The Star League Charter
Ratified by Member-State Leaders & SLDF Triumvirate, 1st February, 3068
Contents:
Chapter I: Purposes and Principles
Chapter II: Membership
Chapter III: Agencies
Chapter IV: The General Senate
Chapter V: The Ministerial Cabinet
Chapter VI: Inter-State Disputes
Chapter VII: Threats of the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression
Chapter VIII: Star League Defense Force
Chapter IX: Inter-State Economic and Social Co-operation
Chapter X: The Ministries
Chapter XI: Declaration Regarding Non-Self-Governing Regions
Chapter XII: Star League Administered Regions
Chapter XIII: The Planetary Review Committee
Chapter XIV: The Star League Supreme Court of Justice
Chapter XV: Oversight Committees
Chapter XVI: Miscellaneous Provisions
Chapter XVII: Transitory Security Arrangements
Chapter XVIII: Ratification and Signature
We the citizens of the Star League have determined:
To save succeeding generations from the scourge of galactic war which has brought untold horror and suffering to our planetary systems.
To reaffirm faith in the fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of an individual human, to the equal rights of male and female and of planetary systems large and small.
To establish conditions under which justice and mutual respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of interplanetary law can be maintained.
To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom and to these ends to practice benevolent tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours.
To unite our strength to maintain galactic peace and security.
To ensure by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods that armed force shall not be used except in the common defense.
To employ Star League expertise for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all citizens, have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims.
Accordingly, the respective member states, through representatives assembled on the planet Terra, who have exhibited their full powers to be in good and due form, have agreed to this charter of the Star League, and do hereby establish an interplanetary organization to be known as the Star League.
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Chapter I: Purposes and Principles
Article 1
The purposes of the Star League are:
To maintain peace and security within the mandated territory, and to that end : to take effective collective measures for the prevention of threats to the peace, the suppression of acts of aggression, and to bring about by peaceful means, and employing the principles of justice and law, adjustment or settlement of disputes which might lead to a breach of the peace;
To develop friendly relations among member nations based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of citizenship, and to other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
To achieve inter-state cooperation in solving major problems of economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character; in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights; and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to culture, sex, life-form, or religious belief.
Article 2
The Star League and its members, in pursuit of the purposes stated, shall act in accordance with the following principles:
The Star League is based on the sovereign equality of all its members; In order to ensure to all of them equal rights and benefits resulting from membership, all citizens shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with these Articles of the Star League;
All member states shall settle their planetary disputes by means in such manner that major inter-state peace, security, and justice, are not endangered;
All member states shall give the Star League every assistance in any action taken in accordance with these Articles of the Star League, and shall refrain from assisting any planetary system against which the Star League is taking preventive or enforcement action;
The Star League shall ensure that independent planetary systems which are not members of the Star League act in accordance with these principles as necessary for the maintenance of peace and security for the Star League;
Nothing within these Articles of the Star League shall authorize the Star League to intervene in matters which are essentially the domestic jurisdiction of any member state, or shall require the members to submit such matters to settlement under these Articles of the Star League;
but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII.
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Chapter II: Membership
Article 3
The original members of the Star League shall be those member states which, having participated in the Whitting Conference on Tharkad, or having previously signed the declaration of the Star League of 3068, sign These Articles of the Star League and ratify them in accordance with Article 110.
Article 4
Membership in the Star League is open to any other peaceful planetary systems which accept the obligations contained in These Articles of the Star League and, in the judgement of the Star League, are capable and willing to carry out these obligations;
The admission of any such planetary system to membership in the Star League is contingent upon the decision of the General Senate upon recommendation of the Ministerial Cabinet.
Article 5
The General Senate may suspend the rights and privileges of membership of any member states of the Star League against which the SLDF Triumvirate has taken preventive or enforcement action. The General Senate may restore these rights and privileges of membership at the recommendation of the Ministerial Cabinet;
Article 6
Any member of the Star League which has persistently violated the purposes and principles contained in these Articles of the Star League may be expelled from the Star League by the SLDF Triumvirate upon the recommendation of the Ministerial Cabinet.
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Chapter III: Agencies
Article 7
There are established as the principle agencies of the Star League: a General Senate, a Ministerial Cabinet with 10 ministries, a SLDF Triumvirate and Comstar.
Such subsidiary agencies as may be deemed necessary from time to time may be established in accordance with these Articles of Star League;
Article 8
The Star League shall place no restriction on the eligibility of male and female or any member planetary system to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary agencies.
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Chapter IV: The General Senate
Article 9
The General Senate shall consist of representatives from all the member states of the Star League.
