Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis

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The Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis was adopted on 23 June 1983 and took effect when the country became independent on 19 September 1983. It consists of 11 chapters and various schedules, which establish the rights, responsibilities and definition of the citizens of the federation. It also provides the form and structure of government, and enumerates the powers of the different branches of government. Its treatment of the island of Nevis is rather unusual among federated nations.

Contents

The current constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis was prepared in anticipation of the country achieving independence from Britain. It is the only constitution the country has had as an independent nation, however there were several colonial constitutions before it. The union of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis has been controversial at least since 1882, leading the constitution to specifically provide for a path to independence for Nevis. This makes Saint Kitts and Nevis unusual among Federations.

The government created by the constitution is a constitutional monarchy headed by Elizabeth II, with a unicameral legislature. Nevis is provided with a separate island administration, but Saint Kitts is not.

Background

The islands of Anguilla, Saint Kitts, and Nevis formed a British crown colony known as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla from 1882 until Anguilla rebelled in 1971. [1] [2] On 19 September 1983 the remaining two islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, achieved independence from Britain. [1] In preparation for independence, a draft constitution was presented on June 22, 1983 and accepted on June 23, to take effect upon independence. [1] [3]

The union of the three islands, and later the two islands was never easy, with Anguilla and Nevis being strongly opposed to the union with Saint Kitts. [2] Nevis protested strongly against being joined with Saint Kitts from the time the idea was first broached by the British Colonial Office in 1867 until the present. [2]

The 1983 constitution was not the first constitution for Saint Kitts and Nevis; the CIA World Factbook says there were "several previous" constitutions. [1] However, it was the constitution enacted at the founding of the modern state of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and has not yet been replaced. Following the failed Nevis independence referendum in 1998, a commission was appointed to make recommendations for future relations between the two islands, and together with a subsequently appointed constitutional task force, recommended a number of changes to the current constitution. [2]

Nevis

The constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis is rather unusual [4] in that it provides Nevis with a great deal of autonomy, [5] and contains a provision allowing Nevis to secede should a two thirds majority of the island's citizens vote for secession. [6] [4] In 1998 a referendum failed to achieve the required two thirds majority for independence. [4]

Structure of Government

The constitution establishes Saint Kitts and Nevis as a federation consisting of two states, one on each island. [7] However, Saint Kitts and Nevis differs from most federated states in that in a normal federation each state has its own regional government, with the federated government providing an overarching government. [2] However, while the Constitution provides for Nevis to have its own separate legislature, Saint Kitts is governed directly by the National Assembly. [2] [7] Also, the constitution provides for the appointment of a Governor General for the whole of Saint Kitts and Nevis, who appoints a Deputy Governor of Nevis. [2] [8] So while Nevis has its own legislature, assembly, and island administration, Saint Kitts has no such independent legislative bodies and so it is not a typical federated government. [2] The Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis is unique in that it creates a federation not between Saint Kitts and Nevis, but between Nevis and the federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. [2]

It provides for the establishment of a unicameral legislature known as the National Assembly. [7] The constitution directs that Saint Kitts and Nevis be divided into no fewer than 11 constituencies, at least 1/3 of which are in Nevis. [9] The national assembly contains one representative from each constituency, together with at least three appointed senators. [10]

The national assembly is empowered to make laws, but its ability to make laws impacting Nevis is restricted by Section 37 and Chapter X. [7] [11]

Provisions of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The constitution consists of 120 articles arranged in 11 chapters, and six schedules appended to the end.

Chapter 1 – The Federation and The Constitution

The first chapter of the Constitution provides for the establishment of "a sovereign democratic federal state which may be styled Saint Christopher and Nevis or Saint Kitts and Nevis or the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis or the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis." [12] It defines the territory such nation encompasses, and provides for the Constitution to be the supreme law of the land. [12]

Chapter 2 – Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

Chapter II of the constitution is a Bill of rights for the citizens of the nation. It contains fifteen provisions which specify such rights as a right to life, protection from slavery or forced labour, protection of personal property, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and similar rights. The next five provisions concern circumstances of emergency under which some of the previously enumerated rights may be derogated. [13]

Chapter 3 – The Governor-General

Chapter III provides for the offices of the Governor-General, Deputy Governor-General, and the oath of office of the Governor General. [8]

