International Statute of Secrecy

International Statute of Secrecy
Enacted	1689
Founded by	International Confederation of Wizards
Purpose	To hide the international wizarding world from the non-magic world
Book information
First appearance	Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Last appearance	The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The International Statute of Secrecy is a wizarding law designed to safeguard and conceal the wizarding world from the Muggle world. It was passed into law in the 17th century.

Foundation

Centuries ago, the wizarding world lived openly and peacefully with the Muggle world. However, during the fifteenth century they face in increasing persecution from Muggles who had started to fear magic. Younger witches and wizards were especially prone to being caught by witch-hunters because they had less control of their magic, while other Muggles wanted witches and wizards to use magic for their own personal gain.

Wizardkind stopped feeling safe like they used to. They stopped offering to help their Muggle neighbours, and eventually decided to conceal their world and live in secret. The International Confederation of Wizards signed the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689 and wizardkind started voluntarily living underground.

After the institution of the Statute of Secrecy, witches and wizards started to conceal "their own small communities within a community" like a small Muggle village or hamlet near tolerant Muggles who could be confunded if they saw anything. Known places that were founded are Tinworth in Cornwall, Godric's Hollow in the West Country, Ottery St Catchpole in Devon and Upper Flagley by York.

History

In the late 17th century, the International Statute of Secrecy was instituted by the International Confederation of Wizards. Although much of the wizarding world was supportive of its purpose, there were witches and wizards who tried to object to it for a number of reasons. For example, the Malfoy family had powerful connections in the Muggle world that they were afraid of losing, and Carlotta Pinkstone campaigned against the law by breaking it on purpose.

During the time that the Statute was passed into law, there was a meeting at the Confederation to discuss which magical creatures should be concealed and how. Centaurs, merpeople and goblins were invited to attend although other creatures were unaware of the discussions. After seven weeks, everyone other than goblins agreed that twenty-seven creatures had to be hidden from Muggle knowledge. This was later expanded to include other creatures. A century later, Clause 73 was created to specify that each wizarding governing body is responsible for the creatures within their border and infractions of the law caused by a wizarding creature is subject to discipline.

In the early half of the 20th century, Gellert Grindelwald also opposed the law and started a global war in order to seize control of the wizarding world and overturn it. He had planned to put the Muggles back in their supposed rightful place for their "own good". Grindelwald was defeated by Albus Dumbledore in 1945.

Infractions of the Statute

• The Loch Ness Monster, which is really a kelpie that likes to take the form of a sea serpent, has developed a thirst for publicity and constantly evades investigators.
• The Snallygaster is a frequent threat to the Statute of Secrecy because they are naturally curious beasts, which has led to a public interest in the Muggle world towards its possible existence.
• In 1814, the Banchory Bangers deliberately let Bludgers fly outside the confines of the Quidditch pitch before trying to capture a Hebridean Black.
• In 1932, a Common Welsh Green appeared on a beach in Devon and caused the largest number of Memory Charms to ever have to be put on Muggle witnesses. It was known as the Ilfracombe Incident.
• Before starting their second year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley broke the law when they flew a flying car to school. It was witnessed by several Muggles when the Invisibility Booster malfunctioned. They received detention instead of expulsion.
• Harry Potter was suspected of breaking the Statute of Secrecy when he used the Patronus Charm in the presence of his cousin, Dudley Dursley.

Sub-laws

Year made	Section or clause	Principle
1692	Unknown	The governing body of every country has to monitor and hide every magical game and sport from Muggle knowledge.
		The wizarding governing body is responsible for concealing the existence of twenty-seven species including dragons and Bundimuns from Muggle knowledge, to persuade them these creatures did not exist in the first place (later extended to include more creatures).
1750	Clause 73	Each governing body is responsible for the concealment, care and control of every magical beast, being and spirit dwelling within its territory's borders. Should any such creature cause harm or draw the notice of Muggles, that nation's wizarding governing body will be subject to discipline by the International Confederation of Wizards.
Unknown	Section 13	Any magical activity that could be noticed by Muggles is a serious offence.