Each member state shall be entitled to have as many Senatorial seats equal to population zones within the member state;
Article 10
The General Senate may discuss any questions on any matters within the scope of these Articles of Star League or relating to the powers and functions of any agencies provided for in these Articles of Star League and, except as provided in Article 12, may make recommendations to the members and the Ministerial Cabinet or both on any such questions or matters;
Article 11
The General Senate may consider the general principles of cooperation in maintaining interplanetary peace and security, including disarmament and the regulation of armaments, and may make recommendations with regard to such principles to the member states or the Ministerial Cabinet or to both;
The General Senate may discuss any questions relative to the maintenance of inter-state peace and security put to it by any member state or the SLDF Triumvirate, or a non-member planetary system in accordance with Article 25 Paragraph 2 and, except as provided in Article 12, may make recommendations with regard to any such questions to the member states, the SLDF Triumvirate, or the pleading planetary system, or to all of them. Any such question on which action is necessary shall be referred to the SLDF Triumvirate by the General Senate either before or after discussion;
The General Senate may call situations which are likely to endanger the interplanetary and inter-state peace and security to the attention of the SLDF Triumvirate;
The powers of the General Senate as set forth in this Article shall not limit the scope of Article 10;
Article 12
Where the SLDF Triumvirate is executing the functions assigned to it under these Articles of the Star League with respect to any dispute or situation, the General Senate shall make no recommendation with regard to that dispute or situation unless so requested by the Ministerial Cabinet;
The Presidential Senator, with the consent of the SLDF Triumvirate, shall notify the General Senate at each session of any matters relating to the maintenance of interplanetary peace and security which are under discussion in the SLDF Triumvirate.
Article 13
The General Senate shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of:
Promoting inter-state co-operation in political fields and encouraging the progressive development of interplanetary law and its codification;
Promoting inter-state co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to culture, sex, language, or religion;
The further responsibilities, functions, and powers of the General Senate with respect to matters mentioned in Paragraph 1(B) above are set forth in Chapters IX and X;
Article 14
Subject to the provisions of Article 12, the General Senate may recommend measures for the peaceful adjustment of any situation, regardless of origin, which it deems likely to impair the general welfare or friendly relations among the member states, including situations resulting from violations of the provisions of these Articles of the Star League setting forth the purposes and principles of the Star League;
Article 15
The General Senate shall receive and consider regular and special reports from the SLDF Triumvirate; which reports shall include an account of the measures that the SLDF Triumvirate has decided upon or taken to maintain inter-state peace and security;
The General Senate shall receive and consider reports from the other agencies of the Star League on agreed upon regular periods or reporting;
Article 16
The General Senate shall perform such functions of inter-state integration as are assigned to it under Chapters XII and XIII, including the approval of the integration agreements for areas which are not designated as strategic;
Article 17
The General Senate shall consider and approve the budget of the Star League;
The expenses of the Star League shall be borne by the member states as apportioned by the General Senate;
The General Senate shall consider and approve any financial and budgetary agreements with specialized agencies referred to in Article 57 and shall examine the administrative budgets of such specialized agencies with a view to making recommendations to the agencies concerned;
All budgets of, and expenses of the Star League shall be made and paid in the Universal Comstar Credit or 'C-Bill'.
The C-Bill shall be the official medium of exchange within the Star League mandated territory;
Article 18
Each Senator of the General Senate shall have one vote;
Decisions of the General Senate on important questions shall be made on a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senators present and voting. These questions shall include: recommendations with respect to the maintenance of interplanetary peace and security; the election of Executive Senators to the Ministerial Cabinet; the admission of new member states to the Star League; the suspension of the rights and privileges of membership; the expulsion of members; and budgetary questions;
Decisions on other questions, including the determination of additional categories of questions to be decided by a two-thirds (2/3) majority, shall be made by a majority vote of the Senators present and voting;
Article 19
A member state of the Star League which is in arrears in the payment of its financial obligations to the Star League shall have no vote in the General Senate if the amount it is in arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two accounting periods. The General Senate may, nevertheless, permit such a member to vote if it is satisfied that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the member state.
Article 20
The General Senate shall meet in regular periodic sessions and in such special sessions as occasion may require. Special sessions shall be called by the Presidential Senator at the request of the Ministerial Cabinet or of a majority of the Senators of the Star League;
Article 21
The General Senate shall adopt its own rules of procedure. It shall elect its Presidential Senator at the end of a 3 year term;
Article 22
The Ministerial Cabinet can with the recommendation of the General Senate, establish such subsidiary agencies as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.
