After several instances of unrestricted speech causing disruption among our members and our allies, I have decided there is something that needs to be done about it. This is to be the landmark legislation of my administration, as I hope to devote a significant portion of my work towards this bill (or one similar), as well as towards smoothing relations with allied regions and forming new allies. The point of this bill is to ensure that Government officials, elected or otherwise, follow a guideline of ethics. The purpose is not to restrict free speech, but to maintain a level of professionalism in our government and its dealings with our on citizens and allies.
Edit: After lots of talk of free speech I removed the biggest clause concerned with free speech. The core of the law is now the anti-defamation and the clause prohibiting abuse of power.
Edit: Though I am no longer part of the region, I have been asked to add Adossi from Kappa Region as a sponsor for this bill. As there still has been no official vote on this bill I hope your Congress is still willing to consider it.
Accord for Ethical Government Action 1st Amendment, 4th of April 2017
I. Purpose
The Accord for Ethical Government Action (AEGA) is a bill designed to ensure that members of the Union Government adhere to a strict guideline of ethics. This is to maintain professionalism among our our officials, elected or otherwise. This will have a positive effect on our image, both with our own citizens and with regions we share embassies and relations with. The guidelines set forth in the bill only affect members of the Union government and not citizens of the Union.
II. Ethical Guideline
i. No government official shall make openly disparaging or malicious remarks about a citizen of the Union, an allied region, or a citizen of an allied region
a. For a remark to be considered disparaging, the mentioned nation/region must believe the remark to be disparaging/ill-mannered
b. Remarks considered disparaging by the Department of Government Ethics (Section III), will be suppressed and investigated
c. This article does not apply to statements meant to draw attention to a serious problem, or constructive criticism of an ally/citizen
ii. No government official shall make false remarks about the government, citizens of the region, or allies
a. Purposely false remarks will be considered defamation and immediately recommended to the Supreme Court
b. Unintentional false remarks will be suppressed and the official notified (without infraction)
iii. No government official will abuse their power for their own gain, nor will they accept bribes
III. Department of Government Ethics
i. This bill shall hereby establish the Department of Government Ethics (DGE)
ii. The DGE will be overseen by the President and Vice-President, and headed by a Chairman. The Chairman has the right to form the DGE in anyway he/she sees fit.
a. The DGE will always consist of the President, Vice-President, the Chairman, and an optional Vice-Chairman
b. The DGE will maintain records on violations/infractions by government officials.
iii. The DGE will monitor the RMB/actions of officials, ensuring that government officials adhere to the ethical guideline set in this legislation. Should a remark/action by a government official violate the guideline, the post will be suppressed/action reversed and the official notified.
IV. Government Oversight Committee
i. Congress will appoint members to a Government Oversight Committee (GOC)
ii. The GOC will act as an appellate Court/Tribunal in cases involving ethics violations
a. Should a government official be charged with a violation they believe unjust, they can appeal the decision to the GOC
b. The GOC will look over the facts of the case, and compare the actions taken by the official to the ethical guidelines
c. The GOC will then make a decision on the case, deciding if the official is guilty or innocent
d. Should the official be guilty, then they will be reprimanded
V. Punishment/Reprimand
i. On the first grevious offense, an official's remarks will be suppressed/actions reversed and they will be notified of the infraction
a. Should a reasonable amount of time pass, then the infraction will no longer be considered valid
ii. On the second grevious offense, an official's remarks will be suppressed/actions reversed and the case will be recommended to the GOC
a. A second offense will cause a permenant infraction
b. The GOC may decide to limit the officials powers, or to limit their speech for a certain amount of time (considering the nature of the offense)
c. If the official does not abide by the GOC's decision, it automatically escalates to a third offense
iii. On the third grievous offense, evidence will be gathered, and the case recommended to the Supreme Court, where the official may be up for impeachment
iv. Minor offenses will not cause infractions, the official will simply be advised on how to adhere to the ethical guideline
Sponsors:
President Leonardo Dicaprioland
President Dourterk (Union of Organized States)
Edit: After lots of talk of free speech I removed the biggest clause concerned with free speech. The core of the law is now the anti-defamation and the clause prohibiting abuse of power.
Edit: Though I am no longer part of the region, I have been asked to add Adossi from Kappa Region as a sponsor for this bill. As there still has been no official vote on this bill I hope your Congress is still willing to consider it.
Accord for Ethical Government Action 1st Amendment, 4th of April 2017
I. Purpose
The Accord for Ethical Government Action (AEGA) is a bill designed to ensure that members of the Union Government adhere to a strict guideline of ethics. This is to maintain professionalism among our our officials, elected or otherwise. This will have a positive effect on our image, both with our own citizens and with regions we share embassies and relations with. The guidelines set forth in the bill only affect members of the Union government and not citizens of the Union.
II. Ethical Guideline
b. Remarks considered disparaging by the Department of Government Ethics (Section III), will be suppressed and investigated
ii. No government official shall make false remarks about the government, citizens of the region, or allies
a. Purposely false remarks will be considered defamation and immediately recommended to the Supreme Court
b. Unintentional false remarks will be suppressed and the official notified (without infraction)
iii. No government official will abuse their power for their own gain, nor will they accept bribes
III. Department of Government Ethics
i. This bill shall hereby establish the Department of Government Ethics (DGE)
ii. The DGE will be overseen by the President and Vice-President, and headed by a Chairman. The Chairman has the right to form the DGE in anyway he/she sees fit.
a. The DGE will always consist of the President, Vice-President, the Chairman, and an optional Vice-Chairman
b. The DGE will maintain records on violations/infractions by government officials.
iii. The DGE will monitor the RMB/actions of officials, ensuring that government officials adhere to the ethical guideline set in this legislation. Should a remark/action by a government official violate the guideline, the post will be suppressed/action reversed and the official notified.
IV. Government Oversight Committee
i. Congress will appoint members to a Government Oversight Committee (GOC)
ii. The GOC will act as an appellate Court/Tribunal in cases involving ethics violations
a. Should a government official be charged with a violation they believe unjust, they can appeal the decision to the GOC
b. The GOC will look over the facts of the case, and compare the actions taken by the official to the ethical guidelines
c. The GOC will then make a decision on the case, deciding if the official is guilty or innocent
d. Should the official be guilty, then they will be reprimanded
V. Punishment/Reprimand
i. On the first grevious offense, an official's remarks will be suppressed/actions reversed and they will be notified of the infraction
a. Should a reasonable amount of time pass, then the infraction will no longer be considered valid
ii. On the second grevious offense, an official's remarks will be suppressed/actions reversed and the case will be recommended to the GOC
a. A second offense will cause a permenant infraction
b. The GOC may decide to limit the officials powers, or to limit their speech for a certain amount of time (considering the nature of the offense)
c. If the official does not abide by the GOC's decision, it automatically escalates to a third offense
iii. On the third grievous offense, evidence will be gathered, and the case recommended to the Supreme Court, where the official may be up for impeachment
iv. Minor offenses will not cause infractions, the official will simply be advised on how to adhere to the ethical guideline
Sponsors:
President Leonardo Dicaprioland
President Dourterk (Union of Organized States)
