council shall, at their discretion, confirm these nominees; and at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months, shall vote to reaffirm Guardians.

Removal of the Celestial Being’s blessing


15. A Guardian shall be considered to have been stripped of his blessing, as granted by the Celestial Being:

(a) if for three weeks, he fails to forewarn of, or indicate his continued presence in Uniterra;

(b) if he has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to an alternate universe, with which Lazarus is in a state of war with.


(c) if he is attainted of treason; and

(d) if the world he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.

(e) if he no longer holds World Assembly membership.

Motion of no confidence

16. Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in a Guardian as being worthy of safeguarding the World Assembly Delegacy in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Guardian by the Celestial Being.



EXECUTIVE
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DECLARATION


Declaration of executive power in the Sovereign

1. The executive power of the Union is vested in the Celestial Being and is exercisable by the Sovereign as the Celestial Being’s representative, and extends to the execution and maintenance of this Mandate, and of the laws of the Union.


POWERS


Power of the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm

2. The Sovereign shall, subject to this Mandate, have the power to administer the business of, and to make policy for the peace, order, and good government of the Union.

3. The Sovereign shall hold the World Assembly Delegacy of Lazarus. The Defender of the Realm shall hold the Vice-World Assembly Delegacy of Lazarus.


ELECTION


Qualifications of the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm

4. He shall:

(a) hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three months.

(b) not have been convicted of a crime.

(c) hold the status of World Assembly member.

Election of the Sovereign and Defender of the Realm

5. The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from amongst its membership, a nominee for Sovereign and a nominee for the Defender of the Realm.

6. The Celestial Being shall, at his discretion, grant these nominees through blessing, power to form a government in his name and with his celestial authority.

Tenure

7. The Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm shall retain the authority to govern in the Celestial Being’s name, so long as they have the confidence of the Cosmic Council and the blessing of the Celestial Being, as shall be affirmed at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every three months.

8. The Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm shall serve no more than two consecutive Universal Cycles.


REMOVAL


Removal of the Celestial Being’s blessing


9. The Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm shall be considered to have been stripped of his blessing, as granted by the Celestial Being:

(a) if for three weeks, he fails to forewarn of, or indicate his continued presence in Uniterra;

(b) if he has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to an alternate universe, with which Lazarus is in a state of war with.


(c) if he is attainted of treason;

(d) if the world he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus; and

(e) if he no longer holds World Assembly membership.

Motion of no confidence

10. Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm as being worthy to govern in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm by the Celestial Being.

Absence of the Sovereign and Defender of the Realm

11. In the case of an absence of the Sovereign, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Defender of the Realm may receive the Celestial Being’s blessing, at his discretion, to ascend to the Sovereign and govern in his name.

12. In the case of an absence of the Defender of the Realm, by the loss of his blessing, ascension to the Sovereign, resignation or otherwise, the Cosmic Council shall elect from amongst its membership, a new Defender of the Realm.


ARCHBISHOPS


Archbishops

13. The Celestial Being may, on the advice of the Sovereign, appoint and elevate a cleric to Archbishop; to administer the respective Archdiocese.

14. The Archbishop shall hold office during the pleasure of the Celestial Being, on the advice of the Sovereign.


HOLY INQUISITION


Command of the Holy Inquisition

15. The commander-in-chief of the Holy Inquisition is vested in the Grand Inquisitor as the Celestial Being’s representative.



LEGISLATURE
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CONSTITUTION


Constitution of Cosmic Council of Lazarus

1. There shall be one Cosmic Council for Lazarus, consisting of the Celestial Being, and a body of representatives.


POWERS


Power of the Council

2. The Council shall, subject to this Mandate, have the exclusive power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Union with respect to:

(a) naturalisation and aliens;

(b) space districting;

(c) taxation;

(d) banking, currency, coinage, and legal tender;

(e) relations with alternate universes; and

(f) the Holy Inquisition.


COUNCILLORS


Number of Councillors

3. The Council shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and any thereafter, consist of a representative from each of the Core Worlds, who shall be styled Councillors, and hereafter, shall be taken to refer to the world he represents.

Qualifications of Councillors

4. He shall be a subject of the Celestial Being, naturalised by an Act of the Council.

Tenure of place in the Council

5. A Councillor shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold his place in the Council for life.

Disqualification of Councillors


6. The place of a Councillor shall become vacant in any of the following instances:

(a) if for one universal cycle he fails to give his Attendance in the Council; 


(b) if he has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to an alternate universe, with which Lazarus is in a state of war with.


(c) if he is attainted of treason; and

(d) if the world he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.


CONVENOR


Election of the Convenor

7. The Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from amongst its membership, a Convenor; and shall do so every three months.

Vacancy in the office of the Convenor

8. In the case of a vacancy happening in the office of the Convenor, by the loss of Core World status, resignation, or otherwise, the Council shall elect from amongst its membership, a new Convenor.

