Freice
Kingdom of Freice Fēse Tehua ā’ie Mā’itanāle (Freician) | |
|---|---|
| Anthem: Ati Faio'se, ma seia ka likoa (Freician) My Freice, gallant and free  | |
.png) Location of Freice in the Kaldaz Ocean | |
| Status | Amicable protectorate of the Riamese Federation |
| Capital and largest village | Sekapa |
| Official languages | |
| Ethnic groups |
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| Religion (2021) |
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| Demonym(s) | Freician |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Kāna'tāpi |
• Prime Minister | Avāma Sopale |
| Legislature | House of Assembly |
| Independence from Riamo | |
• Declared | 1 February 1969 |
| Area | |
• Total | 121.3 km2 (46.8 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | negligible |
| Population | |
• 2021 census | 14,158 (not ranked) |
• Density | 117/km2 (303.0/sq mi) (not ranked) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | 32.7 million ACU |
• Per capita | 2,312 ACU |
| HDI (2021) |  0.640medium |
| Currency | Freician pe'iara |
| Time zone | UTC+5:00 |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +451 |
| Internet TLD | .fe |
Freice (FREE-EES; Freician: Fēse), officially the Kingdom of Freice (Freician: Fēse Tehua ā’ie Mā’itanāle) is an island country in the Kaldaz Sea, part of the continent of Olivacia. It lies about 936 km (582 mi) from mainland Olivacia, and consists of a single island and a series of small rocks, amounting to a total land area of approximately 121 km2 (47 sq mi). About 82% of the islands population of 14,158 live in the capital, Sekapa, and its surrounding villages, with an additional 10% living close by on the west coast.
Freice was first inhabited by Kaldaic people, who settled on the island around the first millennium. The population of the island had established a stable and comparatively complex system of government by the time of contact with colonial powers in the eighteenth century. The Mā’ita ruled the island as absolute monarch, elected from amongst the island's chiefs. Interactions with the Riamese in the nineteenth century led to the creation of a number of institutions modelled on their Riamese counterparts, including a constitution, a Court of Justice, and a House of Elders that functioned as a pseudo-legislature.
From 1872 until 1969, Freice was a protectorate of Riamo, which handled its foreign affairs and defence under a Treaty of Alliance, Cooperation, and Friendship. Although Freice never formally ceded its sovereignty, it was largely governed through the influence of a series of Riamese resident ministers, who encouraged Riamo-friendly policies from the local government. In 1921, Freice assumed the status of a kingdom, and in 1969, achieved full independence from Riamo. In 1982, the island took a decisive step away from its traditional governing institutions with the promulgation of a new constitution, reducing the powers of the king and replacing the House of Elders with a fully-elected House of Assembly.
Politics
Freice has been governed as a constitutional monarchy since 1982, with the King of Freice as head of state. The executive branch consists of the Prime Minister as head of government, who chairs the cabinet. Before 1982, the prime minister was only an adviser, appointed from the House of Elders to act as a link between the Crown and the elders. With the creation of a constitutional monarchy and the establishment of the House of Assembly, prime ministers are now appointed by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the House of Assembly. On 6 May 2022, King Kana'tapi appointed Avāma Sopale to the office.
The House of Assembly is the unicameral legislature of Freice, consisting of 19 members elected for four-year terms. 15 are elected through a majority electoral system in single-member constituencies, and 4 are elected by proportional representation to represent a multi-member whole-island constituency. All legislation requires the approval of the House of Assembly and assent by the King. All cabinet members are appointed from the House of Assembly, with ministers responsible to both the king and their fellow legislators.
The constitution of Freice creates a political system that bridges the gap between traditional governance and liberal democracy. Unlike most constitutional monarchies, many of the Crown's prerogative powers are exercised at their discretion, usually on the advice of ministers rather than at their direction. The monarch remains a significant figure in national politics, and their support for legislation is often sought. Although the House of Elders has long since been abolished, many of its members were elected to the new House of Assembly, and the nobility has continued to enjoy a prominent position in island politics. Of the seven prime ministers appointed since 1981, five have been nobles or closely related to them.
Judiciary
Freice's legal system consists of traditional Freician Customary Law overlaid with principles and practices taken from Riamese law and statute law passed in the House of Assembly. Freice has almost complete autonomy over internal affairs, and certain external matters, with the Riamese government granted powers only for international representation and defence. Consequently, Riamese law also applies to Freice in matters which are transferred to Riamo.
The head of the judiciary is the Chief Justice of the High Court, who is presiding officer of the High Court - the supreme court in the island. The High Court is the highest court of appeal in all matters except those for which Riamo is responsible, in which case further appeal is permitted to the Riamese Federal Supreme Court with permission of the court. Other courts include the Court of Appeal, the Criminal Court, the Land Court, and the Summary Court. In addition, twenty honourary justices are elected every four years to serve as a jury in "open air" courts, a traditional form of community punishment now largely confined to minor civil infractions and anti-social behaviour.
The monarch appoints all judicial officers, usually on the advice of the Minister of Justice.
Human rights
Human rights are guaranteed in the Constitution of Freice, and by a number of laws (domestic and international). Although Freice performs adequately in measurements of civil liberties, and peacefulness, there remains issues surrounding internet freedom and democratic governance.
The human rights organisation RightsWatch reported in 2020:
Human rights in Freice are generally respected, but there remain significant problems that undermine the credibility of their constitutional protections. The continued influence of the King in day-to-day politics, as well as the disproportionate role that the nobility play in government, negate claims of democratic government, and several anti-libel laws frustrate a true freedom of the press. Other human rights issues include discrimination and threats of violence against Riamese and other ethnic and racial minorities, usually surrounding land ownership, and continued hostility towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex persons.
LGBT+ rights are limited in Freice, although efforts are being made to improve the conditions of the community. Same-sex relations between men have been legal since 1996 (same-sex relations between women have never been illegal) and there have been some moves towards recognition of families headed by same-sex couples.