Palau

Palau

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	Palau protects freedom of association in the Constitution of the Republic of Palau, enacted in 1981. Under Article IV, Section 3, “the government shall take no action to deny or impair the right of any person to … associate with others for any lawful purpose including the right to organize and to bargain collectively.” “Constitution of the Republic of Palau.” World Constitutions Illustrated, July 24, 2023, https://heinonline-org.ccl.idm.oclc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzpu0001&id=5&collection=cow&index=.
Freedom of Expression	History	Palau’s 1981 Constitution was enacted prior to its termination as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the United States. In Article 4 Section 2 of the Constitution, freedom of expression and press are protected. The Article goes on to specify that “No bona fide reporter may be required by the government to divulge or be jailed for refusal to divulge information obtained in the course of a professional investigation.” The 1981 Constitution and its rights provisions were maintained when Palau became independent and known as the Republic of Palau. References: Republic of Palau. U.S. Department of the Interior, Accessed 7 June 2024: https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/palau Constitution of the Republic of Palau, 1981. Senate, World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzpu0001&i=1
Freedom of Religion	History	The Constitution of the Republic of Palau was ratified on 9 July 1980. Articles IV section 1 and section 5 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. Article IV section 1 declares no official state religion. Article IV Section 1 states “[t]he government shall take no action to deny or impair the freedom of conscience or of philosophical or religious belief of any person nor take any action to compel, prohibit or hinder the exercise of religion” (constituteproject.org). “Palau 1981 (Rev. 1992) Constitution.” Constitute. Accessed July 26, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Palau_1992.
Freedom of the Press	History	Article IV, Section 2 of Palau’s 1981 Constitution protects press freedom: “The government shall take no action to deny or impair the freedom of expression or press. No bona fide reporter may be required by the government to divulge or be jailed for refusal to divulge information obtained in the course of a professional investigation" (Constitute Project, “Palau’s Constitution of 1981 with Amendments through 1992” ).
Privacy Rights	History	Article IV(4) of the 1981 constitution ensures “Every person has the right to be secure in his person, house, papers and effects against entry, search and seizure” (Constitute Project, “Palau 1981 rev. 1992" ). https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Palau_ 1992? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Article 7 of the Constitution of Palau grants citizens over the age of 18 the right to vote in National and state elections. The Olbiil Era Kelulau (the legislative body) determines the residency requirements of voting in these elections. (Constitute Project, “Palau’s Constitution of 1981 with Amendments through 1992” ).