Kiribati 1979 (rev. 1995)

1. Declaration of Republic

2. Constitution is supreme law

3. Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual

4. Protection of right to life

1. No person shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati of which he has been convicted.
2. A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section if he dies as the result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably justifiable—
   1. for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property;
   2. in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;
   3. for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny; or
   4. in order to prevent the commission by that person of a criminal offence,

   or if he dies as the result of a lawful act of war.

5. Protection of right to personal liberty

1. No person shall be deprived of his personal liberty save as may be authorised by law in any of the following cases, that is to say—
   1. in consequence of his unfitness to plead to a criminal charge;
   2. in execution of the sentence or order of a court, whether established for Kiribati or some other country, in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been convicted;
   3. in execution of the order of a court of record punishing him for contempt of that court or of a court inferior to it;
   4. in execution of the order of a court made to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed on him by law;
   5. for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court;
   6. upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati;
   7. in the case of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, under the order of a court or with the consent of his parent or guardian, for the purpose of his education or welfare;
   8. for the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease;
   9. in the case of a person who is, or is reasonably suspected to be, of unsound mind, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or a vagrant, for the purpose of his care or treatment or the protection of the community;
   10. Extradition procedure
       for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of that person into Kiribati, or for the purpose of effecting the expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal of that person from Kiribati or for the purpose of restricting that person while he is being conveyed through Kiribati in the course of his extradition or removal as a convicted prisoner from one country to another; or
   11. to such extent as may be necessary in the execution of a lawful order requiring that person to remain within a specified area within Kiribati or prohibiting him from being within such an area, or to such extent as may be reasonably justifiable for the taking of proceedings against that person relating to the making of any such order, or to such extent as may be reasonably justifiable for restraining that person during any visit that he is permitted to make to any part of Kiribati in which, in consequence of any such order, his presence would otherwise be unlawful.
2. Trial in native language of accused
   Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, and in a language that he understands, of the reasons for his arrest or detention.
3. Right to pre-trial release
   Any person who is arrested or detained—
   1. for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court; or
   2. upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati,

   and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay before a court; and if any person arrested or detained upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence is not tried within a reasonable time, then, without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him, he shall be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions, including in particular such conditions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or for proceedings preliminary to trial.

4. Protection from false imprisonment
   Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained by any other person shall be entitled to compensation therefor from that other person.

6. Protection from slavery and forced labour

1. No person shall be held in slavery or servitude.
2. No person shall be required to perform forced labour.
3. Right to conscientious objection, Emergency provisions
   For the purposes of this section, the expression “forced labour” does not include—
   1. any labour required in consequence of the sentence or order of a court;
   2. any labour required of any person while he is lawfully detained that, though not required in consequence of the sentence or order of a court, is reasonably necessary in the interests of hygiene or for the maintenance of the place at which he is detained;
   3. any labour required of a member of a disciplined force in pursuance of his duties as such or, in the case of a person who has conscientious objections to service as a member of a disciplined force, any labour that that person is required by law to perform in place of such service;
   4. any labour required during any period of public emergency or in the event of any other emergency or calamity that threatens the life and well-being of the community, to the extent that the requiring of such labour is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation arising or existing during that period or as a result of that other emergency or calamity, for the purpose of dealing with that situation; or
   5. any labour reasonably required as part of reasonable and normal communal or other civic obligations.

7. Protection from inhuman treatment

1. No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment.
2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question authorises the infliction of any description of punishment that was lawful in Kiribati immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution.

8. Protection from deprivation of property

1. No property of any description shall be compulsorily taken possession of, and no interest in or right over property of any description shall be compulsorily acquired, except where the following conditions are satisfied, that is to say—
   1. the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary or expedient in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, town or country planning or the development or utilisation of any property for a public purpose; and
   2. there is reasonable justification for the causing of any hardship that may result to any person having an interest in or right over the property; and
   3. provision is made by a law applicable to that taking of possession or acquisition—
      1. for the payment of adequate compensation within a reasonable time; and
      2. securing to any person having an interest in or right over the property a right of access to the High Court, whether direct or on appeal from any other authority, for the determination of his interest or right, the legality of the taking of possession or acquisition of the property, interest or right and the amount of any compensation to which he is entitled, and for the purpose of obtaining that compensation.
2. Ownership of natural resources
   Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section—
   1. Protection of environment
      to the extent that the law in question makes provision for the taking of possession or acquisition of any property—
      1. in satisfaction of any tax, rate or duty;
      2. by way of penalty for breach of the law of forfeiture in consequence of a breach of the law;
      3. as an incident of a lease, tenancy, mortgage, charge, bill of sale, pledge or contract;
      4. in the execution of judgments or orders of a court in proceedings for the determination of civil rights or obligations;
      5. in circumstances where it is reasonably necessary so to do because the property is in a dangerous state or injurious to the health of human beings, animals or plants;
      6. in consequence of any law with respect to the limitation of actions or acquisitive prescription;
      7. for so long only as may be necessary for the purposes of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry or, in the case of land, the carrying out thereon—
         1. of work of soil conservation or of conservation of other natural resources; or
         2. of work relating to agricultural development or improvement which the owner or occupier of the land has been required, and has without reasonable excuse refused or failed, to carry out; or
      8. pursuant to rights granted to any person to prospect for or mine minerals where the law in question makes reasonable provision for the payment of royalties and provides for adequate compensation for disturbance of surface rights, except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society; or
   2. to the extent that the law in question makes provision for the taking of possession or acquisition of—
      1. enemy property;
      2. property of a deceased person, a person of unsound mind, a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years or a person who is absent from Kiribati, for the purpose of its administration for the benefit of the persons entitled to the beneficial interest therein;
      3. property of a person declared to be insolvent or a body corporate in liquidation, for the purpose of its administration for the benefit of the creditors of the insolvent or body corporate and, subject thereto, for the benefit of other persons entitled to the beneficial interest in the property; or
      4. property subject to a trust, for the purpose of vesting the property in persons appointed as trustees under the instrument creating the trust or by a court or, by order of a court, for the purpose of giving effect to the trust.
3. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the making or operation of any law for the compulsory taking of possession in the public interest of any property, or the compulsory acquisition in the public interest of any interest in or right over property, where that property, interest or right is held by a body corporate established for public purposes by any law and in which no moneys have been invested other than moneys provided by the Government.