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Chapter V: The Ministerial Cabinet
Article 23
The Ministerial Cabinet shall consist of ten ministries and one independent department. Ministry of Administration (Bureau of Star League Affairs), Ministry of Public Development, Ministry of Inter-State Relations, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance & Revenue, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade & Resources, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Planetary Review and Comstar (Autonomous replacement for the Ministries for Communication, Information & Exploration) Each ministry is headed by an Executive Senator and each Executive Senator together with the Primus of Comstar and the Presidential Senator make up the Ministerial Cabinet.
Article 24
In order to assure prompt and effective action by the General Senate, its member states confer on the Ministerial Cabinet primary responsibility for the maintenance of the Star League, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the Ministerial Cabinet acts on their behalf;
In discharging these duties the Ministerial Cabinet shall act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Star League.
The specific powers granted to the Ministerial Cabinet & SLDF Triumvirate for the discharge of these duties are laid down in Chapters VI, VII, VIII, and XII;
The Ministerial Cabinet shall submit regular and, when necessary, special reports to the General Senate for its consideration.
Article 25
The members of the Star League agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Ministerial Cabinet and SLDF Triumvirate in accordance with these Articles of the Star League.
Article 26
In order to promote the establishment and maintenance of inter-state peace and security with the least diversion of the Star League's citizens, and economic resources for armaments, the Ministerial Cabinet shall be responsible for formulating, with the assistance of SLDF Triumvirate referred to in Article 47, plans to be submitted to the member states of the Star League for the establishment of a system for the regulation of armaments.
Article 27
Each Senator of the General Senate shall have one vote; Decisions of the General Senate on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of two thirds majority.
Decisions of the Ministerial Cabinet on all other matters shall be made on an affirmative vote of two thirds majority provided that, in decisions under Chapter VI, and under Paragraph 3 of Article 52, a party to the dispute shall refrain from voting.
Article 28
The Ministerial Cabinet shall be so organized as to be able to function continuously. Each member of the Ministerial Cabinet shall, for this purpose, be represented at all times.
The Ministerial Cabinet shall hold periodic meetings at which each of its members may, if it so desires, be represented by a deputy member of its Ministry.
The Ministerial Cabinet may hold meetings at such places other than the seat of the Star League as in its judgment will facilitate its work.
Article 29
The Ministerial Cabinet may establish such subsidiary agencies as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.
Article 30
The Ministerial Cabinet shall adopt its own rules of procedure, including the method of selecting its Presidential Senator and deputy.
Article 31
Any Senator of the General Senate which is not a member of the Ministerial Cabinet may participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the Ministerial Cabinet whenever the latter considers that the interests of the member state are specifically affected.
Article 32
Any Senator of the General Senate which is not a member of the Ministerial Cabinet or any official which is not a member of the Star League, if it is a party to a dispute under consideration by the Ministerial Cabinet, shall be invited to participate, without vote, in the discussion relating to the dispute. The Ministerial Cabinet shall lay down the conditions as it deems just for the participation of an official which is not a member of the Star League.
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Chapter VI: Inter-State Disputes
Article 33
The parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of inter-state peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice;
The General Senate shall, when it deems necessary, call upon the parties to settle their disputes by such means.
Article 34
The SLDF Triumvirate may investigate any dispute, or any situation that might lead to inter-state friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of inter-state peace and security.
Article 35
Any member state of the Star League may bring any dispute, or any situation of the nature referred to in Article 34, to the attention of the SLDF Triumvirate or the General Senate.
A government which is not a member state of the Star League may bring to the attention of the SLDF Triumvirate or the General Senate any dispute to which it is a party if it accepts in advance, for the purposes of disputes, the obligation of pacific settlement provided in these Articles of the Star League.
The proceedings of the General Senate in respect to matters brought to its attention under this Article will be subject to the provisions of Articles 11 and 12.
Article 36
The General Senate may, at any stage of a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33 or of a situation of like nature, recommend procedures or appropriate methods of adjustment.
The Ministerial Cabinet shall take into consideration any procedures for the settlement of the dispute which have already been adopted by the parties.
In making recommendations under the Article the Star League the SLDF Triumvirate should also take into consideration that legal disputes should as a general rule be referred to the Ministry of Justice.
Article 37
Should the parties to a dispute as referred to in Article 33 fail to settle it by means indicated in that Article, they shall refer it to the SLDF Triumvirate.
If the SLDF Triumvirate deems that the continuance of the dispute is in fact likely to endanger the maintenance of inter-state peace and security, it shall decide whether to take action under Article 36 or to recommend such terms as it may consider appropriate.
