Second Constitutional Convention
REPUBLIC OF PALAU
CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU
We, the undersigned Delegates to the Second Constitutional Convention, hereby certify
that the following proposals to amend our Constitution were duly adopted by majority
vote of the Delegates on July 15, 2005 in the Senate Chambers, Olbiil Era Kelulau
Building, in Koror, Republic of Palau:
1. CP No. 2-252, Eligibility to hold office of President and Vice President
2. CP No. 2-253, President & Vice-President be elected separately
3. CP No. 2-254, CCD1, Date & time of Inauguration of President & Vice President elect
4. CP No. 2-255, To provide for trial by jury
5. CP No. 2-256, Eligibility to hold office in the Olbiil Era Kelulau
6. CP No. 2-257, Compensation for Olbiil Era Kelulau members
7. CP No. 2-258, To set Installation date for Olbiil Era Kelulau members
8. CP No. 2-259, To repeal term limits for Olbiil Era Kelulau members
9. CP No. 2-260, To separate Appellate Division & Trial Division Justices
10. CP No. 2-265, Effective date for Amendment to the Constitution
11. CP No. 2-267, To guarantee Academic Freedom
12. CP No. 2-268, CCD1, Defining citizenship & multiple citizenship
13. CP No. 2-268A, Naturalization of adopted child
14. CP No. 2-269, Voting by absentee ballot
15. CP No. 2-270, Foreign ownership of land for diplomatic purposes
16. CP No. 2-271, 99 years land lease to non-citizens
17. CP No. 2-272, National government to assist traditional leaders in preservation,
protection & promotion of Palauan heritage, culture, languages, customs & tradition
18. CP No. 2-274, To ban same sex marriage
19. CP No. 2-275, Free & compulsory education for grades one (1) to twelve (12)
20. CP No. 2-276, Preventive Health Care as Fundamental Right
21. CP No. 2-278, Palauan Language to be prevailing language of Constitution
22. CP No. 2-280, CCD3, The territorial jurisdiction of Palau
__________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE HAVE HERETO SET OUR HANDS THIS 15th
DAY OF JULY 2005 IN THE SENATE CHAMBERS, OLBIIL ERA KELULAU
BUILDING, KOROR, REPUBLIC OF PALAU
_______________
Johnson Toribiong
_______________
Dr. Steveson J. Kuartei, MD
Delegate At-Large Delegate At-Large
_______________
Sinton Soalablai
_______________
Seit Andres
Delegate, Peleliu State Delegate At-Large
_______________
Patrick U. Tellei, Ed.D.
_______________
Warren Umetaro
Delegate At-Large Delegate, Aimeliik State
_______________
Raynold B. Oilough
_______________
Laurentino Ulechong
Delegate At-Large Delegate At-Large
_______________
Bonifacio S. Basilius
_______________
F. Kazuo Asanuma
Delegate, Ngchessar State Delegate, Melekkeok State
_______________
Frank Kyota
_______________
Haruo N. Wilter
Delegate, Airai State Delegate, Ngaremlengui State
_______________
Hideo Termeteet
______________
Hence Takawo
Delegate, Ngiwal State Delegate, Kayangel State
______________
Hokkons Baules
______________
John B. Skebong
Delegate, Koror State Delegate At Large
______________
Mark U. Rudimch
______________
Mariano W. Carlos
Delegate At-Large Delegate, Sonsorol State
______________
Marhence Madrangchar
______________
Rebluud Kesolei
Delegate, Ngarchelong State Delegate, Ngardmau State
______________
Sebastian R. Marino
______________
Surangel S. Whipps, Jr.
Delegate, Hatohobei State Delegate At-Large
_______________
Valentino Emesiochl
_____________
Victorio Uherbelau
Delegate, Ngatpang State Delegate, Anguar State
__________
Sandra Sumang Pierantozzi
Delegate At Large
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-252
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article VIII, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section l. Amendment. Article VIII, Section 3 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 3. Any citizen of Palau who is not a citizen of another country and who is not
less than thirty-five (35) years of age and who has been a resident of Palau for the five (5)
years immediately preceding the election shall be eligible to hold the office of President
or Vice President."