9. Protection for privacy of home and other property

1. Except with his own consent, no person shall be subjected to the search of his person or his property or the entry by others on his premises.
2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision—
   1. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, town or country planning, the development or utilisation of mineral resources, or the development or utilisation of any other property in such a manner as to promote the public benefit;
   2. for the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons;
   3. Municipal government
      for the purpose of authorising an officer or agent of the Government, a local government council or a body corporate established by law for a public purpose to enter on the premises of any person in order to inspect those premises or anything thereon for the purpose of any tax, rate or duty or in order to carry out work connected with any property that is lawfully on those premises and that belongs to that Government, council or body corporate, as the case may be;
   4. for the purpose of authorising the entry upon any premises in pursuance of an order of a court for the purpose of enforcing the judgment or order of a court in any proceedings; or
   5. for the purpose of authorising the entry upon any premises for the purpose of preventing or detecting criminal offences,

   and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, anything done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

10. Provisions to secure protection of law

1. Right to speedy trial, Right to fair trial, Judicial independence
   If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.
2. Right to examine evidence/witnesses, Presumption of innocence in trials, Right to counsel, Trial in native language of accused
   Every person who is charged with a criminal offence—
   1. shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty;
   2. shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, in detail and in a language that he understands, of the nature of the offence charged;
   3. shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;
   4. shall be permitted to defend himself before the court in person or, at his own expense, by a representative of his own choice;
   5. shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the court, and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his behalf before the court on the same conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution; and
   6. shall be permitted to have without payment the assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand the language used at the trial of the charge,

   and, except with his own consent, the trial shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable and the court has ordered him to be removed and the trial to proceed in his absence.

3. When a person is tried for any criminal offence, the accused person or any person authorised by him in that behalf shall, if he so requires and subject to payment of such reasonable fee as may be prescribed by law, be given within a reasonable time after judgment a copy for the use of the accused person of any record of the proceedings made by or on behalf of the court.
4. Principle of no punishment without law, Protection from ex post facto laws
   No person shall be held to be guilty of a criminal offence on account of any act or omission that did not, at the time it took place, constitute such an offence, and no penalty shall be imposed for any criminal offence that is severer in degree or description than the maximum penalty that might have been imposed for that offence at the time when it was committed.
5. Prohibition of double jeopardy, Right to appeal judicial decisions
   No person who shows that he has been tried by a competent court for a criminal offence and either convicted or acquitted shall again be tried for that offence or for any other criminal offence of which he could have been convicted at the trial for that offence, save upon the order of a superior court in the course of appeal or review proceedings relating to the conviction or acquittal.
6. Prohibition of double jeopardy
   No person shall be tried for a criminal offence if he shows that he has been pardoned for that offence.
7. Protection from self-incrimination
   No person who is tried for a criminal offence shall be compelled to give evidence at the trial.
8. Any court or other adjudicating authority prescribed by law for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation shall be established or recognised by law and shall be independent and impartial; and where proceedings for such a determination are instituted by any person before such a court or other adjudicating authority, the case shall be given a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
9. Right to public trial
   Except with the agreement of all the parties thereto, all proceedings of every court and proceedings for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation before any other adjudicating authority, including the announcement of the decision of the court or other authority, shall be held in public.
10. Nothing in the preceding subsection shall prevent the court or other adjudicating authority from excluding from the proceedings persons other than the parties thereto and their representatives to such extent as the court or other authority—
    1. may by law be empowered so to do and may consider necessary or expedient in circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice or in interlocutory proceedings or in the interests of decency, public morality, the welfare of persons under the age of eighteen years or the protection of the private lives of persons concerned in the proceedings; or
    2. may by law be empowered or required so to do in the interests of defence, public safety or public order.
11. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of—
    1. subsection (2)(a) of this section to the extent that the law in question imposes upon any person charged with a criminal offence the burden of proving particular facts;
    2. subsection (2)(e) of this section to the extent that the law in question imposes reasonable conditions that must be satisfied if witnesses called to testify on behalf of an accused person are to be paid their expenses out of public funds; or
    3. subsection (5) of this section to the extent that the law in question authorises a court to try a member of a disciplined force for a criminal offence notwithstanding any trial and conviction or acquittal of that member under the disciplinary law of that force, so, however, that any court so trying such a member and convicting him shall in sentencing him to any punishment take into account any punishment awarded him under that disciplinary law.
12. In this section “criminal offence” means a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati.

11. Protection of freedom of conscience

1. Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience, Freedom of religion
   Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of conscience, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom includes freedom of thought and of religion, freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
2. Every religious community shall be entitled, at its own expense, to establish and maintain places of education and to manage any place of education which it wholly maintains.
3. No religious community shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for persons of that community in the course of any education provided at any place of education which it wholly maintains or in the course of any education which it otherwise provides.
4. Except with his own consent (or, if he is a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, the consent of his guardian) no person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or observance if that instruction, ceremony or observance relates to a religion other than his own.
5. No person shall be compelled to take any oath which is contrary to his religion or belief or to take any oath in a manner which is contrary to his religion or belief.
6. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision which is reasonably required—
   1. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or
   2. for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons, including the right to observe and practise any religion without the unsolicited intervention of members of any other religion,

   and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

7. References in this section to a religion shall be construed as including references to a religious denomination, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.

