Framework of the Constitution
The Region is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the
rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination,
tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.
The Region’s aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples.
The Region shall establish an internal market. It shall work for the sustainable development of
New York based on balanced economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive social market
economy, aiming at full employment and social progress, and a high level of protection and
improvement of the quality of the environment. It shall promote scientific and technological advance.
It shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection,
equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the
child.
It shall promote economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among Member States.
It shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that New York's cultural heritage
is safeguarded and enhanced.
In its relations with the wider world, New York shall uphold and promote its values and
interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to peace, security, the
sustainable development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair
trade, eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child,
as well as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the
principles of the World Assembly.
The Region shall respect the equality of Member States as well as their
national identities, inherent in their fundamental structures, political and constitutional, inclusive of
regional and local self-government. It shall respect their essential State functions, including ensuring
the territorial integrity of the State, maintaining law and order and safeguarding national security. In
particular, national security remains the sole responsibility of each Member State.
The Region shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish
an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Region and
characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation.
The functioning of the Region shall be founded on representative democracy?
Member States are represented in the Regional Government and in the Assembly by their Heads of State or Government.
Every member shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Region. Decisions
shall be taken as openly and as closely as possible to the citizen.
New York’s action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have
inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider
world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the
principles of the World Assembly.
The Region shall seek to develop relations and build partnerships with third countries, and
international, regional or global organisations which share the principles referred to in the first
subparagraph. It shall promote multilateral solutions to common problems, in particular in the
framework of the World Assembly.
The Region shall define and pursue common policies and actions, and shall work for a high
degree of cooperation in all fields of international relations, in order to:
(a) safeguard its values, fundamental interests, security, independence and integrity;
(b) consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of
international law;
(c) preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security, in accordance with the
purposes and principles of the World Assembly;
(d) foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries,
with the primary aim of eradicating poverty;
(e) encourage the integration of all countries into the world economy, including through the
progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade;
(f) help develop international measures to preserve and improve the quality of the environment and
the sustainable management of global natural resources, in order to ensure sustainable
development;
(g) assist populations, countries and regions confronting natural or man-made disasters; and
(h) promote an international system based on stronger multilateral cooperation and good global
governance.
Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning them.
The Region respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and
religious associations or communities in the Member States.
The Region equally respects the status under national law of philosophical and non-confessional
organisations.
Any discrimination on grounds of nationality shall be prohibited.
The Regional Government and the Assembly, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative
procedure, may adopt rules designed to prohibit such discrimination.
Every member of the Region has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the
Regional Government and the Assembly.
Members of the Regional Government shall be elected by direct universal suffrage in a free and
secret ballot.
Every person has the right to have his or her affairs handled impartially, fairly and within a
reasonable time by the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Region.
The employment of children is prohibited. The minimum age of admission to employment may not
be lower than the minimum school-leaving age, without prejudice to such rules as may be more
favourable to young people and except for limited derogations.
Young people admitted to work must have working conditions appropriate to their age and be
protected against economic exploitation and any work likely to harm their safety, health or physical,
mental, moral or social development or to interfere with their education.
Everyone is equal before the law.
Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin,
genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national
minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.
The Region shall respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.
Equality between women and men must be ensured in all areas, including employment, work and
pay.
The principle of equality shall not prevent the maintenance or adoption of measures providing for
specific advantages in favour of the under-represented sex.
Children shall have the right to such protection and care as is necessary for their well-being.
They may express their views freely. Such views shall be taken into consideration on matters which
concern them in accordance with their age and maturity.
In all actions relating to children, whether taken by public authorities or private institutions, the
child's best interests must be a primary consideration.
Every child shall have the right to maintain on a regular basis a personal relationship and direct
contact with both his or her parents, unless that is contrary to his or her interests.
The Region recognises and respects the rights of the elderly to lead a life of dignity and independence
and to participate in social and cultural life.
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold
opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority
and regardless of frontiers.
The freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes
freedom to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in
public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
The right to conscientious objection is recognised, in accordance with the national laws
governing the exercise of this right.
The right to marry and the right to found a family shall be guaranteed in accordance with the
national laws governing the exercise of these rights.
Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected.