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The state of Panama has had four separate governing constitutions with the first one being enacted in 1904. Title III, Section 27 of the 1904 Constitution of the Republic of Panama states, “Every person may freely express his opinion, either orally or in writing, by means of the press, or by any other process, without being first subject to censorship, provided always that he refers to the official acts of public functionaries.” Section 27 also recognizes that individuals will incur legal responsibility should “the honor of persons [be] assailed by any of these means.”
Sources:
“Historical Documents - Office of the Historian.” 2024. State.gov. 2024. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1904/d550. +
Papua New Guinea officially enacted their constitution in 1975. Within this constitution, a section titled, “Basic Rights,” officially affords individuals the “freedom of conscience, of expression, of information and of assembly and association.” The freedom of expression, along with the other enumerated rights listed, are not limited on the basis of “race, tribe, places of origin, political opinion, colour, creed or sex.”
Sources:
“University of Minnesota Human Rights Library.” n.d. Hrlibrary.umn.edu. Accessed June 7, 2024. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/newguinea-constitution.html.
“Papua New Guinea 1975 (Rev. 2016) Constitution - Constitute.” n.d. www.constituteproject.org. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Papua_New_Guinea_2016. +
Article 18 of the 1870 Constitution of Paraguay includes a reference to the right of inhabitants of Paraguay "to teach and to learn", and Article 23 protects "Private acts, which in no way affect public order or morals or do wrong to third parties." Article 72 of the 1967 Constitution of Paraguay offered an explicit guarantee of freedom of expression in peacetime.
References:
English Translation of the Spanish Original Text of the Constitution of 1870 4-5 (2022)
Chapter II: Rights and Guarantees: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzpy0009&id=5&men_tab=srchresults
English Translation of the Spanish Original Text of the Constitution of 1967 10 (2022)
Section 1: Individual Rights: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzpy0027&id=12&men_tab=srchresults +
Peru has classified 12 separate documents as constitutions throughout its history. The first was drafted in 1823 but was never officially put into effect and only two have lasted more than 20 years. The first explicit assertion of the right to freedom of expression was illustrated in Section CLIII, Title IX - General Dispositions of the 1928 Political Constitution of the Peruvian Republic, “All may communicate their thoughts verbally, or in writing, and publish them by means of the Press, without previous censorship, but under the responsibility which the Law may determine.”
Article 2 of the 1993 Constitution of Peru asserts the right of every person "To freedom of information, opinion, expression, and dissemination of thought, whether oral, written, or in images, through any medium of social communication, and without previous authorization, censorship, or impediment, under penalty of law."
References:
“Northwestern SSO.” n.d. Prd-Nusso.it.northwestern.edu. Accessed June 10, 2024. https://heinonline-org.turing.library.northwestern.edu/HOL/Page?collection=co w&handle=hein.cow/bfsprs0016&id=984.
“Peru, Constitutions Encyclopedia.com.” n.d. Www.encyclopedia.com. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts and-maps/peru-constitutions.
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Peru_2021?lang=en. +
The Philippines has had six different governing constitutions since their proclamation of independence in 1898. The first constitution was put into effect in 1899 and is commonly known as the Malolos Constitution(Constitution Day GOVPH n.d). Article 20 guarantees any Filipino the “the right to freely express his ideas or opinions, orally or in writing, through the use of the press or other similar means.” It is also important to note the succeeding statement in Article 21, “The exercise of the rights provided for in the preceding article shall be subject to general provisions regulating the same.” Article 4, Section 9 of the Republic of the Philippines 1973 Constitution contains the first assertion of freedom of speech in the country’s independent history.
Sources:
“Constitution Day GOVPH.” n.d. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/constitution-day/#:~:text=Th %20Philippines%20has%20had%20a.
“899 CONSTITUTION of the REPUBLIC of the PHILIPPINES (the MALOLOS CONSTITUTION).” n.d. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://www.chanrobles.com/PDF.LAWS/1899%20CONSTITUTION%20OF %20THE%20REPUBLIC%20OF%20THE%20PHILIPPINES.pdf.