12. Protection of freedom of expression

1. Right to privacy, Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience
   Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.
2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision—
   1. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health;
   2. Television, Right to protect one's reputation, Radio, Telecommunications
      for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedoms of other persons or the private lives of persons concerned in legal proceedings, preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of the courts, or regulating the administration or the technical operation of telephony, telegraphy, posts, wireless or broadcasting; or
   3. that imposes restrictions upon public employees,

   and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

13. Protection of freedom of assembly and association

1. Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to associations for the advancement or protection of his interests.
2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision—
   1. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health;
   2. for the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons; or
   3. that imposes restrictions upon public employees,

   and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

14. Protection of freedom of movement

1. No person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom means the right to move freely throughout Kiribati, the right to reside in any part of Kiribati, the right to enter and to leave Kiribati and immunity from expulsion from Kiribati.
2. Any restriction on a person’s freedom of movement that is involved in his lawful detention shall not be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section.
3. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision—
   1. for the imposition of restrictions on the movement or residence within Kiribati of any person or on any person’s right to leave Kiribati that are reasonably required in the interests of defence, public safety or public order;
   2. Protection of environment, International law
      for the imposition of restrictions on the movement or residence within Kiribati or on the right to leave Kiribati of persons generally or any class of persons that are reasonably required in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, environmental conservation or in fulfilment of the international treaty obligations of Kiribati;
   3. for the imposition of restrictions on the movement or residence within Kiribati of any person who is not a citizen of Kiribati or the exclusion or expulsion from Kiribati of any such person;
   4. for the imposition of restrictions on the acquisition or use by any person of land or other property in Kiribati;
   5. for the imposition of restrictions upon the movement or residence within Kiribati of public employees that are reasonably required for the purpose of ensuring the proper performance of their functions;
   6. Extradition procedure
      for the removal of a person from Kiribati to be tried or punished in some other country for a criminal offence under the law of that other country or to undergo imprisonment in that other country in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati of which he has been convicted;
   7. for the imposition of restrictions, by order of a court, on the movement or residence within Kiribati of any person or on any person’s right to leave Kiribati either in consequence of his having been found guilty of a criminal offence under the law of Kiribati or for the purpose of ensuring that he appears before a court at a later date for trial or for proceedings relating to his extradition or lawful removal from Kiribati; or
   8. for the imposition of restrictions on the right of any person to leave Kiribati in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligations imposed upon that person by law, except so far as the provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
4. If any person whose freedom of movement has been restricted by virtue only of such a provision as is referred to in subsection (3)(a) of this section so requests at any time during the period of that restriction not earlier than six months after he last made such a request during that period, his case shall be reviewed by an independent and impartial Tribunal.
5. On any review by a Tribunal in pursuance of the preceding subsection of the case of a person whose freedom of movement has been restricted, the Tribunal may make recommendations concerning the necessity or expediency of continuing the restriction to the authority by which it was ordered but, unless it is otherwise provided by law, that authority shall not be obliged to act in accordance with any such recommendations.

15. Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, etc

1. Subject to the provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (8) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
2. Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of this section, no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.
3. In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
4. Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
   1. Municipal government
      for the imposition of taxation or the appropriation of revenue by the Government or any local authority or body for local purposes;
   2. with respect to persons who are not citizens of Kiribati;
   3. for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in the preceding subsection (or of persons connected with such persons), of the law with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other like matters that is the personal law applicable to persons of that description;
   4. with respect to land, the tenure of land, the resumption and acquisition of land and other like purposes; or
   5. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in the preceding subsection may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage which, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
5. Municipal government
   Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to standards or qualifications (not being standards or qualifications specifically relating to race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed) to be required of any person who is appointed to any office in the public service, any office in a disciplined force, any office in the service of a local government council or any office in a body corporate established directly by any law for public purposes.
6. Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to anything which is expressly or by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provision of law as is referred to in subsection (4) or (5) of this section.
7. Subsection (2) of this section shall not affect any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person by or under this Constitution or any other law.
8. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of this Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorised by section 9 (2), 11 (6), 12 (2), 13 (2), or 14 (3), as the case may be.
9. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with the provisions of this section—
   1. if that law was in force immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution and has continued in force at all times since the coming into operation of this Constitution; or
   2. to the extent that the law repeals and re-enacts any provision which has been contained in any enactment at all times since immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution.

16. Provisions for periods of public emergency

1. In this Chapter “period of public emergency” means any period during which—
   1. Kiribati is at war; or
   2. there is in force a proclamation made under this section.
2. The Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, may at any time declare that a state of public emergency exists and make regulations for the purpose of dealing with the public emergency.
3. Any declaration or regulations under the preceding subsection shall be made by proclamation published at the office of the Beretitenti.
4. A proclamation made under this section, if not sooner revoked, shall cease to have effect at the expiration of three days (or, in the case of a proclamation made otherwise than during a meeting of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, thirty days) from the date of publication unless it has in the meantime been approved by a resolution of the Maneaba, and a proclamation that has been so approved shall remain in force so long as the resolution remains in force and no longer.
5. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law of regulation shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of section 5, 6(2), 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 of this Constitution to the extent that the law or regulation in question makes in relation to any period or public emergency provision, or authorises the doing during any such period of any thing, that is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation arising or existing during the period for the purpose of dealing with that situation.
6. Where a person is detained by virtue of such a law or regulation as is referred to in the preceding subsection, the following provisions shall apply, that is to say—
   1. he shall, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case not more than ten days after the commencement of his detention, be furnished with a statement in writing, in a language that he understands, specifying in detail the grounds upon which he is detained;
   2. not more than fourteen days after the commencement of his detention, a notification shall be published at the office of the Beretitenti stating that he has been detained and giving particulars of the provision of law under which his detention is authorised;
   3. not more than one month after the commencement of his detention and thereafter during his detention at intervals of not more than six months, his case shall be reviewed by an independent and impartial Tribunal consisting of a Chairman appointed by the Chief Justice and two other members appointed by the Chief Justice sitting with the Public Service Commission;
   4. he shall be afforded reasonable facilities to consult a representative of his own choice who shall be permitted to make representations to the Tribunal; and
   5. at the hearing of his case by the Tribunal he shall be permitted to appear in person or through a representative of his own choice.
7. On any review by a Tribunal in pursuance of this section of the case of a detained person, the Tribunal may make recommendations concerning the necessity or expediency of continuing his detention to the authority by which it was ordered but, unless it is otherwise provided by law, that authority shall not be obliged to act in accordance with any such recommendations.
8. Nothing in subsection (6)(d) or (e) of this section shall be construed as entitling a person to representation at public expense.

17. Enforcement of protective provisions

1. Ultra-vires administrative actions
   Subject to the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, if any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or, in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person) then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.
2. The High Court shall have original jurisdiction—
   1. to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of the preceding subsection;
   2. to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of the next following subsection,

   and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution:

   Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under other provisions of this Constitution or under any other law.