Certified by: _______________
Johnson Toribiong
Date: July 15, 2005
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Attested by: ______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
____________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-253
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article VIII, Section 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Article VIII. Section 4 of the Constitution is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Section 4. The President and Vice President shall be elected in a nationwide
election for a term of four years. The President and Vice President shall be chosen
jointly by the casting by each vote of a single vote applicable to both officers. A person
may not serve as a President for more than two consecutive terms."
Certified by: ____________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-254. CCDI
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article VIII, Section 4 of the Constitution, by adding a new section.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as pall of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. A new paragraph to be included in Article VIII, Section 4 of the
Constitution shall read as follows:
"The terms of the incumbent President and Vice President shall end at the time of the
installation of the President and Vice President elect which shall take place on the third
Thursday of January after the general election, at eleven o'clock am."
Certified by: _______________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-255
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article IV of the Constitution, by adding a new section.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. A new section to be included in Article IV of the Constitution
shall read as follows:
"Section 14. The Olbiil Era Kelulau may provide for a trial by jury, in criminal and civil
cases, as prescribed by law; provided, however, that where a criminal offense is to have
been committed after December 31, 2009, and where such criminal offense is punishable
by a sentence of imprisonment of twelve (12) years or more, the accused shall have the
right to a trial by a jury, as prescribed by law."
Certified by: _____________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
_________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-256
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article IX, Section 6 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article IX, Section 6 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 6. To be eligible to hold office in the Olbiil Era Kelulau, a person must be:
1) a citizen of Palau only;
2) not less than twenty-five (25) years of age;
3) a resident of Palau for not less than five (5) years immediately preceding the election;
and
4) a resident of the district in which he wishes to run for office for not less than one (1)
year immediately preceding the election."
Certified by: ____________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
____________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-257
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article IX, Section 8 to establish a salary compensation for the members of the
Olbiil Era Kelulau.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment, Article IX, Section 8 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 8. The compensation of the members of the Eighth Olbiil Era Kelulau shall be a
uniform fee salary the initial amount of which shall be determined by law, but shall not
exceed the amount of compensation received by the members of the Seventh Olbiil Era
Kelulau, for each day the member attends an official session of the Olbiil Era Kelulau.
The amount of the fee shall be determined by law. No increase in compensation shall
apply to the members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau during the term of enactment; nor may an
increase in compensation be enacted in the period between the date of a regular general
election and the date a new Olbiil Era Kelulau takes office."
___________
Certified by: _____________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-258. CCD1
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article IX, Section 11 of the Constitution, by adding a new section.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. A new paragraph to be included in Article IX, Section 11 of the
Constitution shall read as follows:
"The terms of the incumbent members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau shall end at the time of
the installation of the members elect which shall take place on the third Thursday of
January after the general election". Each house of the Olbiil Era Kelulau shall convene its
meeting on the fourth second Tuesday in January following the regular general election
and may meet regularly for four (4) years. Either house may be convened at any time by
the presiding officer, or at the written request of the majority of the members, or by the
President.
Certified by: _____________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
___________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-259
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To repeal the amendment of the Constitution which limits the terms of members of the
Olbiil Era Kelulau.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section l. Repealer. The Amendment of the Constitution "Limiting Terms of members of
the Olbiil Era Kelulau" is hereby repealed.
Certified by: _____________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15 2005
Attested by: ____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15 2005
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-260
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article X, Section 2 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article X, Section 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"The Supreme Court is a Court of Record consisting of an appellate division and a trial
division. The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and not less than three
(3) nor more than (6) Associate Justices, all of whom shall be members of both divisions,
provided, however when the Olbiil Era Kelulau appropriates funds for addition justices to
serve on the appellate division, the Chief Justice shall implement the separation of the
Justices of the appellate division and provide rules and reputations therefore. All appeals
shall be heard by at least three justices. Matters before the trial division may be heard by
one justice. No justice may hear or decide an appeal of a matter heard by him in the trial
division."
Certified by: ______________
Johnson Toribiong
Date: July 15, 2005
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Attested by: _____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
_________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-265
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article XIV, Section 2 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article XIV, Section 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 2. After the Election Commission certifies that a proposed amendment has
satisfied the requirement of this Article, a nationwide election shall be held on the
proposed amendment as prescribed by law, provided that no such election shall be held
either six (6) months before or six (6) months after a general election.