“1973 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.” Official Gazette of the Philippines. Accessed July 17, 2023. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1973-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-2/ +
The Constitution of 1997 was the first document to protect freedom of expression in the present-day Republic of Poland, with Article 54 specifically outlining the right. Article 54 of the 1997 Constitution of Poland states: "The freedom to express opinions, to acquire and to disseminate information shall be ensured to everyone.” That said, past Polish governments have protected this right through a variety of legal documents, the earliest being the 1921 Constitution of the Republic of Poland.
Article 104 of the 1921 constitution states: “Every citizen has the right to express his ideas and opinions freely, provided that in so doing he does not violate the law.”
Article 105 of the same further stipulates: “Liberty of the Press is guaranteed. The Press shall not be subject to censorship and shall not be subsidized…”
Article 5 of the 1935 constitution reaffirms this right: “(2) The State assures its citizens the possibility of developing their personal capabilities, as also liberty of conscience, speech, and assembly. (3) The limit of these liberties is the common good.”
References:
“Constitution of the Republic of Poland, March 17 1921.” Sejm of the Republic of Poland. Accessed July 17, 2023. http://libr.sejm.gov.pl/tek01/txt/kpol/e1921.html
“Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2nd April, 1997.” Sejm of the Republic of Poland. Accessed July 17, 2023. https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm
“Poland 1997,” Constitute Project, accessed June 11, 2024, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Poland_1997
“The Polish Republic,” HeinOnline, accessed June 7, 2024. https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzsn0036&id=4&collection=cow&index=
(p.77)
“Constitution of the Republic of Poland (April 23rd, 1935)”. HeinOnline. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzsn0036&id=4&collection=cow&index= (p.12) +
Article 37 of Portugal’s 1976 Constitution is the first assertion of freedom of expression in the present-day Portuguese Republic. It provides: "Everyone shall possess the right to freely express and publicize his thoughts in words, images or by any other means, as well as the right to inform others, inform himself, and be informed without hindrance or discrimination."
Other Portuguese governments have also protected this right, with its earliest assertion found in Article 145(3) of the Kingdom of Portugal’s 1822 Constitution.
The 1911 constitution also upheld this principle, providing in Article 3(14) that “Liberty of conscience and creed is inviolable.” Sub article 13 of the same stipulates, “The expression of thought in any form whatever is completely free, and not dependent upon the previous giving of security, submission to censure, or the obtaining of previous authorization, but the abuse of this privilege is punishable in the cases and in the manner prescribed by the law.”
“Constitutional Charter of Portugal.” World Constitutions Illustrated, Heinonline. Accessed July 17, 2023. https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.beal/modern0002&i=160
“Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.” University of Minnesota Human Rights Library. Accessed July 17. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/portugal-constitution.html
“Constitution of the Republic of Portugal—Lisbon, August 21, 1911.” HeinOnline, accessed on June 7, 2024. https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzsn0036&id=4&collection=cow&index= (p. 767)
“Portugal 1976 (rev. 2005).” Constitute Project. Accessed June 7, 2024.
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Portugal_2005 +
Qatar's first formal assertion of freedom of expression is relatively recent compared to many other nations. It was included in the Permanent Constitution of Qatar, which was approved in a public referendum in 2003 and adopted on June 8, 2004.
The constitution was part of broader reforms initiated by the Emir of Qatar to modernize the state and its institutions. This included greater political freedoms, though within the context of a conservative Gulf monarchy.
Article 47 of the Qatari Constitution states: “ Freedom of expression of opinion and scientific research is guaranteed in accordance with the conditions and circumstances set forth in the law.”
Article 48 adds: "Freedom of the press, printing and publication shall be guaranteed in accordance with the law."
Article 50: “Freedom to practice religious rites shall be guaranteed to all persons in accordance with the law and the requirements of the maintenance of public order and morality.”
