| The constitution and laws of Barbados
FIRST SCHEDULE
OATHS
SECOND SCHEDULE
PROVISIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN TRIBUNALS
THE CONSTITUTION OF BARBADOS
Whereas the love of free institutions and of independence has always strongly
characterized the inhabitants of Barbados:
And whereas the Governor and the said inhabitants settled a Parliament in the
year 1639:
And Whereas as early as 18th February 1651 these inhabitants, in their
determination to safeguard the freedom, safety and well being of the Island,
declared, through their Governor, Lords of the Council and members of the
Assembly, their independence of the Commonwealth of England:
And Whereas the rights and privileges of the said inhabitants were confirmed by
articles of agreement, commonly known as the Charter of Barbados, had, made and
concluded on 11th January 1652 by and between the Commissioners of the Right
Honorable the Lord Willoughby of Parham, Governor, of the one part, and the
Commissioners on the behalf of the Commonwealth of England, of the other part,
in order to the rendition to the Commonwealth of England of the said Island of
Barbados:
And Whereas with the broadening down of freedom the people of Barbados have
ever since then not only successfully resisted any attempt to impugn or
diminish those rights and privileges so confirmed, but have consistently
enlarged and extended them:
Now, therefore, the people of Barbados-
a. proclaim that they are a sovereign nation founded upon principles that
acknowledge the supremacy of God, the dignity of the human person, their
unshakable faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms, the position of the
family in a society of free men and free institutions;
b. affirm their belief that men and institutions remain free only when freedom
is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and the rule of law;
c. declare their intention to establish and maintain a society in which all
persons may, to the full extent of their capacity, play a due part in the
institutions of the national life;
d. resolve that the operation of the economic system shall promote the general
welfare by the equitable distribution of the material resources of the
community, by the human conditions under which all men shall labour and by the
undeviating recognition of ability, integrity and merit;
e. desire that the following provisions shall have effect as the constitution
of Barbados:
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