Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica 1978, as amended to 2014
Obligations of the State
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    WHEREAS the People of Dominica—
    (a) have affirmed that the Commonwealth of Dominica is founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms, the position of the family in a society of free men and free institutions, the dignity of the human person, and the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their Creator;

    (e) desire that their Constitution should make provision for ensuring the protection in the Commonwealth of Dominica of fundamental human rights and freedoms;
    … (Preamble)
Obligations of the State
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    Whereas every person in Dominica is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the rights whatever his race, place of origins, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
    … (Sec. 1)
Obligations of Private Parties
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    Whereas every person in Dominica is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the rights whatever his race, place of origins, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
    … (Sec. 1)
Judicial Protection
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    1. If any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (inclusive)4 of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or, in the case for 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—
    a. to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section; and
    b. to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section,
    and may make such declarations and 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 2 to 15 (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 any other law.
    3. If in any proceedings in any court (other than the Court of Appeal or the High Court or a court-martial) any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (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. Where any question is referred to the High Court in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section, the High Court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if that decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal or to the Caribbean Court of Justice, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal or, as the case may be, of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
    5. The High Court shall have such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may be conferred upon it by Parliament for the purpose of enabling it more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
    6. The Chief Justice may make rules with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and powers conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which applications may be brought and references shall be made to the High Court). (Sec. 16)

Judicial Protection
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of section 40(7) of this Constitution, an appeal shall lie from decisions of the High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases:

    (b) final decisions given in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on the High Court by section 16 of this Constitution (which relates to the enforcement of the fundamental rights and freedoms).
    … (Sec. 105)
Links to all sites last visited 8 February 2024
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Chapter VII on Citizenship.
3
Chapter I on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
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Provisions of Chapter I on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

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Chapter I on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
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Provisions of Chapter I on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.