Bir Tawil continues to expand its activities: collector's items

The economy of Bir Tawil continues to expand, as well as the promotion of its national symbols. We introduce our latest samples: refrigerator magnets and personal pins bearing our hallowed flag. Anyone desiring magnets may request them on this page, and present citizens may request one of the last few pins. These are all destined to become collector's items, so plan ahead.

Issuance of first test document cards

The Kingdom of Bir Tawil is pleased to announce that it has manufactured its first batch of prototype IDs. This constitutes an important step in our path towards recognition by peace-loving nations around the world. Once the design has been perfected, citizens may have them issued.

Bir Tawil's first Foreign Policy success

Bir Tawil's condemnation of the deadly Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid flotilla this past May, along with the rest of the international community, has borne fruits: Israel has announced it will loosen the blockade it has imposed on the Gaza strip.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel said on Thursday it was easing a land blockade of the Gaza Strip that drew heightened international criticism after its deadly raid on an aid flotilla bound for the Hamas-run Palestinian territory.

A new Israeli-approved product list includes all food items, toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, mattresses and towels, said Raed Fattouh, the Palestinian coordinator of supplies to Gaza.

For the full story click here.

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bir Tawil

On Sunday, June 13th, the Council of Elders convened with King George Henry I at the Palace of Independence, and the following important decisions were made.

- After lengthy and thought-provoking debate, in which numerous viewpoints were expressed and wise improvements made, the Constitution received official approval. The Constitution shall be enforced as soon as it is officially sworn in, which shall take place in a nearby date. The Constitution is available for download here.

- Elder War, PhD. was selected as the chairperson of the Council and shall take the King's oath to serve, uphold and protect the Constitution.

George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Condemnation of the actions of North Korea and Israel

June 3, 2010

To the international community:

In view of recent events, the Kingdom of Bir Tawil cannot abstain from expressing its concern and making known its position as a sovereign nation. The authorities of the Kingdom concretely refer to:

a) the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan while patrolling its national waters by a submarine of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on March 26, 2010 and

b) the violent boarding of a flotilla with humanitarian aid destined for Gaza while in international waters by the forces of State of Israel on May 31, 2010

We must hereby publicly condemn both actions as threats to world peace and urge all parties involved to work towards solutions that are fair and just.

Sincerely,

King George Henry I

The Council of Elders of Bir Tawil

The People of Bir Tawil

For the press release in a .doc format, click here

Minutes of the meeting with the Council of Elders

As there have been no challenges to these minutes over the course of the past week, they hereby become official and public.

King George Henry I

On May 1st, 2010, the Council of Elders convened with King George Henry I of Bir
Tawil at the Palace of Aurora. The following transcendent decisions were taken:

- The Council of Elders is to be a transitional organ of government. Its
decisions are to be taken by means of simple majority in votes. It delegated
power of drafting the Constitution to King George Henry I, while reserving the
power to make suggestions. The suggestion period shall last two weeks, and the
King will have an additional week to put it all in order and submit a
Constitution. Approval and enactment of the Constitution is to be up to the
Council of Elders. This shall be carried out via a Yahoo Group created by the
King. In order to make electronic decisions more expedient, it will be assumed
that Council members vote in favor unless they explicitly state their disfavor
within a week.

- The Council of Elders reviewed all the Royal Decrees enacted by King George
Henry I up to that date, with the following results:
RD#1 (Foundation): Approved
RD#2 (Flag): Modifications were proposed to the flag. Water is to be added to
the well, and a goat shall be rendered, who will attempt to drink the water.
RD#3 (Citizens): Approved
RD#4 (Renumbering): Approved
RD#5 (Validity): Approved
RD#6 (Monarchy): Modifications were proposed. Monarch may be vacated for
dereliction of duty and moral incapacity. Successor may be named from without
the Royal Family, but incorporated into it via adoption. Mechanisms shall be
adopted should the Monarch and heir die simultaneously.

- A parallel entity is to be created, which shall deal with the production,
distribution and commercialization of Bir Tawilean merchandise and products:
stamps, certificates, documents, mugs, T-shirts, etc.

I request any ammendments to these minutes before they become official in a
week's time.

George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Council of Elders

I hereby announce that the Council of Elders has been summoned. The Agenda shall be as follows:

Agenda for the first meeting of the Council of Elders

1. Opening speech by King George Henry I of Bir Tawil, in which he shall expound his vision for the kingdom, account for his Royal Decrees and commission the Council of Elders to organize the legal foundations of the state.

2. Opening speeches by the members of the Council of Elders, in order of their ID number, in which they shall put forward whichever thoughts they find pertinent to the foundation of the kingdom.

