The below Compact and Interim Constitution was approved by general vote of parliament on the 6th August 2024, and ratified by referendum.
Eleutheria Compact
We, whose names are underwritten, having undertaken a endeavor to lease and settle a territory do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid, and by virtue hereof do ordain and establish this Interim Constitution for the Confederation of Eleutheria. (Confederation)
Interim Constitution of the Confederation of Eleutheria
Article. I.
Section. 1.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Parliament of the Confederation of Eleutheria which shall consist of a House of Representatives.
Section. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen in the first instance by vote at the first general meeting of the Commonwealth.
Thereafter, the House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen by ballot in an orderly Election. The minimum number of Members of the House shall be two in the event of a lack of candidates for Representative. The number of Members in the House shall be limited to five Members plus one additional Member for each one hundred citizens, but shall not exceed a total number of one hundred Members.
The House of Representatives may call an Election for House of Representative Members from time to time and may establish the rules and procedures for the conduct of the Election.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of eighteen years, and have not become a citizen of the Confederation of Eleutheria.
If elected to be a Representative, the member shall serve for a period of two years, or until a new Election is called for the House.
Section. 3.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Representatives, shall be prescribed by the Parliament.
The Parliament shall assemble at least once in every Year, with an assembly held no later than twelve months following the previous assembly. The Parliament shall assemble either in person, or online via real time conferencing technology, or some combination thereof. The Parliament shall undertake measures to ensure that the identity of Representatives is established for each assembly.
Non immediate forms of conference, including emails, message boards and forums may be employed to facilitate communication and negotiation between Representatives and Parliament.
Section. 4.
The House of Representatives shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as the House may provide.
The House of Representatives may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
The House of Representatives shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, be entered on the Journal.
Section. 5.
The Parliament shall have Power To pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the Confederation;
To appoint Commissioners, and to direct the Office of Commissioners;
To raise and support a venture to claim, settle and develop a Sovereign Territory, either by claiming Terra Nullius, or by Lease with an existing Sovereign State.
To establish Laws in respect of Commerce and Trade, and for the protection of property;
To establish Laws for the protection of the Life and Liberty of Persons, and for the deterrence of Crimes;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the Interim Court;
To raise and support a Defensive force for the protection and security of the Confederation;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the Defense Forces;
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the Confederation, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Article. II.
Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in appointed Commissioners of the Confederation of Eleutheria. Parliament shall choose one Commissioner to be appointed Senior Commissioner as president of the body of Commissioners. A Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of four years, after which a Commissioner can be re-appointed by Parliament. If Parliament fails to re-appoint a Commissioner, even if that be due to Parliament not meeting before the expiry of the term of the Commissioner, the position shall become vacant.
No Person except a Citizen of the Confederation of Eleutheria, at the time of the Adoption of this Interim Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of Commissioner; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty four Years.
In Case of the Removal of the Senior Commissioner from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the next most senior by term of service Commissioner, and the Parliament may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, of the Senior Commissioner, declaring what Officer shall then act as Senior Commissioner, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a new Senior Commissioner be appointed.
Before a Commissioner enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of Commissioner of the Confederation of Eleutheria, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Interim Constitution of the Confederation."
Section 2.
A Commissioner may delegate to a Deputy any and all powers entrusted to the Office of Commissioner, except the authority to delegate such powers of Office. Any person appointed Deputy by a Commissioner must be able to satisfy the requirements to hold the Office.
Section. 3.
A Commissioner or any civil Officers of the Confederation, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Section. 4.
The powers of Commissioners shall be authorized and enumerated by an Act of Parliament. Commissioners may not be delegated by Parliament any power to legislate.
Article III.
Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the Confederation, shall be vested in the Interim Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Parliament may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Interim Court and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices by appointment of Parliament.
Section. 2.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the Confederation, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the Confederation shall be a Party;—and between Citizens or Persons.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in such Place or Places as the Parliament may by Law have directed.
Section. 3.
Treason against the Confederation, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
Article. IV.
The Parliament, whenever two thirds of the House of Representatives shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, and shall be ratified by a Referendum of all Citizens eligible to Vote in Elections.
Article. V.
Signatories to this Interim Constitution as present for the first general meeting of the Commonwealth of Bir Tawil.
Signed: Steven Clancy, Melbourne, Australia