Rights and fundamental freedoms
Article 26
- Every person has the right to life.
- The life of a person begins at conception.
- A person shall not be deprived of life intentionally, except to the extent authorized by this Constitution or other written law.
- Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is a need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.
Article 27
- Every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law.
- Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms.
Women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres. - The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, color, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.
- A person shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against another person on any of the grounds specified or contemplated in clause (4).
- To give full effect to the realization of the rights guaranteed under this Article, the State shall take legislative and other measures, including affirmative action programmes and policies designed to redress any disadvantage suffered by individuals or groups because of past discrimination.
- Any measure taken under clause (6) shall adequately provide for any benefits to be on the basis of genuine need.
- In addition to the measures contemplated in clause (6), the State shall take legislative and other measures to implement the principle that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender.
Article 28
Every person has inherent dignity and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.