The authority of the Convenor

9. The Convenor shall preside over all business of the Council.

Deputy to the Convenor

10. Until the Council otherwise provides, the Convenor may appoint a Councillor(s) to deputise for him, wherein he may be granted the powers, privileges, and duties of Convenor, to the discretion of the Convenor.


VOTING & ASSENT


Voting in the Council

11. Questions arising in the Council shall be decided by a majority vote, other than that of the Celestial Being and the Convenor, and of abstentions, and when the vote is equal, but not otherwise, the Convenor shall have a vote.

Celestial assent to Bills

12. Where a Bill has passed the Council, it shall be presented to the Celestial Being for celestial assent, and he shall declare if he assents thereto.

13. A Bill shall not have any force as an Act of the Council until it receives assent, by celestial proclamation.


ARCHDIOCESES


Archdioceses

14. The Council shall, so often as it deems it necessary, organise itself into committees, henceforth referred to as Archdiocese, and assign these Archdioceses power, privileges and duties of a cosmic government department.

Clerics

15. Until the Council otherwise provides, a member of an Archdiocese shall be referenced henceforth as a cleric.

16. A cleric shall only partake in one Archdiocese at a time and may elect to move so often as he warrants.



JUDICIARY
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DECLARATION


Declaration of judicial power in the Celestial Inquisitorial Court

1. The judicial power of the Union is vested in the Celestial Inquisitorial Court.


POWERS


Power of the Court

2. The Court shall have sole jurisdiction to hear and determine matters:

(a) arising under this Mandate, or involving its interpretation;

(b) arising under any laws made by the Cosmic Council; and

(c) arising under any treaty.

3. The judgement of the Court in all such cases shall be final and conclusive.


SELECTION


Qualifications of a Prelate

4. He shall:

(a) hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three months.

(b) not have been convicted of a crime.

Number of Prelates

5. The Court shall consist of a Holy Prelate, and Prelates, numbering no less than two, as the Cosmic Council prescribes.

Appointment

6. The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from amongst its membership, Prelate-nominees.

7. The Celestial Being shall, at his discretion, grant these nominees through blessing, power to adjudicate with his celestial authority.


HOLY PRELATE


Selection of the Holy Prelate

8. The Court shall, at no longer than a week into the Universal Cycle, select from amongst its membership, a Holy Prelate.

Vacancy in the office of the Holy Prelate

9. In the case of a vacancy happening in the office of the Holy Prelate, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Court shall select from amongst its membership, a new Holy Prelate.

The authority of the Holy Prelate

10. The Holy Prelate shall preside over all business of the Court.


REMOVAL


Tenure

11. A Prelate shall retain the authority to adjudicate in the Celestial Being’s name, so long as they have the confidence of the Cosmic Council and the blessing of the Celestial Being, as shall be affirmed at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months.

12. A Prelate shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold his place on the Court for life.

Removal of the Celestial Being’s blessing


13. A Prelate shall be considered to have been stripped of his blessing, as granted by the Celestial Being:

(a) If for three weeks, he fails to forewarn of, or indicate his continued presence in Uniterra;

(b) If he has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to an alternate universe, with which Lazarus is in a state of war with.


(c) If he is attainted of treason; and

(d) If the world he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.

Motion of no confidence

14. Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in Prelate as being worthy to adjudicate in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Prelate by the Celestial Being.

Absence of a Prelate

15. In the case of an absence of a Prelate, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Cosmic Council shall elect from amongst its membership, a Prelate-nominee.



MISCELLANEOUS
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Oath of allegiance

1. Every member of the government and the military shall before taking residency in Uniterra and receiving his commission therein take and subscribe before the Celestial Being or some person authorised by him, the oath of allegiance.

(a) From this time forward, [me], voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion, pledge my loyalty to Lazarus and her people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.

Continuance of existing laws, courts, and officers

2. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, all laws in force in the Humane Republic of Lazarus, all responsibilities of all government and military officers, existing therein at the time of the Union, shall continue in the Celestial Union of Lazarus, as if the Union had not been made.

Appointment of new officers

3. It shall be so, on the day of, or at a maximum of several days after, the passage of this act, that the necessary arrangements are made to fulfil the vacancies in positions so warranted in this Act.

Treaty obligations

4. The Celestial Union of Lazarus shall have all power necessary or proper for performing the Obligations of the Humane Republic of Lazarus, arising under treaties between the Humane Republic and other universes.

Amendments

5. This Act may be amendment by the Cosmic Council through a referendum. A referendum to amend this Act must achieve a super-majority, defined as more than three-quarters of the vote, other than the vote of the Celestial Being and the Convenor, and of abstentions.

Incompatibility of office

6. No Core World in the office of the Celestial Being, the Sovereign, the Defender of the Realm, an Archbishop, a Bishop, the Convenor, a Deputy to the Convenor, the Holy Prelate, or a Prelate, may at any one time, occupy his own office and that of another.

Seat of government of Lazarus

7. The seat of government of Lazarus shall be the neutral world, Uniterra.

Space-Com forum address

8. The forum shall be located at the address of ‘http://s15.zetaboards.com/NSLazarus/index/.’


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