Article 38
Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles 33 to 37, the SLDF Triumvirate may, if all the parties to any dispute so request, make recommendations to the parties with a view to a military settlement of the dispute.
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Chapter VII: Threats of the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression
Article 39
The SLDF Triumvirate shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression and shall make recommendations to maintain or restore interplanetary peace and security.
Article 40
In order to prevent aggravation of the situation, the General Senate may call upon the parties concerned to comply with such provisional measures as it deems necessary or desirable. Such provisional measures shall be without prejudice to the rights, claims, or position of the parties concerned. The General Senate shall take into account any failure to comply with such provisional measures.
Article 41
The General Senate may decide what measures short of the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and may call upon the members of the Star League to apply such measures. These may include partial or complete interruption of economic relations, inter-planet hpg and space travel, and severance of diplomatic relations.
Article 42
Should the General Senate consider that measures under Article 41 would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by armed force as necessary to maintain or restore interplanetary peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockades, and other operations by the SLDF.
Article 43
All members of the Star League in obligation to the maintenance of interplanetary peace and security, agree to make available to the SLDF, on call of the SLDF Triumvirate, armed forces, assistance and facilities, including rights of passage, necessary for the maintenance of interplanetary peace and security.
Article 44
When the SLDF Triumvirate has decided to use force it shall, before calling upon a member nation not represented on it to provide armed forces in fulfillment of obligations assumed under Article 43, invite that member to participate in the decision of the SLDF Triumvirate relating to the employment of contingents of the member's armed forces.
Article 45
In order to enable the Star League to take urgent military measures, all members so capable, shall assign contingents of their armed forces to the SLDF to be employed as a single peace-keeping force of the Star League. All contingents so assigned, and for the duration of their assignment, shall hold full faith and loyalty to the Star League and the protection of the purposes and principles of these Articles of the Star League.
Article 46
Plans for the application of the SLDF shall be made by the SLDF Triumvirate with the assistance of the Ministerial Cabinet.
Article 47
There shall be established within the SLDF a Triumvirate Command to advise and assist the General Senate on all matters relating to the Star League's military requirements for maintaining interplanetary peace and security.
The Triumvirate Command shall consist of three members elected by the General Senate on recommendations made by current Triumvirate members.
The Triumvirate Command, with the authorization of the General Senate, shall establish a the SLDF as the armed, peace-keeping, forces of the Star League. It shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of all facilities of the SLDF, including armed space, air, land and training facilities;
The Triumvirate Command shall be responsible under the General Senate for the strategic direction of the SLDF, and the other armed forces of the member nations when required for the maintenance of interplanetary peace and security.
Article 48
The action required to carry out decisions of the General Senate for the maintenance of interplanetary peace and security shall be taken by the SLDF Triumvirate, using such contingents as appropriate to the specific action.
Article 49
The member nations of the Star League shall join in affording mutual assistance in carrying out the measures decided upon by the SLDF Triumvirate and in assisting the SLDF in the performance of its duties and obligations.
Article 50
If preventive or enforcement measures against any planet are taken by the SLDF Triumvirate, any other nation, whether a member of the Star League or not, which finds itself confronted with special economic problems arising from the carrying out of these measures shall have the right to consult with the General Senate with regard to the solution of its problems.
Article 51
Nothing in These Articles of the Star League shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense against armed attacks occurring to member nations of the Star League, until the SLDF Triumvirate has taken measures necessary to maintain inter-nation peace and security, and the SLDF can be brought into action. Such actions taken by members of the Star League in their self-defense shall be immediately reported to the General Senate.
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Chapter VIII: Star League Defense Force
Article 52
There is established a Star League Defense Force as the armed peace-keeping forces of the Star League. It shall initially be comprised of contingents assigned to it by members of the Star League under Article 43 until such time as facilities, recruitment, and training obviates the necessity of drawing upon the armament of any member, except as provided in Article 49;
The operations and actions of the SLDF shall at all times be under the direct cognizance of the SLDF Triumvirate and the General Senate which shall also prepare and approve the budget for SLDF operations;
Initial expenditure is authorized under these Articles of the Star League for the establishment of a SLDF Headquarters to be equitably located within the boundary of the Star League. The General Senate shall review and approve such other expansions of HQ's and other facilities as shall seem appropriate from time to time in the maintenance of inter-state peace and security;
Initial expenditure is also granted under these Articles of the Star League for the establishment of SLDF Academies for the purpose of training officers and personnel for SLDF duty. The standards for training such officers and personnel shall be determined by the SLDF Department of Military Education and approved by the SLDF Triumvirate.
