Imperial Charter news - The Galactic Empire

The Imperial Charter

Article 1a:

Article 1a of the Imperial Charter describes the basic rights of its people, guaranteeing them a peaceful and prosperous life. The article allows for people to demand a trial if they believe that they are being falsely accused. Corruption and exploitation of the people are specifically outlawed, ensuring that those who abide by Imperial Law are protected from criminals, whether they be outside or within the Imperial Government. These rights are extended to those who are not Imperial citizens.

Article 1b:

Subsection B of Article 1 reminds people that these rights are forfeit (including the right to a trial) if a person commits certain crimes against the state. These crimes include: Treason, Piracy, Crimes of War and Acts of War. Acts of defiance also render these rights forfeit. Acts of defiance are defined as corruption, anarchy, chaos, and criminal activity and must be confirmed as such by the Imperial Civilian Courts before the perpetrator(s) is classified under Article 1b.

Article 2:

Article 2 confirms who wields legislative, executive and judiciary powers in the Empire. The Emperor is named Head of State and has both executive and legislative powers. Currently, there also exists a Supreme Commander who has control of the Imperial Army and Navy and who can act independently in cases of emergency as per Article 16. The Imperial Civilian Courts have judiciary powers when it comes to those affected by Article 1a and the Imperial Security Bureau have judiciary powers over those affected by Article 1b.

Article 4:

Article 4 describes the power and position of the Moffs within the Empire's structure. Grand Moffs are governors of sectors, and have a seat on the Council of Grand Moffs headed by the Emperor. Moffs are governors of individual planets and have a seat on their sector's council, headed by the corresponding Grand Moff. Grand Moffs and Moffs have control over the Imperial Security Forces assigned to them but none over the rest of the Imperial Army, nor do they have the power to ignore the law. They exist to control the administration and enforce Imperial law and policies in their area of control.

Article 6:

The Galactic Empire is to uphold the law and ensure the security of its citizens. To that effect, the Imperial Civilian Courts have been created. Judges are chosen by the Imperial Government to oversee Civilian trials as per Article 1a and to decide whether an individual accused of an Act of Defiance is to be judged by the Imperial Security Bureau as per Article 1b. These Civilian Trials consist of a randomly chosen jury from the planet the trial is taking place on and a legal team is provided to both sides by the state.

The Imperial Security Bureau differs from this in that they do not have a say in civilian trials (though they may provide evidence or testimony due to their role as an Intelligence Agency) but they are always responsible for dealing with those classified under Article 1b. Such individuals are not given a trial and unless they or agents of the Imperial Security Bureau can provide evidence of their innocence then they are considered guilty and punished accordingly.

Any individual who contradicts Imperial law in Imperial territory is automatically tried according to Imperial law. This extends to individuals who are not Imperial citizens. The only exception to this is if the individual's government has an extradition treaty with the Empire and can negotiate this individual's return with the Imperial Government.

Article 10:

Article 10 affirms the position of the Imperial Senate. Representatives are elected by the Imperial people, each planet receiving a number of representatives proportional to their population. The Senate has the ability to raise issues and propose laws, and are allowed to voice their concerns to the Imperial Chancellor. Issues or concerns raised which affect the Empire as a whole can lead to Senators chosen by their peers and the Imperial Chancellor to meet with the Emperor in the Council of Representatives, to discuss and fix these issues. The Senate also oversees some aspects of the Bureaucracy and Budget, though final decisions are left to the Imperial Government. The Emperor has no rights to dissolve the Imperial Senate permanently, but he may do so temporarily in times of crisis under the terms outlined in Article 16.

Article 16:

Emergency Powers can be taken by the Emperor and Supreme Commander during a time of crisis. A crisis is defined as a state of war (external or internal) or a lack of leadership by the Government.

