The British Commonwealth
In 2039 the UK once again became the head of state of the British Commonwealth, or later the Commonwealth of Nations. In their time of isolation the Queen still remained the head of the Commonwealth. In fact most of the commonwealth countries disagreed with the worlds stance against the United Kingdom.
Once the UK joined world affairs in 2038 the commonwealth requested that King Charles become the head of the Commonwealth. At the age of 90 King Charles looked and acted a lot younger thanks to the UK's rejuvenation technology. Charles soon made some changes to the Commonwealth. New membership required that not only the countries trade in English but that they introduce citizenship voting and simplified taxation. To a surprised world all of the former commonwealth countries quickly accepted the new conditions. The UK agreed to share technology in exchange for either technology, labour, or assistance.
The new Commonwealth was formed.
Over time the British Commonwealth eventually had members from most of the worlds nation states. A new World order had been formed. A few countries either did not join the Commonwealth or remained close allies. The notable countries of North America, China, and Korea refused to join. But with China and the USA both being signed up allies, even if they didn't still get along themselves. Only Korea after their successful annexation of South Korea and parts of China and Mongolia still refused to have any recognition of the commonwealth.
In 2099 the Commonwealth eventually became known as the Terran Commonwealth.
The Crown
The head of the commonwealth is not hereditary. The head is a nominated and voted for head of a commonwealth Royal family. Although Great Britain has been the Crown for many years it can be any one of the Commonwealth countries.
The term is for life unless the Crown has been given life prolonging treatments. In this case it is for 50 years.
The Commonwealth Responsibilities Act 2040
The commonwealth responsibilities act is an update to the human rights act. Its main influence was to move it from a means of defence to a means of prosecution and to put the onus on the individual's responsibilities rather than their rights.
Section 1
This section gives a justification to the spirit of the law. Many prosecutions are rejected from court due to technicalities. The CRA gives judges the ability to interpret laws in the way that they were meant to be used. This has prevented the old defence of a form not being completed, or a cup of tea not being given at the appropriate time. It also gives a precedent that a police officers witness statement is correct and that they needn't attend court.
Section 2
Article 1
This gives a commonwealth country the order to adopt the CRA.
Article 2
The right to Life and Death. This is a quantifiable article. Everybody has a right to life except when that right to life impinges on somebody else's right to life. In self defence you could kill somebody and not fall foul of the CRA.
I had an honestly held belief that I was in imminent danger.
It does not give anyone the right to life prolonging treatments. It also gives you the right to end your life prematurely under certain circumstances.
It can also be breached when proportionate and necessary forced is used to;
- Make a lawful arrest,
- Prevent them from escaping,
- Stop them from carrying out violence,
- Prevent a riot or uprising
- And at times of war and defense
In essence it is the responsibility of the individual to 'Do No Harm'.
Article 3
Freedom from torture. This is the same as the HRA1998 but it adds provisions for the use of truth serums. These can be used if the questions are appropriate and relevant.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. Taxation on money earned is also prohibited under this article. Taxation can only be applied when spending that money and it may not be more than 20%.
Article 5
Everyone has the right of recognition as a person, everywhere in the eyes of the law.
Article 6
All are equal before the law and are entitled without discrimination to protection before the law. All are entitled to protection against any discrimination and incitement to discrimination. This article has a lot of conjecture with it as what upsets one person may be considered the norm by another.
The problem with equality is that, no matter how much you look at it. We are not all equal! A man, for instance, would not be able to work in the ladies changing room at a sports center. That is just accepted. But in an office job then the person should not have any cause to be rejected due to their gender, ethnicity, or beliefs.
Equality becomes clouded when one persons belief contradict another's. Which one is right? Should the unmarried gay couple be able to stay in the religious couples B&B when they don't believe in homosexuality, or that un married couples should share a room. Then equality comes down to who can shout the loudest!
Article 7
No one shall be subject to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.
Article 8
Every one is entitled to a free and private life. This prevents many previously deemed acceptable ways of promoting or gaining information. In general it prevents arbitrary information gathering from places such as internet and CCTV without proper authority and justification. It also prevents public advertising without previous acceptance. The biggest issue with this article is the prevention of religious groups preaching outside of their own recognised places of worship.
Article 9
Everyone has the right to a fair and public trial by an independent and impartial tribunal.
Article 10
Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Article 11
Everyone has the right to freedom of movement with in the commonwealth and be entitled to return to their own country.
Article 12
Everyone above the legal age has the right to marriage and the right to have a family. this does not grant the right to receive free medical adjustment to have that family.
Article 13
Everyone has the right to own property and shall be able to do as they wish with their own property as long as this does not interfere with anyone else's privacy and enjoyment.
Article 14
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and conscience.
Article 15
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This freedom can also be expressed even if it appears to contravene any other article.
Article 16
Everyone has the right to peaceful assembly and association.
Article 17
All citizens have the right to vote and to take part in the free process of running their own country.
Article 18
Everyone has the responsibility to work to better the Commonwealth and to become a citizen.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to free time and to all public holidays.
Article 20
Everyone has the right to reasonable limitation to their working hours and their annual leave.
Article 21
Everyone is entitled to reasonable free healthcare. It is the responsibility of the individual to look after themselves and to monitor others.
Article 22
Everyone is entitled to end their life when they want to.
Article 23
Everyone has a responsibility to gain an education. With this in mind it is the responsibility of the Commonwealth to provide the means of that education.
Article 24
Everyone has duties to the Commonwealth so that their personality may fully develop.
Article 25
The Commonwealth shall be focused on justice and not laws.
Article 26
This important article puts the onus on responsibilities. The responsibility of individuals, employers, the state, and the Commonwealth.
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