The Rights and Liberties of the Palau Constitution

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Rights and Liberties of the Palau Constitution The Rights and Liberties of the Palau Constitution Kevin Bennardo* INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 3 I. SUPREMACY AND AUTHORITY OF THE PALAU CONSTITUTION ............... 4 A. Supremacy of the National Constitution ....................................... 4 B. Delegation of Governmental Powers Including Authority Over Harmful Substances ...................................................................... 6 II. TERRITORY AND LANGUAGE ............................................................... 12 A. Territory of Palau ....................................................................... 12 B. Establishment of Permanent Capital .......................................... 14 C. Official and National Languages ............................................... 14 III. SPECIAL RIGHTS OF PALAUANS ........................................................... 14 A. Citizenship .................................................................................. 14 B. Acquisition of Land ..................................................................... 16 C. Voting Rights ............................................................................... 18 D. Right of Migration ...................................................................... 19 E. Non-Impairment of Contracts by Legislation ............................. 20 F. Examination of Government Documents .................................... 21 G. Health Care and Education ........................................................ 21 IV. FREEDOMS OF RELIGION, EXPRESSION AND ASSEMBLY ...................... 22 A. Freedom of Religion ................................................................... 22 B. Freedoms of Expression and Press ............................................. 22 C. Freedoms of Assembly and Petition ........................................... 24 V. TAKINGS CLAUSES .............................................................................. 24 VI. EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE .............................................................. 30 A. Foundations of Equal Protection Review: The Rising Tide of Suspect Classifications ............................................................... 30 B. Representation in Government ................................................... 32 C. Additional Equal Protection Case Law ...................................... 34 VII. DUE PROCESS CLAUSE ........................................................................ 37 A. Due Process Overview ................................................................ 37 B. The Process Due for Deprivation of Life .................................... 38 C. Decisionmakers in Criminal Proceedings .................................. 38 * Court Counsel to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau 2009-2010; J.D., 2007, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law; B.A., 2003, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. The author expresses gratitude to Amy Ullrick, without whom his time in Palau would not have been possible—or half as enjoyable. Also, to the people of Palau, who, without exception, were enormously welcoming. 2 Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal [Vol. 12:2 D. Translation of Criminal Proceedings ......................................... 40 E. Statutory Issues ........................................................................... 40 F. Charging Issues .......................................................................... 41 G. Warrant Issues ............................................................................ 44 H. Non-Disclosure of Evidence ....................................................... 44 I. Non-Disclosure of the Identity of a Confidential Informant ....... 47 J. Civil Court Procedure for Deprivation of Property Rights ........ 48 K. Due Process Implications of Property Rights in Employment ... 52 L. Other Property Rights ................................................................ 55 VIII. SEARCHES AND WARRANTS ......................................................... 57 A. Interpretation of the Search and Seizure Guarantees ................. 57 B. Exceptions to the Warrant “Requirement” ................................. 59 C. Probable Cause and the Issuance and Scope of Warrants ......... 63 IX. CONFESSIONS AND SELF-INCRIMINATION ............................................ 66 A. Freedom from Compelled Self-Incrimination ............................. 66 B. Inadmissibility of Coerced Confessions as Evidence ................. 67 C. Necessity of Evidence Corroborating a Confession ................... 70 X. EXAMINATION AND COMPULSION OF WITNESSES ............................... 71 XI. RIGHT TO COUNSEL ............................................................................ 73 A. The Right to Appointed Counsel ................................................. 73 B. The Qualifications and Effectiveness of Counsel ....................... 74 XII. DOUBLE JEOPARDY CLAUSE ............................................................... 78 A. Jeopardy Limited to Criminal Prosecutions ............................... 