Article 53
Initial expenditure is granted under these Articles of the Star League for the design, procurement, and operation of five SLDF Armies to provide the nucleus of the SLDF's peace-keeping armed forces. These Armies shall be capable of extended operations of at least 4 years of unsupplied campaigning, with stockpiles appropriate. They shall be provided with fire-power superior to that now employed by any member of the Star League, and appropriate to the tasks expected of them;
Expenditure is also granted under these Articles of the Star League for the procurement and construction of space forces as shall be required to support SLDF operations and the initial five armies.
Article 54
The training of personnel shall include all fields of the military arts in the SLDF. It is the intent of these Articles of the Star League that the SLDF shall be used to conduct maintenance of inter-state peace and security.
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Chapter IX: Inter-State Economic and Social Co-operation
Article 55
With a view to creating conditions of stability and well-being which are necessary for peaceful relations among member states based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self determination of all intelligent life-forms, the Star League shall promote:
Higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress and development;
Solution of inter-state economic, social, health, and related problems; and inter-state cultural and educational cooperation;
and
Universal respect for, and observance of, intelligent life-form rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to culture, sex, language, or religion.
Article 56
All members pledge themselves to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the Star League for the achievement of the purposes and goals set forth in Article 55.
Article 57
The various specialized agencies, established by inter-state agreement and having wide inter-state responsibilities as defined in their basic instruments in economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related fields, shall be brought into relationship with the Star League in accordance with Article 63;
Such agencies thus brought into relationship with the Star League are hereafter referred to as specialized agencies.
Article 58
The Star League shall make recommendations for the coordination of the policies and activities of the specialized agencies;
Article 59
The Star League shall, where appropriate, initiate negotiations among its member states concerned for the creation of any new specialized agencies required for the accomplishment of the purposes set forth in Article 55;
Article 60
Responsibility for the discharge of the functions of the Star League as set forth in this Chapter shall be vested in the General Senate and, under the authority of the General Senate, in the economic and social council which shall have for this purpose the powers set forth in Chapter X.
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Chapter X: The Ministries
Article 61
The Ministerial Cabinet shall consist of ten Executive Senators of the Star League as elected by the General Senate;
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, five members of the ministerial cabinet shall be elected each session for a term of six Terran year periods. A retiring member shall be eligible for immediate re-election;
At the first election, ten members of the ministerial cabinet shall be chosen, the term of office of five executive senators so chosen will expire at the end of three Terran year periods, and the terms of five other executive senators at the end of six Terran year periods in accordance with arrangements made by the General Senate;
Each Ministry shall have one Executive Senator.
Article 62
The Ministerial Cabinet may make or initiate studies and reports with respect to inter-state economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related matters and may make recommendations with respect to any such matters to the General Senate, to the member states of the Star League, and to specialized agencies concerned;
It may make recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for, and observance of, intelligent life-form rights and fundamental freedoms for all;
It may prepare draft instruments with the rules prescribed by the Star League;
It may prepare draft instruments for admission to the General Senate, with respect to matters falling within its competence;
It may call, in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Star League, inter-state conferences on matters falling within its competence.
Article 63
The Ministerial Cabinet may enter into agreements with any of its agencies referred to in Article 57, defining the terms on which the agency concerned shall be brought into relationship with the Star League. Such agreements shall be subject to approval by the General Senate;
It may coordinate the activities of the specialized agencies through consultation with and recommendations to such agencies and through recommendations to the General Senate and to the members of the Star League.
Article 64
The Ministerial Cabinet may take appropriate steps to obtain reports from the specialized agencies.
It may make arrangements with the member states of the Star League and with the specialized agencies to obtain reports on the steps taken to give effect to its own recommendations and to recommendations on matters falling within its competence by the General Senate.
Article 65
The Ministerial Cabinet may furnish information to the General Senate and shall assist the General Senate upon its request.
Article 66
The Ministerial Cabinet shall perform such functions as fall within its competence in connection with the carrying out of the recommendations of the General Senate;
It may, with the approval of the General Senate, perform services at the request of member states of the Star League and at the request of specialized agencies;
It shall perform such other functions as are specified elsewhere in these Articles of the Star League or as may be assigned to it by the General Senate.
Article 67
Each member of the Ministerial Cabinet shall have one vote;
Decisions of the Ministerial Cabinet shall be made by a majority of the members present and voting;
Procedures.
Article 68
The Ministries shall set up commissions in economic and social fields and for the promotion of intelligent life form rights, and such other commissions as may be required for the performance of its functions.
