Articles of the Federation (document)
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- For the novel of this title, see: Articles of the Federation.
The Articles of the Federation is the governing constitution of the United Federation of Planets. Often referred to as the Constitution of the United Federation of Planets or the Charter of the United Federation of Planets, the Articles of the Federation were signed in the Candlestick Auditorium in San Francisco, Earth, on 12 August 2161 by representatives from the founding Member States of United Earth, the Andorian Empire, the Confederacy of Vulcan, Tellar, and the Alpha Centauri. (ENT episode: "Zero Hour", ENT novel: Last Full Measure, ST novel: Articles of the Federation)
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[edit] Structure of Government
The Articles of the Federation spell out the manner in which the Federation government is to be organized. One of the rules established in the Articles is the requirement that the Federation President preside over full sessions of the Federation Council, barring special circumstances. (ST novel: Articles of the Federation)
The Articles also require that Federation Councillors from newly-inducted Member States be present at the opening of a Council session. If no Federation Councillor is sent by the time the session begins, then none may be added until a new session convenes, requiring that Member State to go without representation. Sessions of the Federation Council are marked by recesses of over three weeks and are convened every six months. (DS9 - Worlds of DS9 novel: Bajor: Fragments and Omens)
[edit] Guarantees
The Guarantees ensure the civil rights and liberties of all sentient individuals living under Federation jurisdiction. They include the Seventh Guarantee, which protects against self-incrimination. (TNG episode: "The Drumhead")
They also spell out the rights and guarantees of individual Federation Member States. For example, before signing the Articles, the Andorian Empire insisted that the Constitution guarantee each individual Member State be allowed to maintain their own spaceforce and military, separate from the Federation Starfleet. (RPG book: The Andorians: Among the Clans)
[edit] Signatories
Amongst others, the signers of the Articles of the Federation included Jonathan Archer and Nathan Samuels of United Earth, T'Pau, Soval, and Solkar of Vulcan, and Gral of Tellar. (ENT novel: Last Full Measure)
[edit] Amendments
The Articles have been amended at least once, to produce the Eminiar Amendment. (TNG novel: A Time to Kill)
[edit] Influences
Earlier documents that influenced the Federation Constitution include the Magna Carta (TOS episode: "Court Martial") and the Constitution of the United States of America. (TNG episode: "The Drumhead")
Some of the Articles' rules were written in a prototype form as early as 2125. (TOS novel: The Prometheus Design)
[edit] Application and Violations
All sentient life-forms aboard a Federation starship were entitled to the rights and protections offered by the Articles of the Federation. (TNG episode: "The Perfect Mate")
The Articles of the Federation explicitly banned interference in the internal affairs of foreign states. (DS9 episode: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")
Caste-based discrimination was prohibited by the Articles. (DS9 episode: "Accession")
The Articles required records of all trial records be kept and preserved. (TOS novel: The Entropy Effect)
Under the Articles, a person can only be held on contempt of court charges for a maximum of three months during peacetime. (TOS novel: Prime Directive)
Article 51 apparently related to the treatment of refugees by member worlds, according individuals with the rights of due process. (TNG novel: Losing the Peace)
Article 109, section 47 also related to the treatment of refugees, barring the use of fences or other enclosures around refugee settlements. (TNG novel: Losing the Peace)
[edit] Anniversary
The anniversary of the signing of the Articles of the Federation became known as Federation Day, a patriotic holiday for the UFP. (TNG episode: "The Outcast", ENT novel: Last Full Measure)
[edit] External Links
- Federation Charter article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Constitution of the United Federation of Planets article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
