The Constitution of the Petonian Commonwealth

The Chancellor - Contact - Constitution - Home - Panpetonium - Symbols

The Constitution of the Petonian Commonwealth

Article 1 - Preamble
Article 2 - The Exercise of Rights
Article 3 - Life
Article 4 - The Individual
Article 5 - The Body and Mind
Article 6 - Justice
Article 7 - Society
Article 8 - About the Government
Article 9 - The Chancellor
Article 10 - The Council of Ten
Article 11 - The Ministers
Article 12 - Judicial Councils
Article 13 - Voting
Article 14 - Modifying or Abolishing This Constitution

Click here to view this document as a PDF (153KB)

Article 1 - Preamble

By the exercise of the most fundamental right and responsibility of the Individual, and for the reason that societies and governments are inhibiting the rights and destinies of the human race, the Petonian Commonwealth is peacefully created as a sovereign direct democracy with this constitution as its ultimate law and guiding philosophy.

Article 2 - The Exercise of Rights

A
The rights described by this constitution must not be violated by the government or by any other entity and can be exercised in any way that does not interfere with the ability of others to exercise those rights.
B
Those rights should not be regarded and defended so militantly that they become oppressive and self-defeating.
C
The Individual is not required to exercise those rights and may be entitled to rights not explicitly declared by this constitution.

Article 3 - Life

A
Every Individual must be allowed to live, regardless of stage of development, actions or illness; therefore, all forms of abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia are prohibited.
B
Warfare is the most destructive of human endeavors and the ultimate affront to human dignity; therefore, the Nation can never participate in warfare, must promote worldwide peace and must endeavor to resolve all conflicts non-violently.
C
Their intrinsic design being to destroy life, objects intended as functional weapons are prohibited.
D
Sharing in the inviolable right of humans to exist, other species must not be killed, abused or exploited.

Article 4 - The Individual

A
The Individual is a sacred and sovereign entity and the most essential component of society.
B
No Individual is entitled to more respect or privilege than another Individual regardless of age, ancestry, beliefs, disability, education, finances, gender, lifestyle, nationality, race or sexuality.
C
An Individual must be permitted to determine the outcome of his own life. All opportunities to achieve personal aspirations must be afforded to the Individual both in law and in social expectation.
E
All individuals must be granted complete privacy in their personal affairs, with their property and in their correspondence.
F
All individuals must be permitted to travel and assemble without restriction.
G
Individuals are not required to obey the laws of the Nation while outside it.
H
No political parties can be created as they inhibit the Individual from participating in and having a reasonable chance of influencing political processes.

Article 5 - The Body and Mind

A
The body and mind of any Individual is inviolable.
B
All individuals must be permitted to believe and to exercise beliefs as they choose.
C
All individuals must be permitted to express and disseminate their thoughts and ideas through any media.
D
The Individual must be permitted to determine his treatment of his own body.
E
The sale or enslavement of the self or others is prohibited.

Article 6 - Justice

A
Any action that violates the rights of others or the mandates of this constitution is a criminal action.
B
Before being judged by a Judicial Council, individuals cannot be detained or their rights otherwise withheld without significant evidence that they have committed a crime.
C
To protect the freedom of the innocent, all individuals accused of a crime must be presumed innocent until guilt is proven. The accused is not obligated to prove innocence but the accuser must prove guilt.
D
An Individual who was acquitted of a crime cannot be judged again for that same offence.

Article 7 - Society

A
All individuals are entitled to have their basic needs met.
B
All individuals are obligated to give reasonable assistance to each other.
C
All kinds of recreational drugs inevitably harm the Individual and society; therefore, the possession, production or use of any recreational drug, including tobacco and alcohol, is prohibited.
D
Acquirement of citizenship must be a conscious decision by the Individual. Petonian Citizenship does not nullify citizenships in other nations and can be renounced without repercussions.
E
The practice of law, medicine and politics, which is essential to society, must not be conducted for profit of any kind.
F
All individuals must be permitted to advance socially and technologically without limitation.

Article 8 - About the Government

A
The government is an extension of the Citizens that exists to protect their rights, to protect them from harm, to administer services for them and to represent them to other nations.
B
The government must remain as small and unobtrusive as possible.
C
Powers not granted to the government by this constitution are retained by the Citizens.
D
The government must have no affiliation with any religion or involvement with its practice.
E
All Citizens are entitled to participate in the government by voting, petitioning, peaceful demonstration and aspiring to government positions.
F
All proceedings of the government must be recorded and made available to the Citizens.
G
Government officials cannot hold more than one government position at the same time.

Article 9 - The Chancellor

A
All legislation originates with the Chancellor. New legislation should only be proposed when there is significant need for it.
B
The Chancellor is elected by popular vote to serve a term of four years.

Article 10 - The Council of Ten

A
All legislation is approved or rejected by the Council of Ten by at least a six-tenths majority. If approved by the Council of Ten, legislation must receive the approval of the majority of voting Citizens to become law.
B
The Council of Ten absorbs the position of any government official who is permanently incapacitated, is removed, resigns or dies for the remaining part of that person’s term.
C
The Council of Ten decides how it conducts its own proceedings.
D
Ten Citizens are chosen by random selection to serve a term of two years on the Council of Ten.

Article 11 - The Ministers

A
Ministers are elected by popular vote to implement their respective mandates by reasonable means:
B
The Minister of Humanity will help to alleviate suffering and to promote fundamental rights both domestically and internationally.
C
The Minister of Society is responsible for the wellbeing of the People.
D
The Minister of Science is responsible for the protection of nature and technological advancement.
E
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has jurisdiction over international relations; however, treaties can only be enacted or terminated with the approval of at least six tenths of the Council of Ten and the majority of voting Citizens.
F
The Minister of Citizenship manages immigration, naturalization and voting.
G
The Minister of Defense has jurisdiction over matters concerning the security of the Nation, monitors any threats to the Nation and enforces the Nation’s laws.

Article 12 - Judicial Councils

A
Judicial Councils are groups of ten Citizens who are convened to judge persons accused of a crime or to resolve irreconcilable non-criminal disputes.
B
Judicial Councils must be convened as quickly as possible and consist of fair, unbiased citizens approved by both the accused and the accuser.
C
Each individual Judicial Council decides how it conducts its own proceedings. These proceedings must be recorded and made available to the Citizens.
D
In criminal matters, both the accused and the accuser will present their arguments to a Judicial Council, which will decide whether the accused is guilty, innocent or that the evidence is inconclusive.
E
The accused can request that another Citizen defend him if he does not wish to present his own defense.
F
If a Judicial Council finds that the accused is incapable of presenting his own defense, a Citizen can be appointed to represent him.
G
In non-criminal disputes, both parties will present their arguments to a Judicial Council which will decide which party is culpable or that the evidence is inconclusive.
H
Judicial Councils have the right to discipline or rehabilitate persons convicted of criminal acts or to order compensation in resolution of non-criminal disputes.

Article 13 - Voting

A
All voting, except voting done by the Council of Ten regarding the approval or rejection of legislation, must be done by secret ballot.
B
Recall elections can be held by majority vote at any time at the discretion of the Citizens.

Article 14 - Modifying or Abolishing this Constitution

A
Constitutional amendments can originate with the Citizens, the Chancellor, or the Council of Ten and must have the approval of at least three fourths of voting Citizens.
B
This constitution can be rewritten or abolished, with the approval of at least three fourths of voting Citizens, for any reason that significantly benefits the Nation and perpetuates the rights of the Citizens.
Top

Home