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| {{hatnote|Also see [[Organic Law (Talossan version)|La Verziun Talossan]].}} | | {{Scribery}} |
| {{hatnote|Looking for [[Organic Law]]?}} | | {{main|Organic Law (history)}} |
| | {{working}} |
| | The Organic Law was first approved in a [[1997 July Organic Law Referendum|referendum]] held in July {{year|1997}}, and was extensively changed when the Ziu approved and the people ratified in a [[December 2019 General Election|referendum]], held in November {{year|2019}}, the [[53RZ18|Still Into This Amendment]] amending the whole text. The new text came into effect the 1st of March {{year|2020}}. |
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| ==Pre-{{year|2019}} Organic Law== | | ==Pre-{{year|2019}} Organic Law== |
| | {{ScribeNote|note=Provisional sources on the [[Law_talk:Organic_Law_(historical_texts)#Pre-2019/XL_sources|talk page.]]}} |
| | *See [[:Category:Laws amending the Organic Law before 53RZ18|here '''the list of all laws''']] amending the Organic Law pre-{{year|2019}}. |
| | *See [[Law:1997 Organic Law (pre-2019 Multivigent text)|here the '''multivigent text''' of the Organic Law]] pre-{{year|2019}}. |
| | *See below the text of the Organic Law pre-{{year|2019}} |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/Original|as approved]] in the [[1997 July Organic Law Referendum|{{year|1997}} Organic Law Referendum.]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/24thCosa|as amended during the election of the 24th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/25thCosa|as amended during the election of the 25th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/26thCosa|as amended during the election of the 26th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/27thCosa|as amended during the election of the 27th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/28thCosa|as amended during the election of the 28th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/29thCosa|as amended during the election of the 29th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/30thCosa|as amended during the election of the 30th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/31stCosa|as amended during the election of the 31st {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/32ndCosa|as amended during the election of the 32nd {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/33rdCosa|as amended during the election of the 33rd {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/34thCosa|as amended during the election of the 34th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/35thCosa|as amended during the election of the 35th {{cos}}]] |
| | <hr> |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/36thCosa|as amended during the election of the 36th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/37thCosa|as amended during the election of the 37th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/38thCosa|as amended during the election of the 38th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/39thCosa|as amended during the election of the 39th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/40thCosa|as amended during the election of the 40th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/42ndCosa|as amended during the election of the 42nd {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/43rdCosa|as amended during the election of the 43rd {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/44thCosa|as amended during the election of the 44th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/45thCosa|as amended during the election of the 45th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/46thCosa|as amended during the election of the 46th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/48thCosa|as amended during the election of the 48th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/49thCosa|as amended during the election of the 49th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/50thCosa|as amended during the election of the 50th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/50thCosa (2017 July Midterm Referendum)|as amended during the 2017 July Midterm Referendum]] |
| | **[[Law:1997 Organic Law/51stCosa|as amended during the election of the 51st {{cos}}]] |
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| ==Versions== | | ==Post-{{year|2019}} Organic Law== |
| *[[Law:1997 Organic Law (50thCosa)|as amended during the election of the 50th {{cos}}]] | | *See [[:Category:Laws amending the Organic Law|here the '''list of all laws''']] amending the Organic Law post-{{year|2019}}. |
| | *See [[Law:Organic Law (post-2019 Coordinated text)|here the '''coordinated current text''']] of the Organic Law post-{{year|2019}}. |
| | *See [[Law:Organic Law (post-2019 Multivigent text)|here the '''multivigent text''']] of the Organic Law post-{{year|2019}}. |
| | *See below the text of the Organic Law post-{{year|2019}} |
| | **[[Law:Organic Law/54thCosa|as amended during the election of the 54th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:Organic Law/55thCosa|as amended during the election of the 55th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:Organic Law/56thCosa|as amended during the election of the 56th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:Organic Law/57thCosa|as amended during the election of the 57th {{cos}}]] |
| | **[[Law:Organic Law/58thCosa|as amended during the election of the 58th {{cos}}]] (''[[Special:Permalink/29104|before]] and [[Special:Permalink/31662|after]] the 20 March {{year|2023}} review of the text.'') |
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| ==Contents==
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| ===Article I: Declaration of Independence===
| | [[Category:Organic Law]][[Category:Governing documents]] |
| ::''Text of {{org|1|1}}''
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| This section consists of a single sentence, mimicking the original founding of Talossa by "proclaim[ing] the Kingdom of Talossa to be an independent unit in the master plan of [[World Singular Secession]]."
