THE CONSTITUTION

 

 

OF

 

THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF BOUGAINVILLE.

 

 

 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS.

 

 

 

PREAMBLE

 

PART 1. – BOUGAINVILLE.

 

1.            Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

2.            Autonomous Bougainville Government.

3.            Jurisdiction of Autonomous Bougainville Government.

4.            Symbols of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

5.            Autonomous Region of Bougainville Capital.

6.            Declaration of Loyalty to Bougainville.

7.            Bougainvillean.

8.         Owners of customary land and elections.

9.            Obligations of a Bougainvillean.

 

PART II. – SCHEDULES REPEATING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS.

 

10.            Schedules repeating certain provisions of National Constitutional Laws.

 

PART III. – BOUGAINVILLE OBJECTIVES AND DIRECTIVE

PRINCIPLES.

 

11.              Provisions of this Part non-justiciable.

12.              Implementation of objectives.

13.              Strengthening of customary authority.

14.              Democratic principles.

15.              Pursuit of peace, rehabilitation, reconciliation and harmony.

16.              Unity and stability of Bougainville.

17.              Autonomy and territorial integrity of Bougainville.

18.              Assistance to Institutions protecting and supporting human rights, etc.,

19.              Fair representation of women and marginalized groups.

20.              Welfare of widows, children, orphans, the aged and the disabled.

21.              Provision of adequate resources for government.

22.              General social and economic objectives.

23.              The land and natural resources.

24.              Development.

25.              Human resource development.

26.              Transport infrastructure.

27.              The environment and conservation.

28.              Recognition of the role of Women in Bougainville Society.

29.              Children and Youth as the future of Bougainville.

30.              Recognition of the dignity of persons with disabilities.

31.              Music, the arts and sports.

32.              Education objectives.

33.              Medical services and health care.

34.              HIV/AIDS.

35.              Partnership with Churches, non-government organizations and other Organizations.

36.              Natural disasters.

37.              Cultural objectives.

38.              Accountability.

39.              Rights of workers and employees.

 

                        PART IV. – STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT.

 

Division – General.

 

40.            Structure and levels of Government.

 

Division 2. – Autonomous Bougainville Government.

 

41.            Autonomous Bougainville Government.

42.            Functions and powers of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

43.       Factors to be considered by Autonomous Bougainville before requesting a transfer of a function or power, etc.,

44.       Land Matters.

45.            Criminal Law.

46.       Foreign Affairs.

47.            Fisheries.

48.            Underlying Law.

 

Division 3. – Other Levels of formal Government.

 

49.              Other Levels of formal government.

50.              Regional Government.

 

Division 4. – Traditional Systems of Government.

 

51.              Traditional Systems of Government.

52.              Advisory Body.

 

PART V. – BOUGAINVILLE LEGISLATURE.

 

Division 1 – General.

 

53.              Bougainville Legislature.

54.              Exercise of legislative power.

 

Division 2. – House of Representative.

 

55.              Establishment and composition of the House of Representatives.

56.              Qualifications for and disqualifications from election.

57.              Normal term of office.

58.              Recall of Member of the House of Representatives.

 

Division 3. –The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

 

59.              Offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

60.              Speaker.

61.              Removal from Office of Speaker.

62.              Deputy Speaker.

63.              Functions of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

64.              Voting by the Speaker.

 

Division 4. – General Law-making powers of the House of Representatives.

 

65.              General Law-making powers.

66.              Certification as to making of Laws, etc.,

67.              Right to introduce new Laws.

 

Division 5. – Procedures, Privileges, etc., of the House of Representatives.

 

68.              Meetings of the House of Representatives.

69.              Quorum at meetings.

70.              Voting in the House of Representatives.

71.              Committees.

72.              Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.

73.              Privileges, etc., of the House of Representatives.

74.              International Agreements.

75.              Proceedings non-Justiciable.

76.              Questions as to Membership.

77.              Validation of acts of the House of Representatives.

78.              Clerks and Officers of the House of Representatives.

 

PART VI. – THE BOUGAINVILLE EXECUTIVE.