Section 23. Once A a proposed amendment to this Constitution shall become effective
when is approved in the next regular general in a nationwide election by a majority of the
votes cast on that amendment and in not less than three-fourth (¾) of the states, the
amendment shall take effect on the date prescribed in the text of the amendment itself, or
if a date is not prescribed then on the date the election results are certified."
Certified by: ______________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
_________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-267
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article IV of the Constitution, by adding a new section.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. A new section to be added in Article IV of the Constitution is
hereby to read as follows:
"Section 15. In post secondary education and any institution of higher learning, academic
freedom is guaranteed."
Certified by: _____________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _____________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONTENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-268. CCD1
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article III of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. The amendment adopted on November 4, 2004 through the
Popular Initiative to Amend the Constitution of the Republic of Palau "Allowing
Palauans Multiple Citizenship" is 3 hereby amended to read as follows:
A person born of parents, one or both of whom are citizens of Palau or are of recognized
Palauan ancestry, is a citizen of Palau, by birth. United States Citizenship of other foreign
nations shall not affect a person's Palauan citizenship, nor shall a person of recognized
Palauan ancestry be required to renounce United States Citizenship to become a
naturalized citizen of Palau. Persons of recognized Palauan ancestry who are citizens of
other foreign nations may retain their Palauan citizenship or become naturalized Palauan
citizens as provided by law. Palauan citizens may renounce their Palauan citizenship.
Renouncements made prior to the effective date of this amendment are not affected by
this Amendment
Section 2. Repealer. Article III, Sections 2 and 3 are hereby repealed.
Certified by: _______________
Johnson Toribiong
Date: July 15, 2005
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Attested by: _______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
_________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-268A
May to July 2005
__________
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article III, Section 4 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article III, Section 4 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 4. A person born of parents who are born of parents, one or both of whom are
not of recognized Palauan ancestry and who is adopted before the age of three (3) by
parents(s), one or both of whom are citizens of Palau, shall have the right to enter and
reside in Palauan to enjoy other rights and privileges as provided by the law, which shall
include the right to petition through a special act of the Olbiil Era Kelulau to become a
naturalized citizen of Palau: provided that prior to becoming a naturalized citizen, a
person must not renounce his citizenship of another nation. There shall be no citizenship
by naturalization except pursuit to this section."
Certified by: ______________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
___________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-269
(Introduced as Proposal No. 2-....)
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article VII, of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palauan Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article VII of the Constitution is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"A citizen of Palau eighteen (18) years of age or older may vote in national and state
elections. The Olbiil Era Kelulau shall prescribed a minimum period of residence and
provide for voter registration for national elections. Each state shall prescribe a minimum
period of residence and provide for a voter registration for state elections. A citizen who
is in prison, serving a sentence for a felony, or mentally incompetent as determine by a
court may not vote. Voting shall only be by absentee ballot for voters who are outside the
territory of Palau during an election."
Certified by: ________________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second
Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ________________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second
Constitutional Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-270
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
For an amendment to be included in Article XIII, Section 8 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section l. Amendment. Article XIII, Section 8 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 8. Only citizens of Palau and corporations wholly owned by citizens of Palau
may acquire title to land or waters in Palau. Foreign countries, with which Palau
establishes diplomatic relations, may acquire title to land for Diplomatic purposes
pursuant to bilateral treaties or agreements."
Certified by: _______________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _______________ Date: July 15, 2005
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
_________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-271
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article XIII, Section 8 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article XIII, Section 8 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 8. Only citizens of Palau and corporations wholly owned by citizens of Palau
may acquire title to land or waters in Palau. While non-citizens may not acquire title to
land, in Palau to non-citizens may or corporations not wholly owned by citizens for up to
99 years."
Certified by: ________________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ________________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-272
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article V of the Constitution by adding a new Section 3.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article V of the Constitution is hereby amended to include a
Section 3 which shall read as follows:
"Section 3. The national government shall take affirmative action to assist traditional
leaders in the preservation, protection, and promotion of Palauan heritage, culture,
languages, customs, and tradition."
Certified by: _________________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ________________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
__________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-274
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article IV, Section 13 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
1. Section 1. Amendment: Article IV, Section 13 of the Constitution is hereby amended
to read as follows:
"Section 13. The government shall provide for marital and related parental rights,
privileges and responsibilities on the basis of equality between men and women, mutual
consent and cooperation. All marriages contracted within the Republic of Palau shall be
between a man and a woman. Parents or individuals acting in the capacity of parents shall
be legally responsible for the support of and for the unlawful conduct of their minor
children as prescribed by law."