78 B. The Attachment of Jeopardy ....................................................... 79 C. Multiple Punishments ................................................................. 80 D. Double Jeopardy Implications of Suspended Sentences ............. 84 XIII. ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RIGHTS AND RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED ..................................................................................... 85 A. Overview ..................................................................................... 85 B. Bail Provision ............................................................................. 86 C. Habeas Corpus ........................................................................... 86 D. Liability of National Government for Unlawful Arrest and Damage to Private Property ....................................................... 87 E. The Accused’s Right to Be Informed of the Nature of the Accusation .................................................................................. 87 F. The Accused’s Right to a Speedy Trial ........................................ 89 G. The Accused’s Right to an Impartial Trial .................................. 90 H. Ex Post Facto Laws .................................................................... 91 I. The Accused’s Right to a Jury Trial ............................................ 91 XIV. FREEDOM FROM INHUMANE PUNISHMENT AND EXCESSIVE FINES . 93 A. Firearm-Related Punishments .................................................... 93 B. Controlled Substance-Related Punishments ............................... 96 C. Excessive Fines ........................................................................... 97 XV. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES ................................................ 100 A. Victims’ Compensation ............................................................. 100 2011] Bennardo 3 B. Freedom from Slavery and Protection of Children................... 100 C. Familial Rights ......................................................................... 100 D. Academic Freedom ................................................................... 101 E. Prohibition on Land Tax ........................................................... 101 XVI. TRADITIONAL RIGHTS ............................................................... 102 A. Prohibition from Diminishing Roles of Traditional Leaders .... 102 B. Conflict Between Statutory and Traditional Law ..................... 104 C. Preservation and Promotion of Palauan Heritage ................... 106 XVII. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ................. 107 XVIII. POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STATE GOVERNMENTS ........ 108 A. State Governance Overview ..................................................... 108 B. Guarantee Clause ..................................................................... 108 C. Delegation of Powers to the States ............................................110 APPENDIX: SELECTED TEXT OF THE PALAU CONSTITUTION ......................112 Article I (Territory), as amended by the Twenty-Sixth Amendment ..112 Article II (Sovereignty and Supremacy) ............................................113 Article III (Citizenship) .....................................................................114 Article IV (Fundamental Rights).......................................................114 Article V (Traditional Rights) ...........................................................117 Article VI (Responsibilities of the National Government), as amended by the Twenty-Third Amendment .......................................118 Article VII (Suffrage), as amended by the Eighteenth Amendment ..118 Article IX (Olbiil Era Kelulau) .........................................................118 Article XI (State Governments) .........................................................119 Article XIII (General Provisions) .....................................................119 First Amendment .............................................................................. 121 Second Amendment .......................................................................... 122 INTRODUCTION In the nearly thirty years since the Constitution of the Republic of Palau went into effect, the constitutional jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Palau has grown to such a quantum that it now primarily refers to its own case law without the need to look to other jurisdictions for
Recommended publications
  • Report of the United Nations Visiting Mission to Palau, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, 1992
