SECTION 1A
Classes of Nations:
Class A: Nation that has signed and is in compliance with all stipulations of the Alphega Accords.
Class B: Nation that has singed but is in breach of one or more Level 3 law. Class B nations are subject to some mandatory sanctions from other Class A and B nations. Demotion to Class B is also possible via majority vote of other nations. Class B nations’ votes are worth 0.5% of a Class A nation’s vote.
Class C: Nation that has not signed the Alphega Accords.
Class D: Nation that has violated a Level 1 law and/or 3 or more Level 2 laws or has been voted to Class D status by 3/4 majority. Class D nations are considered to be expelled from the accords. Non-galactic community members can also be voted to Class D status.
SECTION 1B
Levels of Law:
A Level 1 law is considered highest importance and any conflicts with other laws shall defer to them. Nations that breach Level 1 laws are to be expelled from the accords and any alliance and trade agreements are to be cut off from other Class A and B nations.
Level 2 laws are also highly important and will result in all Level 1 violation rules after 3 (three) strikes, with heavy trade sanctions and reparations for actions (as defined by SECTION 5A) to be imposed after just one. Strikes expire after 10 years.
Level 3 laws result in the demotion of a Class A nation to a Class B nation for 2 years after the violation.
Level 4 laws are considered to be of little importance and are more recommendations than actual laws. Level 4 laws are encouraged but optional.
SECTION 2A
Trade:
Prohibited Trade Items for Both Exporting and Importing: Sentient beings/slaves (Level 3 violation), WMDs as defined by SECTION 2B (Level 2 violation), restricted drugs or chemical compounds as defined by SECTION 2D (Level 3 violation), or restricted species as defined by SECTION 2E (Level 3 violation).
SECTION 2B
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs):
A WMD is considered to be any explosive device with a yield of over 25 megatons, any weapon explosive or otherwise that causes detectable amount of residual radiation or otherwise taints the area where it was used for a substantial period of time after its usage, any weapon that is capable or is designed specifically to destroy an entire planet or otherwise make it unlivable, any artificial isotope like a genetically engineered virus, any weapon that utilizes the Void in any way, any machine with artificial intelligence (as defined by section 2C) capable of self-replication, or any electromagnetic pulse device with a radius of over 5 miles.
SECTION 2C
Artificial Intelligence (AI):
A computer program is considered true artificial intelligence when it is capable of all of the following simultaneously: independent thought, the ability to deduce its own non-pre-written conclusions, and the capability of perceiving and reacting to external stimulus.
SECTION 2D
Restricted Materials:
Any chemical compound that impacts the normal brain functions of any race is restricted and illegal to buy, sell, and use. Any person or company producing a chemical compound for distribution or use on people in any way must register it with the Galactic Substance Control Bureau (GSCB), after which restrictions are lifted. The GSCB is commanded by galactic law to certify substances only for legitimate medical, industrial, and recreational (so long as reasonable harm is not caused to the user) use. Exceptions are to be made for organizations with Trade Clearance M, who are allowed to trade and transport said objects.
SECTION 2E
Restricted Species:
Any creature/animal/species that has not been explicitly banned by the Species Regulation Organization (SRO) is not restricted. The SRO is mandated to restrict any species that is too dangerous for trade using their determined process and reason. Exceptions are to be made for organizations with Trade Clearance S, who are allowed to trade and transport said objects.
SECTION 2F
Restricted Weapons:
For any individual or company to trade weapons across the borders of the nation they are based out of is prohibited. A weapon is defined as any object specifically designed to cause bodily harm. Transfer of weapons to any terrorist organizations is prohibited Uber any circumstances, including for Trade Clearance W. Attempting to exploit this definition is a Level 2 violation. Exceptions are to be made for organizations with Trade Clearance W, who are allowed to trade and transport said objects.
SECTION 2G
Trade Licensing:
Any ship that is transporting goods over and/or across borders must be licensed and have a Trade License Beacon. This beacon must be constantly broadcasting the following for the duration of the journey: Location departed from, destination, type and poundage of cargo, and number of crew and passengers. If a beacon with ALL of the preceding information is not constantly broadcasted (Level 3.5 violation), the vessel takes full culpability for any and all damages and losses incurred during travel and Anti-piracy laws (as defined by SECTION 2I) no longer apply to them.