Certified by: _______________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
____________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-275
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article VI of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article VI of the Constitution is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"The national government shall take positive action to attain these national objectives and
implement these national policies: conservation of a beautiful, healthful and resourceful
natural environment: promotion of the national economy: protection of the safety and
security of persons and property: promotion of the health and social welfare of the
citizens through the provision of free or subsidized health care: and provision of public
education for citizens which shall be free from grades one (1) to twelve (12) and
compulsory as prescribed by law."
Certified by: ________________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: ________________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
___________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-276
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article IV of the Constitution to include a new section.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article IV is hereby amended to include a new section which
shall read as follows:
"Section 16. The national government shall provide free preventive health care for every
citizen as prescribed law."
Certified by: _______________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second
Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _______________ Date: July 15, 2005
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second
Constitutional Convention.
___________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-278
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article XIII, Section 2 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendment. Article XIII, Section 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"Section 2. The Palauan and English versions of this Constitution shall be equally
authoritative: in a case of conflict, the English Palauan version shall prevail."
Certified by: ______________
Johnson Toribiong
Date: July 15, 2005
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Attested by: ______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional
Convention.
Date: July 15, 2005
______________
SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Constitutional Proposal No. 2-280
May to July 2005
A CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL
To amend Article 1, Section 1 and 2 of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, that the following be agreed upon as part of the Palau Constitution.
Section 1. Amendments. Article l, Sections 1 and 2 of the Constitution are hereby
amended to read as follows:
"Section 1. (a) The Republic of Palau shall have jurisdiction and sovereignty over its
territory which consist of all the islands, atolls, reefs, and shoals that have traditionally
been in of the Palauan archipelago including Ngeruangel reef and Kayangel island in the
north and Hatohobei Island (Tobi Island) and Hocharihie (Helen's reef) in the south and
all land areas adjacent and in between, and also, consist of the internal waters and
archipelagic waters within these land areas, the territorial waters around these land areas,
and the air space above these lands and water areas, extending to a two hundred (200)
nautical miles exclusive economic zone, unless otherwise delimited by bilateral
agreement or as may be limited or extended under international law, from a straight
archipelagic baseline, the seabed, subsoil, water column insular shelves, and airspace
over land and water unless limited by international treaty obligations assemble by Palau."
(b) the straight archipelagic baselines, from which the breadths of marine zones are
measured for Palauan Archipelago, shall drawn from the northernmost point of
Ngeruangel Reef, thence east to the northernmost point of Kayangel Island and around
the island to its easternmost point, south to the easternmost point of the Babeldaob barrier
reef, south to the easternmost point of Anguar Island and then around the island to its
westernmost point, thence north to the westernmost point of Ngeruangel Reef and then
around the reef to the point of origin. The normal baselines, from which the breaths of
maritime zones for the Southwest islands are measured shall be drawn around the islands
of Fanna, Sonsorol (Dongosaro), Pulo Anna and Merir, and the Island of Hatohobei (Tobi
Island), including Hocharihic (Helen's Reef). Helen's Reef, west from the southernmost
point of Helen's Reef to the easternmost point of Tobi Island and then around the island
to its westernmost point, north to the westernmost point of Fanna Island, and north to the
westernmost point of Ngeruangel Reef and then around the reef to the point of origin
Section 2. (a) The Republic of Palau shall have exclusive ownership and shall exercise its
sovereign rights to conserve, develop, exploit, explore, and manage at a sustainable
manner all living and non-living resources within its exclusive economic zone and its
continental shelf in accordance with applicable treaties, international law and practices.
The Republic of Palau shall have exclusive ownership and sovereign jurisdiction over all
mineral resources in the seabed, subsoil, water column and insular shelves within its
continental self.
(b) Each state shall have exclusive ownership of all living and non-living resources
except highly migratory fish from the land to within the twelve (12) nautical mile
territorial sea: seaward through the traditional baselines: provided, however, that
traditional fishing rights and practices shall not be impaired.
Certified by: _______________
Johnson Toribiong
President, Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
Attested by: _______________
Patrick U. Tellei
Secretary. Second Constitutional Convention
Date: July 15, 2005
___________________