    T/1964 ' ' ~ . REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS VISITING MISSION TO PALAU, TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS, 1992 TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL OFFICIAL RECORDS: FIFIY-NINTH SESSION (May-June 1992) SUPPLEMENT No. 1 ~ UNITED NATIONS T/1964 REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS VISITING MISSION TO PALAU, TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS, 1992 TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL OffiCIAL RECORDS: FlFTY-NINTH SESSION (May-June 1992) SUPPLEMENT No. 1 UNITED NATIONS New '\brk, 1992 NOTE Symbols of United Nations documents are comp(lscd of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. T/1964 [Original: English] CONTENTS Chapter Paragraphs Letter of transmittal ............................................ iv I . GENERAL ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1 - 7 1 I I • INTRODUCTION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8 - 32 3 III. DETAILED OBSERVATIONS ON THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF PALAU ••••••••• 33 - 91 7 IV. SPECIAL ISSUES ••••••••••••••.•••.••••••••.•••••••••• 92 - 100 23 V. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON THE UNITED NATIONS •• 101 - 104 26 VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ••••••••••••••••••••• 105 - 131 27 VII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 132 - 136 33 Annexes I. ITINERARY OF THE VISITING MISSION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 36 II • STATEMENT BY H. E. MR. THOMAS L. RI CHARDS ON, CHAIRMAN OF THE VISITING MISSION, ON 26 MARCH 1992 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 39 III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE VISITING MISSION •••••••••• 41 Map. PALAU, TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS •••••••••••••••••••• 42 -Hi- LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 20 May 1992 Sir, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, in accordance with Trusteeship Council resolution 2194 (S-XXI) of 19 December 1991 and rule 98 of the rules of procedure of the Council, the report of the United Nations Visiting Mission to Palau, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, 1992.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rights and Liberties of the Palau Constitution
    The Rights and Liberties of the Palau Constitution Kevin Bennardo* INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 3 I. SUPREMACY AND AUTHORITY OF THE PALAU CONSTITUTION ............... 4 A. Supremacy of the National Constitution ....................................... 4 B. Delegation of Governmental Powers Including Authority Over Harmful Substances ...................................................................... 6 II. TERRITORY AND LANGUAGE ............................................................... 12 A. Territory of Palau ....................................................................... 12 B. Establishment of Permanent Capital .......................................... 14 C. Official and National Languages ............................................... 14 III. SPECIAL RIGHTS OF PALAUANS ........................................................... 14 A. Citizenship .................................................................................. 14 B. Acquisition of Land ..................................................................... 16 C. Voting Rights ............................................................................... 18 D. Right of Migration ...................................................................... 19 E. Non-Impairment of Contracts by Legislation ............................. 20 F. Examination of Government Documents .................................... 21 G. Health Care and Education .......................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Download (332Kb)
    * **** * * * **** PALAU - EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2007 JOINT ANNUAL REPORT 1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Republic of Palau is one of the wealthiest Pacific Island Nations with a gross domestic product per capita of nearly $8,000. It is also the biggest per capita aid recipient in the region due to its close association with the United States. Significant funds are provided through the Compact of Free Association between the two countries. These funds are predominately used to develop infrastructure to facilitate Palau's economic growth. The 9th EDF CSP/NIP provides an indicative financial allocation of € 2 m for the "A" Envelope, and € 0.6 m for the "B" envelope. The renewable energy focal sector, accounts for I 00% of the A envelope M €1. 7 million implemented through a multi-country programme (REPS) and €0.3 million through a Non-State actor's programme. The entire 'B' envelope has been allocated to Disaster Risk Reduction and will be implemented using a multi-country programme approach managed by SOPAC. The status of projects by the end of2007 is as follows: REPS programme: A tender for the supply and installation of equipment was launched mid- 2007 with a contract awarded shortly thereafter. Equipment supply and installation are expected Q2 2008. NSA Programme: The programme aims to enhance and expand community-based activities in the field of renewable energy. A proposal was formulated in 2006 and a Financing Agreement was signed in June 2007. The programme is implemented by way of a 'grant agreement' by the Palau Community Action Agency. Disaster Risk Reduction Programme ('B' envelope): The Financing Agreement for the project was signed in Tonga in October 2007.
    [Show full text]
  • TRUSTEESHIP GENERAL T/PV.1637 COUNCIL 26 May 1987