Article 69
The Ministerial Cabinet shall invite any member state of the Star League to participate, without vote, in its deliberations on any matter of particular concern to that member state.
Article 70
The Ministerial Cabinet may make arrangements for representatives of the specialized agencies to participate, without vote, in its deliberations and in those commissions established by it, and for its representatives to participate in the deliberations of the specialized agencies.
Article 71
The Ministerial Cabinet may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental and inter-state organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence.
Such arrangements may be made with inter-state organizations and, where appropriate, the planetary organizations after consultation with member states of the Star League concerned.
Article 72
The Ministerial Cabinet shall adopt its own rules of procedure, including the method of selecting a Presidential Senator;
The Ministerial Cabinet shall meet as required in accordance with its rules, which shall include provision for the convening of meetings on the request of a majority of its Executive Senators.
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Chapter XI: Declaration Regarding Non-Self-Governing Regions
Article 73
Members of the Star League which have assumed responsibilities for the administration of regions whose have not yet attained a full measure of self-government recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these regions are paramount, and accept as a sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost, within the system of interplanetary peace and security established by these Articles of the Star League, the well-being of the inhabitants of these regions, and, to this end:
To ensure, with due respect for the cultures concerned, their political, economic, social, and educational advancement, their just treatment, and their protection against abuses;
To develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each region and their varying stages of advancement;
To further inter-state peace and security;
To promote constructive measures of development, to encourage research, and to cooperate with one-another and, when and where appropriate, with specialized interplanetary bodies with a view to the practical achievement of the social, economic, and scientific purposes set forth in this Article;
and
To transmit regularly to the Ministry of Administration for information purposes, subject to such limitations as security and statutory considerations may require, statistical and other information of a technical nature relating to economic, social, and educational conditions in the regions for which they are respectively responsible other than those regions to which Chapters XII and XIII apply.
Article 74
Members of the Star League also agree that their policy in respect of the regions to which this Chapter applies, no less than in respect of their metropolitan areas, must be based on the general principle of good-neighborliness, due account being taken of the interests and well-being of the rest of the Star League administered territory in social, economic, and commercial matters.
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Chapter XII:
Star League Administered Regions
Article 75
The Star League shall establish under its authority a Star League Administered Regional system for the administration and supervision of such regions as may be placed hereunder by subsequent individual agreements.
These regions are hereinafter referred to as Terran Security Act.
Article 76
The basic objectives of the administered regional system, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Star League as laid down in these Articles of the Star League, shall be:
To further inter-state peace and security;
To promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the inhabitants of the administered regions, and their progressive development towards the security of Terra and the Star League as may be appropriate to the particular circumstances of each region and people concerned, and as may be provided by the terms of the administered agreement;
To encourage respect for people’s rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to culture, sex, language, or religion, and to encourage recognition of the inter-dependence of the systems for trade and mutual survival; and
To ensure equal treatment in social, economic, and commercial matters for all members of the Star League and their nationals, and also equal treatment for the latter in the administration of justice, without prejudice to the adjustment of foregoing objectives and subject to the provisions of Article 80.
Article 77
The administered regional system shall apply to such regions in the following categories as may be placed hereunder by means of administered agreements:
Regions now held under mandate;
Regions which may be detached from a centralized government as a result of inter-state war; and
Regions voluntarily placed under the administered system by social systems responsible for their administration;
It will be a matter for subsequent agreement as to which regions in the foregoing categories will be brought under the administered regional system and upon what terms.
Article 78
The administered regional system shall also apply to regions which have become member-states of the Star League, relationship among which shall be based on vote made by the General Senate.
Article 79
The terms of administration for each region to be placed under the administered regional system, including any alteration or amendment, shall be agreed upon by the General Senate, including the mandatory power in the case of regions held under mandate by a member-state of the Star League, and shall be approved as provided for in Articles 83 and 85.
Article 80
Except as may be agreed upon in individual administration agreements, made under Articles 77, 79, and 81, placing each region under the administered regional system, and until such agreements have been concluded, nothing in this Chapter shall be construed in or of itself to alter in any manner the rights whatsoever of any social systems or any Star League citizen or the terms of existing agreements to which member-state of the Star League may respectively be parties.
Paragraph 1 of this Article shall not be interpreted as giving grounds for delay or postponement of the negotiation and conclusion of agreements for placing mandated and other regions under the administered regional system as provided for in Article 77.
Article 81
The administration agreement shall in each case include the terms under which the administered region will be administered and designate the authority which will be exercising the administration of the region.
