Constitution of Barbados 1966, as amended to 2007
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section—
    (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect;

    (2) 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 afforded to persons of another such description.
    (3) Subsection (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—

    (c) whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (2) 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;
    … (Sec. 23)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) Every person who, having been born in Barbados, is on 29th November, 1966 a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall become a citizen of Barbados on 30th November, 1966.
    (2) Every person who, having been born outside Barbados, is on 29th November, 1966 a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall, if his father becomes or would but for his death have become a citizen of Barbados in accordance with the provisions of subsection (1), become a citizen of Barbados on 30th November, 1966.
    (3) Any person who on 29th November 1966 is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies,
    (a) having become such a citizen under the British Nationality Act 1948 by virtue of his having been naturalised in Barbados as a British subject before that Act came into force; or
    (b) having become such a citizen by virtue of his having been naturalised or registered in Barbados under that Act, shall become a citizen of Barbados on 30th November 1966. (Sec. 2)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) Any woman who on 29th November is or has been married to a person—
    (a) who becomes a citizen of Barbados by virtue of section 2; or
    (b) who, having died before 30th November 1966, would but for his death have become a citizen of Barbados by virtue of that section, shall be entitled, upon making application, and, if she is a British protected person or an alien, upon taking the oath of allegiance, to be registered as a citizen of Barbados.
    (2) Any person who is a Commonwealth citizen (otherwise than by virtue of being a citizen of Barbados) and who—
    (a) has been ordinarily resident in Barbados continuously for a period of seven years or more at any time before 30th November 1966; and
    (b) has not, since such period of residence in Barbados and before that date, been ordinarily resident outside Barbados continuously for a period of seven years or more, shall be entitled, upon making application, to be registered as a citizen of Barbados.
    (3) Any woman who on 29th November 1966 is or has been married to a person who subsequently becomes a citizen of Barbados by registration under subsection (2) shall be entitled, upon making application, and, if she is a British protected person or an alien, upon taking the oath of allegiance, to be registered as a citizen of Barbados.
    (4) Any application for registration under this section shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed as respects that application: Provided that such an application may not be made by a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years and is not a woman who is or has been married, but shall be made on behalf of that person by a parent or guardian of that person.
    (5) The right to be registered as a citizen of Barbados under this section shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy. (Sec. 3)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) The following descriptions of person also have the right upon application to be registered as citizens of Barbados, namely—
    (a) a person who has been ordinarily resident in Barbados throughout the period of ten years (or such longer period as may be prescribed) immediately preceding that person’s application;
    (b) a person who has been married to a citizen of Barbados, and has cohabited with that citizen, for such period as may be prescribed immediately preceding that person’s application.
    (2) A person who has a right to be registered under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) by virtue of marriage to a spouse who is a citizen of Barbados does not lose that right if the spouse dies before the expiry of the period provided for by or under that paragraph.
    (3) The dissolution, or the annulment or other avoidance by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction, of the marriage of a person who has been registered as a citizen of Barbados under subsection (1)(b) does not affect that person’s citizenship of Barbados.
    (4) The right to be registered as a citizen of Barbados under this section is subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.
    (5) A person who is under eighteen years of age and is not a woman who is or has been married may not make an application for registration under this section; that person’s parent or guardian must make the application.
    (6) An application for registration under this section shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed.
    (7) Before a certificate or other official mark of citizenship of Barbados may be issued to a person pursuant to provision made under this section, that person must have taken the oath of allegiance before an officer of the Immigration Department in that officer’s capacity as a Justice of the Peace. (Sec. 3A)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    Every person born in Barbados after 29th November 1966 shall become a citizen of Barbados at the date of his birth: Provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Barbados by virtue of this section if at the time of his birth—
    (a) his father possesses such immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to an envoy of a foreign sovereign State accredited to Her Majesty in right of Her Government in Barbados and neither of his parents is a citizen of Barbados; or
    (b) his father is an enemy alien and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation by the enemy. (Sec. 4)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) A person born outside Barbados after 29th November 1966 shall become a citizen of Barbados at the date of his birth if at that date his father is a citizen of Barbados otherwise than by virtue of this section or section 2(2).
    (2) Subject to subsection (1) and without derogating from, or in any way affecting, that subsection, a person born outside Barbados after 29th November 1966 shall become a citizen of Barbados at the date of his birth if at the date of the birth at least one of his parents is a citizen of Barbados who was born in Barbados. (Sec. 5)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (1) Any woman who, after 29th November 1966, marries a person who is or becomes a citizen of Barbados shall be entitled, upon making application in such manner as may be prescribed and, if she is a British protected person or an alien, upon taking the oath of allegiance, to be registered as a citizen of Barbados.
    (2) The right to be registered as a citizen of Barbados under this section shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy. (Sec. 6)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    Parliament may make provision
    (a) for the acquisition of citizenship of Barbados by persons who do not become citizens of Barbados by virtue of the provisions of this Chapter2; or
    (b) for depriving of his citizenship of Barbados any person who is a citizen of Barbados otherwise than by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) of section 2 or section 4 or section 5. (Sec. 9)
Citizenship and Nationality
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    (2) Any reference in this Chapter to the father of a person shall, in relation to any person born out of wedlock other than a person legitimated before 30th November 1966, be construed as a reference to the mother of that person.
    … (Sec. 10)
Employment Rights and Protection
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    Now, therefore, the people of Barbados