References:
"Qatar Constitution 2004," ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, accessed June 11, 2024, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/mideast/QA/qatar-constitution-2004/view. +
The right to freedom of expression in Ireland was formally asserted in the Irish Free State Constitution of 1922, following its independence from the UK, and later enshrined in the Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann) in 1937.
Article 9 of the 1922 Constitution states, “The freedom of expression of opinion as well as the right to assemble peaceably and without arms, and to form associations or unions is guaranteed for purposes not opposed to public morality…” without discrimination on the basis of political orientation, religion, or class.
Article 40.6.1° of the 1937 Constitution also provides, “The State guarantees liberty for the exercise of the following rights, subject to public order and morality: i. The right of the citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions.”
References:
"Constitution of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) Act, 1922," Irish Statute Book, accessed June 11, 2024,
https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1922/act/1/enacted/en/print#:~:text=AN%20ACT%20TO%20ENACT%20A,6TH%20DAY%20OF%20DECEMBER%2C%201921
“Constitution of Ireland.”, Irish Statute Book, last updated 2020. Accessed June 7, 2024.
https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#part13 +
The right to freedom of expression in the Republic of the Congo was formally asserted in the Constitution adopted shortly after gaining independence from France on August 15, 1960.
Article 9 of the 1963 constitution states, “No one may be incommodated because of his opinions in so long as their manifestation does not disturb the public order established as law. Free communication of thought and opinion shall be exercised by word and the press subject to respect for the laws and regulations”.
Article 19 of the 2001 constitution also provides, “Any citizen has the right to express and to freely diffuse his opinion by words, in writing, by images or all other mean of communication…Censorship is prohibited.”
Article 25 of the 2015 guarantees freedom of expression. The article also expressly prohibits government censorship of the free media.
References:
“Constitution of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville).” HeinOnline. Accessed June 7, 2024. https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzsn0036&id=4&collection=cow&index= (p.86)
“Congo (Republic of the) 2001.” Constitute Project. Accessed June 13, 2024. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Congo_2001.
“Congo (Republic of the) 2015 Constitution.” Constitute. Last modified 2015. Accessed September 20, 2022. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Congo_2015?lang=en. +
Freedom of expression was seen as an essential virtue of Roman citizenship at the time of the Roman Republic. This altered in the early Roman Empire when freedom of expression was contested and eventually suppressed. Octavius Augustus (rule 30 BC-AD 14), first emperor of Rome, “established an autocratic form of government, where he was the sole ruler and made all important decisions”. Although Romans had long maintained that political dominance by one person was the opposite of liberty, Augustus portrayed his dictatorial rule of the Roman state as a democratic act. In Augustus' opinion, he had returned liberty (libertas) to Rome by first liberating the Roman world from the senators who had taken power by assassinating Julius Caesar, and then by eliminating the threat of foreign domination presented by Cleopatra and her lover Marc Antony (Watts, 2020, p.13, para.3). As Augustus and his allies understood it, liberty meant freedom from internal conflict and foreign intervention, which could only come with the security and political stability that Augustus gave.
Officials regularly banned or destroyed objectionable literature during the period, and they punished, banished, or executed anybody who published anything negative of the emperors or the government. It is difficult to tell how later Romans governed political discourse. For most of the Republic, elite political speech was protected, but social customs and career possibilities meant that most elite Romans nevertheless maintained significant self-censorship (Watts, 1970, pp.159-60).
During his consulate in 59 B.C., Julius Caesar (rule 49 BC-44 BC) mandated the recording of regular procedures of senate proceedings. Under his orders, these stenographic reports, known as acta senatus, were published alongside the populi acta diurna, Europe’s first newssheet. Even after the civil war, Caesar allowed the senatorial sessions to be published indefinitely. Citizens of the Roman Empire generally enjoyed freedom of expression and the freedom of publishing writings. Augustus put an end to this practice, never again resumed in the history of Rome (Lintott, 2015, p.83, para.3). After that, the acta diurnal published only those sections of the senatorial discussions that the imperial emperor deemed suitable to print. By removing the full publicity that senate opponents had enjoyed since 59 B.C., Augustus deprived his senatorial opponents of the right to publish their opinions alongside those of the monarchic side in the official bulletin (Cramer, 1945, p.161).
