Charter of the NationStates Commonwealth

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The Charter of the NationStates Commonwealth
14th June, 2019

We the Nations and Regions of the NationStates Commonwealth


Recognising that we are living in an era of changing international and interegional circumstances and uncertainty with new social and economic patterns and unprecedented threats to peace and security, combined with a surge of demands for equality between nations and the development of an international community which respects the sovereignty of nations and regions;

Establish the NationStates Commonwealth as a voluntary association of independent sovereign NaionStates and Regions that consult and co-operate with one another on matters of mutual concern and which work together to build an international community which transcends regional borders while respecting regional sovereignty;

Affirm that the Commonwealth will seek to make decisions through consensus through consulation, shared experience and co-operation and that the Commonwealth will be the champion of small regions, advocating for their needs and providing assistance in their development;

Further Affirm the main Commonwealth principles of consensus, co-operation, mutual respect, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness;

Aspire to a Commonwealth that is respected throughout NationStates and capable of addressing the global challenges of our present future;

Adopt the following Articles setting out the principles of the NationStates Commonwealth.


Article 1: Participation



Every Nation and Region that exists in NationStates has the right to participate in the NationStates Commonwealth and to shape the Commonwealth community by becoming a Member of the NationStates Commonwealth.



Member Nations shall be invited to a Commonwealth Conventions, where they shall, by consensus, set the agenda for the Commonwealth, discuss matters of common concern, resolve disputes between Members or Partner Regions and shall have the opportunity to revise this Charter.



Members are also able to participate in setting Commonwealth policies by joining Commonwealth Groups, which may focus on thematic areas of policy, the interests of minority or vulnerable groups or geographical issues.





Article 2: Rights of Participants



Every person that participates in the NationStates Commonwealth or the Commonwealth community has the right to enjoy participation without sufffering discrimination or abuse based on ethnicity, culture, language, gender, sexuality, transgender status, social class, political affiliation, religion, philosophical beliefs or any other social diversity. Any instance of discrimination or abuse shall be reported the appropriate Commonwealth Institution for investigation and remediation.





Article 3: Peace and Security



The NationStates Commonwealth is committed to the safeguarding of international and interegional peace and security. The Commonwealth will contribute to the developent of international and interegional peace and security through multilateral co-operation, investigation of the causes of conflict and consensus-based decision making. The Commonwealth declares it's condemnation of all forms of terrorism and will co-operate by any means neccessary to protect vulnerable communities and regions. To this end, the Commonwealth will investigate and take appropriate action against instances of terrorism and to facilitate the peace and security of the Commonwealth, its Members and Partner Regions and its community.





Article 4: Freedom of Expression



The NationStates Commonwealth is committed to peaceful and open dialogue, the transparent use of information and the fostering of a free but responsible Media.





Article 5: Commonwealth Leadership



The Head of the Commonwealth is the figurehead of the Commonwealth and represents it in international business. Members of the Commonwealth recognise the Head of the Commonwealth as Chief Executive, Chief Legislator, Chief Justice, Chief Diplomat and Chief Priest of the Commonwealth and as primus inter pares.



The other Leadership positions in the Commonwealth are the Commonwealth President, the Commonwealth Secretary and the Commonwealth Chairperson.



The Chairperson of the Commonwealth shall, along with her two predecessors, form the Troika, which shall resolve disputes between Member Nations and Regions between Conventions. Their resolutions may be revised, at the request of any Party to the dispute, at a subsequent Convention.





Article 6: Sustainable Development



The Commonwealth believes that in order to build effective communities, they need to be developed in a sustainable way which can survive the departure of any participant. Therefore, no sole participant the Commonwealth Community should have such power, responsibility or influence that the Community could not survive their loss. Th Commonwealth shall use its expertise to advise Member Regions in their development will carefully consider Policy in the development of international institutions and communities that the Commonwealth is a party to.





Article 7: Equality



The Commonwealth champions the rights and participation of vulnerable groups. To that end, any Member of the Commonwealth may petition the Head of the Commonwealth to establish a Group to represent minority or vulnerable groups within the Commonwealth. These may be joined Groups to represent several small groups or single Groups to represent a larger group. When determining whether the vulnerable group should be represented through a single or joined Group, the Head of the Commonwealth must make her decision based on which option would better represent the group or groups in question. Such Groups shall be consisted of any interested Members that identify as a constituent of the group or groups it represents.





Article 8: Importance of Young People and New Members



The Commonwealth recognises the importance of enabling young and new members to participate fully and equally within the Commonwealth and the Head of the Commonwealth shall be responsible for encouraging young and new Members to participate to the best of their ability and fostering skill-sharing so that young and new Members can develop into the leaders of the future.





Article 9: Recognition of the Needs of small and vulnerable Regions



The Commonwealth community must work for all, including small and vulnerable regions. In order to facilitate the voice of small and vulnerable regions, the Commonwealth Leadership will, in all major community decisions, consult with the Members of these regions and champion their interests.





Article 10: Atlantis



The Commonwealth recognises the role played by Atlantis in forming and protecting the NationStates Commonwealth and seeks to honour her invaluable services to the Commonwealth and its Community. The Commonwealth, therefore, extends an invitation for the Queen of Atlantis, and her successors, to have a chief ceremonial role in the investiture of the Heads of the Commonwealthand to advise the Commonwealth on matters of cultural affairs.





Article 11: Administration



Administration of the Commonwealth forum and other platforms shall be overseen by the Commonwealth Institutions diligently, to ensure that those with administrative powers use them only in order to satisfy the needs of the Community.