    UNITED NATIONS Distr. TRUSTEESHIP GENERAL T/PV.1637 COUNCIL 26 May 1987 ENGLISH Fifty-fourth Session VERBATIM REO)RD OF THE SIXTEEN IIJNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH MEETING Held at Hea(Xfuarters, New York, on Friday, 22 May 1987 at 10.30 a.m. President: Mr. BIRCH (United Kingdom) - Examination of the annual report of the Administering Authority for the year ended 30 september 1986: Trust Terri tcry of the Paci fie Islands (continued) - Appc in tmen t of a Drafting COmmi ttee - Letter dated 4 May 1987 from the acting Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the secretary-General (T/1910), ccnta ining a request for the dispatch of a visiting mission of the Trusteeship council tc observe a plebiscite in Palau, Trust Territory of the Paci fie Islands (continued) - Programme of work Th is record is subject to correction. Ccrrections should be submitted in one of the working languages, preferably in the same language as the text tc which they refer. They should be set forth in a mem:,randum and also, if possible, inoorpcrated in a oopy of the record. They should be sent, within one week of the date of this oocument, to the Chief, Official Reoords Fditing Section, Department of Conference Services, room DC2-750, 2 united Nations Plaza, and incorpcra ted in a copy of the record. Any corrections to the reoords of the meetings of this session will be consclida ted in a single corrigendum, to be issued shortly after the end of the session. 87-6041) 5693V ( E) JSM/ed T/PV.1637 2-5 The meeting was called to order at lo.so a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Country Review
    Palau 2016 Country Review http://www.countrywatch.com Table of Contents Chapter 1 1 Country Overview 1 Country Overview 2 Key Data 3 Palau 4 Pacific Islands 5 Chapter 2 7 Political Overview 7 History 8 Political Conditions 9 Political Risk Index 16 Political Stability 31 Freedom Rankings 46 Human Rights 58 Government Functions 60 Government Structure 61 Principal Government Officials 65 Leader Biography 67 Leader Biography 67 Foreign Relations 68 National Security 72 Defense Forces 73 Chapter 3 75 Economic Overview 75 Economic Overview 76 Nominal GDP and Components 77 Population and GDP Per Capita 79 Real GDP and Inflation 80 Government Spending and Taxation 81 Money Supply, Interest Rates and Unemployment 82 Foreign Trade and the Exchange Rate 83 Data in US Dollars 84 Energy Consumption and Production Standard Units 85 Energy Consumption and Production QUADS 86 World Energy Price Summary 87 CO2 Emissions 88 Agriculture Consumption and Production 89 World Agriculture Pricing Summary 91 Metals Consumption and Production 92 World Metals Pricing Summary 94 Economic Performance Index 95 Chapter 4 107 Investment Overview 107 Foreign Investment Climate 108 Foreign Investment Index 110 Corruption Perceptions Index 123 Competitiveness Ranking 135 Taxation 144 Stock Market 144 Partner Links 144 Chapter 5 146 Social Overview 146 People 147 Human Development Index 148 Life Satisfaction Index 151 Happy Planet Index 163 Status of Women 172 Global Gender Gap Index 174 Culture and Arts 184 Etiquette 185 Travel Information 185 Diseases/Health Data 194 Chapter 6 199 Environmental Overview 199 Environmental Issues 200 Environmental Policy 202 Greenhouse Gas Ranking 203 Global Environmental Snapshot 214 Global Environmental Concepts 225 International Environmental Agreements and Associations 240 Appendices 264 Bibliography 265 Palau Chapter 1 Country Overview Palau Review 2016 Page 1 of 277 pages Palau Country Overview PALAU Palau is an island nation in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines.
    [Show full text]
  • Gibbons V. Etpison, 4 ROP Intrm. 1 (1993) IBEDUL YUTAKA M
    Gibbons v. Etpison, 4 ROP Intrm. 1 (1993) IBEDUL YUTAKA M. GIBBONS, et al., Appellants, v. NGIRATKEL ETPISON, et al., and PETITIONERS FRED SKEBONG, et al., Appellees. CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 19-92 & 4-93 Supreme Court, Appellate Division Republic of Palau Opinion Decided: October 29, 1993 Attorneys for Appellants: Yukiwo P. Dengokl Ngiraikelau, Dengokl, Ridpath & Ragle Anne E. Simon & Sarita E. Rios Center for Constitutional Rights Attorney for Etpison, et al: Jon Hinck, Assistant Attorney General Attorney for Skebong, et al: John K. Rechucher BEFORE: JEFFREY L. BEATTIE, Associate Justice; LARRY W. MILLER, Associate Justice; EDWARD C. KING, Part-Time Associate Justice PER CURIAM: On November 4, 1992, a ballot initiative was held in which the citizens of Palau, by a 62% majority vote, approved an amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Palau. The amendment is designed to eliminate the requirement that, due to the constitutional restrictions on nuclear weapons and materials in Palau, the Compact of Free Association must be approved by a super-majority of 75% rather than a simple majority of votes cast in a ⊥2 nationwide referendum. In this appeal we are asked to declare the 62% vote null and void. For the reasons stated herein, we find no grounds to undo at the courthouse what the people of Palau have done at the voting booth. In these consolidated appeals plaintiffs below appeal several trial court holdings, namely, that the constitutional provision establishing amendment by popular initiative is self -executing, that the Election Commission properly verified the petition calling for the initiative, that the language of the ballot measure accurately informed the voters of its intended effect, and that the Political Education Committee fulfilled its statutory mandate.