    (d) resolve that the operation of the economic system shall promote the general welfare by the equitable distribution of the material resources of the community, by the human conditions under which all men shall labour and by the undeviating recognition of ability, integrity and merit;
    … (Preamble)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
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    Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-

    (c) the protection of the law;
    … (Sec. 11)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section—
    (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect; and
    (b) 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.
    (2) 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 afforded to persons of another such description.
    (3) Subsection (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—

    (b) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
    (c) whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (2) 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;
    (cc) for the transfer between Barbados and other countries, in accordance with international arrangements entered into by Barbados, of persons detained in prisons, hospitals or other institutions by virtue of orders made in the course of the exercise by courts or tribunals of their criminal jurisdiction;
    (d) for authorising the taking during a period of public emergency of measures that are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period of public emergency;

    (4) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1)(a) 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 opinion, 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, or any office in the service of a local government authority or of a body corporate established by any law for public purposes.
    (5) Subsection (1)(b) 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 (3) or (4).
    (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 whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (2) may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 17, 19, 20, 21 and 22, being such a restriction as is authorised by subsection (2) of section 17, subsection (6) of section 19, subsection (2) of section 20, subsection (2) of section 21 or subsection (3) of section 22, as the case may be.
    (7) Subsection (1)(b) shall not affect any discretion relation to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person by this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 23)
Obligations of the State
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    Now, therefore, the people of Barbados
    (a) proclaim that they are a sovereign nation founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, the dignity of the human person, their unshakeable faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms and the position of the family in a society of free men and free institutions;
    … (Preamble)
Obligations of the State
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    Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
    ... (Sec. 11)
Obligations of Private Parties
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    Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
    ... (Sec. 11)
Judicial Protection
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (6), if any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 12 to 233 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–
    (a) to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of subsection (1); and
    (b) to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (3),
    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 12 to 23: Provided that the High Court shall not exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
    (3) If in any proceedings in any court subordinate to the High Court any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 12 to 23, the person presiding in that court shall 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), 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 under this Constitution 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) Parliament may confer upon the High Court such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may appear to Parliament to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the High Court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
    (6) Parliament may make provision with respect to the practice and procedure–
    (a) of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and powers conferred upon it by or under this section;
    (b) of the High Court and the Court of Appeal in relation to appeals to the Court of Appeal from decisions of the High Court in the exercise of such jurisdiction;
    (c) of the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice in relation to appeals to the Caribbean Court of Justice from decisions of the Court of Appeal in the exercise of such jurisdiction; and
    (d) of subordinate courts in relation to references to the High Court under subsection (3);
    including provision with respect to the time within which any application, reference or appeal shall or may be made or brought; and, subject to any provision so made, provision may be made with respect to the matters aforesaid by rules of court.
    … (Sec. 24)

Judicial Protection
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    (1) An appeal to the Court of Appeal shall lie as of right from final decisions of the High Court given in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on the High Court by section 24 (which relates to the enforcement of fundamental rights and freedoms).
    (2) An appeal shall lie as of right to the Caribbean Court of Justice from any decision given by the Court of Appeal in any such case.
    … (Sec. 87)
Limitations and/or Derogations
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    Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
    ...
    the following provisions of this Chapter4 shall have effect for the purpose of affording protection to those rights and freedoms subject to such limitations of that protection as are contained in those provisions, being limitations designed to ensure that the enjoyment of the said rights and freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest. (Sec. 11)
Limitations and/or Derogations
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section—
    (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect;

    (2) 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 afforded to persons of another such description.
    (3) Subsection (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—

