NationStates Jolt Archive

House of Democracy Declares State of Emergency

House of Justice Given Emegency Powers, Civil Liberties Restricted

Roger Hawthorne, National Affairs Columnist



After growing civil unrest, FS Philip Dunford announced today that Cruxium is in a State of Emergency.

Speaking further, FS Dunford issued a curfew of 8pm EWT and the establishment of emergency powers for the Social Defense Corps. Furthermore, the writ of habeas corpus is hereforth suspended indefinitely.

Emergency powers granted to the Social Defense Corps by the House of Democracy are said to include;

Abilities to stop and search on basis of suspicion
Abilities to detain suspects in custody without charge for a time up to seventy-two hours
Rights to use maximum necessary non-lethal force to subdue suspects
Rights to carry out secret surveillance on suspects for time periods of up to three months without review
Rights to carry out secret surveillance changed from House of Democracy jurisdiction to House of Justice jurisdiction

After the recent riots and what is being viewed as the steady breakdown of Cruxian society, the Houses of Democracy and Justice have united behind this movement to ensure the safety of the people of Cruxium and Cruxian society.

Coinciding with the increased powers of the Social Defense Corps are temporary social changes and the re-establishment of the Riot Act, repealed alongside Great Britain in 1973.

Temporary social acts include;
A curfew of 8pm EWT unless otherwise excused by the House of Justice
The cessation of all demonstrations and protests within public places, or within view of public places
The review of any and all literature pertaining to recent anti-social behaviour and religious organizations, with the possibility of censorship of public works in the interest of the public good

The state of emergency has been issued in light of recent riots and the murder of multiple peaceful protestors by religious extremists. (Further information here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=506070))

[Printed across the bottom of the page within a box, the title of which reads: Printed for the benefit of our readers.]
The Riot Act (2008), The Voice of Democracy, being the Will of the People of Cruxium, hereby charge all persons assembled to disperse peaceably to their places of residence or of lawful businesses forthwith, for the Good of the Society of Cruxium, or suffer imprisonment of up to one hundred days, in order to prevent riotous or tumultuous behaviour.

Thousands Arrested in Anti-Governmental Demonstration Cessation

Nationals and Foreigns Across Cruxium Arrested for Breach of Riot Act

Roger Hawthorne, National Affairs Columnist



Several thousand demonstrators were remanded in custody last night after demonstrations breaching the reintroduced Riot Act were disbanded forcefully.

In many cities throughout Cruxium, Houses of Justice were forced to call in their entire forces to subdue and arrest rioters who continued demonstrations against the Government despite yesturdays temporary civil changes.

Of those apprehended, it is believed the significant majority to be of the religious community, with only a minimal amount being secular. When questioned this morning, First Justice Robert Yates gave the following statement;

"Those currently detained within the Houses of Justice are from all aspects of the community, with no minority singled out. However, it is beyond refutability that the majority of those arrested are of the religious community. All persons currently detained will be charged within fourty-eight hours with breach of the Riot Act and sentenced across the coming months."

In wake of the recent upsets, people nationwide applaud the move as a clampdown on those areas of society which are not in the interest of the people.

Illegal Gathering Forcibly Apprehended

Roman Catholic Residence Raided in Anti-Riot Blitz

Peter Hampton, Religious Affairs Columnist.



Thirty-one Roman Catholics were arrested at six am this morning after a SoCorps raid into a residence registered as a House of Worship.

Information was passed to members of the House of Justice regarding the continued congregation within the building despite the implementation of the Riot Act and Social Enactments.

Two squads of the SoCorps were involved in the raid, consisting of twenty-four men, including Senior Constable Redwood, who led the raid.

In a statement by First Justice Robert Yates, it is revealed that the congregation were engaged in religious activity at the time of the raid, however material encouraging dissent and religious conversion were found. The offending items have been stored as evidence of intent to breach the peace and intent to harm the public good.

It is expected the people; including a Priest of the Cloth, eight males, and eleven females; will be charged with breach of the Riot Act, intent to breach the peace, and intent to harm the public good. Four children who were present have all been returned to their families, while the remainder are being remanded in custody.

The First Justice stated that 'no members of the congregation, nor of the Social Defense Corps, were injured during the raid'.

Members of the Oligarchy are said to be awaiting word from the Vatican in regards to the recent action, according to an inside source.

"Should Cruxium desire military aid in restoring order, the Republic of Zaire can deploy company of the Special Presidential Division, provided you can give them transportation."


Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko
President of the Republic of Zaire
http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/images/Coat_of_arms_of_Zaire.PNG

Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko,
President of the Republic of Zaire,

The Voice of Democracy wishes to thank the offer by the esteemed President of the Republic of Zaire, however it is Cruxian policy to never allow foreign soldiers onto national soil. As such we, the Voice of Democracy, respectfully decline your offer of militaristic aid in this issue. Furthermore, we wish to stress that the situation is being controlled by the Social Defense Corps.