 

Division 1 – The Executive Power.

 

79.            Exercise of the Executive Power.

 

Division 2. – Bougainville Executive Council.

 

80.            Membership of the Bougainville Executive Council.

81.              Representation of Regions.

82.              Caretaker Bougainville Executive Council.

83.              Appointment of other Members.

84.              Assumption of Office by Members of the Bougainville Executive Council.

85.              Responsibilities.

86.              Procedures.

87.              Delegation by the Bougainville Executive Council, etc.,.

 

Division 3. – The President.

 

88.              Office of President.

89.              Election of President.

90.              Special Election of President.

91.              Qualifications for and disqualifications from election as President.

92.              Assumption of Office.

93.              Functions of the President.

94.              Vacation of Office of President.

 

Division 4. – Vice President.

 

95.              Office of Vice-President.

96.              Appointment of Vice-President.

97.              Assumption of Office.

98.              Functions of the Vice-President.

 

Division 5. – Members of the Bougainville Executive Council Generally.

 

99.              Interpretation of Division 5.

100.          Vacation of Office of Members of the Bougainville Executive Council.

101.          Dismissal of Members of the Bougainville Executive Council.

 

PART VII. – BOUGAINVILLE SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

COMMITTEE AND APPOINTMENTS GENERALLY.

 

102.            Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee.

103.     Part-time Appointments.

 

PART VIII. – CONSTITUENCIES AND ELECTIONS.

 

104.            Bougainville Boundaries Commissioner.

105.            Constituencies.

106.            Bougainville Electoral Commissioner and elections generally.

107.            Bougainville General Elections.

108.            By-elections.

109.            Form of Elections.

110.            Right to Vote.

111.            Political Parties.

 

PART IX. –ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

 

Division 1. – General.

 

112.            Bougainville Courts.

113.            The Law Officers of Bougainville.

114.            Exercise of the judicial power.

115.            Alternative dispute resolution.

 

Division 2. – Bougainville High Court.

 

116.          Establishment of the Bougainville High Court.

117.          Composition of the Bougainville High Court.

118.          Acting Judges.

119.          Jurisdiction of the Bougainville High Court.

120.          Right to appeal from Bougainville High Court to Supreme Court.

 

Division 3. – Appointment etc., of Judges of the Bougainville High Court.

 

121.          Bougainville Judicial Appointments Committee.

122.          Qualifications.

123.          Appointment of Chief Justice of Bougainville.

124.          Appointment of Other Judges.

125.          Seniority of Judges.

 

Division 4. – Other Courts.

 

126.            Establishment of other Courts.

127.            Head of other Bougainville Courts.

 

Division 5. – The Bougainville Public Prosecutor and the Bougainville Public Solicitor.

 

128.          Bougainville Public Prosecutor and Bougainville Public Solicitor.

129.          Functions of the Bougainville Public Prosecutor and the Bougainville Public Solicitor.

 

Division 6. – Removal from Office of Senior Judicial and Legal Office-holders.

 

130.            Removal from Office of Chief Justice of Bougainville, etc.,

131.            Procedures for removal.

132.            Constitution of Tribunals, etc.,

133.            Suspension.

 

Division 7. – Miscellaneous.

 

134.            Rules of Court.

135.            Lack of procedural provision.

136.            Juries and Assessors.

137.            Reports of Bougainville Judges.

 

PART X. – BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

 

Division 1. – Introductory.

 

138.            Establishment of Bougainville Government Services.

139.            Civilian control.

 

140.            Responsibility of heads of Bougainville Government Services to Bougainville Executive Council.

141.            Declarations of Loyalty, etc.,

 

Division 2. – Bougainville Public Services Commission.

 

142.            Establishment of the Bougainville Public Services Commission.

143.            Functions of the Commission.

144.            Independence of the Commission.

145.            Personnel matters.

 

Division 3. – Bougainville Public Service.

 

146.            Bougainville Public Service.

147.     Head of Bougainville Public Service.

 

Division 4. – Bougainville Police Service.

