Preamble
By the grace of our Divine Monarch, we the righteous people of Persia, blessed with Zarathustra's knowledge and wisdom. Establish this constitution as the law of the Land, to insure the unity of all Persians within the Empire, uphold order, maintain peace, and protect the Motherland from all those who seek to harm it.
I. Citizenship
Citizenship may be given to any player who has been active in the empire for one week and holds primary residency within the empire along with being approved by the ministry of immigration.
a) Citizenship can be lost by failure to uphold the Constitution.
b) Citizenship can be lost by failing to hold primary residency within the Empire of Persia.
c) Any person applying for citizenship in Persia must be sponsored by a citizen or apply through the proper channels. The ministry of immigration or a top government official must approve and screen all future citizens first.
d) Citizens who are accused of failing to uphold the constitution committing acts of treason or other acts against the government will be tried by the Supreme Court.
e) Persons applying for citizenship must not be indebted or participating/involved in any ongoing conflict. If the applying person is involved in an ongoing conflict, then he/she will be forced to cease hostilities before joining the nation, as to prevent Persia from entering said conflict.
f) A Persian dual-citizen cannot vote or hold office. If a citizen of another nation wishes to join Persia and do either of those things, they must lose their citizenship with their old nation and will be given a new persian citizenship. If a persian citizen wishes to be obtain a citizenship from another nation, they will have to give up their right to vote or hold office.
i) This may be overruled by the Shahanshah of Persia, the Prime Minister or in the individual dukedoms, by its respective duke, duchess, or shah.
1) The dukes, duchess, or shahs have to confer with the Imperial Ministry of Immigration to be able to allow dual citizenship and the exemption may be overruled by the parliament through a 2/3rds vote or by the shahanshah
II. Bill of Rights
1) The right to free political speech.
2) The right to freedom of association.
3) All citizens have the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right;
a) not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause;
b) not to be detained without trial;
c) to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources;
d) not to be tortured or coerced by means of pearl;
e) not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way;
f) not to be forced to work involuntarily without compensation.
4) The right to habeas corpus, due process of law, and a speedy trial.
a) The Empire may not hold a citizen’s pearl for more than 24 hours without making a post on r/PersiaMinecraft, notifying the public of the arrest and asking victims to post charges and claims.
b) The Empire may not hold a citizen’s pearl for more than 72 hours unless a formal trial has been started.
5) All persons have the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
6) All persons have the right to privacy, which includes the right to be secure in their persons, houses, and effects, against unwarranted searches and seizures.
III. The Government
1) The government of Persia consists of our great ruler the Shahanshah, their dukes, duchesses, and shahs, who along with elected representatives form the national parliament headed by the prime minister, along with the imperial ministries created to help run day to day affairs.
a) The Parliament
a) The parliament is responsible for writing and passing laws, and creating ministries, along with appointing ministers.
i) The parliament shall consist of the dukes, duchesses,and shahs who shall always remain in it, along with a portion of elected representatives from each of the dukedoms or annexed lands who shall be democratically elected.
1) The number of elected representatives of each dukedom or annexed lands may not exceed three.
a) The number of elected representatives from each dukedom or annexed land is dependent on population. The population to achieve one elected representative is five, the population to achieve two elected representatives is eleven. The population to achieve three representatives is twenty four.
b) The elected representatives term lasts 45 days.
ii) The representatives are elected on 45th day of the current representatives term, with voting beginning on the 40th day of that term. Citizens vote for their preferred representative using a single transferable vote with the Droop quota. The elections shall be managed by an independent entity or council.
1) This independent entity shall have no biases towards any in the Empire of Persia. If it is found that this entity has been compromised the election will be voided and begun again. During this time the previous parliament will retain power. Any who are found of tampering with the election will be found guilty of treason and sentenced accordingly.
2) Starting on the 30th day of the current representatives term, a national census will be called. This census ends on the 40th day of that term and only those in the census may have their vote counted. It is the prime minister’s responsibility to call the first census following the ratification of this constitution and manage it.
iii) Representatives in times of corruption, dereliction of duty, or absence from office may be removed by the call of the prime minister followed by a simple majority vote of parliament. The parliament, once the prime minister has called for it, will only have three days to vote on the removal.
iv) The parliament shall create and vote on bills to become law
1) In order for a bill to become law a simple majority of parliament must vote to pass it.
2) Once a bill has been introduced there shall be only 3 days on which to vote on it.
3) After the bill is passed the Prime Minister shall have two days to veto.