Such authority hereinafter called the administering authority, may be one or more social systems of the Star League itself.
Article 82
There may be designated, in the administration agreement, a strategic area or areas which may include part or all of the region to which the agreement applies, without prejudice to any special agreement or agreements made under Article 43.
Article 83
All functions of the Star League relating to strategic areas, including the approval of the terms of the administration agreements and of their subsequent alteration or amendment, shall be exercised by the General Senate;
The basic principles set forth in Article 76 shall apply to the ipeople of each strategic area;
The General Senate shall, subject to the provisions of the administration agreements and without prejudice to security considerations, avail itself of the assistance of the Ministries to perform those functions of the Star League under the administered regional system relating to political, economic, social, and educational matters in the strategic areas.
Article 84
It shall be the duty of the administering authority to ensure that the region shall play its part in the maintenance of inter-state peace and security. To this end the administering authority may make use of volunteer forces, facilities, and assistance from the administered region in carrying out the obligations towards the Star League undertaken in this regard by the administering authority, as well as for the local defense and the maintenance of law and order within the administered region.
Article 85
The functions of the Star League with regard to administration agreements for all regions not designated as strategic, including the approval of the terms of the administration agreements and their alteration or amendment, shall be exercised by the General Senate
The administrational governor, operating under the authority of the General Senate, shall assist the Star League in carrying out these functions.
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Chapter XIII: The Planetary Review Committee
Article 86
The PRC shall consist of the following members of the Star League:
Those senators that are not related to the planet under review;
Each member-state of the Star League shall designate one specially qualified senator to represent it therein.
Article 87
The General Senate and, under its authority, the Planetary Review Committee, in carrying out their functions, may:
Consider reports submitted by the administering authority;
Accept petitions and examine them in consultation with the administering authority;
Provide for periodic visits to the respective planets at times agreed upon with the administering authority; and
Take these and other actions in conformity with the terms of the Planetary Review Committee agreements.
Article 88
The Planetary Review Committee shall formulate a questionnaire on the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the inhabitants of each planet under review, and the administering authority for each planet within the competence of the General Senate shall make a periodic report to the General Senate upon the basis of such questionnaire.
Article 89
Each member of the Planetary Review Committee shall have one vote;
Decisions of the Planetary Review Committee shall be made by a majority of the members present and voting.
Article 90
The Planetary Review Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure, including the method of selecting its chairman;
under the directing authority of the Minister of Planetary Review.
The Planetary Review Committee shall meet as required in accordance with its rules which shall include a provision for the convening of meetings on the request of a majority of its members.
Article 91
The Planetary Review Committee shall, when appropriate, avail itself of the assistance of the Ministerial Cabinet, SLDF Triumvirate and of the specialized agencies in regard to matters with which they are respectively concerned.
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Chapter XIV: The Star League Supreme Court of Justice
Article 92
The Star League Supreme Court of Justice shall be the principle judicial instrument of the Star League.
It shall function in accordance with the appended statute, which is based upon the statute of the Tribunals of Terra, and forms an integral part of these Articles of the Star League.
Article 93
All members of the Star League are 'ipso facto' parties to the statute of the Star League Supreme Court of Justice;
A state which is not a member of the Star League may become a party to the statute of the Star League Supreme Court of Justice on conditions to be determined in each case by the Executive Senator of Justice upon the recommendation of General Senate.
Article 94
Each member-state of the Star League undertakes to comply with the decisions of the Star League Supreme Court of Justice in any case to which it is a party;
If any party in a case fails to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment rendered by the Court, the other party may have recourse to the General Senate, which may, if it deems necessary, make recommendations or decide upon measures to be taken to give effect to the judgment.
Article 95
Nothing in these Articles of the Star League shall prevent member-state of the Star League from entrusting the solution of their differences to other tribunals by virtue of agreements already in existence or which may be concluded in the future.
Article 96
The General Senate or the Ministerial Cabinet may request the Star League Supreme Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion on any legal question;
Other bodies of the Star League and the specialized agencies, which may at any time be so authorized by the General Senate, may also request advisory opinions of the Court on legal questions arising within the scope of their activities.
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Chapter XV:
Oversight Committees
Article 97
The Committees shall be comprised of twelve Oversignt Senators for each Ministry.
Oversight Senators shall be appointed by the General Senate.
Article 98
The Oversight Senators shall act in that capacity in all committee meetings.
The Oversight Committees of each Ministry shall make a periodic report to the General Senate on the work of the Ministry they are assigned to.
Article 99
The Oversight Committees may bring to the attention of the General Senate any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance and running of the Ministry.
