Citizens and the Government
A peaceful, successful country must have cooperation and respect between its government and citizens.
A constitution sets out the rules and principles, as well as the freedoms and rights, of a society. Citizens
should adhere to the constitution and all laws that are passed should reflect the spirit of the
constitution.
The constitution of every Commonwealth Caribbean country includes a bill of rights that every citizen is
entitled to, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights protect all citizens equally,
regardless of gender, race, religion or political beliefs. With rights and freedoms, however, come
responsibilities. A list of rights and their corresponding responsibilities is given below.
Rights/ Freedoms
Right to life and freedom of expression
Right to vote and express political views
Right to security
Freedom of movement
Right to education
Right to liberty
Right to a fair trial
Right to protection from the law
Right to privacy
Responsibilities
To respect human life and beliefs of others
To be informed about political parties and engage in
elections
To abide by laws and report unlawful behaviour
To abide by international laws and rules of travel
To attend school and work hard
To exercise freedom and allow others theirs
To be honest in court and attend jury service
To obey the law
To conduct yourself ethically and honestly
The Role of the Ombudsman
An ombudsman is an official who investigates complaints regarding public services. These might relate
to unfair treatment or inadequate service. The ombudsman is independent and will report findings to
parliament. This ensures that public authorities provide a good service and are accountable.
Questions:
1. Give TWO reasons why it is important for a country to have a constitution.
2. List THREE other rights and their responsibilities.