3 Const

PDF generated: 06 Jul 2023, 15:18
constituteproject.org
Afghanistan's Constitution of 2004
This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative
Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org.
constituteproject.org PDF generated: 06 Jul 2023, 15:18
Table of contents
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter I. State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter II. Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Article 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Article 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Article 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Article 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Afghanistan 2004 Page 2

Article 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Article 44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Article 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Article 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Article 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Article 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Article 49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Article 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Article 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Article 52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Article 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Article 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Article 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article 56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Chapter III. The President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article 61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Article 62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Article 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Article 64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Article 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Article 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Article 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Article 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article 69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter IV. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article 71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article 73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Article 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Article 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter V. National Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Article 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Article 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Article 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Article 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Article 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Article 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 106 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Chapter VI. Loya Jirga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 112 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Chapter VII. The Judiciary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 123 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 125 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Article 130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Article 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Article 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Article 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Article 134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Article 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Chapter IIX. Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 136 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Chapter IX. State of Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chapter X. Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter XI. Miscellaneous Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 153 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 155 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 157 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter XII. Transitional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 161 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Article 162 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Preamble
Source of constitutional authority
Preamble
God or other deities In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
God or other deities Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of Worlds; and Praise and Peace be upon
Mohammad, His Last Messenger and his disciples and followers
We the people of Afghanistan:
God or other deities Believing firmly in Almighty God, relying on His divine will and adhering to the Holy
religion of Islam;
Reference to country's history Realizing the previous injustices, miseries and innumerable disasters which have
befallen our country;
Reference to country's history Appreciating the sacrifices, historical struggles, jihad and just resistance of all the
peoples of Afghanistan, admiring the supreme position of the martyrs of the country's
freedom;
Comprehending that a united, indivisible Afghanistan belongs to all its tribes and
peoples;
Observing the United Nations Charter as well as the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights;
And in order to:
Motives for writing constitution Strengthen national unity, safeguard independence, national sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the country;
Motives for writing constitution Establish an order based on the peoples' will and democracy;
Motives for writing constitution Form a civil society void of oppression, atrocity, discrimination as well as violence, based
on rule of law, social justice, protecting integrity and human rights, and attaining
peoples' freedoms and fundamental rights;
Motives for writing constitution Strengthen political, social, economic as well as defense institutions;
Protection of environment Attain a prosperous life and sound living environment for all inhabitants of this land;
Motives for writing constitution
Motives for writing constitution And, eventually, regain Afghanistan's appropriate place in the international family;
Have, herein, approved this constitution in accordance with the historical, cultural and
social realities as well as requirements of time through our elected representatives in
the Loya Jirga, dated January 3, 2004, held in the city of Kabul.
Chapter I. State
Type of government envisioned

Article 1
Afghanistan shall be an Islamic Republic, independent, unitary and indivisible state.
Official religion
Status of religious law Article 2
Freedom of religion
The sacred religion of Islam is the religion of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Followers of other faiths shall be free within the bounds of law in the exercise and
performance of their religious rituals.

Article 3
No law shall contravene the tenets and provisions of the holy religion of Islam in
Afghanistan.
Conditions for revoking citizenship

Requirements for birthright citizenship Article 4
National sovereignty in Afghanistan shall belong to the nation, manifested directly and
through its elected representatives. The nation of Afghanistan is composed of all
individuals who possess the citizenship of Afghanistan. The nation of Afghanistan shall
be comprised of Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkman, Baluch, Pachaie, Nuristani,
Aymaq, Arab, Qirghiz, Qizilbash, Gujur, Brahwui and other tribes. The word Afghan shall
apply to every citizen of Afghanistan. No individual of the nation of Afghanistan shall be
deprived of citizenship. The citizenship and asylum related matters shall be regulated by
law.
Article 5
Implementing the provisions of this constitution and other laws, defending
independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and attaining the security and
defense capability of the country shall be the fundamental duties of the state.
Equality regardless of tribe or clan