SECTION 2H
Trade Clearances:
These clearances only apply for transportation within other community members’ territory and trade with only other non-denounced community members, especially NOT noted terrorist organizations. Trade clearances are as follows: M (Material), S (Species), W (Weapons), N (None), and P (Prohibited). Trade Clearance N is the standard and assumed level of any individual or organization. Trade Clearance P prohibits any trade to or from that individual or organization under any circumstances. Every recorded terrorist organization is considered to have Trade Clearance P.
SECTION 2I
Anti-Piracy:
Any nation is responsible for piracy occurring within 3 hyperlane jumps from their territory. If piracy occurs within a nation’s territory, they are held solely responsible. When piracy occurs, the responsible nation (as defined previously) must reimburse the victim for any goods lost or stolen. This can be through returning goods captured back from the pirates or through compensation of equivalent monetary value if that is not possible. In addition, they must also take at least some action to prevent such piracy in the future. Failing to do these two things is a Level 3 violation.
SECTION 3A
Refugees:
Civilians qualify for refugee status under any of the following conditions: They currently reside within the borders of a Class D nation (as defined by SECTION 1A), they currently reside within the borders of an impoverished nation (as defined by SECTION 3B), they are currently being subjected to any level of genocide (as defined by SECTION 3C), or their nation of residence is currently at war with another AND there is fighting occurring within 3 hyperlane jumps of their planet.
SECTION 3B
Impoverished Nations:
A nation is considered to be impoverished if the quality of living for the individuals is greatly below the galactic standard (such as widespread starvation, poverty and poor living conditions) on at least 50% of the nations planets. If a nations meets these definitional requirements for poverty, at least 25% of their national spending must be devoted to directly solving the issue. Failure to do this is a Level 2 violation.
SECTION 3C
Genocide:
Genocide is defined as the systematic extermination or attempted extermination of another race, species, nationality, or ethnic group. For a nation to be guilty of genocide they must have either declared they intend to exterminate another group or actively systematically killing civilians and the like. Committing genocide is a Level 1 violation.
SECTION 3D
Interference in Primitive Civilizations:
Communicating with, getting involved, or elevating sentient civilizations is a Level 3 violation. Attacking a sentient civilization is a Level 2 violation in addition to any other penalties. All restrictions specified in this section are lifted when the civilizations develops advanced space travel.
SECTION 4A
Laws of War:
SECTION 4A-1: WMDs are not to be used in war under any circumstances except against the
Xanvau Horde (Level 2 violation).
SECTION 4A-2: Torture is not to be inflicted upon any soldier, POW, or otherwise. This includes physical torture that inflicts pain as well as psychological torture (Level 2 violation).
SECTION 4A-3: Civilians are not to be harmed directly or indirectly under any circumstances. This does not include civilian industry, vehicles, or buildings unless they are occupied. Intentionally harming civilians is a Level 2 Violation and unintentionally harming civilians is a Level 3 violation. EXCEPTION TO SECTION 4A-3: civilians harmed in an area where enemy forces are attack or firing ordinance from to intentionally make it difficult to retaliate is a Level 4 violation.
SECTION 4A-4: Intentionally attacking, firing ordinance, or otherwise setting up military equipment within .25 miles of civilians is prohibited (Level 3 violation). Civilians may be expelled from any buildings as necessary; if they refuse they must sign agreement forms to prove they understand their danger or be removed by force (serious physical bodily harm and/or killing of said individuals is not permitted).
SECTION 4A-5: Chemical weapons that physically attack the respiratory or ocular systems and nerve agents are not to be used in war under any circumstances except against the Xanvau (Level 2 violation).
SECTION 4A-6A: Mines or any other explosive ordinance that is triggered by enemies after it is deployed are not permitted (Level 3 violation). This does not apply to minds or munitions that are capable of detecting targets and will not harm civilian assets and do not pose a risk of detonating unintentionally.
SECTION 4A-6B: Traps such as pitfalls, spike pits, and any other trap that is set and with the intention of being triggered by enemy troops is not allowed under any circumstances (Level 3 violation).
SECTION 4A-7: The targeting of medical personnel is prohibited under any circumstances unless they are both armed AND directly attack other forces (Level 3 violation).
SECTION 4A-8: Enemy combatants are not to be executed if they are captured or willing surrender so long as they have not been convicted of breaking the Laws of War and/or preforming a war crime and are to be treated humanely and given proper accommodations including food, water, are shelter (Level 2 violation).