3. If in any proceedings in any subordinate court any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution, the person presiding in that court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the High Court unless, in his opinion, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
4. The Maneaba ni Maungatabu may by law confer upon the High Court powers additional to those conferred by this section for the purpose of enabling that court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
5. Rules of court making provision with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which any application or reference shall or may be made or brought) may be made by the person or authority for the time being having power to make rules of court with respect to the practice and procedure of that court generally.

18. Interpretation and savings

1. In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires—
   • “contravention”, in relation to any requirement, includes a failure to comply with that requirement, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;

     “court” means any court of law having jurisdiction in Kiribati, other than a court established by a disciplinary law, and includes the Judicial Committee and in sections 4 and 6 of this Constitution a court established by a disciplinary law;

     “disciplinary law” means a law regulating the discipline of any disciplined force;

     “disciplined force” means—

     1. the Kiribati Police;
     2. the Prison Service;
     3. the Marine Protection Service;
     4. the Marine Training School;

     “member”, in relation to a disciplined force, includes any person who, under the law regulating the discipline of that force, is subject to that discipline.

2. In relation to any person who is a member of a disciplined force of Kiribati, nothing contained in or done under the authority of the disciplinary law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter other than sections 4, 6 and 7.
3. International organizations
   In relation to any person who is a member of a disciplined force that is not a disciplined force of Kiribati and who is present in Kiribati in pursuance of arrangements made between the Government of Kiribati and another Government or an international organisation, nothing contained in or done under the authority of the disciplinary law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter.
4. No measures taken in relation to a person who is a member of a disciplined force of a country with which Kiribati is at war and no law, to the extent that it authorises the taking of any such measures, shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter.

19. Rights of persons of I-Kiribati descent

20. Persons born, naturalised or registered in Kiribati before Independence Day

1. Every person of I-Kiribati descent who, having been born in Kiribati, is on the day prior to Independence Day a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.
2. Every person not of I-Kiribati descent who, having been born in Kiribati, is an eligible person shall become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.
3. Every person who is of I-Kiribati descent or an eligible person and who acquired the status of citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies under the British Nationality Acts 1948 to 1965 [FN: 1948 c. 56; 1958 c. 10; 1964 c. 22; 1964 c. 54; 1965 c. 34.] by virtue of having been naturalised or registered under those Acts, or naturalised as a British subject before 1949, while resident in Kiribati, shall become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

21. Persons born outside Kiribati before Independence Day

1. Every person of I-Kiribati descent who having been born outside Kiribati is on the day prior to Independence Day a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall, if his father becomes or would but for his death or renunciation of his citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies have become a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of subsection (1) or (3) of the preceding section, become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.
2. Every person not of I-Kiribati descent who having been born outside Kiribati is an eligible person shall, if his father becomes or would but for his death have become a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of subsection (2) or (3) of the preceding section, become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

22. Wives of persons who become citizens on Independence Day

23. Persons entitled to be registered as citizens

24. Avoidance of dual nationality

25. Persons born after the day prior to Independence Day

1. Every person born in Kiribati after the day prior to Independence Day shall become a citizen of Kiribati at the date of his birth unless on that date, not being a person of I-Kiribati descent or a person whose father is a citizen of Kiribati, he becomes a citizen of some other country:

   Provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of this subsection if at the time of his birth—

   1. his father possesses such immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to any envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to Kiribati and neither of his parents is a citizen of Kiribati; or
   2. his father is a citizen of a country with which Kiribati is at war and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation of such country.
2. Every person born outside Kiribati after the day prior to Independence Day shall become a citizen of Kiribati at the date of his birth if at that date his father is, or would but for his death have been, a citizen of Kiribati.

26. Marriage to citizens of Kiribati

27. Commonwealth citizens

1. Every person who under this Constitution or any other law is a citizen of Kiribati or under any enactment for the time being in force in any country to which this section applies is a citizen of that country shall, by virtue of that citizenship, have the status of a Commonwealth citizen.
2. Every person who is a British subject without citizenship under the British Nationality Act 1948, continues to be a British subject under section 2 of that Act or is a British subject under the British Nationality Act 1965 shall, by virtue of that status, have the status of a Commonwealth citizen.
3. Save as may be otherwise provided by the Maneaba in Maungatabu the countries to which this section applies are Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Southern Rhodesia, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Colonies, Western Samoa and Zambia.

28. Powers of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu

29. Interpretation

1. For the purpose of this Chapter—
   1. “a person of I-Kiribati descent” means a person one of whose ancestors was born in Kiribati before 1900;
   2. “an eligible person” means a person who on the day prior to Independence Day—
      1. is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, and
      2. has no other nationality,

         provided that—

      3. neither he, his father nor his father’s father was born in the United Kingdom or was registered or naturalised in the United Kingdom as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies or a British subject;
   3. any reference to the father of a person shall, in relation to a person born out of wedlock, be construed as a reference to the mother of that person;
   4. a person born aboard a registered ship or aircraft, or aboard an unregistered ship or aircraft of the Government of any country, shall be deemed to have been born in the place in which the ship or aircraft was registered or, as the case may be, in that country.
2. For the purpose of the definition of “an eligible person” in subsection (1) (b) of this section, where a person has a nationality other than citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies he shall be deemed to have lost that other nationality if—
   1. the law of the country of that other nationality makes no provision for or does not permit him to renounce that nationality; and
   2. he has before Independence Day signed and delivered to the Government of the Gilbert Islands a declaration that he no longer regards himself as having that other nationality and will not claim the benefits of that nationality and wishes to become a citizen of Kiribati.

Part I. The Beretitenti

Part II. The Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti

Part III. The Cabinet

Part IV. Executive Functions

Part I. Composition

Part II. Legislation and Procedure

Part III. Summoning, Dissolution and Elections

Part I. The High Court

Part II. The Court of Appeal

Part III. General

98. Public Service Commission

1. There shall be a Public Service Commission which shall consist of a Chairman and four other Commissioners who shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Speaker and the Chief Justice acting jointly.
2. The Commissioners shall be appointed for three years or for such lesser period as may be specified by the Beretitenti in their respective instruments of appointment.
3. A person shall be disqualified for appointment as a Commissioner if he is a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu or a public employee.
4. A person shall not, while he holds or is acting in the office of a Commissioner or within a period of eighteen months commencing with the date on which he last held or acted in that office, be eligible for appointment to or to act in any public office.
5. The office of a Commissioner shall become vacant—
   1. at the expiration of the period of his appointment;
   2. if he becomes a member of the Maneaba; or
   3. if he is removed from office in accordance with subsection (1) of this section.