 

148.            Bougainville Police Service.

149.     Chief of Bougainville Police.

150.     Further provisions relating to Bougainville Police Service.

 

Division 5. – Bougainville Correctional Services.

 

151.            Bougainville Correctional Service.

152.     Chief of the Bougainville Correctional Service.

 

PART XI. – FINANCES AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL.

 

Division 1. – General.

 

153.     General Principles relating to finances and financial management.

 

Division 2. – Outline of Finances  of Autonomous Bougainville Government and Finance Administration

 

154.     Outline of finances of Autonomous Bougainville Government and finance administration.

 

Division 3. – House of Representatives and Finance.

 

155.            Financial responsibility of the House of Representatives.

156.            Executive initiative.

157.            Revenue and expenditure without prior approval.

 

Division 4. – Bougainville Auditor-General.

 

158.            Establishment of office of Bougainville Auditor-General.

159.            Functions of the Bougainville Auditor-General.

Division 5. – Public Accounts Committee.

 

160.            Establishment of the Public Accounts Committee.

161.            Functions of the Committee.

 

Division 6. – Bougainville Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

 

162.     The Bougainville Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

163.            Functions, etc., of the Commission.

164.            Functions of National Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

 

PART XII. – THE BOUGAINVILLE OMBUDSMAN.

 

165.     The Bougainville Ombudsman.

166.            Purposes of the Bougainville Ombudsman.

167.            Functions and powers of the Bougainville Ombudsman.

168.     Reports by the Bougainville Ombudsman.

 

PART XIII. – LEADERSHIP CODE.

 

169.            Application of Leadership Code.

170.            Customary standards of leadership.

171.     Other responsibilities of Office.

172.            Particular responsibilities of office.

173.     Further provisions concerning the Leadership Code.

174.            Prosecution for misconduct in office.

175.            Investigation and prosecution may be carried out where person no longer holds office.

176.            Disqualifications on dismissal.

177.     Powers of Bougainville Ombudsman in relation to criminal misconduct.

 

PART XIV. – HUMAN RIGHTS.

 

Division 1. – Rights.

 

178.     Basic Rights.

179.            Additional Rights.

 

Division 2. – Qualification on  Rights.

 

180.            Qualifications on the Qualified Rights.

181.            Reasonably Justifiable in a Democratic Society.

182.     Validity of Emergency Legislation.

 

Division 3. – Enforcement of Guaranteed Rights and Freedoms.

 

183.            Enforcement of guaranteed rights and freedoms.

184.            Damages for breach of rights.

185.     Human rights enforcement body.

186.            Customary methods of dealing with human rights abuses.

PART XV. – ISSUES ARISING FROM THE BOUGAINVILLE CONFLICT.

 

187.     Issues arising from the Bougainville Conflict.

 

PART XVI. – BOUGAINVILLE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE

HOLDERS AND BOUGAINVILLE

CONSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

 

Division 1. – General.

 

188.     Other Provisions relating to Bougainville Constitutional Office-holders and Bougainville Constitutional Institutions.

 

Division 2. – Bougainville Constitutional Office-Holders.

 

189.            Bougainville Constitutional Office-Holders.

190.            Removal from office of certain Bougainville Constitutional Office-Holders.

 

Division 3. – Bougainville Constitutional Institutions.

 

191.            Bougainville Constitutional Institutions.

 

Division 4. – Provisions of Facilities, etc.,

 

192.            Provisions of facilities, etc.,

 

PART XVII. – BOUGAINVILLE REFERENDUM.

 

193.            Bougainville Referendum.

194.            Procedure in relation to the Bougainville Referendum.

 

PART XVIII. – CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION.

 

195.            Consultation through Plebiscite.

196.            Participation in, and poll for law-making.

 

PART XIX. – EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND POWERS.

 

197.            Definitions.

198.     General approach to certain emergencies.

199.            Declarations of emergency generally.

200.            Declaration, etc., of Bougainville Emergency.

201.            Declaration, etc., of National Emergency at request of Autonomous Bougainville

            Government.

