CDUA Constitution

Chapter I — General Principles

Article 1. The full name of this organization is the Chinese Democratic Unity Alliance, abbreviated as CDUA.

Article 2. The Alliance is committed to the cause of democracy in mainland China. Guided by the principle of independence and self-determination, it seeks to unite all democratic forces, fundamentally change the existing authoritarian system, abolish one-party dictatorship, establish constitutional democracy, protect private property, promote a pluralistic economy, and ultimately realize democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and human rights in China.

Article 3. The Alliance’s immediate objectives are to secure the release of all political prisoners in China; strive for freedom of speech, belief, the press, publication, association, and assembly; and safeguard fundamental human rights.

Chapter II — Members

Article 4. Any person aged eighteen or above, regardless of sex, ethnicity, nationality, or religious belief, who supports the purposes and provisions of this Constitution, observes organizational resolutions, pays membership dues as required, and is willing to work for the organization may apply to a local organization or the Headquarters. Upon approval, that person may become a CDUA member.

Article 5. Members have the right to vote and to stand for election; to supervise leadership bodies at every level; and to submit proposals and recommendations, lodge appeals, and apply to participate in the organization’s activities.

Article 6. A member whose conduct clearly violates the purposes of this Constitution and causes significant harm to the organization may be expelled after approval by two-thirds of the members of the relevant local organization, passage by a two-thirds majority of the full Headquarters Committee, and approval by the Chair. An expelled person may reapply for membership only after two years.

Chapter III — Congress

Article 7. The CDUA Congress shall be convened every two years and organized by the Headquarters. Any early or postponed Congress necessitated by special circumstances must be approved by the Headquarters Committee.

Article 8. Delegates to the Congress shall be elected by local organizations. The Headquarters shall determine the allocation of delegates after considering region, representativeness, membership numbers, and other relevant factors.

Article 9. The Congress is CDUA’s highest authority and consists of delegates elected by local organizations. Its duties are to:

1. Hear and review the work report of the outgoing Headquarters Committee;
2. Discuss CDUA’s program and tasks and adopt relevant resolutions;
3. Amend the CDUA Constitution; and
4. Elect the new leadership bodies of CDUA.

Article 10. Resolutions and elections to the Headquarters Committee shall be decided by a simple majority of the Congress. Amendments to this Constitution require a two-thirds majority.

Chapter IV — Headquarters Committee

Article 11. CDUA shall establish a Headquarters Committee composed of a number of members elected by the Congress for two-year terms. Members may be reelected. The Headquarters Committee is responsible for CDUA’s policies and decisions.

Between Congresses, additional Headquarters Committee members may be nominated by the Chair and appointed with the support of a two-thirds majority of the Committee. Headquarters Committee members are ex officio delegates to the next Congress.

Article 12. CDUA shall maintain a Headquarters consisting of one Chair, a number of Vice-Chairs, and a Secretary-General. It is CDUA’s standing body and is responsible for coordinating local organizations, external liaison, issuing statements, and organizing activities.

The Chair shall be elected by the Headquarters Committee from among its elected members and may be reelected. Vice-Chairs and the Secretary-General shall be nominated by the Chair from among elected Headquarters Committee members and appointed with the approval of a majority of the Committee. The CDUA Chair may not simultaneously serve as the highest-ranking leader of another political organization.

The Chair represents CDUA externally, presides over its daily work, and appoints Headquarters staff.

Article 13. If the Chair is unable to perform the duties of office, the Chair shall designate a Vice-Chair to act on the Chair’s behalf and notify the Headquarters Committee. If neither the Chair nor the Vice-Chairs can perform those duties, the Headquarters Committee shall elect an Acting Chair.

A motion to remove the Chair must be jointly proposed by one-third of the Headquarters Committee and takes effect upon approval by a two-thirds majority. A motion to remove a Headquarters Committee member must be proposed by at least two Committee members and takes effect upon approval by a majority of the Committee.

Article 14. CDUA may appoint a number of advisers. Candidates shall be selected by the Chair and approved by a two-thirds majority of the Headquarters Committee.

Chapter V — Local Organizations

Article 15. CDUA may establish local organizations in mainland China and in other countries and regions. The establishment of a local organization requires approval by the Chair.

Article 16. Local organizations shall hold regular meetings, formulate work plans, elect leadership bodies, and register them with the Headquarters. They shall actively promote CDUA’s program, purposes, and principles; recruit members; and implement the resolutions and decisions of the Congress.

Chapter VI — Other Provisions

Article 17. CDUA is responsible for assisting members and non-members who suffer harm as a result of participating in CDUA activities and for supporting their families.

Article 18. This Constitution is CDUA’s highest programmatic document. Any other CDUA document, resolution, or rule that conflicts with it is invalid. The power to amend this Constitution belongs to the Congress, and the power to interpret it belongs to the CDUA Headquarters Committee.