3. Discussion on the role, procedures and power of the Council of Elders.

4. Ceremonial handover of shared power to the Council of Elders.

King George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Royal Decree #6: On the Monarchy

As the Monarchy is the founding institution of the Kingdom of Bir Tawil, its well-being and stability require appropriate laws. I hereby enact the following articles:

Article 1: The Monarch is the head of state of the Kingdom of Bir Tawil. Other roles shall be established by the legally established authorities of Bir Tawil. The Monarch may, if he so chooses and as a common citizen, exercise additional roles as well, in accordance with the appropriate legislation.

Article 2: The office of Monarch may be held by either a man or woman of the royal family.

Article 3: The Monarch will remain in office until the time of his death or until he or she should decide to abdicate.

Article 4: The Monarch shall name a successor from within the royal family, according to whom he or she deems fittest for the role. This successor shall be known as the Crown Prince or Crown Princess.

Article 5: Mechanisms shall be put in place to enable the legally constituted authorities to voice their opinion on the propriety of the Monarch's choice of successor. Should the legally constituted authorities deem it fit, additional mechanisms may be enacted to overturn the monarch's choice in extreme circumstances.

Article 6: The Monarch may, at his or her choice, appoint a Regent to fulfill any and all of his or her roles, except that of head of state. Mechanisms will be enacted to make the Regent accountable to the legally constituted authorities, who may impeach him and require the Monarch to appoint another one.

Article 7: Should no member of the Royal Family desire to succeed the Monarch, the legally constituted authorities shall appoint a committee, in whichever way they deem appropriate, to select a new Monarch among Bir Tawil nationals and establish a new dynasty.

May it be known and recorded,

King George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Royal Decree #5: On the validity of Royal Decrees

As the newly-founded Kingdom of Bir Tawil requires some kind of provisional legal framework for its stability, I hereby enact the following measures:

Article 1: The King will temporarily exert absolute power in the Kingdom of Bir Tawil, only until the Council of Elders is convened.

Article 2: Once the Council of Elders is convened, decrees #2 onwards shall be subjected to ratification or modification, following the procedures agreed upon by said entity.

May it be known and recorded,

King George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Royal Decree #4: Renumbering of Decrees

As the Kingdom of Bir Tawil will have an increasing number of laws, measures and decrees, I have considered that these will have to be numbered, in order to keep them in order.

Sole article: Previous decrees are retroactively renumbered in the following manner:

Royal Decree #1 ("Foundation of the Kingdom of Bir Tawil")

Royal Decree #2 ("Flag of the Kingdom")

Royal Decree #3 ("Call for Citizens")

May it be known and recorded

King George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Where is this Bir Tawil place anyway?

The Kingdom of Bir Tawil is located in the continent of Africa and is bordered by the Arab Republic of Egypt to the north and the Republic of the Sudan to the south. Its foundation as an independent kingdom is not based on any usurpation or secessionist principle, as both neighboring countries explicitly state that they hold no sovereignty over its territory.

For a more detailed explanation on the lack of state presence in the formerly stateless Bir Tawil, you may follow this link.

Call for citizens

As all countries require citizens in order to prosper, the Kingdom of Bir Tawil opens its arms to all those who strive to live in pursuit of happiness and the well-being of humankind at large. Any and all people of good nature and pure intentions who wish to apply for citizenship are to send an electronic mail message to birtawil@live.com. Once a sufficient number of citizenship applications are approved, a Council of Elders shall be assembled, which will in turn establish the general principles upon which a democratically-elected Constitutional Congress shall draft a Constitution.

His Royal Majesty,

King George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Update: The application for citizenship may be downloaded here. Once it is filled out (no actual signature necessary) it must be sent back to the email address specified above.

Flag of the Kingdom

After considering many a design, I, King George Henry I of Bir Tawil, have selected a flag to represent our kingdom in the international community.

Our national flag uses a combination of the Pan-African (Green, Gold, Red and Black) and Pan-Arab colors (Green, White, Black and Red) allowing for a design of great beauty and harmony, which also symbolizes our position vis-a-vis our common continent and neighbors. As the name of our country means "water well", the flag also includes a representation of this element, symbolic of the preciousness of water in our sandy and arid land.

I hereby decree the following:

- All public buildings in the Kingdom of Bir Tawil are required to fly the flag in a position of appropriate honor.

- All citizens of the Kingdom of Bir Tawil are to show proper respect for the flag.

Let it be known and recorded.

His Royal Majesty,

King George Henry I of Bir Tawil

Foundation of the Kingdom of Bir Tawil

On this glorious April day, and in view of rampant strife due to the lack of organized government in the region known as Bir Tawil, I, George Henry I, proclaim myself the new King of said land.

Let it be known and recorded.

His Royal Majesty,

George Henry I