A Magna Carta for the Holy Byzantine Empire

We Greeks, in general Congress assembled hereby declare and decree by will of the people, The Holy Imperial family who united us again, and divine providence, a Magna Carta for The Holy Byzantine Empire of Melanocytes.
All People are created equal and Sovereign, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and institute something which shall bring about their Safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of us Greeks, and such is now the Necessity which constrains us to alter our former Systems of Government. Thus, let these facts be submitted to a candid world:

I: The Government shall make no law or decree obstructing freedom of speech, press, or peaceful demonstration. The use of a central bank, ether public or private, is hereby outlawed and the power to mint the Empires currency, backed by gold and silver, is given exclusively to Parliament.

II: The Holy Imperial Parliament is established; as well as Provincial parliaments and cannot be abolished except by the people demanding a no confidence reelection which will be held in 4 weeks or the disbanded parliament returns. The population of the lower house shall be a hundred representatives for each province. The upper house shall have Ten Senators for each province. Each politician is elected by majority vote of their constituency and serve a maximum of fifteen years or five election cycles, twenty one years if elected by two thirds majority of their constituency. The people shall also elect Royal Governors for their Province that Serve Three years with a term limit of four elections and act as the Provincial Executive branch.

III: In order for potential legislation to become law in Provincial or Royal Parliament, it must be proposed in the respective Representative house, pass with a majority vote, then pass the Senate with sixty percent of the majority, then finally signed off by the Executive branch. Territories and colonies are each granted Ten representatives in the Royal Parliament and one senator.

IV: The courts are established and shall reside under the Supreme Court who shall seek out unconstitutional laws to decide if they are void or valid.

V: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. No cruel or unusual punishments shall be administered, nor excessive bail.

VI: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

VII: A change to this constitution requires a two thirds majority vote in both houses, as well as a majority approval in a citizen referendum.

VIII: Any power not strictly given to the Government is left to the people. The right of the people to vote and hold referendum is sacrosanct, and political lines shall be drawn fairly by local municipalities and approved by provincial committees and their respective legislature.

IX: The right of the Sovereign people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

X: Colonies and Territories enjoy these rights as decreed for the sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.

XI: Religious freedom is a right for everyone, but all religions shall be taxed except the Holy Orthodox Church.

XII: The right to bear arms includes semi, and automatic rifles, and any weapons deemed necessary by the public for the protection of a free people from invaders foreign and domestic. Every man requires military training of no less than one year, women at least six months.

XIII: The Holy Grand Emperor is Head of State and King of all Greeks as well as Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople For the Orthodox faith and the Commander and chief of the Grand Hellenic army. His title is held to his firstborn, then closest family. If the throne is contested with no clear lineage, Parliament will intervene to elect a new Grand Holy Emperor from the royal family. Hereby establishes The Holy Imperial Guard that is sworn to protect the Royal Family.

XIV: The rights of the people are innumerable and the government must comply with its constitutional provisions.

XV: The role of President, Vice President, and Prime Minister are created, elected by popular vote every five years and subject to two terms. They will help communicate the people’s demands and execute the Holy Emperors will. The President shall be the leader of the Senate only voting on ties . The Prime Minister shall act within the executive branch under the Grand Holy Emperor.

XVI: When a government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, even secession or rebellion if a long train of usurpations pursuing invariably the same design to reduce them under absolute despotism are espoused by Deceleration by the people.

XVII: Any law enacted by a governing body in the Empire applies to elected officials and any state actors.

XVIII: Every province shall keep a well maintained militia and national guard separate from the Grand Army.

XIX: Slavery, State Death Penalties, and torture, in any and all forms, is forbidden.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the Holy Byzantine Empire, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of The Holy Byzantine Empire of Melanocytes, solemnly Publish and Declare, That we are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT, and that in being INDEPENDENT, we have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do, and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our fortunes, and our sacred Honour.