SECTION 4B
Laws of Naval (Space) Warfare:
First, all ships that take part in battle with one another are required to be on the same plane as defined by the nearest planet’s local planar codes, violation of this by intentionally directing a ship outside this plane is a Level 3 offense. This means all ships taking part in combat must be at the same elevation via a flat plane in relation to the nearest planet with a planar code.
SECTION 4C
Laws of War Exceptions in Naval (Space) Warfare:
Exceptions to SECTION 4A in naval (space) combat are defined as per the following definition: battle between space borne vessels that take place out of the atmosphere of a planet and far enough away from any planet or planetoid with a civilian population that it can be reasonably guaranteed that no debris or other dangerous missiles could collide with the surface. Exceptions to SECTION 4A under the previous circumstances are as follows: the megaton limit for ordinance is to be set at 100 rather than 25, medical ships denoted by external symbols can be fired upon ONLY if they are armed, and naval mines can be used as long as the distance restrictions are also applied to hyperlanes or other routes that civilian vessels may also commute under the condition that they mines must be capable of choosing targets and do not attack or inadvertently damage civilian assets.
SECTION 4D
Laws of War Against Terrorists:
No Law of War is to apply to proven terrorists if confirmed terrorist organizations as defined by SECTION 4E aside from those that may effect others, i.e. SECTION 4A-3, SECTION 4A-4, and SECTION 4A-6A.
SECTION 4E
Definition of Terrorist:
A terrorist organization can be declared by any class A or B nation so long as the offending organization meets at least 1 or more of the following requirements: attacks specifically civilian non-military assets, attacks specifically civilians, proof that organization commits widespread torture, or commits Level 2 Laws of War violations (as defined by SECTION 4A).
SECTION 4F
Declarations of War:
War declarations can be sent to any other valid nation with or without their consent. Valid candidates for war declarations are as follows: Any other Class A, B, or C nation so long as a casus belli (as defined by SECTION 4G) is held, any Class D nation for any reason, and any proven terrorist organization (as defined by SECTION 4E) within or 3 hyperlane jumps from declaring country’s own borders or territory for any reason. (In the event that terrorist organization is within another Class A or B nation’s borders, permission must be acquired for military operations).
SECTION 4G
Casus Belli:
Justifications/valid reasons/casus belli for declaring war on any other group are as follows: a nation has blocked/blockaded or directly attacked trade ships from another nation on more than one occasion, a nation has intentionally crossed the border of another nation who has officially closed their borders, a nation has a leader who has violated the Laws of War, as defined by SECTIONS 4A-1 - SECTION 4A-8, regularly or is otherwise oppressive of their nation’s people as confirmed by majority vote in the Galactic Community, both sides have mutually agreed to go to war, a nation violently suppress other religions, ethnic groups, or other minorities, a nation egregiously violates the confirmed and official religious beliefs of another nation, a nation has been proven to directly supported, harbored, or sponsored a confirmed terrorist organization as defined by SECTION 4E, or a nation has committed genocide, as defined by SECTION 3C, in the past 75 years. Declaring war without a casus belli is a Level 2 violation.
SECTION 4H
The Alphega Protocol:
This protocol stipulates that in the event of a galactic level crisis all Galactic Community members are required to help, directly or indirectly, to what level that are required to do so being voted upon by majority of the Galactic Community. These requirements can be military aid in the form of either directly sent troops to fight or through supplies and equipment provided, food provided to impoverished region, medical aid in the event of a plague, etc. The Alphega Protocol can be enacted by majority vote of the Galactic Community for reasons such as invasion of extragalactic entities, plague, poverty crisis, severe famine, or any other galaxy-wide threats.
SECTION 5A
Sanctions:
Which required sanctions to be imposed shall be voted on by all non-offending Class A and B nations. Sanctions can be on any imported or exported items that other nations choose. Percentage and duration of tariffs to be collected is also determined by the vote of the other nations. Sanctions may also include limitations to another nation’s budget/spending for certain things like military. Last, limitations may be imposed to limit the number of ships, men, vehicles, and other such another nation is allowed to possess, though these measures of often reserved for Class D nations. Violating sanctions can be anywhere between a Level 1 to Level 4 violation depending on the severity and intentionality of the violation as to be determined by majority vote of the Galactic Community.
SECTION 6
The signature of the leader of a nation confirms their and their nation’s total and unadulterated agreement to abide by all rules and laws previously listed.
Wow, you wrote a whole treaty. Awesome! That must have been a lot of work. So much detail in this article.
Thank you! It certainly took a while but I enjoyed it. Well, most of it lol.