202.  Request for revocation of declaration, etc., where National Emergency declared     other than at the request of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

203.     House of Representatives Control.

204.            Management and control of emergencies.

 

PART XX. – INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND

REVIEW.

 

205.            Principles of intergovernmental relations, etc.,

 

PART XXI. – THIS CONSTITUTION.

 

206.            Supremacy of the Constitution.

207.            Alteration of this Constitution.

208.            Evolution of this Constitution and of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

209.            Interpretative Jurisdiction.

210.            Special References to Bougainville High Court.

211.            Special status of the Preamble.

212.            Construction of the Constitution generally.

213.            Construction of Bougainville Laws.

214.            Use of certain materials as aids to interpretation.

215.            Enforcement of this Constitution.

216.            Accessibility of the Constitution.

 

PART XXII. – ALTERATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION AND OF PART XIV (BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT AND BOUGAINVILLE REFERENDUM) OF THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION, ETC.,

 

Division 1. – Amendment of Part XIV (Bougainville Government and Bougainville Referendum) of the National Constitution, etc.

 

217.            Requirements for amendment of Part XIV (Bougainville Government and Bougainville Referendum) of the National Constitution, etc.,

218.            National Constitutional Regulations.

 

Division 2. – Alterations to this Constitution.

 

219.     Making of alterations to this Constitution.

 

PART XXIII. – REVIEW OF THIS CONSTITUTION, ETC.,

 

220.     Review of this Constitution, etc.,

 

PART XXIV. – MISCELLANEOUS.

 

221.            Legal Capacity of Autonomous Bougainville Government.

222.            Bougainville Constitutional Regulations.

223.            Public Purposes.

224.            Transitional Provisions contained in Organic Law.

225.            Application of other Laws.

226.            Bougainville Gazette.

 

 

PART XXV. – FIRST BOUGAINVILLE GENERAL ELECTION AND FIRST MEETING OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

 

Division 1. – General.

 

227.            Effect of this Part.

228.            Purposes of this Part.

229.            Interpretation.

 

Division 2. – Powers and Duties of Bougainville Interim Provincial Government in consultation with Bougainville People’s Congress.   

 

230.            Existing facilities to be used where practicable.

231.            Bougainville Interim Provincial Government, in consultation with Bougainville People’s Congress may issue orders in certain circumstances.

 

Division 3. – Arrangements for First Bougainville General Election.

 

232.            Interim Bougainville Gazette.

233.            First Bougainville General Election Boundaries Director.

234.            Constituencies for first Bougainville General Election.

235.            First Bougainville General Election Manager.

236.            First Bougainville General Election.

237.            Interim Registration of Political Parties.

238.            Disputed elections and returns arising from first Bougainville General Election.

 

Division 4. – Arrangements for the First Meeting of the House of Representatives.

 

239.            Calling of First Meeting of House of Representatives.

240.            Executive Officer of the House of Representatives.

 

PART XXVI. – OTHER INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS.

 

241.            Interim arrangements in relation to Institutions, Offices, etc.,

 

SCHEDULES.

 

SCHEDULE            1.

 

DECLARATION OF LOYALTY TO BOUGAINVILLE, ITS PEOPLES AND CONSTITUTION.

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

RULES FOR SHORTENING AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION.

PART 1. – INTRODUCTORY.

 

Sch.2.1.            Application of Schedule 2.

 

PART 2. – GENERAL.

 

Sch.2.2.            Meaning of Certain Expressions.

Sch.2.3.            This Constitution speaks from time to time.

Sch.2.4.            Fair Meaning to be given to language used.

Sch.2.5.            Statements of general principle.

Sch.2.6.            “Non-Justiciable”.

Sch.2.7.            Gender and Number.

Sch.2.8.            Provisions where no time prescribed.

Sch.2.9.            Exercise and performance of powers and duties.

Sch.2.10.            Power of majority of more than two persons and quorums.

Sch.2.11.            Attainment of Age.

Sch.2.12.            References to Series.