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| ===Article II: Points of State===
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| ::''Text of {{org|2|1}}''
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| This article establishes the boundaries of Talossa and its capital, [[Abbavilla]]. It also describes some of the most important symbols of the nation, including the flag, national motto, and arms of the state.
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| ===Article III: The King===
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| ::''Text of {{org|3|1}}''<br />
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| {{main|Crown}}
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| The third article declares Talossa to be a "constitutional, hereditary Monarchy," and its second section grants the sovereign specified powers, such as the ability to veto bills and grant pardons. The bulk of this article, however, concerns the manner in which the monarch is replaced or succeeded. It details how the crown passes from [[King John]] to his next heir, irrespective of gender, and the implementation of a regency when this is not immediately possible.
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| The article also specifies how the Ziu may remove an heir from the line of succession, or remove a reigning monarch from his position. Lastly, Article III requires a new King to establish a [[Privy Council]] of esteemed elder Talossans, to advise him on "matters of grave importance."
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| ===Article IV: Election to the Senäts===
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| ::''Text of {{org|4|1}}''
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| Article IV describes the method of election for members of the [[{{sen}}]], as well as the means by which a Senator can be removed from office (voluntarily, by the [[{{inalt}}]], or by impeachment by the rest of the {{sen}}).
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| ===Article V: Composition of the Senäts===
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| ::''Text of {{org|5|1}}''<br />
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| {{main|Senäts}}
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| The main article regarding the functioning and makeup of the {{sen}}, this article lays out much of the scope of that body's power, as well as associated restrictions. The {{sen}} does not have any say in the monthly vote of confidence undertaken by the [[Cosa]], and no bill that appropriates money may originate in the {{sen}} (although such bills must still acquire the assent of the {{sen}} to pass). Certain types of amendments to the Organic Law, on the other hand, may only pass with a 2/3 vote of the {{sen}}; bills pertaining to Talossan territorial claims, provincial boundaries, the amendment process, or the {{sen}} itself all require this strength of support.
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| Two of the more arcane rules of Talossan governance also are delineated in this article:
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| *The sovereign is prohibited from entering the {{sen}} chamber unless called to testify. This has in the past combined with statutes that require royal assent to an action of the {{sen}} (such as the awarding of a [[Senatorial Medal of Honour]]) to necessitate a royal messenger.
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| *If the {{sen}} twice rejects a revenue bill, the sovereign may force both houses of the [[Ziu]] to meet in a single body with him, passing the bill if a majority of that body assent to it. It is due to this provision and to the ability to veto that the [[Crown]] is considered to be a part of the [[Ziu]].
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| ===Article VI: Political Parties===
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| ::''Text of {{org|6|1}}''<br />
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| {{main|Political parties}}
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| This brief section of the OrgLaw specifies the few requirements of political parties in Talossa. To be recognized as a political party, an organization must register two things with the [[Chancery|Secretary of State]]: the name of their leader and a fifty-word statement describing their "general aims and views." The Secretary of State is also empowered to require a filing fee.
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| ===Article VII: Elections to the Cosâ===
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| ::''Text of {{org|7|1}}''
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| In language mirroring that of Article IV, this article describes the method by which citizens elect representatives to the [[Cosa]], and the procedure by which the sovereign replaces Members of Cosa who vacate their seats.
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| ===Article VIII: Composition of the Cosâ===
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| ::''Text of {{org|8|1}}''
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| {{main|Cosa}}
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| In many ways a continuation of the preceding article, this section of the Organic Law provides more rules by which Members of Cosa receive their seats, and how they may be lost. Frequently amended, this article represents significant change from the OrgLaw as first drafted, when the "[[Real Cosa]]" of twenty elected representatives constituted the lower house of the [[Ziu]], rather than the current proportionally assigned 200 virtual seats that are distributed according to percentages of the popular vote.
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| ===Article IX: The Secretary of State, the Hopper, and the Clark===
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| ::''Text of {{org|9|1}}''
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| {{main|Chancery}}
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| Article IX describes in detail the role of the [[Chancery|Secretary of State]], arguably the most important and one of the most powerful positions in Talossa, and the process by which any proposed bill may become law.
