The Constitution of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ensures access to information and participation within the framework of the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association. It also provides constitutional guarantees in case the aforementioned rights are infringed.
Access to information (articles 1 and 10(1))
Every person in Saint Vincent is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, namely freedom of expression and of assembly and association.
Except with his own consent, a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference (whether the communication be to the public generally or to any person or class of persons and freedom from interference with his correspondence.
Public participation (article 11(1))
Except with his own consent, a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests.
Access to justice (articles 16(1) and 98)
If any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 inclusive of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or, in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person), then, without prejudice to any other actin with respect to the same matter that is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.
An appeal shall lie from decisions of the High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in certain cases such as on final decisions related to the enforcement of the fundamental rights and freedoms.