    [Show full text]
  • Palau-Rule of Law-Report-1988-Eng
    (& <i A A A PALAU A A Challenge to the Rule of Law in Micronesia M Report of a Mission by William J. Butler, Esq. The Honorable George C. Edwards The Honourable Michael D. Kirby, C.M.G A w The American Association for i;»jj • j1 U. The International Commission of Jurists, New York rJ fl!ll A The International Commission of Jurists, Geneva a r,f. .1*1 J, A j . A Members of the Board of Directors Eli Whitney Debevoise, Chairman Emeritus George N. Lindsay, Chairman of the Board William J. Butler, President P. Nicholas Kourides, Treasurer Harvey]. Goldschmid, Secretary Robert P. Bass, Jr. Matthew Nimetz Donald T. Fox Stephen A. Oxman Conrad K. Harper William J. Schrenk, Jr. Peter S. Heller Jerome J. Shestack Sheila McLean Peter O.A. Solbert Richard H. Moore Edward Hallam Tuck Andre W. G. Newburg Directors Emeriti: Dudley B. Bonsai Whitney North Seymour (1901-1983) Benjamin R. Shute (1911-1986) Bethuel M. Webster The American Association for the International Commission of Jurists, Inc. is a non-profit membership corporation. All contributions are tax-deductible. In addition to the Association’s Newsletter, members are entitled to receive The Review and the IC J Newsletter, published, respectively, biannually and quarterly, by the International Commission of Jurists. PALAU A Challenge the Rule of Law in Micronesia PALAU A Challenge to the Rule of Law in Micronesia Report of a Mission on Behalf of The International Commission of Jurists and The American Association for the International Commission of Jurists William J. Butler, Esq. Attomey-at-Law, New York and Chairman, Executive Committee International Commission of Jurists, Geneva The Honorable George C.
    [Show full text]
  • Trusteeship Council to Extend an Invitation to My Delegation Under the Terms
    UNITED NATIONS Distr. TRUSTEESHIP GENERAL T/PV.1611 COUNCIL 4 June 1986 ENGLISH Fifty-third Session VERBATIM RECX>RD OF THE SIXTEEN HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH MEETING Held at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on Tuesday, 20 May 1986, at 3 p.m. President: Mr. RAPIN (France) - Organization of work - Examination of the annual report of the Administering Authority for the year ended 30 September 1985: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (continued) - The future of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (continued) .- Report of the United Nations Visiting Mission to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, 1985 Report of the United Nations Visiting Mission to Observe the Plebiscite in Palau, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, February 1986 This record is subject to correction. Corrections should be submitted in one of the working languages, preferably in the same language as the text to which they refer. They should be set forth in a memorandum and also, if possible, incorporated in a copy of the record. They should be sent within one week of the date of this document to the Chief, Official Records Editing Section, Department of Conference Services, room c-:::2-750, 2 United Nations Plaza, and incorporated in a copy of the record. Any corrections to the records of the meetings of this session will be consolidated in a single corrigendum, to be issued shortly after the end of the session. 86-60614 8702V (E) JP/CW T/PV.1611 2 The meeting was called to order at 3.55 p.m. ORGANIZATION OF WORK The PRESIDENT (interpretation from French): At our first meeting the delegation of the Soviet Union requested that the documents mentioned in annex II to the Visiting Mission's report (T/1878) be translated into Russian and then distributed as official documents of the Council.
    [Show full text]
  • Constitution of the Republic of Palau
    Constitution of the Republic of Palau THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU PALAU CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION January 28 – April 2, 1979 Koror, Palau _____ PREAMBLE I. TERRITORY II. SOVEREIGNTY AND SUPREMACY III. CITIZENSHIP IV. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS V. TRADITIONAL RIGHTS VI. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT VII. SUFFRAGE VIII. EXECUTIVE IX. OLBIIL ERA KELULAU X. JUDICIARY XI. STATE GOVERNMENTS XII. FINANCE XIII. GENERAL PROVISIONS s1 National and Official Language s2 Controlling Version in Case of Conflict s3 Initiative s4 Secession s5 Annexation s6 Harmful Substances Ban s7 Eminent Domain s8 Alien Ownership s9 Land Tax Prohibition s10 Return of Public Lands s11 Capital of Palau s12 Right to Bear Arms s13 Right to Bear Arms XIV. AMENDMENTS XV. TRANSITION _____ PREAMBLE In exercising our inherent sovereignty, We, the people of Palau proclaim and reaffirm our immemorial right to be supreme in these islands of Palau, our homeland. We renew our dedication to preserve and enhance our traditional heritage, our national identity and our respect for peace, freedom and justice for all mankind. In establishing this Constitution of the sovereign Republic of Palau, We venture into the future with full reliance on our own efforts and the divine guidance of Almighty God. ARTICLE I TERRITORY Section 1. Palau shall have jurisdiction and sovereignty over its territory which shall consist of all of the islands of the Palauan archipelago, the internal waters, the territorial waters, extending to two hundred (200) nautical miles from a straight archipelagic baseline, the seabed, subsoil, water column, insular shelves, and airspace over land and water, unless otherwise limited by international treaty obligations assumed by Palau.