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| Prospective bills must be presented by a member of the [[Ziu]] for general consideration in a "public venue" called the "Hopper." Each such bill may be endorsed by any number of legislators, but the individual who first submitted it for consideration is the official "author" (even if they did not write the text of the bill themselves). In modern practice, this is done on an internet message board dedicated to the purpose. After at least ten days, a bill can be moved from the Hopper, bound with others in a monthly legislative journal known as the "Clark," and offered for a vote by its primary sponsor. If the primary sponsor opts not to clark the bill, then after 59 days the Secretary of State may remove the bill from the Hopper anyway, and discard it.
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| The Secretary of State is given complete discretion to determine whether or not a bill meets certain standards of clarity or that fails to identify the laws which it is amending, and is made fully responsible for the integrity of this legislative process.
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| ===Article X: Passing Legislation===
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| ::''Text of {{org|10|1}}''
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| This section of the OrgLaw continues describing the process by which a bill becomes a law. Members of the [[Ziu]] must vote one of three ways (për, contrâ, or austanéu) on each bill. Most bills require only a simple majority of votes in each house of the Ziu to pass.
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| If the bill passes, it is presented for the sovereign's assent. If he signs it, it becomes law. If he vetoes it, then it is returned for further consideration by the Ziu, to be passed over the [[Crown]]'s objections if 2/3 of the [[Cosa]] agree. Failure to either sign or veto a bill delays the implementation of the law until the end of the current month, at which time it is enacted with or without royal assent.
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| ===Article XI: The Seneschál===
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| ::''Text of {{org|11|1}}''
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| {{main|Seneschal}}
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| Article XI describes the next stage of Talossan governance: the appointment of a [[Seneschal]] by the [[King]] from the party or coalition that has a majority of [[Cosa]] seats. The duties of the Seneschal are described: he can dissolve the Cosa, remove members of the [[Cabinet]], issues speeches, declare war, negotiate treaties (subject to the approval of the Cosa), and perhaps most importantly, issue [[Prime Dictates]] that have the force of law when countersigned by the Cosa.
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| The Seneschal, and thus the entire government, is subject to the majority approval of the Cosa. This is regularly polled in each Clark, but at any time during a term, the Cosa may petition the King to replace the Seneschal with another person of their choice.
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| ===Article XII: The Government (Cabinet)===
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| ::''Text of {{org|12|1}}''
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| {{main|Government}}
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| This section of the Organic Law lays out some of the members of the [[Cabinet]], some of whom are mandated here and some of which are mandated in statutes (such as the [[Cabinet Refinishing Act]]). The Organic Ministers, in order of precedence, are the [[Foreign Minister]], [[Defense Minister]], [[Immigration Minister]], and [[Minister of Stuff]]. The [[Distain]], a deputy Seneschal, is also described in Article XII, as is the ceremonial head of the [[Cosa]], the [[Túischac'h]] (Speaker).
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| ===Article XIII: Duration of the Cosâ and the Government===
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| ::''Text of {{org|13|1}}''
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| As specified in Article XIII, the [[Cosa]] is convened two weeks after the conclusion of the general election. Its term is six months, although because the [[Seneschal]] can declare an additional no-business month, in practice each Cosa endures for seven months. The month-long election process ensures, then, that a new Cosa takes their seats every eight months.
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| The government changes on a similar schedule, but is not dissolved, like the Cosa, during the election period. Article XIII also specifies that the [[King]] may issue a "[[Warrant of Prorogation]]," which directs the Cosa not to meet for a month out of its term. While this has never occurred, the possibility then exists that a Cosa might have only five [[Clark]]s during an eight-month period, thanks to a Warrant of Prorogation, a month of no business, and the election period.
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| The King may also choose to dissolve the Cosa early and call for new elections at any time, or when such action is requested by the Seneschal and a majority of the Cosa, or whenever the government fails the monthly Vote of Confidence.
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| ===Article XIV: Living Cosâ===
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| ::''Text of {{org|14|1}}''
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| {{main|Living Cosa}}
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| The [[Living Cosa]] is described in this article, although it is rarely implemented in a modern era that takes full advantage of electronic media. These "live parliamentary meetings" are approved by a two-thirds vote of the [[Cosa]], with an exact time and date set by the [[Seneschal]] after consultation with any relevant persons. The Seneschal may also choose to declare a Living Cosa by the normal [[Prime Dictate]] process, subject to veto. In both cases, those Members of Cosa who are able will be in physical attendance, and the normal business and voting of the Cosa will occur "live."