    (d) for authorising the taking during a period of public emergency of measures that are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period of public emergency;
    … (Sec. 23)
Marriage and Family Life
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    Now, therefore, the people of Barbados
    (a) proclaim that they are a sovereign nation founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, the dignity of the human person, their unshakeable faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms and the position of the family in a society of free men and free institutions;
    … (Preamble)
Marriage and Family Life
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section—
    (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect;

    (2) 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 afforded to persons of another such description.
    (3) Subsection (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—

    (b) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
    … (Sec. 23)
Participation in Public Life and Institutions
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    Now, therefore, the people of Barbados

    (c) declare their intention to establish and maintain a society in which all persons may, to the full extent of their capacity, play a due part in the institutions of the national life;
    … (Preamble)
Participation in Public Life and Institutions
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section—
    (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect;

    (2) 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 afforded to persons of another such description.

    (4) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1)(a) 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 opinion, 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, or any office in the service of a local government authority or of a body corporate established by any law for public purposes.
    … (Sec. 23)
Political Rights and Association
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    Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-

    (d) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association,
    … (Sec. 11)
Political Rights and Association
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    (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 political parties or to form or belong to trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests.
    … (Sec. 21)
Electoral Bodies
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    (1) There shall be an Electoral and Boundaries Commission for Barbados (in this Part referred to as the “Commission”).
    … (Sec. 41A)
Electoral Bodies
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    (1) The registration of voters and the conduct of elections in every constituency or any matters that appear to the Commission to be incidental to or consequential upon either, shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Commission.
    (2) In the exercise of its functions under this section, the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. (Sec. 41C)
Head of State
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    There shall be a Governor-General of Barbados who shall be appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty’s pleasure and who shall be Her Majesty’s representative in Barbados. (Sec. 28)
Head of State
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    (1) The executive authority of Barbados is vested in Her Majesty.
    (2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive authority of Barbados may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor-General either directly or through officers subordinate to him. (Sec. 63)
Government
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    (1) There shall be a Cabinet for Barbados which shall consist of the Prime Minister and not less than five other Ministers appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 65.
    (2) The Cabinet shall be the principal instrument of policy and shall be charged with the general direction and control of the government of Barbados and shall be collectively responsible therefor to Parliament. (Sec. 64)
Government
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    (1) Whenever the Governor-General has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he shall, acting in his discretion, appoint the member of the House of Assembly who, in his judgment, is best able to command the confidence of a majority of the members of that House.
    (2) The other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, from among the members of the two Houses.
    … (Sec. 65)
Legislature
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    There shall be a Parliament of Barbados which shall consist of Her Majesty, a Senate and a House of Assembly. (Sec. 35)
Legislature
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    (1) The Senate shall consist of twenty-one persons who, being qualified for appointment as Senators in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, have been so appointed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
    (2) Twelve Senators shall be appointed by the Governor General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, by instrument under the Public Seal.
    (3) Two Senators shall be appointed by the Governor General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, by instrument under the Public Seal.
    (4) Seven Senators shall be appointed by the Governor General, acting in his discretion, by instrument under the Public Seal, to represent religious, economic or social interests or such other interests as the Governor-General considers ought to be represented:
    Provided that before appointing any person under this subsection the Governor-General shall consult such persons as, in his discretion, he considers can speak for those interests and ought to be consulted. (Sec. 36)
Legislature
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    Subject to the provisions of section 38, any person who at the date of his appointment-
    (a) is a citizen of Barbados of the age of twenty-one years or upwards; and
    (b) has been ordinarily resident in Barbados for the immediately preceding twelve months, shall be qualified to be appointed as a Senator. (Sec. 37)
Legislature
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    ...
    (2) The members of the House (who shall be known as “Members of Parliament”) shall be persons who, being qualified for election as such in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, have been so elected in the manner provided by this Constitution. (Sec. 41)
Legislature
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    Subject to the provisions of section 44, any person who
    (a) is a citizen of Barbados of the age of twenty-one years or upwards; and
    (b) has such connection with Barbados by residence therein as may be prescribed by Parliament,  shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Assembly. (Sec. 43)
Legislature
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may make laws for the peace, order and good government of Barbados.
    … (Sec. 48)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
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    Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-

    (b) protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation;
    … (Sec. 11)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section—
    (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect;

    (2) 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 afforded to persons of another such description.
    (3) Subsection (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—

