Constitution of the Republic of Palau 1981, as amended to 2020
Religious Law
  • English

    … The government shall not recognize or establish a national religion, … (Art. IV, Sec. 1)

Customary Law
  • English
    The government shall take no action to prohibit or revoke the role or function of a traditional leader as recognized by custom and tradition which is not inconsistent with this Constitution, nor shall it prevent a traditional leader from being recognized, honored, or given formal or functional roles at any level of government. (Art. V, Sec. 1)
Customary Law
  • English
    Statutes and traditional law shall be equally authoritative. In case of conflict between a statute and a traditional law, the statute shall prevail only to the extent it is not in conflict with the underlying principles of the traditional law. (Art. V, Sec. 2)
Customary Law
  • English
    A Council of Chiefs composed of a traditional chief from each of the states shall advise the President on matters concerning traditional laws, customs and their relationship to this Constitution and the laws of Palau. No person shall be a member of the Council of Chiefs unless he has been appointed and accepted as a chief in a traditional manner, and is recognized as such by the traditional council of chiefs of his state. No chief shall serve in the Council of Chiefs while serving as a member of the Olbiil Era Kelulau or the cabinet. (Art. VIII, Sec. 6)
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Constitution of the Republic of Palau 1981, as amended to 1992 (English). Consolidated version as amended to 2020 not publicly available, 2020 amendment concerns provision (Art. I, Sec. 1) that is not of direct relevance to the database. According to Art. XIII, Sec. 1: “Palauan and English shall be the official languages.”

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