Universal Act of Loyalty
Sarna News
The Universal Act of Loyalty is an oath of Rim Worlds Republican citizenship instituted by George Amaris in 2573.
In favor of self-determination, the militant group Rim Republican Army occupied a political prison, Efrimal Long Maximum Security Prison, in the spring of 2573. In response, First Consul of the Republic George Amaris ordered the 5th Amaris Fusiliers and the Amaris Republican Guard to suppress the uprising. When Amaris's troops were fought off, First Consul George instituted martial law and ordered the prison razed, killing all of the terrorists (and many political prisoners).
Unsatisfied with just putting the uprising down, Amaris then issued the Universal Act of Loyalty. The Act forced all citizens of the Rim Worlds Republic to swear a binding oath to the Republic and the Star League. Further, the Act removed all local judicial oversight in favor of Star League courts without appeal. Republican citizens refusing to take the oath were branded as traitors, losing all property and legal rights within the Republic.
More than 70% of Republican citizens take the oath, but only under duress. The worlds of Somerset and Lackhove refused the oath entirely. Somerset was embargoed until clansmen reconsidered, and Lackhove was pacified by deployment of the 3rd Amaris Dragoon in 2574.