During a crisis, the Supreme Commander is given full control and authority over the Imperial Military and is able to ignore express orders by the Emperor on military matters. They may also enforce martial law in areas they deem necessary. Conscription laws may also be enacted, allowing the recruitment of all able bodied citizens from the ages of 18 to 35 to be called for service. An individual who refuses to do so without valid reason (decided upon by the Imperial Civilian Courts) is to be classified under Article 1b.

During a crisis, the Emperor may temporarily dissolve the Senate and centralize the power of the Imperial Government around him, allowing him to bypass the Grand Moffs when it comes to governing.

In the event of the Emperor dying, his powers are automatically handed to the Supreme Commander until a new Emperor is designated. In the event of the Supreme Commander dying, their powers are automatically handed to the Emperor until a new Supreme Commander is designated. If both die, their powers are given to the Council of Grand Moffs until a new Emperor is designated.

The Imperial Charter is subject to change. These changes must be presented to the Council of Grand Moffs and the Council of Representatives, but ultimately the final decision is left to the Security Council.

Article 27:

Any and all belief systems are tolerated within the Empire, so long as these belief systems do not directly oppose the Imperial Government. Direct Opposition is defined as systems which encourage anarchy, treason, corruption, criminal activity or chaos as per Article 1b. An individual cannot be persecuted based on their belief system alone, but if they are involved in a group with a belief system that directly opposes the Imperial Government then they may be detained as per Article 1b. These rights extend to Orders of Force Users.

Imperial citizens from the age of 5 until 18 are required to attend schools funded and run by the Imperial Bureau of Education. Education is always to be provided to the citizens of the Empire so long as they have the funds to do so, and the main ideals of the Empire (Order, Duty, Law) are to be taught to them so that they may become productive members of society. Students are allowed to openly debate the validity of these ideals and the structure of the Empire as a whole so long as it does not interfere with the education of other students. Upon turning 18, the Imperial citizen may chose whether they leave the Empire or stay within it.

The objective of the Press is to provide the Imperial population with accurate information and reports. Any media shown by the Press must first be vetted by the Imperial Bureau of Media. The Press has the right to voice opinions on changes and developments within the Empire, but these opinions must be backed by hard evidence and verified sources. Any attempt by the Press to rally support to directly oppose the Imperial Government will immediately be shut down, and those involved will be classified as being under Article 1b. Any attempt by the Press to spread lies and rumours harmful to the Imperial regime or Imperial citizens will be subject to persecution by the Imperial Civilian Courts. Media run by the Imperial Government must also hold up to these standards and provide hard evidence and verified sources in their transmissions. Only through honesty will the ideals of the Empire shine.

Article 41 affirms the right for an individual or group to create a private enterprise so long as the enterprise does not conflict with the ideals and laws of the Imperial regime. The exceptions to this is private military firms or producers of military or illegal material, including military ships or equipment otherwise classified as being military grade unless express permission is granted by the Supreme Commander. Private enterprises must pay taxes as set by the Imperial Government and must be regulated by the Imperial Bureau of Private Affairs. This regulation extends to what the enterprise is doing, where its money is going and the salary of its employees. Employees must be payed the minimum wage as set by the Imperial Government, and contracts made with them must be respected or else investigation will follow.

Force Users affiliated with the Empire may become loyal servants of the Imperial Government and occupy positions within the establishment, but they cannot occupy an administrative, military or political position. This includes Emperor, Supreme Commander, Grand Admiral, Grand Moff and Moff among others. Exceptions to this rule is if they are elected to the Senate as representatives of the people. They may serve within certain institutions but must always answer to either the Emperor or the Supreme Commander. A Force User or group of Force Users can never act with full autonomy unless express permission is given by the Emperor or Supreme Commander, and even then they cannot disobey direct orders by any one of them. Any violation of this article by an individual or group automatically places said individual or group within the confines of Article 1b.

Interpretation of the Charter is left to the Security Council. It is encouraged to seek counsel from the Senate and the Grand Moffs if there is a major disagreement concerning the interpretation of an article, but it is not required.