Forward the Oligarchy.

Yours Sincerely,
First Speaker Philip Dunford, MA., MSc.,
First Speaker of the Democratic Oligarchy of Cruxium.
Authorized by the Voice of Democracy.

Rioting Ceases Across Cruxium

Social Reform Praised; Crime Drops By 82%

Roger Hawthorne, National Affairs Columnist.



Sociological and judicial bodies across Cruxium praised the Voice of Democracy today for recent temporary social reforms that have seen an end to recent demonstrations and violence.

During this last week, no illegal gatherings, or demonstrations, nor acts of religiously, or politically, motivated violence were commited, resulting in an 82% drop in crime on the same figures a month previous.

Much of the praise is given over to the newly reinstated Riot Act (2008). A House of Justice representative stated that "the Government has done wonderous jobs in increasing power within the Social Defense Corps and Houses of Justice, thereby ensuring the continued sanctity of Cruxian society."

Civil rights groups have since condemned the recent Riot Act as breaching human rights, however these claims have been unfounded and subsequently rejected by the Government.

With a view to end these social reforms, the House of Democracy has hinted at plans for additions to the education system to increase social awareness amongst Cruxian nationals as well as a sense of national pride and duty.

Curfew expected to cease at the end of the month.

Queen Condemns Martial Law Imposed by the Cruxium Government

Alice Levine


MAC ANU-In her morning adress to the nation and Royal Parliment, Her Majesty Queen Akoowa, made personal condmenations to the Cruxium martial law imposed in order to curbe crime. The Queen didn't so much condemn the idea of the reasons behind it as much as how the program was being executed. In her speach she mentiond: What was a program to restore civil order, has, with no suprise, become another Vice Squad to impose on the fundemental human rights of people to worship in their faith. The Queen also expressed great outrage after a Catholic church was disbanded for so called-conspiracy charges of dissent and practicing conversion.

"Although I am agonstic, living with a religious daughter has taught me a thing or two about social friction. " Said her Majesty Akoowa, "I know I would be grossly upset if my daughter could not practice what she belives, if I were not queen. And I would be even more upset if she could be arrested for having a desire to teach others." The Queen has put forth a new law into the Royal Parliment stating if and when Aqua Anu must come under martial law, people can not be kept from their house of worship unless it passes a set curfew, or unless a group is involved in treasonist or terroristic affairs. In additon she has passed the info onto Prime Minister Romney of Kanami and has encoraged her to make the same legislation.

"Cruxium has a poor way of controlling their people, and for some reason they belive it's all the fault of religious organizations. It seems to me Cruxium knows they can't controll the populas and to look competent they use the easiest scape goat possible. They want to talk about breaching Human Rights by rejecting a so called "Pro-choice" Decision, look at what they are doing." Said her majesty. Many editorials have expressed the same discust the Queen has in her daily adress to the nation. "I think Cruixium could stand to take a few lessons from Maraque." Said editorialist, John Roberts. "Maraque has seen a few problems from religious fanatics, and they handel it better than Cruxium."

Government Attacked by Foreign Sovreign

Queen of Aqua Anu Launches Diatribe of Hate Against Voice of Democracy

Thomas Bowyer, Foreign Affairs Columnist.




After a recent anti-Governmental rant by Queen Akoowa of the nation of Aqua Anu, the Voice of Democracy have considered the likelyhood of future relations with Aqua Anu.

Queen Akoowa, monarch of a foreign sovreignty, blasted the Government as having a "poor way of controlling the people" and "another Vice Squad to impose on the fundemental human rights of people to worship". Furthermore, she claimed that the Government had initiated a state of Marshal Law, a blatent falsehood told to her people, that is likely to be questioned by the Voice of Democracy.

When questioned on this, First Speaker Philip Dunford replied urbanely, "The Queen of Aqua Anu is entitled to her opinion, however at fault and aggressive it may be."

An official reply from the Voice of Democracy was issued and given this morning by an official representative;

"During her morning address, the Queen of Aqua Anu sought to undermine the Cruxian Government after speaking extensively on supposed breaches of Human Rights to her populous.

"The Voice of Democracy wish to state officially that no Human Rights have been violated during the party's reign, and that strict social reforms were necessary to ensure the protection of society and the people as a whole."

Speaking of the recent arrest of several dozen Roman Catholics arrested for intent to cause sedition, as well as a view to attempt mass conversion of citizens with disregard for recent violent anti-religious actions. Of this, the representative said;

"No religious groups were treated harshly, nor unfairly, but in a manner demanded by the current political and sociological situation. Religious and secular tension being at its height, this group sought to cause further violence through attempted conversion.

"Furthermore, the group sought to speak out against the Government despite the recent social reforms demanding a unity of the people until all violence has been restrained, at which time anti-Governmental protests can begin anew."

