Article 39 of the Basic Law states that the right to self-determination is guaranteed by the two international human rights conventions. The people of Hong Kong cannot take this right for granted. The threshold for referendum proposals in Switzerland is 50,000 signatures, and with that citizens can vote in a referendum rather than taking to the streets. The people should have the right of referendum on any public issues. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards.

Human security is a fundamental human rights that ranks higher than any regime or sovereign. Constitutions represent the general will of the people, and must ensure human security, including "personal safety," as the most basic and urgent obligation of constitutional guarantors. Constitutions must be amended and re-written to keep in step with the times and ensure that the government will keep the people free from fear. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Power leads to corruption and absolute power leads to absolute corruption. Venezuela’s constitution is in a shambles and the nation needs comprehensive constitutional reform. The changes should include direct election of the heads of the executive, legislative, judicial and procuratorial branches in alternating years and requiring 1/4 of all MPs to face election each year. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards.

In any political system, the greater the concentration of power in the hands of the president, the more problems the nation will encounter. Turkey needs constitutional reform to limit the president to a single 5-year term with no right to seek office for 6 years afterwards. Turkey’s President is violating Article 6 of the Turkish Constitution, which states clearly that sovereignty wholly and unconditionally belongs to the people. No state or leader has the right to exercise unconstitutional powers. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards for more.

The world’s democracies should back Taiwan's efforts at constitutional reform to achieve greater democracy and freedom. This would inspire China's 1.4 billion people to seek democratization of the CCP, which would pressure North Korea to do the same, leading to the birth of world peace. The world’s democracies should see Taiwan as a beacon for democracy in Asia, lighting the path to peaceful development for China. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards.

Corruption must be rooted out and the nation’s shame washed away by following the rule of law. Democracy and the rule of law are the enemies of despotism and corruption, and separation of powers and checks and balances are needed at the central and provincials in South Korea. The heads of the legislative, executive, judicial and procuratorial branches should be elected in alternating years. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards.

Peaceful assembly and association is a primary human right, and the beating of peaceful demonstrators shows that Hong Kong’s officials consider themselves above the Constitution. The people of Hong Kong should avail of Article 39 of the Basic Law, which states that the people have the right to express their opinion through referendums. The people should call for changes such as election of the heads of the executive, legislative, judicial and procuratorial branches in alternating years. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards.

The revered ‘Father of the Philippines,’ Jose Rizal, once warned that “Today's slaves often become tomorrow's tyrants, have faith in the rule of law and not the rule of man.” China's constitution is dysfunctional and constitutional reform is needed to implement a modified semi-presidential system of government. The president, mayors and other officials should be limited to one 5-year term and barred from seeking office for 6 years afterward, and the heads of the executive, legislative, judicial and procuratorial branches should be elected in alternating years. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards.

Absolute power leads to absolute corruption. In many democracies the presidential system is seriously flawed, even that of the US. Taiwan faces many problems but impeachment is not an option. South Korea's constitution should be changed to implement a modified semi-presidential system, and the presidency should be declared to be above party politics. In addition, the heads of the judicial and procuratorial branches should be elected in alternating years and 1/4 of all lawmakers should face election each year. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development / Global Unity Constitutional Standards.

Human security and sustainable development are two of the major tasks of the UN. All nations, whether or not they are members of the UN, should embrace the core values of One World under One Set of Laws and make international law superior to domestic law, with direct effect on the people. In addition, the people should be able to monitor operations of the government to ensure it is complying with the norms of the UN Charter. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development...more