1. Despite our differences of opinion, and the widely differing nature of our researches we are one community whose primary aim is to further the sum total of human knowledge, and not to further the aims of any religious, political or social pressure group.
1.1 We agree that we should all work together to achieve this aim.
1.2 Furthermore we accept that members of this community have a wide range of beliefs. Being a signatory to this agreement does not mean that one is subscribing to the belief systems of any other signatory. It merely means that each signatory respects the right of other signatories to hold this belief.
1.3 Furthermore we accept that members of this community are engaged in a wide spectrum of research. Being a signatory to this agreement does not mean that one is also involved in any other specific type of research. It merely means that each signatory respects the right of other signatories to carry out their research.
2. We accept that there are people in this community who have a wide range of religious and political beliefs and from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and of differing sexual orientation.
2.1 Whilst undoubtedly the background of a researcher or group will have a fundamental affect on their belief systems and modus operandi, no signatory to this agreement will partake in research whose aim is discriminatory politics, sectarian, racial or religious hatred.
2.2 We will not use our research in any attempt to discredit or foster the unfair treatment of any religious, social, political or sexual group.
3. We will not support the killing of animals for the purposes of “trophy Gathering”. We also accept that such an action may be illegal under United Kingdom law.
4. We will not support vigilantes, or those researchers who carry unlicensed firearms. By signing this agreement we distance ourselves from such people and refuse to support them in any way.
5. We will not support the use of hypnotic regression by unlicensed practitioners and will not involve such people in our research programmes.
6. We foster the free exchange of information between researchers.
6.1 An exception to this is where on-going research programmes would be compromised.
7. We will never operate a closed shop policy whereby they are not prepared to share data and information with others.
7.1 Names and addresses of witnesses and experiencers are to be kept confidential except where witnesses agree otherwise and have given written and signed releases to this effect.
7.2 We will comply with our domestic data protection laws.
7.3 We agree not to pass on names and addresses of witnesses, experiencers or other researchers without their express permission to do so.
7.4 We will not support media projects whose aim is to ridicule witnesses, experiencers or any other signatory to this agreement.
7.5 Witnesses/experiencers and their property to be treated with respect. Their welfare is always paramount. Also the property and rights of incidental property owners, whose permission ought to be sought prior to entering such property, ‘hot-pursuit’ notwithstanding.
7.6 Any non-relevant information obtained from such persons will be respected as private, and where it relates to personal or private life it will be respected in accordance with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
7.7 Bullying tactics are not to be used to extract information or evidence.
8. Much academic work benefits from appropriate academic criticism. Not to permit this would prevent the development of useful ideas and the opening up of new lines of research. However, we agree that criticism of other researchers in the public domain at least, i.e. in journals, magazines, newsletters, e-mail lists, newsgroups and websites should be carried out in a gentlemanly/ladylike manner. What people do in private is his or her own affair.
8.1 We agree not to resort to personal abuse tactics when in disagreement with another researcher. People’s personal lives, sexuality, politics, religion or health are their own affair.
8.2 We agree not to endanger the livelihood or safety of witnesses, experiencers or researchers with indiscreet statements in the public domain.
8.3 We agree not to indulge in e-mail flame wars. Such tactics serve little purpose other than to inflame an already difficult situation, and will only add to the difficulties third party researchers will have in accessing information, perhaps at a critical moment.
8.4 We accept that there will always be differences of opinion between researchers, as there are between people in any walk of life. This agreement is not intended to abolish such disagreements and schisms; it attempts merely to provide a framework where they can be carried out in a civilised manner. It also establishes protocols that should be held sacrosanct above petty differences
8.5 Because of the ease of access & cost-effectiveness of the Internet, vastly more information is available now that ever has been before. However, because of its impermanence, material stored in this medium is often transitory and can sometimes vanish for good. We agree to work towards publishing their work in journals where it can be used for the benefit of other researchers and indeed for future generations. If our research is to be taken seriously it should be presented in a serious manner. It is worth considering the storage of such seemingly ‘transient’ material as hard copy in an archive, which might eventually find its way into a ‘museum’ where it will be made available for future researchers. What is the point of carrying out research that has already been exhaustively investigated and then been’ forgotten’ or ‘lost’.
9. We shall not manufacture evidence or knowingly disseminate same.
9.1 We shall not make knowingly untrue, libellous or pointlessly alarmist claims to the media. Always bear in mind that what you say may come back to haunt you. Many have been hounded from their research by the reaction of others to their thoughtless or ill-timed statements.
10. We agree that we have a duty to educate and inform those who come to us for help.
10.1 We shall actively encourage new researchers and those interested in joining the research community. (We all had to start once and this will help the future)
10.2 We shall actively help would-be researchers locate people they can work with even if these people are not working or enquiring within their own particular sphere of excellence.
10.3 We agree to become involved with public education projects wherever possible and appropriate
11. We agree not to use other people’s names, work or images in our publicity material without prior permission. (Preferably in writing!)
11.1 We may, however make use of the facts in their own publicity material. It is essential that due credit is given to the research of others that you are referring, or alluding to, in any of your own published material. A courtesy that you will be very pleased to see reciprocated!
12. Being a member of the CFZ does not affect one’s affiliation to any other organisation as long as the aims and objectives of that organisation do not contravene those of the clauses to this agreement.
12.1 We will not support people or organisations whose aims and objectives or modus operandi is contrary to the terms of this agreement
13 This is a code of conduct for researchers: it is about standards of behaviour, not standards of belief. One well-known organisation will only let people become involved if they `vet` their research first and if the individual researcher turns over their research to the organisation. We believe that this is an attempt at mind control There is no ‘thought police’ element here. There is room in this community for everyone, and we hope and believe that this agreement can only bring us all closer together and help end some of the problems that have plagued the community for so many years.
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