Human dignity Article 6
The state shall be obligated to create a prosperous and progressive society based on
social justice, preservation of human dignity, protection of human rights, realization of
democracy, attainment of national unity as well as equality between all peoples and
tribes and balance development of all areas of the country.
Treaty ratification
Terrorism Article 7
International law
International organizations
Drugs, alcohol, and illegal substances The state shall observe the United Nations Charter, interstate agreements, as well as
international treaties to which Afghanistan has joined, and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights. The state shall prevent all kinds of terrorist activities, cultivation and
smuggling of narcotics, and production and use of intoxicants.
Article 8
The state shall regulate the foreign policy of the country on the basis of preserving the
independence, national interests and territorial integrity as well as non-interference,
good neighborliness, mutual respect and equality of rights.
Ownership of natural resources

Article 9
Mines and other subterranean resources as well as historical relics shall be the property
of the state. Protection, management and proper utilization of public properties as well
as natural resources shall be regulated by law.
Article 10
The state shall encourage, protect as well as ensure the safety of capital investment
and private enterprises in accordance with the provisions of the law and market
economy.

Article 11
Matters related to domestic as well as foreign trade shall be regulated by law in
accordance with the economic requirements of the country and public interests.
Central bank
Article 12
The Afghanistan Bank shall be independent and the central bank of the state. Currency
issuance as well as formulating and implementing the monetary policy of the country
shall be, according to provisions of the law, the authority of the central bank. The central
bank shall consult the economic committee of the House of People about printing of
money. The organization and operation method of Central Bank shall be regulated by
law.
Article 13
The state shall design and implement effective programs for developing industries,
expanding production as well as protecting activities of craftsmen to raise the standard
of living of the people.
Article 14
The state, within its financial means, shall design and implement effective programs to
develop agriculture and animal husbandry, improve economic, social and living
conditions of farmers, herders and settlers as well as the nomads' livelihood. The state
shall adopt necessary measures for provision of housing and distribution of public
estates to deserving citizens in accordance with the provisions of law and within
financial possibilities.
Article 15
The state shall be obligated to adopt necessary measures to protect and improve
forests as well as the living environment.
Official or national languages

Protection of language use Article 16
From amongst Pashto, Dari, Uzbeki, Turkmani, Baluchi, Pachaie, Nuristani, Pamiri and
other current languages in the country, Pashto and Dari shall be the official languages of
the state. In areas where the majority of the people speak in any one of Uzbeki,
Turkmani, Pachaie, Nuristani, Baluchi or Pamiri languages, any of the aforementioned
language, in addition to Pashto and Dari, shall be the third official language, the usage of
which shall be regulated by law. The state shall design and apply effective programs to
foster and develop all languages of Afghanistan. Usage of all current languages in the
country shall be free in press publications and mass media. Academic and national
administrative terminology and usage in the country shall be preserved.
Article 17
The state shall adopt necessary measures to foster education at all levels, develop
religious teachings, regulate and improve the conditions of mosques, religious schools as
well as religious centers.
Article 18
The source for the calendar year of the country shall be based upon the migration of The
Prophet (PBUH). The basis for state offices shall be the solar calendar. Fridays, as well

as the 28th of Asad and 8th of Saur, shall be public holidays. Other holidays shall be
regulated by law.
National flag
God or other deities Article 19
The flag of Afghanistan shall be made up of three equal parts, with black, red and green
colors juxtaposed from left to right vertically. The width of every color shall be half of its
length, and at the center of which the national insignia shall be located. The national
insignia of Afghanistan shall be comprised of an emblem and a pulpit in white color, at
the two corners of which are two flags, inscribed in the top middle the holy phrase
"There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is his Prophet, and Allah is Great." This shall
be inscribed and superseded on rays of a rising sun, and in its lower part, the year 1919
in the solar calendar, and the word "Afghanistan" encircled on two sides by sheaves of
wheat shall be inscribed. The law shall regulate the use of the flag and insignia.
National anthem
Article 20
The national anthem of Afghanistan shall be in Pashto with the mention of "God is
Great" as well as the names of the tribes of Afghanistan.
National capital
Article 21
The capital of Afghanistan shall be the city of Kabul.
Chapter II. Fundamental Rights and Duties of

Citizens
General guarantee of equality

Article 22
Any kind of discrimination and distinction between citizens of Afghanistan shall be
forbidden. The citizens of Afghanistan, man and woman, have equal rights and duties
before the law.
Right to life
Life is the gift of God as well as the natural right of human beings. No one shall be
deprived of this except by legal provision.
Inalienable rights
Human dignity Article 24
Liberty is the natural right of human beings. This right has no limits unless affecting
others freedoms as well as the public interest, which shall be regulated by law. Liberty
and human dignity are inviolable. The state shall respect and protect liberty as well as
human dignity.
Presumption of innocence in trials

Article 25
Innocence is the original state. The accused shall be innocent until proven guilty by the
order of an authoritative court.
Article 26
Crime is a personal act. Investigation, arrest and detention of an accused as well as
penalty execution shall not incriminate another person.