    [Show full text]
  • Republic of Palau 2004
    National Integrity Systems Transparency International Country Study Report Republic of Palau 2004 Lead Consultants Peter Larmour and Manuhuia Barcham Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA Transparency International National Integrity Systems 2004 Publication Details Author: Donald R. Shuster, Professor, Micronesian Areas Research Center, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam, 96923. Acknowledgements: The author is especially indebted to the individuals listed at the end of this report who made themselves available for interview and were very generous with their time and trust when discussing good governance, corruption, and anti-corruption measures in the Republic of Palau. Biographic details: Donald Shuster had the good fortune of living and working in the Republic of Palau for ten years. He has published nearly one hundred newspaper, magazine, and academic articles about Palau. In 2002 he completed the first research-based biography about a Micronesian leader, entitled Roman Tmetuchl: a Palauan visionary, and is working on a second book about contemporary politics in Palau. First published 2004 by Transparency International Australia P.O. Box 41 Blackburn South Victoria 3130 Australia http://www.transparency.org.au ISBN 0 9752277 3 4 This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without the prior written permission of Transparency International Australia on behalf of the copyright owners. This research was funded by AusAID. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Commonwealth of Australia (Cth), Transparency International Australia (TIA) or Asia Pacific School of Economics and Governance at The Australian National University (APSEG).
    [Show full text]
  • THE CONGRESS of MICRONESIA NORMAN MELLER with the Assistance of Terza Meller
    THE CONGRESS OF MICRONESIA NORMAN MELLER with the assistance of Terza Meller THE CONGRESS OF MICRONESIA Development of the Legislative Process in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Open Access edition funded by the National En- dowment for the Humanities / Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Humanities Open Book Program. Licensed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Inter- national (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits readers to freely download and share the work in print or electronic format for non- commercial purposes, so long as credit is given to the author. Derivative works and commercial uses require permission from the publisher. For details, see https://creativecommons.org/li- censes/by-nc-nd/4.0/. The Creative Commons license described above does not apply to any material that is separately copy- righted. Open Access ISBNs: 9780824883683 (PDF) 9780824883690 (EPUB) This version created: 5 September, 2019 Please visit www.hawaiiopen.org for more Open Access works from University of Hawai‘i Press. v COPYRIGHT 1969 BY UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PRESS Foreword IN ORDER TO WRITE a book about the development of leg- islatures in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, it was first essential to determine how to identify a legislature. Obviously, reliance could not be placed upon names, as evidenced by the Olbiil era Kelulau, the body which functioned in the Palau dis- trict between the years 1955 and 1963: translated into English, this would be “meeting place of whispers!” Looking at functions proved
    [Show full text]
  • Elections, Compact, and Assassination in the Republic of Palau
    ELECTIONS, COMPACT, AND ASSASSINATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU Donald R. Shuster University of Guam Introduction When Charlie Gibbons and Joseph Tellei, native policemen during Jap- anese rule of Palau (1914-1944), returned from Guam in 1947 after a U.S. Navy-sponsored workshop on Western-style government, they be- came the local experts in the new institution of elected government.1 Some months earlier, thirty-one Palauans had been elected as members of the Palau Congress, which in 1955 rewrote its charter to form the Olbiil Era Kelulau Era Belau (Palau’s Congress of Whispered Deci- sions). In 1963 this body reorganized itself as the Palau Legislature. At the same time, the leading members of the legislature formed the Lib- eral and Progressive parties, which provided candidates for the seven Congress of Micronesia elections (1965-1976). These parties, based more on personalities than platforms, disintegrated in 1978 during debate on a unified Micronesia. On the issue of Micronesian unity, Roman Tmetuchl and his faction opposed it and urged Palauan separation. On the other hand, Lazarus Salii and his group supported political federation with the other ethnic areas of Micronesia--Truk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Yap, and the Marshall Islands--under a constitution drafted by islanders in 1975. The Palau separatists won in a close vote, 55 percent no to 45 percent yes. This Pacific Studies, Vol. 12, No. 1--November 1988 23 N I~' 8° ()()' North W_-+-..;;.-;;.;;o..;~=--__ E c::;~~':;:;'::: s .' :-.) ; Ngerchelong , 1- 0° .- I" ~-I .: ,..J .'1 ;... .0·",,,,,'." ... ~ ... - • 0" : ~_ •• N~aremleng\li :~ _.-40:_........ : Airai !/ Not shown ar.
    [Show full text]