99. Appointments, etc., of public employees

1. Head of state powers
   Subject to the provisions of this Constitution power to make appointments to public offices, and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices, is vested in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.
2. The Beretitenti may delegate to the Public Service Commission his power to make appointments to certain public offices or certain classes of public office.
3. The Public Service Commission shall have such other functions as may be prescribed.

100. Appointment of certain public employees

1. Power to make appointments to the offices of Secretary to the Cabinet and Secretary to a department of government, and power to transfer the holders of such offices to other posts of equivalent rank, is vested in the Beretitenti, acting after consultation with the Public Service Commission.
2. Power to make appointments to the office of Auditor General is vested in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.
3. Power to make appointments to the office of Commissioner of Police is vested in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet tendered after consultation with the Public Service Commission.

101. Tenure of office of certain public employees

1. The provisions of this section shall apply in relation to persons holding the offices of Auditor General and Commissioner of Police.
2. Subject to the provisions of this section, a person to whom this section applies shall vacate his office when he attains the age of fifty-five years:

   Provided that the Beretitenti may permit a person to whom this section applies who attains the age of fifty-five years to continue in office until he has attained such later age as may have been agreed between the Beretitenti and that person.

3. A person to whom this section applies may be removed from office only for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be so removed except in accordance with the provisions of the next following subsection.
4. A person to whom this section applies shall be removed from office by the Beretitenti if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a Tribunal appointed under the next following subsection and the Tribunal has recommended to the Beretitenti that he ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.
5. If the Beretitenti considers that the question of removing a person to whom this section applies from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour ought to be investigated, then—
   1. the Beretitenti shall appoint a Tribunal, which shall consist of a Chairman who is a person who holds or has held judicial office, and not less than two other members; and
   2. that Tribunal shall inquire into the matter and report on the facts thereof to the Beretitenti and recommend to the Beretitenti whether the person ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.
6. If the question of removing the Commissioner of Police has been referred to a Tribunal under the preceding subsection the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, may suspend the Commissioner from performing the functions of his office and any such suspension may at any time be revoked by the Beretitenti, acting as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the Tribunal recommends to the Beretitenti that the Commissioner should not be removed.
7. The provisions of this section shall not apply in relation to a person appointed to act in any office referred to in subsection (1) of this section during any period when that office is vacant or the holder thereof is unable to perform the functions of his office; and the appointment of such a person may be revoked by the Public Service Commission at any time before the expiration of that period.

102. Appointment, etc. of junior police officers

1. Power to make appointments to any office in the Kiribati Police below the rank of Assistant Superintendent, and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices, is vested in the Commissioner of Police.
2. There shall be a right of appeal to the Public Service Commission from any decision of the Commissioner of Police in exercise of his power of removal or disciplinary control under the preceding subsection.
3. The Commissioner of Police may, subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, delegate any of his powers under subsection (1) of this section, by directions in writing, to any other officer of the Kiribati Police.

103. Applicability of pensions law

1. Subject to the provisions of section 105 of this Constitution, the law applicable to the grant and payment to any person, or to his widow, children, dependants or personal representatives, of any pension, gratuity or other like allowance (in this section and sections 104 and 105 of this Constitution referred to as an “award”) in respect of the service of that person in a public office shall be that in force on the relevant day or any later law not less favourable to the person concerned.
2. For the purposes of this section the relevant day is—
   1. in relation to an award granted before Independence Day, the day on which the award was granted;
   2. in relation to an award granted or to be granted on or after Independence Day to or in respect of a person who was a public employee before that day, the day immediately before that day;
   3. in relation to an award granted or to be granted to or in respect of a person who first becomes a public employee on or after Independence Day, the day on which he becomes a public employee.
3. For the purposes of this section, in so far as the law applicable to an award depends on the option of the person to or in respect of whom it is granted or to be granted, the law for which he opts shall be taken to be more favourable to him than any other law for which he might have opted.

104. Pensions, etc. charged on the Consolidated Fund

105. Grant and withholding of pensions, etc

1. Head of state powers
   The power to grant any award under any pensions law in force in Kiribati (other than an award to which, under that law, the person to whom it is payable is entitled as of right) and, in accordance with any provisions in that behalf in any such law, to withhold, reduce in amount or suspend any award payable under any such law shall vest in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.
2. In this section, “pensions law” means any law relating to the grant to any person, or to the widow, children, dependants or personal representatives of that person, of an award in respect of the services of that person in a public office.

106. Taxation

107. Consolidated Fund and Special Funds

1. There shall be in and for Kiribati a Consolidated Fund into which, subject to the provisions of any law in force in Kiribati, shall be paid all revenues of the Government.
2. The Maneaba ni Maungatabu may make provision for the establishment of Special Funds, which shall not form part of the Consolidated Fund.
3. The receipts, earnings and accruals of Special Funds established under this section and the balance of such funds at the close of each financial year shall not be paid into the Consolidated Fund but shall be retained for the purposes of those funds.

108. Withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund

1. No money shall be issued from the Consolidated Fund except upon the authority of a warrant under the hand of the Minister of Finance.
2. No warrant shall be issued by the Minister of Finance for the purpose of meeting any expenditure unless—
   1. the expenditure has been authorised for the financial year during which the issue is to take place by an Appropriation Act; or
   2. the expenditure has been authorised in accordance with the provisions of section 109(4), 110 or 111 of this Constitution; or
   3. it is statutory expenditure.