Protection from ex post facto laws

Protection from unjustified restraint Article 27
Principle of no punishment without law
No deed shall be considered a crime unless ruled by a law promulgated prior to

commitment of the offense. No one shall be pursued, arrested, or detained without due
process of law. No one shall be punished without the decision of an authoritative court
taken in accordance with the provisions of the law, promulgated prior to commitment of
the offense.
Extradition procedure
Article 28
No citizen of Afghanistan accused of a crime shall be extradited to a foreign state
without reciprocal arrangements as well as international treaties to which Afghanistan
has joined. No Afghan shall be deprived of citizenship or sentenced to domestic or
foreign exile.
Prohibition of torture
Article 29
Persecution of human beings shall be forbidden. No one shall be allowed to or order
torture, even for discovering the truth from another individual who is under
investigation, arrest, detention or has been convicted to be punished. Punishment
contrary to human dignity shall be prohibited.
Regulation of evidence collection

Article 30
A statement, confession or testimony obtained from an accused or of another individual
by means of compulsion shall be invalid. Confession to a crime is a voluntary admission
before an authorized court by an accused in a sound state of mind.
Right to counsel
Article 31
Upon arrest, or to prove truth, every individual can appoint a defense attorney.
Immediately upon arrest, the accused shall have the right to be informed of the nature
of the accusation, and appear before the court within the time limit specified by law. In
criminal cases, the state shall appoint a defense attorney for the indigent.
Confidentiality of conversations, correspondence, and communications between the
accused and their attorney shall be secure from any kind of violation. The duties and
powers of defense attorneys shall be regulated by law.
Rights of debtors
Article 32
Debt shall not curtail or deprive the freedom of the individual. The method and means of
recovering debt shall be regulated by law.
Restrictions on voting
Article 33
The citizens of Afghanistan shall have the right to elect and be elected. The conditions of
exercising this right shall be regulated by law.
Radio
Inalienable rights Article 34
Freedom of press
Telecommunications
Television Freedom of expression shall be inviolable. Every Afghan shall have the right to express
State operation of the media thoughts through speech, writing, illustrations as well as other means in accordance
Freedom of expression
with provisions of this constitution. Every Afghan shall have the right, according to
provisions of law, to print and publish on subjects without prior submission to state
authorities. Directives related to the press, radio and television as well as publications
and other mass media shall be regulated by law.

Right to form political parties

Freedom of association Article 35
Restrictions on political parties
To attain moral and material goals, the citizens of Afghanistan shall have the right to
form associations in accordance with provisions of the law. The people of Afghanistan
shall have the right, in accordance with provisions of the law, to form political parties,
provided that:
1. Their manifesto and charter shall not contravene the Holy religion of Islam and
principles and values enshrined in this constitution;
2. Their organizations and financial resources shall be transparent;
3. They shall not have military or quasi-military aims and organizations; and
4. They shall not be affiliated with foreign political parties or other sources.
Formation and operation of a party on the basis of tribalism, parochialism, language, as

well as religious sectarianism shall not be permitted. A party or association formed
according to provisions of the law shall not be dissolved without legal causes and the
order of an authoritative court.
Freedom of assembly
Article 36
The people of Afghanistan shall have the right to gather and hold unarmed
demonstrations, in accordance with the law, for attaining legitimate and peaceful
purposes.
Telecommunications
Article 37
Freedom and confidentiality of correspondence, as well as communications of
individuals, whether in the form of a letter or via telephone, telegraph, as well as other
means, shall be secure from intrusion. The state shall not have the right to inspect
personal correspondence and communications, unless authorized by provisions of the
law.

