Federal Accord

The Federal Accord, also known as the Federation Accord, is the constitution of the Federation. It was originally ratified in 2242 by the Federation's first five member systems: Sol, Tau Ceti, Delta Pavonis, Altair, and Beta Hydri. It is based heavily on the constitution of the former United States of America, with some characteristics borrowed from other historical Earth nations. Statutes of the Federal Accord may be temporarily suspended by emergency legislation approved by Federal Congress, such as the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act of 3307.

All systems inducted into the Federation are obligated sign the Federal Accord to become members, and are granted various rights and responsibilities on the condition that they meet specific development criteria outlined within their respective Colonial Charter. Federal member systems must obey laws approved by Federal Congress, but also have a considerable degree of independence and can implement their own, localized laws. Systems that wish to abandon their charters and secede from the Federation to become independent or join another superpower must first hold a public referendum that demonstrates majority approval of the change. Unilaterally declaring independence without a referendum is illegal and may be met with a military response. The Federation can also declare a secession referendum invalid if a majority of the local population abstains from voting or if the local government is believed to be hostile and seeking assistance from a foreign power.

The Federal Accord guarantees citizens the right to data security and privacy.