109. Authorisation of expenditure

1. Budget bills
   The Minister of Finance shall cause to be prepared and laid before the Maneaba ni Maungatabu before or not later than sixty days after the commencement of each financial year estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the Government for that year.
2. The heads of expenditure contained in the estimates (other than statutory expenditure) shall be included in a Bill to be known as an Appropriation Bill which shall be introduced into the Maneaba to provide for the issue from the Consolidated Fund of the sums necessary to supply those heads and the appropriation of those sums for the purposes specified therein.
3. If in respect of any financial year it is found that the sum appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no sum has been appropriated by that law, a supplementary estimate showing the sums required shall be included in a Supplementary Appropriation Bill for appropriation.
4. Where in respect of any financial year the Minister of Finance is satisfied that an urgent and unforeseen need has arisen to authorise for any purpose advances from the Consolidated Fund for expenditure in excess of the sum appropriated for that purpose by an Appropriation Act, or for a purpose for which no sum has been so appropriated, he may, subject to the provisions of any law in force in that regard, authorise such advances by warrant and shall include such amount in a Supplementary Appropriation Bill for appropriation at the meeting of the Maneaba next following the date on which the warrant was issued.
5. If at the close of account for any financial year it is found that any moneys have been expended on any head in excess of the sum appropriated for that head by an Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no money has been appropriated, the excess or the sum expended but not appropriated as the case may be shall be included in a statement of heads in excess which, together with the report of the Public Accounts Committee thereon, shall be presented to the Maneaba.
6. Statutory expenditure shall not be voted on by the Maneaba but, without further authority of the Maneaba, shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund by warrant under the hand of the Minister of Finance.

110. Authorisation of expenditure in advance of appropriation

111. Delay in Appropriation Act owing to dissolution

112. Public debt

1. There shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund all debt charges for which the Government is liable.
2. For the purposes of this section debt charges include interest, sinking fund charges, the repayment or amortisation of debt, and all expenditure in connection with the raising of loans on the security of the revenue of the Government or the Consolidated Fund and the service and redemption of debt thereby created.

113. Remuneration of certain persons

1. There shall be paid to the holders of the offices to which this section applies such salary or other remuneration and such allowances as may be prescribed.
2. The remuneration and allowances payable to the holders of those offices are hereby charged on and shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.
3. The remuneration prescribed under this section in respect of the holder of any such office and his other terms of service (other than allowances that are not taken into account in computing, under any law in that behalf, any pension payable in respect of his service in that office) shall not be altered to his disadvantage after his appointment except as part of any alteration generally applicable to public employees.
4. Where a person’s remuneration or other terms of service depend upon his option, the remuneration or terms for which he opts shall, for the purposes of the preceding subsection, be deemed to be more advantageous to him than any others for which he might have opted.
5. This section applies to the offices of Speaker, Chief Justice and other judges of the High Court, President and other judges of the Court of Appeal, Attorney-General (if he is not an elected member of the Maneaba), Auditor General, Commissioner of Police, Chief Electoral Commissioner and other members of the Electoral Commission, and Chairman and other members of the Public Service Commission.

114. The Director of Audit

1. There shall be an Auditor General whose office shall be a public office.
2. The public accounts of Kiribati and of all departments, offices, courts and authorities of the Government shall be audited and reported on annually by the Auditor General, and for that purpose the Auditor General or any person authorised by him in that behalf shall at all times be entitled to access to all books, records, returns and other documents relating to such accounts.
3. The Auditor General shall submit his reports made under the preceding subsection to the Speaker who shall cause them to be laid before the Maneaba ni Maungatabu; and he shall also send a copy of each report to the Beretitenti and to the Minister of Finance.
4. In the exercise of his functions under this section, the Auditor General shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
5. Nothing in this section shall prevent the performance by the Auditor General of—
   1. such other functions in relation to the accounts of the Government and the accounts of other public authorities and statutory or other bodies administering public funds in Kiribati as may be prescribed; or
   2. such other functions in relation to the supervision and control of expenditure from public funds in Kiribati as may be prescribed.

115. Public Accounts Committee

1. There shall be a Public Accounts Committee of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu which shall consist of three members of the Maneaba elected by the Maneaba.
2. No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the Committee if he holds or is acting in the office of Beretitenti, Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti or other Minister, or Attorney-General.
3. The seat of a member of the Committee shall become vacant—
   1. if he ceases to be a member of the Maneaba;
   2. if he assumes the office of Beretitenti or is acting as such;
   3. if he is appointed to the office of Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti or other Minister, or Attorney-General, or to act as such; or
   4. if he is removed by the Maneaba by resolution.
4. The functions of the Committee shall be—
   1. to consider the accounts of the Government in conjunction with the report of the Auditor General;
   2. to report to the Maneaba, in the case of any excess or unauthorised expenditure of funds, the reasons for such expenditure;
   3. to propose any measures it considers necessary to ensure that the funds of the Government are properly and economically spent; and
   4. where a report on the examination and audit of the accounts of any corporation, statutory board, body or commission is required by law to be laid before the Maneaba, to consider, report on and make recommendations to the Maneaba in respect of such accounts.

116. Interpretation

117. Nominated member of Maneaba ni Maungatabu

1. First chamber representation quotas, Indigenous right to representation
   In the Maneaba ni Maungatabu one seat shall be reserved for a nominated representative of the Banaban community (in this section referred to as “the nominated member”).
2. Indigenous right to representation
   The Electoral Commission shall declare the nominated member to be such person, qualified under the next following subsection, as shall have been nominated by the Rabi Council to fill the seat provided for by this section.
3. No person shall be qualified to be a nominated member unless—
   1. he is a Banaban; and
   2. he is qualified to be elected as an elected member of the Maneaba in accordance with sections 55(b) and 56 of this Constitution.
4. The seat of the nominated member shall become vacant—
   1. if he ceases to be a Banaban; or
   2. in any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (e) and (f) of section 57 and section 58 of this Constitution.
5. The High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any question whether any person has been validly declared to be the nominated member or the nominated member has vacated his seat in the Maneaba or is required by virtue of the preceding subsection and section 58 of this Constitution to cease to perform his functions as a member.
6. An application to the High Court for the determination of any question under the preceding subsection may be made by the nominated member, the Rabi Council, the Electoral Commission or the Attorney-General:

   Provided that if such an application is made by a person other than the Attorney-General, the Attorney-General may intervene and may then appear or be represented in the proceedings.

