São Tomé and Príncipe
| Right | Question | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom of Expression | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | São Tomé and Príncipe’s 1975 Constitution is the first legal document in the country’s history to protect freedom of expression. Article 29 specifically outlines this right. “São Tomé and Príncipe Constitution of 1975 with Amendments through 2003.” Constitute. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003.pdf?lang=en |
| Freedom of Association | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Part II article 35 covers the freedom of association in the Constitution of São Tomé e Principe. The country gained independence from Portugal in July 1975, adopting the constitution November 5, 1975. CIA World Factbook. São Tomé e Príncipehttps://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sao-tome-and-principe/ Constitution of Sao Tome e Principe. Constitute Project. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_1990 |
| Freedom of Religion | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The constitution of The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe was ratified on November 5, 1975. Articles 15.1, and 27 guarantee religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. Article 8 creates a separation of church and state; and Article 154(b) declares the state to be secular. Constitution Project. “Sao Tome and Principe 1975 (Rev. 2003) Constitution.” Constitute. POGO, April 27, 2022. Last modified April 27, 2022. Accessed June 28, 2022. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003?lang=en. |
| Voting Rights and Suffrage | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Article 58 of the Constitution grants all citizens over the age of18 the right to vote as long as they are competent. Article 78 states that the President of the Republic is elected by universal, free, direct, and secret suffrage. (Constitute Project, “São Tomé and Príncipes’s Constitution of 1975 with Amendments through 2003”). |
| Freedom of the Press | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Article 30 of Sao Tome and Principe’s 1975 Constitution protects press freedom: “Freedom of the press is guaranteed in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, within the terms of the law. The State guarantees a public service press independent of the interests of economic and political groups" (Constitute Project, “São Tomé and Príncipes’s Constitution of 1975 with Amendments through 2003”). |
| Privacy Rights | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Article 24 of the 1975 Constitution, still in effect today, states “Personal identity and the confidentiality of the intimacy of private and family life are inviolable” (Constitute Project, Sao Tome and Principe 1975 rev. 2003). Additionally, Article 25 grants that communications and one’s home are also private (Constitute Project, Sao Tome and Principe 1975 rev. 2003). https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003?lang=en |