The legislation was the same as it had been in the past, but other subjects fell within its jurisdiction, such as betrayal of an army, encouraging the common people to insurrection, or, more broadly, maladministration in public office (Cramer, 1945, p.170, para.1). Words were not penalized, but actions were. Augustus was the first to expand the scope of this legislation to include literature criticizing the administration. The new restrictions on free expression went even further. Censorship began to infiltrate educational classrooms. Professors found themselves in hot water after debating two sides of Augustus' official stance in class. For example, the case of professor Corvus showed the full ferocity of the new anti-freedom of expression and writing campaign (Cramer, 1945, p.170). Corvus once gave a public talk about the pros and cons of a woman's advice to married women to have no children. Augustus was particularly sensitive about birth control and celibacy. He has often advocated for legislation to reverse the trend of Rome's declining birthrate, particularly among the aristocratic class. Corvus was hauled into court for having harmed the state. Consequently, it became a standard practice to submit to school students of oratory the following topic for composition: “Cicero considers whether he should burn his writings, as Anthony promises him life if he does so” (Cramer, 1945, p.173, para.4).
Though no death sentence was meted out for just verbal or written criticisms on the government during Augustus' lifetime, the legal instrument for future executions was now formed (Cramer, 1945, p.171). After a formal judgement of guilty was given against their creator, a new sort of penalty was created for the new type of crime, the burning of the incriminating writings. In minor crimes, a guilty author's works may be sentenced to the stake; in graver cases, his whole lifework may be consigned to the flames under such a judgment. It was not long before the next obvious step was taken private ownership of condemned publications, as well as reading them, became a crime.
Because there was no clear system for identifying and punishing even traitorous statements, most restrictions on free speech in late antiquity stemmed from self-censorship rather than real imperial actions (Watts, 1970, p.159). People occasionally made the decision not to express what they want because they believe their words will have negative impacts. This makes self-censorship during the Roman Republic difficult to trace since it is, at its most basic, the act of a person anticipating a reaction to what he thought but never felt comfortable speaking or writing. Thus, authors often refuse to speak out or publish writings under circumstances when doing so may advertise their own weakness.
References
Lintott, A. W. (2015). The Constitution of the Roman Republic. Oxford University Press.
Watts, E. J. (1970). Introduction: Freedom of speech and self-censorship in the Roman Empire. CORE. https://core.ac.uk/display/153913094
Watts, E. J. (2020). Mortal Republic: How Rome fell into tyranny. Basic Books, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC.
Cramer, F. (1945). Bookburning and Censorship in Ancient Rome: A Chapter from the History of Freedom of Speech. Journal of the History of Ideas. www.jstor.org/stable/2707362
Freedom of expression was first protected by Romania’s current semi-presidential regime through Article 30 of the country’s 1991 Constitution. Article 30 of the 1991 constitution reads, "(1) The freedom to express ideas, opinions, and beliefs and the freedom of creation of any kind — orally, in writing, through images, by means of sound, or by any other means of public communication — are inviolable. (2) Censorship of any kind is prohibited."
However, the right was first protected in the land when it was known as the Kingdom of Romania through the 1866 Constitution.
It was also asserted in the 1923 constitution, which was influenced by democratic principles following World War I. Article 5 of this constitution states, “Romanians, irrespective of ethnic origin, language or religion, shall enjoy freedom of conscience, freedom of education, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and all freedoms and rights established by law”.
References:
“Constitution of 30 June/12 July 1866, as Amended 13/25 October 1876 and 8/20 June 1884.” World Constitutions Illustrated, Heinonline. https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/stwar0001&i=525
“The Constitution of Romania.” President of Romania. Accessed July 17, 2023. https://www.presidency.ro/en/the-constitution-of-romania
“Constitution of 1923.” Royal House of Romania Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
Accessed June 7, 2024. https://www.royalhouseofromaniahohenzollern-sigmaringen.com/text-constitution-of-1923.
