From : Senator volFyr, Empress Teta
To : Senator Thanatos, Chandrila
SUBJ : Use of Force
Use of Force by Imperial Worlds Act
In light of recent events such as the Dantooine-Deralia affair, it appears prudent to modify the existing laws related to the requirement to notify the Ruling Council of intended hostilities as well as to clarify the legality of hostile action between Imperial worlds.
Premise 1
It is unreasonable to sanction a world for actions taken that were not opposed by the Ruling Council, as Deralia's intended hostilities were not opposed by the Ruling Council.
Premise 2
Unless the law forbids all hostile action between Imperial Worlds, there must be circumstances under which hostile action is legal and sanctioned by Senate legislation.
Premise 3
It would be counterproductive to require a world to notify the world it intends to begin hostilities with of their intent.
Premise 4
The legality of clandestine forces must also be established, so as to establish some measure of protection for clandestine operatives taken as P.O.W's.
Article I
This legislation keeps in place the requirement to notify the Ruling Council prior to any intended hostile action taken by one Imperial world on another, while adding the requirement that within 48 standard hours of the onset of hostilities the attacking world must present to the Senate a report on the hostilities.
Article II
If the Ruling Council did not oppose the hostilities; there can be no Senate legislated sanctions of the offending world. This is not to say that individual worlds cannot begin operations in defense of the attacked world according to local treaties and the like per the Self and Mutual Defense provisions currently within Imperial Law, but bills such as the Deralian Chastisement Act would be invalid.
Article III
Worlds found to be harboring rebels/separatists/pirates/large criminal organizations are subject to punitive measures to include; loss of Senate representation, removal of the current government, martial law, surrender of all planetary fleet vessels and military forces, and criminal prosecution for government officials accused of collusion with aforementioned groups.
Article IV
Clandestine forces "special ops" are legal in so far as the use of force has been not opposed by the Ruling Council. If captured, they are afforded the same rights as traditional P.O.W's if their government claims them and presents proof that the Ruling Council condoned their use.
Ilanah, what do you think? I still have a hard time imagining that Deralia would act so brazenly without some kind of proof and it seems preposterous for a world to be punished for actions that the Ruling Council approved.
I've also sent this proposal to Senator Goodchild. I know the Cronese Mandate has a terrible reputation as of late, but I'm trying to help them gain some legitimacy within the Senate, and I feel this is a reasonable bill with a moderate to excellent chance to be ratified.
Charmed,
Ava