Article 100
In the performance of their duties the Oversight Committees shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other authority external to the Star League. They shall refrain from any action which might reflect on their positions as Oversight Senators responsible only to their assigned Ministry;
Each member-state of the Star League undertakes to respect the exclusive responsibilities of the Oversight Committees and shall not seek to influence them in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Article 101
The paramount consideration in the assigning of a Senator to the position of Oversight Senator is determining of the conditions of service shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
Due regard shall be paid to the importance of assigning Senators on as wide a geo-galactic basis as possible.
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Chapter XVI: Miscellaneous Provisions
Article 102
Every treaty and every inter-state agreement entered into by any member-state of the Star League after these Articles of the Star League come into force shall as soon as possible be registered with the Ministry of Inter-state Relations.
No party to any such treaty or inter-state agreement which has not been registered in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 1 of this Article may invoke that treaty or agreement before any body of the Star League.
Article 103
In the event of a conflict between the obligations of the member-states of the Star League under these Articles of the Star League and their obligations under any other inter-state agreement, their obligations under these Articles of the Star League shall prevail
Article 104
The Star League shall enjoy in the territory of each of its member-state such legal capacity as may be necessary for the exercise of its functions and the fulfillment of its purposes.
Article 105
The Star League shall enjoy in the territory of each of its member-states such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the fulfillment of its purposes;
Senators of the General Senate of the Star League and officials of the organization shall similarly enjoy such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent exercise of their functions in connection with the organization;
The General Senate may make recommendations with a view to determining the details of the application of Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article or may propose conventions to the member-states of the Star League for this purpose.
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Chapter XVII: Transitory Security Arrangements
Article 106
Pending the coming into full force of such special agreements referred to in Article 43 as in the opinion of the SLDF Triumvirate enable it to begin the exercise of its responsibilities under Article 42, the parties to the Declaration of the Star League shall consult with one another and the other member-states of the Star League with a view to such joint action on behalf of the organization as may be necessary for the purpose of maintaining inter-state peace and security;
Nothing in these Articles of the Star League shall invalidate or preclude action in relation to any state which has been an adversary of any signatory to these Articles of the Star League, taken or authorized as a result of that war by the governments having responsibility for such action.
Article 107
Amendments to these Articles of the Star League shall come into force for all member-states of the Star League when they have been adopted by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Senators of the General Senate and ratified in accordance with their respective statutory processes by two thirds (2/3) of the member-states of the Star League, including all the Oversight Senators of the Oversight Committees, Executive Senators of the Ministerial Cabinet and the Presidential Senator;
Article 108
A general conference of the member-states of the Star League for the purpose of reviewing these Articles of the Star League may be held at a date and place to be fixed by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Senators of the General Senate. Each Senator of the Star League shall have one (1) vote in the conference;
Any alterations of these Articles of the Star League recommended by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the conference shall take effect when ratified in accordance with their respective statutory processes by two thirds (2/3) of the Senators of the Star League all the Oversight Senators of the Oversight Committees, Executive Senators of the Ministerial Cabinet and the Presidential Senator;
If such conference has not been held before the tenth regular session of the General Senate following the coming into force of these Articles of the Star League, the proposal to call such a conference shall be placed on the agenda of that session of the General Senate, and the conference shall be held if so decided by a majority vote of the Senators of the General Senate.
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Chapter XVIII: Ratification and Signature
Article 109
These Articles of the Star League shall be ratified by the signatory governments in accordance with their respective statutory processes;
The ratifications shall be deposited with the organization ComStar, in Norfolk, North America, which shall notify all of the signatory governments of each deposit as well as the SLDF Triumvirate when they have has been appointed;
These Articles of the Star League shall come into full force upon the deposit of the ratifications by the Capellan Confederation, Draconic Combine, Federated Suns, Free Worlds League, Lyran Alliance, and by a majority of the other signatory states. A protocol of the ratifications deposited shall thereupon be drawn up by ComStar which shall communicate copies thereof to all the signatory governments;
The governments signatory to these Articles of the Star League which ratify it after it has come into force will become original member-states of the Star League on the date of the deposit of their respective ratifications.
Article 110
These Articles of the Star League, of which the various language texts are equally authentic, upon the coming into full force of the Star League, shall be transferred by ComStar to the organization for permanent deposit in its archives. Duly certified copies thereof shall be transmitted by ComStar to the governments of all the signatory states.
In faith whereof the representatives of the member-states of the Star League have signed these Articles of the Star League.
Signed at the planet Tharkad, 1st of February, 3068
(This Star League Charter has been developed for use by Battletech-Mercenaries)