EAF - CONSTITUTION
European Alliance for Freedom
European Alliance for Freedom (EAF)
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1: Name and seat
The European Alliance for Freedom, hereafter called “the Association”,is an international association of political organisations, movements and individuals at a European level, and is registered in Malta as an autonomous, voluntary, non-profit organisation.The seat of the Association is situated at 27, Grognet Street, Mosta MST3613, Malta
Article 2: Principles and Objectives
Having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and their attached protocols;
And in respect of
- the general principle of the right of individuals and peoples to freedom and self-determination;
- a spirit of equality, mutual respect and tolerance;
- the principle of non-discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
- to safeguard and strengthen fundamental democratic principles and accountable representation towards effective individual and national freedom;
- to campaign for a non-centralised, transparent, flexible and democratically controlled EU towards the rejection of any development leading to a European superstate, given that there is no such thing as a ‘single European people’;
- to pursue true subsidiarity and self-rule ensuring that democracy is preserved on the basis of sovereign parliaments in Member States, over which the citizens exercise democratic control.
- to sustain diversity and accountable cooperation at a European level among free peoples able to regulate themselves in accordance with mutually agreed common standards;
- to uphold freedom of political expression and association across Europe and especially within the structures of the EU;
- to promote a political environment in which movements, political parties and other political organisations are given equal opportunities to voice their concerns and advance their political positions;
- to ensure that the peoples and nations of Europe are allowed to pursue their right to strengthen their own historical, traditional, religious and cultural values.
- to defend civil liberties and ensure that no characteristics of a totalitarian nature emerge in the continuing political development of the European Union, while identifying already existing anti-democratic legislation with an aim to revoke it;
Article 3: Duration
The Association is formed for an indefinite duration.B. COMPOSITION AND ADMINISTRATION
Article 4: Establishing Membership
On a written application, membership shall be granted to organisations, movements and individuals across Europe that subscribe to the objectives laid down in this statute, such application having been approved by the Board acting by the majority of its members on a proposal from the Steering Committee.Members shall maintain their name, identity and autonomy of action within the scope of their national and regional responsibilities.
Article 5: Membership fees
Membership fees shall be set at a maximum of 5,000 euro annually.Article 6: Termination of membership
Apart from death of individual members, or the dissolution of a member organisation, membership shall end with resignation or dismissal.- Resignation
A member may resign from the Association at any time, giving notice to the Board of the decision to resign. The resignation may come into effect immediately, or as otherwise specified in the letter of resignation. No funds shall be reimbursed upon resignation.
- Dismissal
A member may be expelled for not abiding by the principles and objectives of Article 2 of the statute, by the Association’s political programme, or by not fulfilling the conditions for membership of the Association.
Such a decision is to be taken by the Board acting by a simple majority of its members on a proposal from the Steering Committee.
The dismissal shall come into force at the end of the month following the decision.
In particular cases of a severe breach of the principles and values of the Association, a dismissal may have direct effect.
Article 7: Organs
The Association is administered by the following organs:- The Congress
- The Board
- The Steering Committee
The Congress is the supreme governing body of the Association.
- Composition of Congress
The Congress shall consist of representatives of the member organisations and movements, the individual members, and all members of the Board and the Steering Committee. The number of representatives shall be determined by the Founding Congress and decided upon by every Congress for the next Congress.- Responsibilities of the Congress
The Congress shall meet at least once every three years and shall be vested with the power to:
- appoint and dismiss members of the Board
- amend the Statute of the Association
- determine and approve the political programmes of the Association
- appoint an auditor to audit the accounts
Decisions in the Congress shall be taken by a simple majority of votes cast. Each delegation shall have one vote.
- Extraordinary Congress
An extraordinary Congress may be convened by the Board acting on the request of ten percent of its members and within a month of such request.
Every member shall have the possibility to represent a maximum of one other member by means of a power of attorney.
The Congress shall be summoned at least seven days before the appointed date. The agenda shall be set by the Board. Decisions shall only be taken on issues listed on the agenda.
The Board shall be composed of a minimum of three members who are appointed by the Congress for the ongoing legislature till the next European elections.
The Board shall appoint from among its members a president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and any other officers it deems necessary.
The Board shall be chaired by its President.
The appointment, resignation, dismissal or renewal of the term of office of the members of the Board, shall be communicated to all members by e-mail or letter.
- Meetings of the Board
The Board shall meet at least once a year and may also be convened by the Steering Committee at other times as necessary, or upon the request of half of the Board’s full members. All meetings must be summoned at least seven days prior to the meeting.
- Decision-making by the Board
Board decisions shall be taken by simple majority vote of those present. In case of a tie, the President has the casting vote.- Tasks of the Board
The Board shall:- manage the Association,
- implement the decisions of the Congress,
- lay down the mid-term objectives of the Association in the framework of the political programme decided by the Congress,
- lay down the budget for the coming financial year,
- close the accounts for the previous year,
- appoint a Steering Committee headed by a Secretary-General.
Article 10: The Steering Committee
The administrative and political tasks of the Association shall be executed by the Steering Committee, which implements the decisions of the Board and the Congress. It can make political statements and take necessary action in accordance with the objectives set out in this Statute and the Association’s political programmes.
The Steering Committee shall be composed of at least two Members of the Board and at least two members of staff.
The meetings of the Steering Committee shall take place on a regular basis and be chaired by the Secretary-General. Decisions shall be taken by simple majority of votes cast. In case of a tie, the chairman shall have the casting vote.
Article 11: The Secretariat
The Secretariat shall operate under the guidance of the Secretary-General. It shall provide support and assistance to the organs of the Association.
Other than chairing the Steering Committee, the Secretary-General shall also attend all Board meetings in a non-voting capacity.
The Secretary-General shall engage the necessary personnel in order to execute the activity programme agreed upon by the Board.
The Secretary-General shall have the responsibility to ensure that all projects are in line with the regulations stipulated for European Parties.
Article 12: Legal and Judicial Representative
Legal and judicial representation of the Association shall vest in the Secretary-General or in such other person as the Board may determine by means of a Board resolution from time to time.
Article 13: Local Representative
The local representative of the Association shall be Isabelle SAMMUT, 38, James Smith Street, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, SPB 1101 (Maltese Identity Card 175889M) or in such other person as the Board may determine by means of a Board resolution from time to time.
C. FINANCIAL AND OTHER PROVISIONS
Article 14: Annual Accounts and Audits
The financial year of the Association shall run from 1 January to 31 December. The Association shall be financed by membership fees, donations and other legal contributions.The annual accounts shall be audited by an auditor appointed by the AGM.
Article 15: No part of the income, capital or property of the organization shall be available directly or indirectly to any promoter, member, administrator, donor or other private interest.
