Articles of Colonization

Signed 52 years before the events that ultimately destroy the Colonies, the Articles of Colonization formed the united government of the Twelve Colonies.

This event was apparently in response to the Cylon War to unite against a common enemy (RDM, April 11, 2005). Before, each colony appeared to behave more as a sovereign nation, and fought between each other.

The anniversary of the signing of the Articles is the Colonial Day holiday (Colonial Day).

Article 21

Chief Galen Tyrol invokes the 21st Article of Colonization while being interrogated by Colonel Saul Tigh after being rescued from Kobol (Resistance).

Under the U.S. Constitution, a number of Tyrol's constitutionally protected civil liberties were being violated, among them

• Article One, section nine, guaranteeing the writ of habeas corpus.
• The due process clauses of the 5th and 14th amendments.
• The various provisions of the 6th Amendment guaranteeing a speedy, public trial by jury.

Article 21 could conceivably provide protection to any number of these.

Article 23

Chief Tyrol invokes the 23rd Article to avoid testifying against himself during the investigation into how Aaron Doral got aboard Galactica and accessed the munitions stores (Litmus).

This is similar to the rights protected by the self-incrimination clause of the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Notes

• The Articles of Colonization are the Colonial equivalent to the American Articles of Confederation (the predecessor to the US Constitution), U.N. Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.