Constitution of the United Kingdom of Aylion

Preamble

We, the people of the United Kingdom of Aylion, under the guidance of our Sovereign, in order to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United Kingdom of Aylion.

Article I: The Sovereign

Section 1: The Role of the Sovereign

1. The Sovereign shall be the head of state and shall exercise significant powers, including the authority to make proclamations and veto laws, subject to this Constitution.
2. The Sovereign's powers are derived from the Constitution and are not subject to acts of Parliament.
3. The Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in the United Kingdom of Aylion, shall be vested in the Sovereign.
4. The Sovereign shall have the authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United Kingdom of Aylion.
5. After the retirement, abdication, or death of the current reigning Sovereign, the Sovereign shall automatically be the oldest child of the previous Sovereign.

Section 2: Proclamations and Veto

1. The Sovereign may issue proclamations which shall have the force of law, provided they do not contravene this Constitution.
2. The Sovereign may veto any legislation passed by Parliament, which can only be overridden by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament.

Section 3: Royal Assent

1. All federal legislation requires the Sovereign's signature to become law.

Article II: The Legislature

Section 1: Bicameral Parliament

1. The legislative power of the United Kingdom of Aylion shall be vested in a bicameral Parliament, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Section 2: The National Assembly

1. The National Assembly shall be the lower house of Parliament and shall be composed of Members of Parliament (MPs) elected through a mixed member proportional representation system.
2. The National Assembly shall have a minimum of 338 seats, which may increase based on population changes as determined by a decennial census.
3. Seats in the National Assembly shall be distributed among the provinces and the Aylion Capital Territory in proportion to population.
4. Electoral district boundaries shall be drawn by an independent agency of the federal government.
5. MPs shall serve four-year terms and may be re-elected up to six times.

Section 3: The Senate

1. The Senate shall be the upper house of Parliament and shall consist of 120 Senators.
2. Each province and the Aylion Capital Territory shall have a minimum of 4 Senators.
3. For every additional 500,000 people in a province or territory, an additional Senator shall be allocated, up to a maximum of 12 Senators per province or territory.
4. Senators shall serve six-year terms and may be re-elected up to four times.

Article III: The Executive

Section 1: The Prime Minister

1. The Prime Minister shall be the head of government and shall be appointed by the National Assembly.
2. The Prime Minister shall hold office by maintaining the confidence of the National Assembly.
3. The Prime Minister shall have the authority to appoint and dismiss members of the Cabinet.

Section 2: The Cabinet

1. The Cabinet shall be composed of Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister.
2. Ministers shall be responsible for the administration of government ministries and the implementation of government policy.
3. The Cabinet shall be collectively responsible to Parliament for its actions and policies.

Section 3: Duties and Powers of the Executive

1. The Prime Minister shall preside over the Cabinet and shall be responsible for the overall coordination of government activities.
2. The Executive shall have the power to implement and enforce laws, manage the operations of the government, and conduct foreign affairs.
3. The Prime Minister may advise the Sovereign to dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections, subject to the provisions of this Constitution.

Section 4: Acting Prime Minister

1. In the event of the Prime Minister's absence, incapacity, or resignation, an Acting Prime Minister shall be appointed by the Sovereign from among the members of the Cabinet until a new Prime Minister is appointed.

Article IV: The Judiciary

Section 1: The Supreme Court

1. The judicial power of the United Kingdom of Aylion shall be vested in the Supreme Court, which shall be the highest court in the land.
2. The Supreme Court shall consist of 9 justices.

Section 2: Appointment of Justices

1. Justices shall be recommended by the High Council of the Judiciary.
2. Recommendations shall be submitted to both the Prime Minister and the Sovereign for approval.
3. Once approved, justices shall be elected by popular vote and must receive 70% of the national vote.
4. Justices shall serve 12-year terms and may be re-elected once.

Section 3: Lower Courts

1. The Federal Courts of Appeals shall serve as the intermediate appellate courts, below the Supreme Court.
2. Federal Courts shall serve as general trial courts for federal matters.
3. Judges for the Federal Courts of Appeals and Federal Courts shall be appointed by the Prime Minister with the approval of the Sovereign, upon recommendation by the High Council of the Judiciary.
4. The jurisdiction and procedures of the Federal Courts of Appeals and Federal Courts shall be defined by legislation passed by Parliament, subject to this Constitution.

Article V: Provinces and Territories

Section 1: Provincial and Territorial Structure

1. The United Kingdom of Aylion shall be divided into nine provinces: Hekt, Eklar, Auris, Saeya, Alynthi, Ploris, Val'encia, Ecvon, and Namora.
2. The Aylion Capital Territory shall serve as the seat of government.