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| Those who are unable to attend the Living Cosa, for whatever reason, are able to give other members their proxy, or may communicate their desired votes to the [[Secretary of State]], to be announced at the meeting. New bills may not be presented at a Living Cosa, and while members of the [[{{sen}}]] may participate in debate, they have no vote.
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| ===Article XV: Amendments to the Organic Law===
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| ::''Text of {{org|15|1}}''
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| This article lays out the most common process by which the Organic Law may be amended. With the approval of two-thirds of both chambers of the [[Ziu]] and a plurality of the citizenry, an amendment may be made. There are some exceptions to this general rule, however: any amendment to the territory of a province or change in its representation also requires a specific majority of the citizens of that province. Further, the Covenant of Rights and Freedoms ([[Organic Law#Article XIX: Covenant of Rights and Freedoms|see below]]) may only be amended with the agreement of two-thirds of all voters.
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| Another method by which the Organic Law might be amended is by popular referendum, detailed in [[Organic Law#20.1|Article XX]].
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| ===Article XVI: The Courts===
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| ::''Text of {{org|16|1}}''
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| {{main|Judiciary}}
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| This article of the Organic Law lays out the nature and functioning of the judiciary of [[Talossa]], most especially the [[Cort pü Inalt]]. This body of three justices hear all civil and criminal cases in the Kingdom, except those that proceed no further than the lower court of the [[Magistracy]]. Justices must be apolitical, and so cannot be either royalty nor a sitting member of a legislative office. In most other ways, the Cort functions in the manner of most other judicial bodies, ruling based on precedent and law, except that the Cort pü Inalt is required to wear official wigs while doing so.
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| ===Article XVII: Territorial Subdivisions===
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| ::''Text of {{org|17|1}}''
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| {{main|Realm}}
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| One of the most important parts of the OrgLaw, Article XVII defines the manner in which [[Talossa]] is subdivided (into provinces, territories, and cantons), describes the manner in which provinces govern themselves, establishes the scope of the [[Ziu]]'s power to legislate, and reserves all other power to the provinces. Almost all sections of this article are relatively simple, except for the very complex {{org|17|6}} and {{org|17|9}}, which respectively govern the limits of the Ziu's power and provincial governance.
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| Other items of particular interest in this article are the {{org|17|3}} rule which makes it impossible for a citizen to be "reassigned" to a different province without his consent, even if provincial boundaries change, and the ironclad language of {{org|17|12}}, which prohibits secession of any kind.
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| ===Article XVIII: Citizenship and Rights===
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| ::''Text of {{org|18|1}}''
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| This section concerns the manner a person acquires and may lose their Talossan citizenship. The latter may occur voluntarily, through renunciation, or involuntarily, through inaction or penalty of law. It describes the methods of which native-born citizens, or [[Dandelions]], are formally inducted into the nation.
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| ===Article XIX: Covenant of Rights and Freedoms===
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| ::''Text of {{org|19|1}}''
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| {{main|Covenant of Rights and Freedoms}}
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| The seventeen covenants of the Covenant of Rights and Freedoms enforce a special list of rights to which all Talossan citizens are guaranteed. This section of the Organic Law is subject to a more difficult amendment process, reflecting the essential and enduring nature of the rights of which it speaks. These rights include free speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom from discrimination, and freedom of religion, as well as rights to privacy and a fair trial. Many of these rights reflect the formative influence of the U.S. Constitution's [[wikipedia:Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]], as well as the [[wikipedia:Declaration of the Rights of Man|Declaration of the Rights of Man]]. More unusual, however, are the Organic guarantees to marriage equality, assisted suicide, and the right to an abortion prior to the fifth month of pregnancy. These latter covenants are extremely progressive for any country, particularly for the period in which they were enacted ({{year|1997}})).
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| ===Article XX: Referenda===
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| ::''Text of {{org|20|1}}''
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| The twentieth article consists of only a single section, declaring the method of referenda by which the citizenry may amend the OrgLaw, bypassing the legislature's approval. After the Ziu has prepared a proposed change, it takes effect upon approval by a majority of Talossans.
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| ===Article XXI: Status of the Organic Law===
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| ::''Text of {{org|21|1}}''
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| The final article of the OrgLaw establishes its supremacy as the supreme law of [[Talossa]]. All laws previously extant and any future laws are declared null and void to whatever extent they conflict with any provisions within this document. Brief but sweeping, this article makes the democratically-enacted Organic Law the ultimate authority within the nation, putting all citizens - including the [[King]] under the rule of law.
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Scribe note