From the notes of Citizen Emilia, Voice of the People

I’ve been waiting since day 1 to discuss fundamental rights. I think Crysta moved it up in the agenda because she saw how eager I was to get into it. I proposed these rights: Universal suffrage, right to life, peaceful practice of religion, freedom of speech and peaceful protest, trial by jury, right to legal representation, ban on torture, refusal of military service. Dauphin stepped in with a suggestion of property rights, echoing his thoughts from day 1.

Despite some initial support from Crysta and Robert, the elitists had a problem with fundamental rights. Aguilo, Oliphaunt, and even Pepe thought these rights could stand in the way of an effective government or undermine a war effort. Charles came up with a compromise, two tiers of rights. Some would be completely inviolable, and others could be restricted with a compelling national interest. I was not happy at all, but it seemed like the room was shifting toward his compromise, I had to stake out my ground and secure the most important rights as inviolable.

Universal suffrage could not be compromised. If the government goes too far in restricting rights, then democratic accountability must be preserved so that the government can be removed. I also thought back to the cruel tortures and humiliating show trials under Valerius. I knew that trial by jury, right to legal representation, and ban on torture had to be inviolable.

I was not happy about conscription, but I decided to offer refusal of military service as a secondary right that could be restricted in emergencies, in order to accommodate the military members. Right to life was a tough one, Aguilo insisted that executions would sometimes be necessary to maintain order, and even Crysta couldn't disagree, she had executed Valerius with her own hammer. I decided to bend on that right as well. The last big fight was over speech and protest, two important tools of democratic accountability. Pepe insisted that they interfered with efficient government, and needed to be restricted in emergencies, and the military members mostly backed him. I finally gave up on that as well. It was a bitter pill to swallow, having so many rights watered down, but I had managed to secure a few important ones. Hopefully that would be enough.

Statement from General Aguilo, Revolutionary Commander - Western Front

The afternoon of day 3 was a discussion of most importance, the fundamental rights our society would stand up for. More specific and detailed than our guiding principles of day 1. Crysta let the agitator speak first on this matter, and I suppose it was fine to put her enthusiasm to some use. She rattled off a list of rights, probably found in some book at the library. There was nothing original in her proposal, but at least it gave us a starting point.

I am in favor of rights, securing them is the main cause of the revolution. However, I naturally feared that the royalist forces could use our robust rights against us and undermine our society. It only made sense to include some reasonable limitations on these rights. Oliphaunt and Pepe could see the good sense of my concerns, and Dauphin was on the fence. Charles came through for us again with a compromise, two tiers of rights. Primary rights would be inviolable, and Secondary rights would require the approval of both houses to restrict. 

After some bluster by the agitator, she eventually settled down to discuss it like an adult, and we hammered out a reasonable division between Primary and Secondary rights. Charles also made a final suggestion that all laws and rights must apply equally to all, a reiteration of his day one guiding principle, but reasonable enough to include it among our list of rights.

Official Communique from Ambassador Charles, Envoy to the United Kingdom of Hibion

The afternoon of day 3 brought another touchy subject, what rights do we grant our citizens? The debate was started by Emilia, who had a long list of rights. Dauphin added to the list protection for property. However, there was a disagreement as to whether these rights would be absolutely inviolable, or if they would have some restrictions. Seeing the situation grow tense, I decided to offer a compromise.

My solution was simple, two tiers of rights. Primary rights would be absolutely inviolable, while Secondary rights could be restricted, but the bar would be high. While most legislation only required the approval of the lower house, I suggested that secondary rights could only be restricted if both houses agreed. I also added that there should be a compelling national interest, which could be judged by a court system empowered to overturn unconstitutional laws. With my elegant solution placed before them, I let them work out the final details of which rights would be Primary and which would be Secondary. At the very end, I made sure to get a guarantee that all laws and rights would apply equally to all, in order to prevent laws specifically targeting nobles.

I should note that, despite her initial complaint about two tiers of rights, It was Emilia who suggested that Dauphin’s property rights be Secondary. Even if she is reluctant to admit it, she accepts that some rights are not absolute. This is not meant as a criticism, but a reminder that issues are not always as black and white as they first appear. Being willing to see the perspective of the other side is crucial in these negotiations.

From the Office of Chancellor Pepe, Acting Head of Civil Service

Day 3 - Afternoon - Rights

Originally scheduled for the second week of debates, Crysta moved this forward in the agenda to placate an enthusiastic Emilia, and Emilia drove the discussion on this topic. Almost the entire list of rights comes from her. Dauphin contributes property rights. A major point of dispute is that the military leaders, as well as myself, have some concern that making these rights absolute might hamstring the government. 

Charles once again shows his worth, with a compromise by suggesting two tiers of rights, some which are inviolable and others which can be restricted by agreement of both houses if there is a compelling national interest. Emilia chafed at the watering down of her proposed rights, but accepted it. She should be proud though, she is still the main architect of our list of rights.

The interpretation of these rights will be in the hands of a powerful judiciary, and Crysta made a note to alter our agenda so the judicial branch can be discussed on the morning of the next day.

Result - Consensus reached on two tiers of rights.

Primary (Inviolable): Universal suffrage, peaceful practice of religion, trial by jury for crimes with substantial penalty, legal representation, ban on torture, equal application of laws and rights.

Secondary (Restrictable by agreement of both houses with compelling national interest): Right to life, freedom of speech and peaceful protest, refusal of military service, protection of property.