Sch.2.13.            Residence.

Sch.2.14.            Effect of time limits.

Sch.2.15.            Repeal, etc.,

Sch.2.16.            Disallowance, etc.,

Sch.2.17.            Independence.

Sch.2.18.            Regulation of Acts. etc.,

Sch.2.19.            Consultation.

Sch.2.20.            Conferring of powers to include delegation, etc.,

Sch.2.21.            Principles of natural justice.

 

SCHEDULE 3.

 

BOUNDARIES OF BOUGAINVILLE PROVINCE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORGANIC LAW ON PROVINCIAL BOUNDARIES.

 

SCHEDULE 4.

 

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION PROVISIONS RELATING TO FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT.

 

“290.            Functions and Powers available to the Bougainville Government.

“291.            Functions and Powers of the National Government and of the Bougainville Government in relation to Criminal law.

“292.            Subjects not specified in Section 289, 290 and 291.

“293.            International Obligations, etc. of the State in respect of the Powers and Functions of the Bougainville Government.

“294.            Functions and powers of the Bougainville Government on establishment and within 12 months thereafter.

“295.    Process of Transfer of functions and powers.

“296.            Relationship of National and Bougainville Laws.

“297.    Manner of implementation of transfer of functions and powers.

“298.            National Government Assets and Land.

“299.            Transfer of delegation of functions and powers.

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5.

 

MATTERS RELATING TO BOUGAINVILLE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE-HOLDERS.

 

5.1            Qualifications for appointment as Chief Justice of Bougainville or as a Bougainville Judge.

5.2            Qualifications for appointment as Bougainville Public Prosecutor and Bougainville Public Solicitor.

5.3            Qualifications for appointment as Bougainville Ombudsman.

5.4            Qualifications for Appointment as Bougainville Electoral Commissioner.

5.5            Qualifications for appointment and disqualifications from office as Bougainville Auditor-General.

5.6              Qualifications for appointment as head of other Bougainville Courts.

5.7              Disqualification from office of  certain Bougainville Constitutional office-holders.

5.8              Special conditions of employment of Bougainville Constitutional Office-holders.

5.9              Resignation.

5.10          Annual Reports, etc.,

5.11          Acting Bougainville Constitutional Office-holder.

5.12          Rights on Termination of employment.

 

SCHEDULE 6.

 

IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION.

 

6.1            NATIONAL CONSTITUTION PROVISIONS RELATING TO IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION.

 

“344.            Immunity from Prosecution.

 

6.2            DECLARATION IN RESPECT OF IMMUNITY.

 

SCHEDULE 7.

 

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION PROVISIONS RELATING TO BOUGAINVILLE REFERENDUM.

 

“Bougainville 7. – Bougainville Referendum.

 

“338.            Referendum to be held.

“339.    The Question or questions to be put.

“340.    Manner of Conducting Referendum.

“341.            Referendum to be free and fair.

“342.            Referendum results and implementation.

“343.            Resolution of differences on referendum.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 8.

 

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION PROVISIONS RELATING TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND REVIEW.

 

“Division 6. – Intergovernmental Relations and Review.

 

“330.            Interpretation.

“331.            Principles of intergovernmental relations.

“332.    Joint Supervisory Body.

“333.    Dispute Resolution Procedure.

“334.            Mediation and Arbitration.

“335.    Dispute resolution in the courts.

“336.    Panel of persons with appropriate expertise.

“337.            Reviews.

 

SCHEDULE 9.

 

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS – PART VI OF THE ORGANIC LAW ON PEACE-BUILDING IN BOUGAINVILLE – AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT AND BOUGAINVILLE REFERENDUM.

 

“PART VI. – ADDITIONAL TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.

 

“67.            Transfer of assets.

“68.      Former Provincial Laws.

“69.      Saving of contracts, etc.,

“70.            Registration of title of land.

“71.      Pending legal proceedings.

 

SCHEDULE 10.

 

ELECTORAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF BOUGAINVILLE AND OF MEMBERS OF THE FIRST HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.