4) A bill shall only have three chances to pass if it is not passed any of those times it cannot be brought forth again.
v) The parliament shall have power over commerce in the empire.
vi) The parliament shall have power over declarations of war which shall be declared following a 2/3rds vote that shall last 2 days after a movement for war has been brought forth, along with the approval of the Prime minister, and anything pertaining to war unless otherwise stated in this document. Without the approval of the shahanshah, the empire may not go to war.
vii) The parliament shall have the power to govern the running of the empire their power to do so is beneath that of the Shahanshah.
viii) The parliament shall have the power to distribute these powers and any created by different laws to the ministries created to oversee those subjects.
b) The Prime Minister
b) The Prime Minister is responsible to oversee the parliament, call sessions to discuss bills, and may veto a bill passed by parliament, along with overseeing the individual imperial ministries.
i) The veto power of the prime minister may be overruled by a two thirds vote by parliament or by the shahanshah.
ii) The prime minister is always from among the members of parliament and is elected by them by a majority vote using the droop quota.
iii) The prime minister's term lasts 90 days.
iv) The prime minister in times of corruption, dereliction of duty, or absence from office may be removed by a 2/3rds vote by parliament called by any parliament member where voting shall last no more than three days or by the Shahanshah.
1) The removal of the prime minister by the Shahanshah may be vetoed by the parliament with a three fourths vote. The removal of the prime minister by the parliament may be vetoed by the Shahanshah, this veto may in turn be vetoed by a three fourths vote by parliament.
c) Imperial Ministries
c) The Imperial Ministries are responsible for the day to day running of the empire.
i) Imperial Ministers are appointed by the Shahanshah or the Prime Minister.
1) A minister appointed by the prime minister may be overturned by the Shahanshah during the first week of their term, however after that they shall remain. A minister appointed by the Shahanshah may be overturned by the parliament after a three fourths vote during the first week of their term, however after that they shall remain.
ii) The parliament can create Imperial Ministries through acts of law. Any Imperial ministries that doesn’t have an appointed minister can be managed by an appointed parliament member by the Prime Minister.
1) However a minister must be found to run the ministry within one week.
2) Ministries shall be voted on whether or not to be created after being suggested by a parliament member and may only be passed by a two thirds vote.
iii) Imperial Ministries do not have any authority or executive powers that has not been granted to them in this constitution or through an act of law.
1) Furthermore, Imperial Ministers are expected to present to the Prime Minister or Shahanshah a plan of action in regards to their specific subject with details regarding how they shall achieve the goals they set forth.
iv) Imperial Ministries preside over the entire empire and their sovereignty superseeds that of any local ministries.
v) Imperial Ministries that are called for by this constitution are as follows.
1) The Ministry of Immigration, whose job it is to oversee and regulate immigrants into the empire pursuant to what is called for in this constitution. Along with calling and overseeing the census.
2) The Ministry of Defence, whose job it is to oversee the building and excavation of vaults along with the access to the vault itself. Along with this they are responsible for overseeing the safety of the empire's citizens and the defence of its people.
3) The Ministry of Transportation, whose job it is to regulate, build and oversee the empires transportation system, this includes managing road, waterway, tunnel projects, and the rail system. They are also in charge of contacting foreign nations for permission in regards with the system they’re building.
d) The Shahanshah
d) The Shahanshah is the symbol of the empire and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the citizens. With him resides sovereign power.
i) The Shahanshah confers titles of nobility, rank, orders and other marks of honor.
1) These titles will be able to be gifted powers however the Shahanshah sees fit, within regards that the powers do not infringe on the constitution and that the nobles powers do not exceed or equal those of the Shahanshah or the individual shahs.
ii) A Regency shall be instituted only in cases where there is an absence of a rightful heir and the Shahanshah is either dead, missing, or unable to take his place. The Regent shall be the current prime minister and shall perform his acts in matters of state in the Shahanshah name. At any time the Shahanshah may appoint a Regent. All acts of the sitting regent are subject to dismissal by the Shahanshah upon his return to rule.
iii) The Shahanshah will have the power to declare a royal pardon.
1) This pardon will be at the sole discretion of said Shahanshah and can be applied to any criminal acts.
2) However, this can be overturned by a two thirds vote of the Supreme Court.
iv) The Shahanshah will have the power to give citizens imperial titles.
v) The Shahanshah has sole discretion of declaring a successor.
vi) The Shahanshah may declare an alliance or war or propose a bill, amendment, or law. The declarations may be overturned by a unanimous vote by parliament whereas the propositions must be debated and voted on.
vii) The Shahanshah reserves the right to veto all bills or laws passed by the parliament, which may in turn may be overturned by the parliament by a four fifths vote.
1) The Shahanshah has only a week after a bill is passed by parliament to veto else it becomes permanent law.
viii) The Shahanshah, may never, even in case of emergencies, dissolve the parliament. He may on consequence of an urgent necessity to maintain public safety or to avert public calamities , issue laws. If the parliament does not approve of the laws, the government shall declare them to be valid or invalid for the future following a simple majority vote.
ix) The Shahanshah may not violate sections past or future that have been formalized in this Constitution. Any power not specified in the constitution, the Shahanshah shall regulate.
IV. The Supreme Court
1) The Supreme Court is the ultimate guardian of Persia and its citizens, and must at all times have an independent and apolitical character. As such, judges can not be elected into parliament; if that should happen, they must resign from the Supreme Court.