Chapter 4 – Parliament

Chapter IV provides for the establishment of Parliament, describes its composition, the respective qualifications and disqualifications of representatives and senators, the process by which representatives are to be elected and senators appointed, their terms of office, and other matters dealing with Parliament. It also enumerates the powers of Parliament, the procedures for amending the constitution, making laws, holding elections, and determining constituencies. [10]

Chapter 5 – The Executive

Chapter V of the constitution provides for Saint Kitts and Nevis to be a constitutional monarchy under Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Saint Christopher and Nevis and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth. [14] The executive authority is to be exercised by the Governor General. [14] It provides for the appointment of a cabinet and ministers, makes provision for the absence or illness of the Prime Minister, describes how the Governor General is to carry out his functions, provides for a Leader of the Opposition, various Secretaries, Attorney General, describes procedures for public prosecutions, and provides for the Governor General to grant pardons, respites, and lessen punishments. [14]

Chapter 6 – Finance

Chapter VI provides for a financial system for the federation. [15]

Chapter 7 – The Public Service Commission

Chapter VII provides for the establishment of a Public Service Commission, which is to make recommendations to the Governor General on the appointing of various public officers. [16]

Chapter 8 – Citizenship

Chapter VIII spells out which persons are citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis. [17] The first part concerns persons who would become citizens of the federation at independence. The second part provides for all persons born in Saint Kitts and Nevis after independence to be citizens, provided they don't fall under one of two exceptions, and for children of citizens who are born oversees and whose parents are employed by the government in jobs that require them to be overseas. [17] There are also provisions for the acquisition of citizenship, allowance of dual citizenship, and deprivation of citizenship. [17]

Chapter 9 – Judicial Provisions

Chapter nine gives the high court original jurisdiction over constitutional questions, however the party alleging the constitutional issue must apply to the High Court for relief. High Court appeals can be heard by the Appeals Court, whose decisions can, in turn, be appealed to Her Majesty in council. [18]

Chapter 10 – The Island of Nevis

Chapter 10 provides for Nevis to have its own legislature and assembly. [19] The Assembly is to consist of one elected member for each electoral district, and at least three but not more than two thirds the number of elected members, who are appointed by the legislature. [19] It also provides for a Nevis Island Administration, consisting of a Premier and other members appointed by the Governor General. [19] It gives the Nevis island legislature power to make laws, or ordinances, "for the peace, order and good government of the island of Nevis with respect to the specified matters." [20] Chapter ten limits the Governor General's power with respect to Nevis, requiring him to act in accordance with the advice of the Island Administration. [19]

The Island Administration is given exclusive authority on Nevis with regard to a list of things including: airports and seaports, education, mining, fishing, health and welfare, labour, government owned land, and imports and exports. Disputes between the Island Administration and the Government are to be handled by the High Court. Lastly, Chapter Ten includes provisions relating to separation of Nevis from the federation. [19]

Chapter 11 – Miscellaneous

Chapter XI of the constitution includes provisions relating to how the secession of Nevis would alter the constitution itself, additional functions of the Governor General, how to handle the resignation of various public officials, how words and phrases in the constitution are to be interpreted, and handling modifications of various provisions. [21]

Schedules

Appended to the end of the constitution are six schedules which are referred to earlier in the document. They set forth instructions for things like determining constituencies (or electoral districts), alterations to the constitution should Nevis succeed, oaths of office, and legislative powers, among other things. [22]

Related Research Articles

Nevis Island in the Caribbean Sea

Nevis is a small island in the Caribbean Sea that forms part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain of the West Indies. Nevis and the neighbouring island of Saint Kitts constitute one country: the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Nevis is located near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 350 kilometres (220 mi) east-southeast of Puerto Rico and 80 kilometres (50 mi) west of Antigua. Its area is 93 square kilometres (36 sq mi) and the capital is Charlestown.

Saint Kitts and Nevis Country in the West Indies

Saint Kitts and Nevis, officially known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is an island country in the West Indies. Located in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles, it is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population. The country is a Commonwealth realm, with Elizabeth II as Queen and head of state. It is the only federation in the Caribbean.

