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The purpose of this Act is to establish a system for the definition and administration of any territories which may be occupied by the Austenasian Armed Forces, as well as to approve the Imperial Decree of HIM Emperor Jonathan I numbered XXXVI.
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Any territorial gains won by the Austenasian Armed Forces shall be considered occupied territories either until the forced or voluntary withdrawal of the occupying troops, the annexation of the land to Austenasia, and/or the legal supplanting of the occupation with a civil government recognised by Austenasia.
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No formal declaration is necessary for an area of territory won by the Austenasian Armed Forces to be legally considered occupied territory; the only requirement for it to be considered such is that members of the Austenasian Armed Forces physically have the area in question under their control.
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The administration of an occupied territory is the responsibility of the senior commanding officer of the troops present in the territory in question, who may delegate said responsibility to a junior officer. The authority of the military government of an occupied territory shall be considered absolute, subject to the provisions listed in Paragraphs 5 and 6 of this same Act.
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Residents of an occupied territory shall not be considered Austenasian nationals (unless already holding said status, or unless granted said status by Parliament at their request). They shall not be forced to leave the occupied territory (unless such is absolutely necessary for the security of the population, in which case they will be returned to their homes as soon as such is possible); deprived of any rights listed in Article XII of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011 or Paragraph 7 of XXX Jon. I 2014; compelled to enlist in the Austenasian Armed Forces; impeded, hindered or disrupted in any way in regards to their access to food, clean water, shelter, clothing, healthcare and other necessities; or – if a civilian not charged with any crime – prevented from leaving the occupied territory.
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No property of a non-military nature found within an occupied territory may be destroyed or damaged, except where such is necessary for military operations. Sites and property of cultural and/or historical significance shall be preserved.
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No laws introduced by the military government of an occupied territory shall enter into force until they are published and brought to the knowledge of the residents of the occupied territory in their own language(s); their provisions shall not be retroactive.
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Should the residents of an inhabited occupied territory make it known that they wish to become Austenasian nationals, Parliament may legislate to annex the occupied territory in part or whole to Austenasia.
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As an addendum, in accordance with Article IV, Section D, Paragraph C of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011, the House of Representatives hereby grants its approval and consent to the Imperial Decree of HIM Emperor Jonathan I numbered XXXVI (decreed on 14 March 2018), thereby making it permanent law; in accordance with the provisions of said Imperial Decree, Paragraph 5 of LXXX Jon. I 2017 (Foreign Relations) is hereby repealed and recognition of Daljam revoked.