    (b) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
    … (Sec. 23)
Protection from Violence
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    Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-
    (a) life, liberty and security of the person;
    … (Sec. 11)
Protection from Violence
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    (1) No person shall be held in slavery or servitude.
    (2) No person shall be required to perform forced labour.
    … (Sec. 14)
Protection from Violence
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    (1) No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment.
    … (Sec. 15)
Public Institutions and Services
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    Now, therefore, the people of Barbados

    (d) resolve that the operation of the economic system shall promote the general welfare by the equitable distribution of the material resources of the community, by the human conditions under which all men shall labour and by the undeviating recognition of ability, integrity and merit;
    … (Preamble)
Public Institutions and Services
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of section 104, the law applicable to the grant and payment to any officer, or to his widow, children, dependants or personal representatives, of any pension, compensation, gratuity or other like allowance (in this section and section 104 referred to as an “ award “) in respect of the service of that officer in a public office shall be that in force on the relevant date or any later law that is not less favourable to that person.
    … (Sec. 103)
Public Institutions and Services
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    (1) The power to grant any award under any pensions law for the time being in force in Barbados (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 contained in any such law, to withhold, reduce in amount or suspend any award payable under any such law is hereby vested in the Governor-General.

    (7) 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 of any pension, compensation, gratuity or other like allowance in respect of the service of that person in a public office. (Sec. 104)
Status of the Constitution
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    This Constitution is the supreme law of Barbados and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. (Sec. 1)
Status of the Constitution
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    (1) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any written law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any provision of sections 12 to 235 to the extent that the law in question–
    (a) is a law (in this section referred to as "an existing law") that was enacted or made before 30th November 1966 and has continued to be part of the law of Barbados at all times since that day;
    (b) repeals and re-enacts an existing law without alteration; or
    (c) alters an existing law and does not thereby render that law inconsistent with any provision of sections 12 to 23 in a manner in which, or to an extent to which, it was not previously so inconsistent.
    … (Sec. 26)
Status of International Law
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    (1) The Attorney-General may, in the case of any offence to which this section applies, give general or special directions to the Director of Public Prosecutions as to the exercise of the powers conferred upon the Director of Public Prosecutions by section 79, and the Director of Public Prosecutions shall act in accordance with those directions.
    (2) This section applies to-

    (b) any offence under an enactment relating to any right or obligation of Barbados under international law. (Sec. 79A)
Status of International Law
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    For the purposes of this Chapter6,
    "Agreement" means the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, to which Barbados is a party, and which was signed at Bridgetown, Barbados on 14th February, 2002;
    "Court" means the Caribbean Court of Justice;

    "Treaty" means the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy,
    (a) which was signed in the Bahamas on 5th July, 2001; and
    (b) to which Barbados is a party. (Sec. 79B)
Status of International Law
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    (1) The Caribbean Court of Justice
    (a) shall have exclusive and compulsory jurisdiction in
    (i) disputes between Contracting Parties to the Agreement;
    (ii) disputes between any Contracting Parties to the Agreement and the Community;
    (iii) referrals from national courts or tribunals of Contracting Parties to the Agreement;
    (iv) concerning the interpretation and application of the Treaty;
    (b) shall have exclusive jurisdiction
    (i) to deliver advisory opinions concerning the interpretation and application of the Treaty upon the request of Contracting Parties or the Community;
    (ii) where there is a dispute as to whether the Court has jurisdiction in a matter, to decide whether the Court has such jurisdiction; and
    (c) shall be the final Court of Appeal from any decision given by the Court of Appeal.
    (2) Where a court or tribunal is seised of an issue whose resolution involves a question concerning the interpretation or application of the Treaty, the court or tribunal shall, if it considers that a decision on the question is necessary to enable it to deliver judgment, before delivering judgment, refer the question to the Court for determination.
    (3) The Court shall be a superior court of record and, save as otherwise provided by Parliament, shall have all the powers of such a court.
    (4) A decision of the Court concerning Barbados shall be enforced in Barbados in like manner as if it were a decision of the High Court. (Sec. 79D)
Customary Law
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    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section—
    (a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect;

    (2) 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 afforded to persons of another such description.
    (3) Subsection (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—

    (b) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
    … (Sec. 23)
1
Constitution of Barbados 1966, as amended to 2007 (English). We are aware amendments to the present constitution were adopted in 2018 and 2019. These efforts have not yet been consolidated by the government. The date as used in the database reflects what is available publicly.
Links to all sites last visited 31 March 2021
2
Chapter II on Citizenship.
3

Part of Chapter III on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.

4
Chapter III on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.
5
Part of Chapter III on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.
6
Chapter VII on The Judicature.