Contents
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Constitutions
Why a Constitution?
Who Makes a Constitution?
Learning About Your Constitution
Protecting Your Constitution
Preventing the Weakening of Your Constitution
Chapter 2: Law, Society and Legal Systems
Meaning of “Law”
· Natural Law
· Positivist Theories
· Sociological Approaches
· Feminist Legal Theories
Limits of the Law
· Euthanasia (The Right to Die)
· Abortion
· Necessity
· Dealing With Social Problems
(a) HIV/AIDS
(b) Corruption
Classification of Law and Legal Systems
· International Law
· Supranational Laws
· National Laws
(a) Common Law Systems
(b) Civil Laws Systems
(c) Customary/Traditional Law Systems
(d) Islamic Law Systems
The Commonwealth Legal Heritage
· Commonwealth Associations and the Promotion of Good Governance and Human Rights
· The Latimer House Guidelines
Chapter 3: Governance
Taking Part in the Political Process
· Freedom to Organise Political Parties
(a) Registration Requirements
(b) Party Funding
· Holding Free and Fair Elections
Structure of the State
· The Executive
· The Legislature
(a) Membership
(b) Maintaining Accountability of the Executive
(c) Youth and Commonwealth Parliaments
· The Judiciary
· The Military
(a) Constitutional Role of the Military
(b) Accountability of the Military
(c) Dealing with Unconstitutional Actions by the Military
(d) Citizens and the Duty to Resist
Commonwealth Observer Group on the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Zambia
Chapter 4: Enforcing/Protecting Human Rights
Introduction
International Human Rights
The International Bill of Rights
Rights of Children and Youth
Rights of Women
Tackling Racial Discrimination
Group Rights
Administration of Justice
Rights of Workers
Right to Development
Humanitarian Law
Dealing With Serious Human Rights Abuses
Constitutional Rights
Enforcing Rights Through the Courts
Developing Constitutional Rights
Right to Life
Offices of the Ombudsman and Human Rights Commissions
· The Impact of Emergency Powers on Constitutional Rights
· The Basis for the Declaration of a State of Emergency
· Suspending Constitutional Rights
· Safeguards on the Declaration of a State of Emergency
· Use and Abuse of Emergency Powers Regulations
Chapter 5: Making Your Views Known and Obtaining Access to Information
Freedom of Expression and Assembly
· The Role of the Media
· Guidelines on the Independence of the Commonwealth Media and Those Working Within It
Freedom of information
Chapter 6: Youth and the Criminal Justice System
Young People and Crime
The Police and the Public
Rights of Youth in Trouble With the Law
The Sentence of the Court
· Capital Punishment
· Imprisonment
· Non-custodial Sentences
· Youth as Victims of Crime