Polynesian Union

The Polynesian Union is a union of four independent countries in the south Pacific Ocean who share a monarch: the Emperor of Polynesia, who is the head of the organisation.

Legal status

The Polynesian Union is a body corporate. It possesses a legal personality. It can be prosecuted in court and can lay charges. It is constituted in terms of the Charter of Polynesian Union. The body of laws from which it derives its powers is agreed upon by treaty. It does not pay or levy taxes, however its various operations and entities operate under and within the laws of the countries they work.

Governance

Imperial Council

The Imperial Council is made up of nine members. Each is assigned a group of agencies and departments to oversee and policy issues to advise the Emperor on. They are appointed by and report solely to the Emperor. They are called Imperial Ministers. Their portfolios are as follows:

• Imperial Minister for Education, Science, Art and Sport
• Imperial Minister for Waste, Water and Sanitation
• Imperial Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Forestry
• Imperial Minister for Minerals, Energy and Fuel
• Imperial Minister for Transport, Urban Development and Housing
• Imperial Minister for Law, Security and Order --
• Imperial Minister for Finances, Trade, Labour and Industry -- Etuarti Takatunuye
• Imperial Minister for Tourism and The Environment
• Imperial Minister for Defence

Imperial Court of Justice

The Imperial Court of Justice is responsible for arbitrating disputes between member states, for interpreting treaties, for putting people and organisations on trial (in terms of the treaties that comprise Imperial Law) with the request of the member states. Its rulings are regarded as an opinion. The states have a choice as to how they enforce it, if at all they do. Its members are appointed by the Emperor. Although he may consult with the governments of the member states, he has the sole power to appoint and dismiss them and they report to him alone. The Imperial Prosecutor is appointed by the Emperor. He is responsible for prosecution.

Council of the Union

The Emperor chairs the Council of the Union which is separate from the Imperial Council. The Council for the Empire is made up of heads of government of member states. It meets once a year although it can meet at other times to discuss any matter. In rare times the Emperor can issue Imperial Edicts with the approval of the Council of the Union. These are the equivalent of decrees. These can include Imperial Edict VI, which requires that all countries with embassies in the Oan Isles must at least have consulates in all member states of the Union. Their legal applications and interpretations vary.

Rights of individuals

The Charter of Sentient Rights grants all subjects of the Crown (citizens of the constituent countries) inalienable rights that must be protected and respected in any country of the Union. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The right to life
• The right to own property and to have that property protected from illegal search and/or seizure.
• The right to an identity and a nationality.
• The right to freedom of speech and of expression.
• The right to freedom of conscience and religion.
• The right to freedom from double jeopardy and from self incrimination.
• The right to freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.
• The right to privacy.
• The right to be treated with dignity.

Rights of states

The countries are sovereign. This means that they are free to exercise the following rights. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• The right to maintain a standing armed forces.
• The right to levy taxes, coin currency and lend and borrow money.
• The right to maintain and receive embassies, to enter into treaties and join international organisations.
• The right to dispense public services.
• The right to determine property rights, to govern contracts, and to direct legal and judicial process.
• The right to create a government.
• The right to charter companies and to engage in trade, and detemine standards and measures.
• The right to determine a language, to support a religion or to support arts and culture.
• The right to freedom from encroachment of its territory and the freedom to rule all within its borders without foreign interference.

Agreements

The members have a variety of agreements:

• Extradition
• Free travel
• Free trade
• Free movement of capital
• Non aggression
• Mutual defence
• Common labour market
• Common currency
• Common monetary policy
• Common standards on scienctific methods and principles.
• Common standards on weights and measures.
• Common standards on the exploitation of natural resources.
• Common standards on the protection of the environment and conservation of wildlife.
• Common standards on food safety and security.
• Common institutions of accreditation.
• Common standards on narcotics and human trafficking.
• Coordination of law enforcement.
• Sharing of intelligence.
• Recognition of marriage and gender
• Recognition of identity and nationality.
• Recognition of legitimacy of children.
• Recognition of copyrights and trademarks
• Fluidity of the procurement of licences to operate.

Member States