Enumeration of Rights

[Shizensky]

Friends and neighbors,

During the discussion to create the Fort's Rules and Orders, we agreed to call upon one another to enumerate our rights as citizens of Fort Triumph. This is an important step to protect one another not against what is, but against what might be. The citizens and members of the Fort are the foundation of our region, and it is in the best interests of Fort Triumph and its future to protect those within it. 

I invite the citizens in our grand Town Hall to begin the the discussion. 

[roavin]

I'd like the right to continue my Very Honest Business.

[Shizensky]

Aug 21, 2018 15:25:15 GMT -5 roavin said:

I'd like the right to continue my Very Honest Business.

I figure that all depends on that fancy plea deal you just took today, don't it?

[roavin]

FAKE NEWS

[Sauron]

The right to protect my money!

[Deadeye Jack]

I don't have much an opinion on this. TBH I can't think of any rights that I wouldn't already presume to be naturally given. Anyway if we do figure out a list what is the mechanism that protects these rights and what recourse does the player have if their rights are violated by someone?

[Benevolent Thomas]

So these sorts of assurances were a staple of regions such as 10000 Islands and Renegade Islands Alliance who manage to include a declaration of citizen rights in each of their primary documents since their founding.

RIA's current constitution, Article IV:

Article IV - The Bill of Rights

42. Self-determination. The general government of The Renegade Islands Alliance shall make no law or regulation governing the internal operation of any nation state within the region.

43. Freedom of speech. The general government shall make no law restricting the freedom of speech within The Renegade Islands Alliance beyond those rules governing all participation and etiquette in NationStates. In keeping with the NationStates rules of etiquette, the following behaviors will constitute grounds for immediate ejection from the region and reporting to the game moderators:

A. Posting of any content considered inappropriate, including content that is obscene, illegal, threatening, malicious, defamatory, pornographic, or otherwise understood to be inappropriate. This applies to a nation's name, motto, and other customizable fields, any messages written, images posted, or any other content uploaded or linked to NationStates.

B. Attempting to steal another nation’s identity, since this is fraudulent behavior and breaches the NationStates terms conditions. The same applies to any attempt to impersonate another player, including attempting to hack nation or region passwords.

44. Reservation of powers. Powers not enumerated in this Constitution shall be reserved to the member Nations.

10KI's Constitution, Article V

Article V. The Bill of Rights


5. The following are recognized as the inalienable rights of the member nations of 10000 Islands.

5.1. Self-determination. The general government of 10000 Islands shall make no law or regulation governing the internal operation of any nation state within the region. Each nation state will maintain the right to govern itself in accordance with its own customs and desires.

5.2. Freedom of speech. The general government shall make no law restricting the freedom of speech within 10000 Islands beyond those rules governing all participation and etiquette in NationStates. In keeping with the NationStates rules of etiquette, the following behaviors will constitute grounds for immediate ejection from the region and reporting to the game moderators:

5.2.1. Posting of any content considering spamming, including content that is obscene, illegal, threatening, malicious, defamatory, or otherwise understood to be spam. This applies to a nation's name, motto, and other customizable fields, any messages written, images posted, or any other content uploaded or linked to NationStates.

5.2.2. Also prohibited is the practice of "griefing." Griefing is playing with the primary aim of annoying or upsetting other people. If you do this, the game moderators may take action against you.

5.2.3. Attempting to steal another nation’s identity, since this is fraudulent behavior and breaches the NationStates terms & conditions. The same applies to any attempt to impersonate another player, including attempting to hack nation or region passwords.

5.2.4. Known member nations of invader regions and groups may be ejected at the discretion of the Chief Executive, or the WA delegate if so empowered.

5.3. Reservation of powers. Powers not enumerated in this Constitution shall be reserved to the member Nations.

[Benevolent Thomas]

Jack has a solid point in that there is no mechanism to insure these rights outside of the benevolence of the regional administration and there is no recourse if a nation feels like these rights have been violated. Can the Marshals be challenged? I hold no belief that anyone in the region currently nor that any future prominent member of our regional structure will violate what we consider to be the unalienable rights of our members. I also sympathize with the Mayor's point that the citizens should be the one to declare what their rights are and have them not be dependent on the Marshals to uphold.

If we are to add such legislation to our books, we would need to come up with a mechanism to protect these rights.