118. Elected representation in Maneaba

1. Eligibility for first chamber, Minimum age for first chamber
   Notwithstanding the provisions of section 55 of this Constitution, a person who has attained the age of twenty-one years shall be qualified to be elected as an elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu for an electoral district comprising or including Banaba if he is a citizen of Kiribati or a Banaban.
2. Removal of individual legislators
   Section 57 of this Constitution shall have effect in relation to an elected member of the Maneaba for an electoral district comprising or including Banaba subject to the qualification that the seat of such a member shall become vacant if that member ceases to be either a citizen of Kiribati or a Banaban.
3. Indigenous right to vote, Restrictions on voting
   A person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector on Banaba if he is a Banaban or a citizen of Kiribati and is otherwise entitled under section 64 of this Constitution to be registered as an elector in that place.
4. Electoral commission, Census, Electoral districts
   In reviewing the number of electoral districts, the boundaries of electoral districts and the number of elected representatives as these relate to Banaba, the Electoral Commission shall take account of the most recent census data for citizens of Kiribati and for Banabans on Banaba whether or not they are citizens of Kiribati.

119. Land on and access to Banaba

1. Where any Banaban possesses any right over or interest in any land in Banaba, such right or interest shall not be affected in any way by reason of the fact that he resides in Rabi Island in Fiji.
2. Where the Republic has acquired any right over or interest in land in Banaba—
   1. from any Banaban for the purpose of phosphate extraction; or
   2. by operation of law where the Crown had acquired it before Independence Day from any Banaban for that purpose,

   the Republic shall transfer that right or interest to the Banaban from whom it was acquired (whether by the Republic or the Crown) or to his heirs and successors upon the completion of phosphate extraction from that land.

3. Where any Banaban possesses any right over or interest in land in Banaba, no such right or interest shall be compulsorily acquired other than a leasehold interest and in accordance with section 8(1) of this Constitution, and then only where the following conditions are satisfied, that is to say—
   1. the Banaba Island Council has been consulted; and
   2. every reasonable effort has been made to acquire the interest by agreement with the person who possesses the right over or interest in the land.
4. Inalienable rights
   Every Banaban shall have an inalienable right to enter and reside in Banaba and accordingly section 14 of this Constitution shall apply to Banabans in relation to Banaba as if paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of that section were deleted.

120. Movement of persons into Banaba

121. Banaba Island Council

1. There shall be a Banaba Island Council.
2. The powers and duties of the Banaba Island Council shall be prescribed by or under law.

122. Independent Commission of Inquiry

1. At the expiration of a period of three years after Independence Day, the Government shall appoint an independent Commission of Inquiry, which shall review the operation of the provisions of—
   1. this Chapter; and
   2. Chapter III, to the extent that the provisions of that Chapter confer rights on Banabans.
2. Having conducted a review under this section, the Commission shall make such recommendations as it thinks fit, which shall be presented to the Maneaba ni Maungatabu.
3. In the exercise of its functions under this section the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

123. Appeals to Judicial Committee

1. An appeal shall lie as of right to the Judicial Committee from any decision of the High Court involving the interpretation of this Constitution in any proceedings in which application has been made to the High Court alleging that any provision of this Constitution has been contravened and the rights or interests of any Banaban or of the Rabi Council under this Chapter or Chapter III are being or are likely to be affected by such contravention.
2. Any decision by the Judicial Committee in any appeal under this section shall be enforced in like manner as if it were a decision of the High Court.
3. The Judicial Committee shall, in relation to any appeal to it under this section in any case, have all the jurisdiction and powers possessed in relation to that case by the High Court.

124. Entrenchment

1. A Bill for an Act to alter any of the provisions of—
   1. this Chapter; and
   2. Chapter III, to the extent that the provisions of that Chapter confer rights on Banabans,

   shall not be passed by the Maneaba in Maungatabu except in accordance with this section.

2. Consideration of any such Bill shall be deferred after its first reading in the Maneaba until the next following meeting of the Maneaba.
3. At its second reading in the Maneaba the Bill shall not be passed if—
   1. it is not supported by the votes of at least two-thirds of all the members of the Maneaba; or
   2. either the nominated member or a Banaba elected member votes against the Bill.
4. If the nominated member is not present in the Maneaba at the time of voting on the second reading of the Bill (whether or not any Banaba elected member is present at that time), consideration of the Bill shall be deferred until the next following meeting of the Maneaba, and the Rabi Council and the Banaba Island Council shall be so informed in writing.
5. At the next following meeting of the Maneaba a further vote on the Bill may be held, and—
   1. if the Bill is supported by the votes of at least two-thirds of all the members of the Maneaba and the nominated member does not vote against it, the Bill shall be passed;
   2. if the Bill is not supported by the votes of at least two-thirds of all the members of the Maneaba, or if the nominated member votes against it, the Bill shall not be passed.
6. In this section—
   1. “nominated member” means the member of the Maneaba provided for in section 117 of this Constitution;
   2. “Banaba elected member” means an elected member of the Maneaba for an electoral district comprising or including Banaba;
   3. references to provisions of this Constitution include references to any other law in so far as that law alters those provisions;
   4. references to altering provisions of this Constitution include references—
      1. to repealing them, with or without re-enactment thereof or the making of different provision in lieu thereof;
      2. to modifying them, whether by omitting or amending any such provisions or inserting additional provisions in the Constitution or otherwise;
      3. to suspending their operation for any period, or terminating any such suspension; and
      4. to making any other provision that is repugnant to them or otherwise inconsistent with them.

125. Interpretation

126. Disciplined forces

127. Kiribati text of Constitution

128. National seal

129. Oaths

1. Before entering upon the duties of his office a person to whom this section applies shall take and subscribe such oaths as may be prescribed.
2. This section applies to any person appointed to hold or to act in—
   1. the office of magistrate; and
   2. such other offices as may be prescribed.

130. Resignations

131. Performance of functions of Commissions and Tribunals

1. Any Commission established by this Constitution may by regulations make provision for regulating and facilitating the performance by the Commission of its functions under this Constitution.
2. Any decision by any such Commission shall require the concurrence of a majority of all the members thereof and, subject as aforesaid, the Commission may act notwithstanding the absence of any member:

   Provided that if in any particular case a vote of all the members is taken to decide the question and the votes cast are equally divided the chairman shall have and shall exercise a casting vote.