“Romania 1991 (rev. 2003) Constitution," Constitute Project, accessed June 11, 2024, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Romania_2003. +
Article 29 of the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation is the first assertion of freedom of expression in the country’s independent history. It provides: “1. Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of thought and speech. 2. Propaganda or agitation, which arouses social, racial, national, or religious hatred or hostility shall be prohibited. Propoganda of social, racial, national, religious, or linguistic supremacy shall also be prohibited. 3. Nobody shall be forced to express his thoughts and convictions or to deny them. 4. Everyone has the right to freely seek, receive, transmit, produce, and disseminate information by any legal means. The list of information, which constitute State secrets, shall be determined by federal law."
That said, under the Russian Socialist Soviet Republic this right was articulated as early as 1923 through the Constitution (Basic Law) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
References:
“Constitution of the Russian Federation.” University of Minnesota Human Rights Library. Accessed July 17, 2023. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/constitution-russia.html
“Constitution (Basic Law) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1923/24.” World Constitutions Illustrated, Heinonline. Accessed July 17, 2023. https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/intcon5&i=426
“Russian Federation 1993 (rev. 2014)”. Constitute Project Accessed June 7, 2024. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Russia_2014#s166. +
Freedom of expression is first mentioned in Article 18 of Rwanda’s first constitution, which entered into law in 1962. However, the document does place limits on the right in accordance with other laws, public security, and the honor of others.
A more explicit and internationally aligned assertion came with the post-genocide Constitution of 2003. Article 37 of the Rwandan Constitution of 2003 states: "Freedom of thought, conscience, religion, worship and public manifestation thereof is guaranteed by the State in accordance with the law."
References:
“Constitution de la République Rwandaise.” Library of Congress. Accessed July 10, 2023. https://www.loc.gov/item/2008700213/#:~:text=Summary,from%20the%20neighboring%20Belgian%20Congo.
"Rwanda 2003 (rev. 2015) Constitution," Constitute Project, accessed June 11, 2024, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Rwanda_2015. +
The Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis, adopted in 1983, first protected freedom of expression in its 12th amendment. The section also stipulates that this right can be limited as “reasonably required” for a variety of public interests.
“The Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis.” The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Accessed July 10, 2023. https://www.gov.kn/the-constitution/ +
St. Lucia first protected freedom of expression in the preamble as well as the 1st and 10th articles of its 1978 Constitution. Article 10 lists several exceptions to the right, including public interests and the protection of the rights of others.
“Saint Lucia 1978.” Constitute. Accessed July 10, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/St_Lucia_1978 +
Adopted in 1979, the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the first document in the country’s history to protect freedom of expression. This right is specifically mentioned in Article 1(b).
“Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1979.” Constitute. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/St_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines_1979 +
Article 13(1)(a) of Samoa’s 1962 Constitution is the first assertion of freedom of expression in the country’s history. The article also states that this right can be limited for various reasons including public interests and national security.
“Samos’s Constitution of 1962 with Amendments through 2017.” Constitute. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Samoa_2017.pdf?lang=en +
Freedom of expression was first protected by Article 6 of San Marino Law 59, adopted in 1974. Also known as the Declaration of Citizen Rights, this legislation only allows for the limitation of this right in exceptional cases or to uphold public interests.
“Decreto 8 luglio 2002 n. 79 Repubblica di San Marino.” FAO. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/es/c/LEX-FAOC127860/ +
Freedom of expression is not protected by any legal measures in Saudi Arabia. Expression itself is only mentioned in Article 39 of the Basic Law of Governance, adopted in 1992. It states that “mass media and all other vehicles of expression shall employ civil and polite language, contribute towards the education of the nation and strengthen unity. It is prohibited to commit acts leading to disorder and division, affecting the security of the state and its public relations, or undermining human dignity and rights.”
“Basic Law of Governance.” The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.saudiembassy.net/basic-law-governance +