Section 2: Provincial Governments

1. Each province shall have a provincial government headed by a Premier.
2. The Premier shall be appointed by the provincial legislature, known as the Legislative Assembly, and shall serve as the head of the provincial government.
3. The Premier shall appoint a Provincial Cabinet from among the members of the Legislative Assembly.
4. The Provincial Cabinet shall be responsible for the administration of provincial government ministries and the implementation of provincial policy.
5. The Provincial Cabinet shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly for its actions and policies.

Section 3: Provincial Legislatures

1. Each province shall have a unicameral legislature known as the Legislative Assembly.
2. The Legislative Assembly shall be responsible for making laws on matters within provincial jurisdiction.
3. Members of the Legislative Assembly shall be elected by the citizens of the respective province.

Section 4: Provincial Courts

1. Each province shall have a Provincial Court of Appeals, which shall serve as the highest appellate court within the province, below the Supreme Court.
2. Each province shall also have Superior Courts of Justice, which shall serve as the general trial courts for the province.
3. Below the Superior Courts of Justice, there shall be Courts of Justice, handling more localized and less significant matters.
4. Provincial Courts shall handle matters of provincial law and jurisdiction as defined by provincial legislation, subject to this Constitution.
5. Judges for the Provincial Courts of Appeals, Superior Courts of Justice, and Courts of Justice shall be appointed by the Premier with the approval of the Sovereign, upon recommendation by each Provincial Councils of the Judiciary .

Section 5: Royal Assent

1. All provincial legislation requires the Sovereign's signature to become law.

Article VI: General Provisions

Section 1: Supremacy of the Constitution

1. This Constitution shall be the supreme law of the land, and any laws or acts of Parliament that contravene this Constitution shall be null and void.

Section 2: Amendments

1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament and must be ratified by a three-quarters majority of the provinces and territories.
2. Upon clearing the aforementioned legislative requirements, a constitutional amendment must be approved by a referendum, where over 50% of the population must agree.
3. For amendments pertaining solely to one province, a two-thirds majority of the provincial legislature must approve, followed by a referendum in that province where over 50% of the people must agree.

Section 3: Rights and Freedoms

1. The rights and freedoms of the citizens of the United Kingdom of Aylion shall be protected and enshrined in a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which shall form an integral part of this Constitution.

Article VII: Transition and Implementation

Section 1: Transition

1. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon ratification by the people of the United Kingdom of Aylion.

Section 2: Implementation

1. All existing laws and institutions shall be brought into conformity with this Constitution within two years of its ratification.

Signed and Ratified

This Constitution of the United Kingdom of Aylion is hereby signed and ratified by the duly elected representatives of the people on this day, [August 2, 1052].

Enacted by the Sovereign, the Parliament, and the People of the United Kingdom of Aylion.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the United Kingdom of Aylion

Article 1. All human beings within all jurisdictions of United Kingdom of Aylion are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Article 2. Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association.

• Section 1. There is no place for religion in the governance of a nation and as such, it will remain completely separate from all religions and will be considered a secular state for the optimal benefit of all persons.

Article 3. Everyone is entitled to bodily autonomy and the right to make decisions regarding their bodies without interference from external parties.

Article 4. Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law.

Article 5. Discrimination is forbidden in all its forms.

• Section 1. Discrimination includes that of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sėx, age, mental or physical disability, social status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Section 2. Discrimination is not exclusive to those listed previous to this, it is an example and it shall be interpreted as forbidding all forms of discrimination that exist but also those that may arise in the future.

Article 6. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof.

• Section 1. The right to life is inviolate and as such, laws to enact capital punishment are prohibited.
• Section 2. Persons of full age may choose to end their life to be free from prolonged, infinite pain or suffering.
  • Subsection 1. Persons that make such decisions must be of sound mind and understand the implications of their request and declare their understanding.
• Section 3. Liberty may be subjected to limitations in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
  • Subsection 1. All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.

Article 7. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; nor shall anyone be subjected to medical or scientific experimentations without the free consent of the individual.

Article 8. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their form; nor shall anyone be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

Article 9. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their property.

Article 10. All persons have the right to privacy and to be free of government intrusion into the personal life of the individual.

• Section 1. This shall include freedom of physical privacy, freedom from surveillance inside the home and freedom from excessive surveillance outside the home, freedom from monitoring and interception, and freedom from collection, use and disclosure of personal information without the express consent of the individual.

Article 11. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.