3. Subject to the provisions of this section, any such Commission may regulate its own procedure.
4. In the exercise of its functions under this Constitution, no such Commission shall be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority, except where otherwise provided by this Constitution.
5. In addition to the functions conferred upon it by or under this Constitution any such Commission shall have such other functions (if any) as may be prescribed.
6. The validity of the transaction of business of any such Commission shall not be affected by the fact that some person who was not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings.
7. The provisions of subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section shall apply in relation to a Tribunal established for the purposes of sections 14(4), 16(6), 83(4), 93(4) or 101(5) of this Constitution as they apply in relation to a Commission established by this Constitution, and any such Tribunal shall have the same powers as the High Court in respect of the attendance and examination of witnesses (including the administration of oaths and the examination of witnesses abroad) and in respect of the production of documents.
8. The provisions of subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section shall apply in relation to the Maneaba Members’ Salaries Tribunal established by section 65 of this Constitution as they apply in relation to a Commission established by this Constitution.

132. Interpretation

1. In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires—
   • “Commonwealth” means Kiribati and any country to which section 27 of this Constitution for the time being applies, and includes the dependencies of any such country;

     “Court of Appeal” means the Court of Appeal of Kiribati established by this Constitution;

     “functions” includes rights, duties and powers;

     “general election” means a general election of elected members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu;

     “the Government” means the Government of Kiribati;

     “High Court” means the High Court of Kiribati established by this Constitution;

     “high judicial office” means the office of judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court;

     “Independence Day” means 12th July 1979;

     Establishment of judicial council

     “the Judicial Committee” means the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council established by the Judicial Committee Act 1833 [FN: 1833 c. 41.];

     “Kiribati” means the territories which immediately before Independence Day comprised the colony of the Gilbert Islands, and which are more particularly specified in Schedule 2 to this Constitution;

     “meeting” means, in relation to the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, the sittings of the Maneaba commencing when the Maneaba first meets after being summoned at any time and ending when the Maneaba is adjourned sine die or is dissolved;

     “oath” includes affirmation;

     “prescribed” means prescribed by or under law;

     “public employee” means a person holding or acting in any public office;

     “public office” means an office of emolument in the public service;

     “public service” means the service of the Government in a civil capacity;

     “the Republic” means the Republic of Kiribati;

     “sitting” means, in relation to the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, a period during which the Maneaba is sitting continuously without adjournment and includes any period during which the Maneaba is in committee;

     “the Speaker” means the Speaker of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu;

     Structure of the courts

     “subordinate court” means any court established for Kiribati other than the High Court, the Court of Appeal, or the Judicial Committee.

2. Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the Interpretation Act 1978 [FN: 1978 c. 30.] shall apply, with the necessary adaptations, for the purpose of interpreting this Constitution, and otherwise in relation thereto, as it applies for the purpose of interpreting, and in relation to, Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

133. References to public office, etc

1. In this Constitution the expression “public office” shall not be construed as including—
   1. the office of Beretitenti, or Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti or other Minister;
   2. the office of Speaker, elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, or the member of the Maneaba provided for in section 117 of this Constitution;
   3. the office of Chief Electoral Commissioner or other member of the Electoral Commission, or Chairman or other member of the Public Service Commission;
   4. except in sections 103 and 105 of this Constitution, the office of Chief Justice or other judge of the High Court, or President or other judge of the Court of Appeal.
2. For the purposes of this Constitution a person shall not be treated as holding, or acting in, a public office by reason only that he—
   1. is on leave of absence pending relinquishment of a public office, or is on leave of absence without salary from a public office;
   2. is receiving a pension or other like allowance from the Government;
   3. is a retired or reserve member of any disciplined force or a special constable;
   4. Municipal government
      is a member, officer or servant of any local government council, or of any magistrates’ court and is paid as a magistrate sitting fees only; or
   5. is the holder of an office in the service or appointment of the Government or is performing any functions on behalf of the Government, if the only payments he receives in respect of that office or those functions are by way of travelling or subsistence allowances or a refund of out-of-pocket expenses.

134. Powers of appointment and acting appointments

1. Any reference in this Constitution to power to make appointments to any office shall be construed as including a reference to power to make appointments on promotion and transfer to that office and to power to appoint a person to act in that office during any period during which it is vacant or the holder thereof is unable to perform the functions of that office.
2. In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to the holder of an office by the term designating his office shall be construed as including a reference to any person who is for the time being lawfully acting in or performing the functions of that office.
3. Where by this Constitution any person is directed, or power is conferred on any person or authority to appoint a person, to act in or otherwise to perform the functions of an office if the holder thereof is unable to perform the functions of that office, the validity of any performance of those functions by the person so directed or of any appointment made in exercise of that power shall not be called in question in any court on the ground that the holder of the office is not unable to perform the functions of the office.

135. Reappointments and concurrent appointments

1. Where any person has vacated any office established by this Constitution, he may, if qualified, again be appointed or elected to hold that office in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
2. Whenever the holder of any office constituted by or under this Constitution, or any public office otherwise constituted, is on leave of absence pending relinquishment of his office—
   1. another person may be appointed to that office; and
   2. that person shall, for the purpose of any function of that office, be deemed to be the sole holder of that office.

136. Removal from office

1. References in this Constitution to the power to remove a public employee from his office shall be construed as including references to any power conferred by any law to require or permit that employee to retire from the public service and to any power or right to terminate a contract on which a person is employed as a public employee and to determine whether any such contract shall or shall not be renewed:

   Provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as conferring on any person or authority power to require the Chief Justice or any other judge of the High Court, the President or any other judge of the Court of Appeal, the Commissioner of Police or the Auditor General to retire from the public service.

2. Any provision of this Constitution that vests in any person or authority power to remove any public employee from his office shall be without prejudice to the power of any person or authority to abolish any office or to any law providing for the compulsory retirement of public employees generally or any class of public employee on attaining an age specified therein.

137. Saving for jurisdiction of courts

138. Power to amend and revoke instruments, etc

139. Consultation

1. Oath of Beretitenti

2. Oath of Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and other Ministers, and Attorney-General

3. Oath of Member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu

4. Oath to be taken by Judges and Commissioners of the High Court and Judges of the Court of Appeal