Navajo Nation Bill of Rights

Also see Indian Civil Rights Act

§ 1

Other rights not impaired; deletion or abridgment only by public referendum

The enumeration herein of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. No provision of this Chapter, the Navajo Nation Bill of Rights, shall be abridged or deleted by amendment or otherwise, except by referendum vote of the Navajo electorate, in accordance with applicable provisions of the laws of the Navajo Nation.

§ 2

Equality of rights not abridged by entitlements, benefits or privileges; nor by affirmative action necessary to support rights of the Navajo People to economic opportunity

Recognition, enactment, lawful implementation and enforcement of provisions for specific entitlements, benefits, and privileges based upon membership in the Navajo Nation or in other recognized Tribes of Indians and affirmative action in support of Navajo or other Indian preference in employment and business contracting or otherwise necessary to protect and support the rights of Navajo People to economic opportunity within the jurisdiction of the Navajo Nation, shall not be abridged by any provision herein nor otherwise be denied.

§ 3

Denial or abridgment of rights on basic of sex; equal protection and due process of Navajo Nation law

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are recognized as fundamental individual rights of all human beings. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the Navajo Nation on account of sex nor shall any person within its jurisdiction be denied equal protection in accordance with the laws of the Navajo Nation, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law. Nor shall such rights be deprived by any bill of attainder or ex post facto law.

§ 4

Freedom of religion, speech, press, and the right of assembly and petition

The Navajo Nation Council shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Navajo Nation government for a redress of grievances.

§ 6

Right to keep and bear arms

The right of the people to keep and bear arms for peaceful purposes, and in a manner which does not breach or threaten the peace or unlawfully damage or destroy or otherwise infringe upon the property rights of others, shall not be infringed.

§ 7

Rights of accused; trial by jury; right to counsel

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, and shall be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; shall be confronted with the witnesses against him or her; and shall have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in their favor. No person accused of an offense punishable by imprisonment and no party to a civil action at law, as provided under 7 N.N.C. § 651 shall be denied the right, upon request, to a trial by jury of not less than six persons; nor shall any person be denied the right to have the assistance of counsel, at their own expense, and to have defense counsel appointed in accordance with the rules of the courts of the Navajo Nation upon satisfactory proof to the court of their inability to provide for their own counsel for the defense of any punishable offense under the laws of the Navajo Nation.

§ 8

Double jeopardy; self-incrimination; deprivation of property

No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of liberty, or property; nor be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against themselves; nor shall private property be taken nor its lawful private use be impaired for public or governmental purposes or use, without just compensation.

§ 9

Cruel and unusual punishment; excessive bail and fines

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.