Article 12. Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.

Article 13. Everyone has the right on arrest or detention to be informed promptly of the reasons therefor; to remain silent; to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be informed of that right; to have counsel present during interrogations and interactions; to have the validity of the detention determined by way of habeas corpus and to be released if the detention is not lawful.

Article 14. Any person charged with an offence has the right: to be informed without unreasonable delay of the specific offence; to be tried within a reasonable time; not to be compelled to be a witness in proceedings against that person in respect of the offence; to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal; not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause; not to be found guilty on account of any act or omission unless, at the time of the act or omission, it constituted an offence under national or international law or was criminal according to the general principles of law recognized by the community of nations; if finally acquitted of the offence, not to be tried for it again and, if finally found guilty and punished for the offence, not to be tried or punished for it again.

Article 15. A witness who testifies in any proceedings has the right not to have any incriminating evidence used to incriminate that witness in any other proceedings, except in a prosecution for perjury or for the giving of contradictory evidence.

Article 16. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

Article 17. Any evidence obtained in violation of Articles 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 will be null and void by right.

Article 18. Every citizen of the United Kingdom of Aylion has the right to vote in a free and fair election of members of the House of Commons, the Senate or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.

Article 19. No House of Commons, Senate, or legislative assembly shall continue for longer than five years from the date fixed for the return of the writs at a general election of its members.

Article 20. There shall be a sitting of Parliament, Senate and of each legislature at least once every 6 months.

Article 21. Every citizen has the right to take part in government, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

Article 22. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service.

Article 23. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being including food, water, clothing, housing and necessary social services.

Article 24. Everyone has the right to security in the event of unemployment, homelessness, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond their control.

Article 25. Everyone has the right to a quality education and Parliament and legislative bodies within the United Kingdom of Aylion shall make education free to all citizens.

• Section 1. This shall include preschool/kindergarten, elementary school, secondary school, and higher education.
• Section 2. All except higher education is mandatory and all children must attend school and complete their required schooling.
• Section 3. No school, University or College will promote hatred. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all humans and animals.
• Section 4. Parliament and legislative bodies will recognize the difference between promoting and learning.

Article 26. All citizens have the right to universal healthcare to ensure their health and well-being.

• Section 1. All medically necessary programs shall be free for the purpose of maintaining health, both physical and mental, preventing disease or diagnosing or treating an injury, illness or disability.
• Section 2. Parliament and legislative bodies within the United Kingdom of Aylion will ensure that citizens can access necessary healthcare services without any financial or other barriers.

Article 27. Everyone has the right to a healthy environment, including access to clean air and water.

Article 28. Everyone of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, sėx, gender, mental or physical disability and social status shall have the right to marry and to found a family.

• Section 1. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
• Section 2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending individuals.

Article 29. All persons of full age shall have the right to have children through pregnancy, adoption, or surrogacy, whether traditional or gestational, without discrimination.

• Section 1. This includes that of race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, sėx, gender, mental or physical disability, or social status.
• Section 2. If the environment in which the child is living is deemed dangerous or the parent or guardian is incapable of providing proper care, the state shall have the right, with a court order, to remove the child or children from that environment until it can be deemed safe again or be placed in alternative care.

Article 30. Every child shall have, without any discrimination as stated in Article 5, Section 1, the right to such measures of protection as a minor, on the part of his family, society and the State.

Article 31. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

Article 32. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

Article 33. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for their self and their family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

Article 34. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of their interests.

Article 35. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 36. All new parents shall have the right to take parental leave from work – paid time off work when a baby or child is born or first comes into their care (such as through adoption).

Article 37. Individuals who are pregnant shall have the right to take pregnancy leave - paid time off during pregnancy.

Article 38. Employees on leave have the right to continue participation in benefit plans and continue to earn credit for length of employment, length of service, and seniority.

Article 39. Employees must be given back their old job at the end of their pregnancy or parental leave.

Article 40. An employer cannot penalize an employee in any way because the employee is or will be eligible to take a pregnancy or parental leave, or for taking or planning to take a pregnancy or parental leave.

Article 41. Every citizen has the right to enter, remain in and leave the United Kingdom of Aylion.

Article 42. Every citizen of the United Kingdom of Aylion and every person who has the status of a permanent resident has the right to move to and take up residence in any province; and to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province.

Article 43. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

Article 44. Ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, or to use their own language.

Article 45. The Articles set forth in this Charter shall not be changed to limit the rights and freedoms of individuals; however, amendments can be made to expand them.

Article 46. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the United Kingdom of Aylion guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.