A statement by the Queen suggesting a new law for Aqua Anu parliament reads: 'when Aqua Anu must come under martial law, people can not be kept from their house of worship unless it passes a set curfew, or unless a group is involved in treasonist or terroristic affairs.'

First Speaker Philip Dunford informed us that those apprehended were believed to be acting with terrorist intentions to do harm to the people, the state, and society. Furthermore, FS Dunford stated that "breaching the Human Rights of the People for involvement in treasonous affairs would result in questions being asked of the Aqua Anu Head of State." Adding that breaching Human Rights, even for treason, is unacceptable and the result of a dictatorship.

Aqua Anu was a country aligned against the LifeWyze Corporation, who provide 40% of Cruxium's medical treatment and foodstuffs.

Multiple Terror Organizations Purged

Secular and Religious Terrorist Groups Apprehended Nationwide; Liberal Nationalist Party to be Investigated

Roger Howthorne, National Affairs Columnist.




Seven terror groups were discovered and arrested last night in further daring raids by the SoCorps.

Reports leaked to the media this morning reveal that those arrested include Atheists, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims. Each religious organization had been utilizing a House of Worship to conduct meetings, the subject of which primarily involved: direct attacks against the Government and secular majority, acts of sedition against the Government and the People, as well as inciting racial and religious hatred.

A single group of secular militants, comprising of two hundred and seventy-nine people, was also discovered planning to launch terror campaigns against religious groups still within the country. According to an inside source, 'gallons upon gallons' of petroleum were discovered within a storage complex being used by the group.

Perhaps more frightening is that the Liberal Nationalist Party is believed to be involved with the atheist terrorist group, which refers to itself as the 'Secular Army', as several key party members were amongst those arrested.

Many of those arrested are expected to serve several years imprisonment, depending upon the severity of crimes. However, the higher echelons of each of the seven groups may be subject to execution under charges of conspiring to commit genocide and intent to commit genocide, amongst other crimes.

First Justice Robert Yates was unavailable for comment due to being 'in a state of stress-induced ill-health'. Supreme Justice Harris was, however, able to offer the following statement;

"Last nights' raids against these terrorist organizations is proof of the success and wisdom of the recent social reforms. With further opportunity, the chances of these dark days being placed far into history are likely. Already more information is being gathered on subversive and terrorist organizations across the nation."

The Roman Catholic group arrested several weeks ago is due for trial from next Monday. Charges against the twenty people include; inciting hatred, intent to cause dissent, and breach of the Riot Act. Maximum penalties are expected to be fifteen years imprisonment.

Government Announces Nationalism Classes

After Recent Riots, Plans for Nationalism Classes Unveiled

Roger Hawthorne, National Affairs Columnist.




Children in Cruxium are to be taught nationalist tendancies in schools under a new plan by Speaker for Education, Margaret Harwood.

As part of ensuring social stability and security, in an effort to prevent future rioting of the scale seen recently, children and teenagers are to be taught about Cruxium society in greater depth.

Further material is to teach children the value and necessity of contributing to society, and increase a sense of national identity and pride amongst the younger generations.

The Evolutionist Party manifesto promised to ensure the social advancement of Cruxium, something which Speaker Harwood states can be achieved through teaching Cruxium's youth social values in school.

The Conservative and Socialist Parties have both slammed the idea, proclaiming it to be yet another step down an increasingly slippery slope, however the Liberal Nationalist Party is in support of the proposal.

Members of the Cruxian Socialist Party suggested that encouraging nationalism in modern youth could have unforeseen repercussions when the generations reach maturity. It was also suggested that it could spread racist feelings and either isolationist or imperialist tendancies.

Compulsory religious courses have currently been cut from the curriculum in light of recent riots, however are due for reintroduction at the beginning of the next academic year.

Curfew Lifted Nationwide

Cruxium Social Reforms Kept as Curfew Abolished

Roger Hawthorne, National Affairs Columnist.




People across Cruxium praised the Government today after lifting the curfew on the appointed date.

Civil rights groups predicted the Voice of Democracy would continue to enforce the curfew despite announcing it was to cease on this day, by using claims of continued public violence.

Despite the curfew being removed, the Social Reforms will remain in place for an indefinite amount of time while the SoCorps continues its duties of restoring the peace.

First Justice Robert Yates was still unavailable for comment due to his recent nervous break-down, however Supreme Justice Harris praised the continuation of the Social Reforms as a 'further step toward social preservation'.

The Cruxian Sociological Society joined Supreme Justice Harris in his praise; many members proclaiming it to be 'a sign of the commitment of the Evolutionist Party to see Cruxium move forward', and 'the devotion of the Government to the People'. Other members of the society however have condemned the move as 'Orwellian', and being a step toward Cruxium becoming a police state.

Civil Rights group, Society, are said to be demanding a date for the end of the Social Reforms from the Government.

Cruxium's First Justice has been in isolation since his breakdown several weeks ago.