Chapter 7 Part 1 - 3

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen - Promulgated by the French National Assembly "The representatives of the people of France, who constitute the National Assembly, consider that ignorance, neglect or contempt of the rights of man is the sole cause of public misery and of government corruption; and considering that the legislative and executive decrees of the government will be more respected if they are readily compared with the aims of the various political institutions; considering also that the future claims of citizens will be guided by these simple and clear principles. Always contributing to the preservation of the Constitution and the public happiness, the solemn declaration hereby resolved proclaims these natural, inviolable and inalienable rights.

"In view of the foregoing reasons, the National Assembly, in the presence of God, and invoking His grace and approval, affirms and proclaims the following sacred rights of human and civil rights: "1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. The honor of citizenship, therefore, can be founded only on public service. "2. The object of all political association is the protection of the natural and inviolable rights of man; these rights are: liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. "3. The nation is the source of all sovereignty; no individual or group has any power which is not expressly derived from the nation.

"Fourth, Liberty in politics consists in refraining from doing anything harmful to others. The exercise of the natural rights of each individual is limited to the extent to which others are free to exercise the same rights. These limits can only be established by law. "5. The law may prohibit only that which is harmful to society. What the law does not prohibit should not be hindered; nor should any man be compelled to do what the law does not require. "6. The law is the expression of the public will. All citizens have the right to assist in the formulation of laws in the name of individuals or through their representatives. Whether it is protection or punishment, the law should treat all citizens equally; before the law, everyone is equal. Citizens may acquire all honors, positions, and jobs in proportion to their respective abilities, and there should be no distinctions other than those due to their virtues and abilities.

"7. No one shall be charged, arrested or detained except in accordance with the law and in the manner prescribed by the law. Anyone who advocates, executes or instigates the execution of arbitrary orders shall be punished, and any citizen who is summoned or arrested in accordance with the law shall Immediate obedience and punishment for disobedience. "8. The law shall impose only such punishments as are absolutely and manifestly necessary; and no one shall be punished except in accordance with a law which has been promulgated before the crime has been committed, and which has been lawfully enforced.

"9. Any person shall be presumed innocent until he has been convicted, and if detention is obliged, the law shall provide that no severer measures shall be taken against him than are necessary to prevent his escape. “10. Anyone may express his opinion—even a religious one—with impunity, provided that his opinion does not disturb the statutory public order. "11. The unfettered exchange of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious rights of human beings. Every citizen has the freedom to speak, write and publish, provided that he is responsible for the abuse of this freedom provided by law.

"12. To safeguard the rights of man and citizen, there must be a public armed force established for the benefit of society and not for the special interest of those in charge. "13. In order to maintain this public army and to meet the other expenses of the government, a public fund must be raised, which shall be divided equally among the members of the community according to their respective abilities. "14. Every citizen has the right to express his opinion freely, either by himself or by his representatives, on determining the necessity, purpose, amount, method and duration of collection of various public funds.

"Fifteen. Every public body has the right to require all its staff to report on their work. "16. Every public body shall draw up statutes for the separation of powers and for the protection of various rights. "17. Property is a sacred and inviolable right. Unless there is an obvious public need, after legal procedures and fair compensation in advance, it must not be deprived."