Article II
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

     Section 1.  No law shall deny or impair freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the State Government for a redress of grievances.

Cross-references:  See Declaration of Rights in the FSM Constitution.

     Section 2.  No law shall be enacted respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, except that assistance may be provided to parochial schools for nonreligious purposes.

     Section 3.  The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable search, seizure or invasion of privacy, shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

      Section 4.  No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, or be denied the equal protection of the laws, or be denied the enjoyment of his civil rights, or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof, on account of race, sex, religion, language, ancestry, or national origin.

     Section 5.  In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy public trial, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the effective assistance of counsel for his defense.

     Section 6.  No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, or against a member of his family as prescribed by law, or be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense.

Cross-references:  See Declaration of Rights in the FSM Constitution.

      Section 7.  Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment, as determined by the values of the State, inflicted.

     Section 8.  The writ of habeas corpus shall be granted without delay, and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except by the Governor and then only when public safety requires it in the case of war, rebellion, insurrection or invasion.

     Section 9.  No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligations of contract shall be enacted.

     Section 10.  Slavery shall not exist in the State.

     Section 11.  The Legislature may provide by general law for the taking of private property for a public purpose.  The general law shall provide for just compensation, good faith negotiations for lease or purchase and consultation with appropriate local government prior to the taking, and the manner of the taking.

      Section 12.  Every person may sue for redress, as provided by law, from the State or public entity in case that person has suffered damage through an illegal act of any public official.

     Section 13.  The enumeration of certain rights in this Constitution shall not be construed to impair or deny other rights of the people.

Cross-references:  See Declaration of Rights in the FSM Constitution.