History of Saint Kitts and Nevis Aspect of history

Saint Kitts and Nevis have one of the longest written histories in the Caribbean, both islands being among Spain's and England's first colonies in the archipelago. Despite being only two miles apart and quite diminutive in size, Saint Kitts and Nevis were widely recognized as being separate entities with distinct identities until they were forcibly united in the late 19th century.

Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis takes place in the framework of a federal parliamentary democracy. Saint Kitts and Nevis is an independent Commonwealth realm with Elizabeth II as its head of state, viceregally represented by a Governor-General. He acts on the advice of the prime minister, who is the majority party leader in the National Assembly, and who, with a cabinet, conducts affairs of state.

The history of Anguilla runs from the beginning of human habitation, probably via settlement from South America, through its colonization by the English in the early modern period, to the present day. Following a series of rebellions and a short-lived period as an independent republic during the 1960s, Anguilla has been a separate British overseas territory since 1980.

British West Indies British territories in the Caribbean, sometimes including former colonies

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The Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis is the representative of the monarch of Saint Kitts and Nevis, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The appointed governor-general, currently Sir Tapley Seaton, lives in Government House, Basseterre, which serves as his official residence.

Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla

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Outline of Saint Kitts and Nevis Overview of and topical guide to Saint Kitts and Nevis

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Saint Kitts and Nevis:

Monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a constitutional monarchy in which a monarch is head of state of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The present monarch is Elizabeth II, who is also Sovereign of the other Commonwealth realms. The Queen's constitutional roles are mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Royal succession is governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701, which is part of constitutional law.

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Republic of Anguilla

The Republic of Anguilla was a short-lived, unrecognised independent state on the island of Anguilla. It lasted from 11 July 1967 until 19 March 1969, when British control was re-established.

Sir Frederick "Fred" Albert Phillips CVO was a Kittitian politician and jurist who served as the first black Governor of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla from February 27, 1967 to 1969.

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Kittitian and Nevisian nationality law is regulated by the 1983 Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis, as amended; the Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship Act of 1984, and its revisions; and various British Nationality laws. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Kittitian and Nevisian nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Saint Kitts and Nevis; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to parents with Kittitian and Nevisian nationality. It can be granted to persons with an affiliation to the country, or to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalisation. There is also, currently a program in Saint Kitts and Nevis for persons to acquire nationality through investment in the country. Nationality establishes one's international identity as a member of a sovereign nation. Though it is not synonymous with citizenship, for rights granted under domestic law for domestic purposes, the United Kingdom, and thus the commonwealth, have traditionally used the words interchangeably.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Central Intelligence Agency. "CIA World Factbook". The World Factbook. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Phillips, Fred (4 March 2013). Commonwealth Caribbean Constitutional Law. Routledge. pp. 115–138. ISBN   9781135338053 . Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "The Saint Christopher an Nevis Constitution Order 1983". 1,  of June 23, 1983 . Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Trbovich, Ana (2008). A Legal Geography of Yugoslavia's Disintegration. Oxford University Press. p. 33. ISBN   9780195333435 . Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  5. ↑ OECD (4 August 2014). Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Peer Reviews: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis 2014 Phase 2: Implementation of the Standard in Practice: Phase 2: Implementation of the Standard in Practice. OECD Publishing. p. 14. ISBN   9789264217799 . Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  6. ↑ Commonwealth Secretariat (1996). The General Election in St Kitts and Nevis, 3 July 1995: The Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group. Commonwealth Secretariat. p. 7. ISBN   9780850924664 . Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Suksi, Markku (17 July 2011). Sub-State Governance through Territorial Autonomy: A Comparative Study in Constitutional Law of Powers, Procedures and Institutions. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 3. ISBN   9783642200489 . Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 Article Chapter III of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  9. ↑ Article Schedule 2 of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  10. 1 2 Article Chapter IV of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  11. ↑ Article Chapter IV, Section Part 2 of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  12. 1 2 Article Chapter I of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  13. ↑ Article Chapter II of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  14. 1 2 3 Article Chapter V of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  15. ↑ Article Chapter VI of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  16. ↑ Article Chapter VII of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  17. 1 2 3 Article Chapter VIII of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  18. ↑ Article Chapter IX of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 Article Chapter X of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  20. ↑ Article Chapter X, Section 103 of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  21. ↑ Article Chapter XI of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
  22. ↑ Article Schedules of the Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis  (23 June 1983)
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