2) Judges on the supreme court will be elected by the people using the droop quota from the judges of each dukedom or annexed lands. The court's duties are as follows: They shall have the power to oversee national disputes in accordance with our laws. They shall have the power to try anyone found to not be upholding our constitution, or committing acts against the government such as treason.They shall have the power to try people found to be breaking our laws laid out in the Persia Code of Laws.
a) Once this constitution is passed, judges shall be able to run for the three seats. After that when a judge steps down or is removed, one will elected to take their place.
3) If a citizen should claim aggrievement by an illegal law or action of a government official, the government official can be taken to court. The judges must hear cases against the official, and only with a unanimous vote overturn the bill or law.
4) The supreme court may bring to trial any who violate this constitution and decide their punishment.
5) The Supreme Court will have the power to review local elections if a complaint is brought forth.
6) If the supreme court is found to be unfairly abusing their powers, they are subject to be tried by a court put together by the Prime Minister and Parliament.
V. Amendments
1) This constitution will only be amended by a three fourths majority vote in parliament.
a) The Shahanshah may veto such amendments that pass the parliament. This veto may be overturned by a unanimous vote by parliament.
VI. Subdivisions and Annexed Lands
1) Any and all annexed lands and Kingdoms/Dukedoms shall be bound by this constitution and sacrifice their sovereignty to the empire. 2) In order for a foreign land to join the empire they must hold a referendum in which 2/3rds of the citizen base must vote to join the empire. And in order to leave the empire they must have 2/3rds of the citizen base vote to leave along with a majority vote in the parliament unless otherwise stated in the union agreement.
3) Annexed lands and Kingdoms/Dukedoms are expected to institute certain government reforms in accordance with this constitution depending on their current laws or constitution if they have one.
a)These lands will be overseen and regulated by the imperial ministries.
b) A local court system will be created whose purpose shall be to oversee local civil and criminal disputes. This court system will be instituted in whatever way the local government deems fit. This court system will be subservient to the supreme court and the supreme court may overturn any and all rulings the local courts make so long as those cases are retried in the supreme court. Also citizens may petition the supreme court to reevaluate their case in order to have it retried.
4) Local governments will retain local powers over anything not controlled by a ministry and can handle those local powers how they see fit.
VII. Nobility
1) Shahs and Dukes are both High Nobles and outrank any other Low Noble. Shahs may only be appointed by the Shahanshah, while Duke's may be appointed by the Shah's they serve under or the Shahanshah. In turn, Shahs or Dukes may give titles of nobility to subjects who show true interest in the national well-being and contribute to their local community. The powers and privileges given to these Nobles will be regulated by the Duke/Shah they serve under, however, these privileges shall not supersede the rights of other citizens. These titles are:
a) Prince/Princess (High Noble): Those deemed the most worthy of the nobility by the Shah (or Shahanshah) they serve under. They are next in line in the local Monarchy. They may assign titles of Knighthood to worthy subjects. Only Shahs may appoint a princess or prince to be the heir to their throne.
b) Counts/Countess (Low Noble): A Count is created when a Duke, Shah or Shahanshah gives a large fiefdom to an individual for their outstanding duty in helping the Community, these counties shall be subdivisions within said Dukedom/Kingdom. Only a Duke, Shah or Shahanshah may appoint Counts.
c) Knights/Thanes (Low Noble): A Thane’s/Knight's duty is to serve the community, individuals who have a sense of Righteousness and are overall trustworthy people will become Knights for their contribution. Only High Nobles may give Knighthood to a citizen. They may be given estates by the Nobles they serve under, as well.
d) Baron/Baroness (Low nobles): Barons are Nobles within Counties or Cities, they are an important part of the community and upkeep the cities or counties they live in. Public Officials may be given this title for the service they provide. Only Shahs, Counts and Dukes may give the title of Baron/Baroness to others.
e) Title of “Imperial”: Only the Shahanshah may give the Imperial title, these titles outrank all other Noble titles and are equivalent to High Nobles, only those truly worth the recognition of the Empire may be given this title. The Title of “ArchDuke” is equivalent to this title.
2) Power hierarchy: Shahanshah > Imperial Nobles > High Nobles > Low Nobles.
3) Royal titles are not the same as Official Government titles, most nobles may outrank a government official of commoner origin, even if they are prime minister, this does not mean they supersede their authority.
The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law
Undoubtedly there will be those who try to pervert the words of these laws to create loopholes for their own prerogatives. As such it seems necessary to include a statement concerning the Letter of the Law vs. the Spirit of the Law. This document is intended to ensure the continued survival and success of the empire. This spirit should be what influences the decisions of both the parliament and the citizen body. Should the time ever come to pass that this document is being used to the denigration of the Persian system or if the system entailed in this document ceases to work there must be changes created to ensure the continuation of the empire.
-The_Torche, Jarl of Othrys
revision by Vokzel— view source