Article 38
Personal residences shall be immune from trespassing. No one, including the state, shall
have the right to enter a personal residence or search it without the owner’s permission
or by order of an authoritative court, except in situations and methods delineated by
law. In case of an evident crime, the responsible official shall enter or search a personal
residence without prior court order. The aforementioned official, shall, after entrance or
completion of search, obtain a court order within the time limit set by law.
Freedom of movement
Article 39
Every Afghan shall have the right to travel and settle in any part of the country, except
in areas forbidden by law. Every Afghan shall have the right to travel outside
Afghanistan and return, according to the provisions of the law. The state shall protect
the rights of the citizens of Afghanistan outside the country.
Protection from expropriation

Right to own property Article 40
Property shall be safe from violation. No one shall be forbidden from owning property
and acquiring it, unless limited by the provisions of law. No one's property shall be
confiscated without the order of the law and decision of an authoritative court.
Acquisition of private property shall be legally permitted only for the sake of public
interests, and in exchange for prior and just compensation. Search and disclosure of
private property shall be carried out in accordance with provisions of the law.

Article 41
Foreign individuals shall not have the right to own immovable property in Afghanistan.
Lease of immovable property for the purpose of capital investment shall be permitted in
accordance with the provisions of the law. The sale of estates to diplomatic missions of
foreign countries as well as international organizations to which Afghanistan is a
member, shall be allowed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Duty to pay taxes

Article 42
Every Afghan shall pay taxes and duties to the state in accordance with the provisions
of the law. No taxes or duties shall be levied without legal representation. Tax rates and
duties as well as the method of payment shall be determined, with due respect to social
justice, by law. This provision shall also apply to foreign individuals and organizations.
Every kind of tax, duty as well as paid incomes shall be deposited to a single state
account.
Free education
Compulsory education Article 43
Education is the right of all citizens of Afghanistan, which shall be offered up to the B.A.
level in the state educational institutes free of charge by the state. To expand balanced
education as well as to provide mandatory intermediate education throughout
Afghanistan, the state shall design and implement effective programs and prepare the
ground for teaching mother tongues in areas where they are spoken.
Provisions for wealth redistribution

Article 44
The state shall devise and implement effective programs to create and foster balanced
education for women, improve education of nomads as well as eliminate illiteracy in the
country.
Article 45
The state shall devise and implement a unified educational curricula based on the tenets
of the sacred religion of Islam, national culture as well as academic principles, and
develop religious subjects curricula for schools on the basis of existing Islamic sects in
Afghanistan.
Article 46
Establishing and administering higher, general and specialized educational institutions
shall be the duty of the state. The citizens of Afghanistan shall establish higher, general
and specialized educational as well as literacy institutions with permission of the state.
The state shall permit foreign individuals to establish higher, general and specialized
institutions in accordance with the provisions of the law. Admission terms to higher
educational institutes of the state and other related matters shall be regulated by law.
Right to culture
Reference to art Article 47
Reference to science
Provisions for intellectual property
The state shall devise effective programs for fostering knowledge, culture, literature
and arts. The state shall guarantee the copyrights of authors, inventors and discoverers,
and, shall encourage and protect scientific research in all fields, publicizing their results
for effective use in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Right to choose occupation

Right to work

Article 48
Work is the right of every Afghan. Working hours, paid holidays, employment and
employee rights and related matters shall be regulated by the law. Choice of occupation
and craft shall be free within the bounds of law.
Prohibition of slavery
Limits on employment of children Article 49
Forced labor shall be forbidden. Active participation in times of war, disaster, and other
situations that threaten public life and comfort shall be among the national duties of
every Afghan. Forced labor on children shall not be allowed.
Civil service recruitment

Right to information Article 50
The state shall adopt necessary measures to create a healthy administration and realize
reforms in the administrative system of the country. The administration shall perform its
duties with complete neutrality and in compliance with the provisions of the laws. The
citizens of Afghanistan shall have the right of access to information from state
departments in accordance with the provisions of the law. This right shall have no limit
except when harming rights of others as well as public security. The citizens of
Afghanistan shall be recruited by the state on the basis of ability, without any
discrimination, according to the provisions of the law.
Ultra-vires administrative actions

Article 51
Any individual suffering damage without due cause from the administration shall
deserve compensation, and shall appeal to a court for acquisition. Except in conditions
stipulated by law, the state shall not, without the order of an authoritative court, claim
its rights.
Right to health care

Article 52
The state shall provide free preventative healthcare and treatment of diseases as well
as medical facilities to all citizens in accordance with the provisions the law.
Establishment and expansion of private medical services as well as health centers shall
be encouraged and protected by the state in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The state shall adopt necessary measures to foster healthy physical education and
development of the national as well as local sports.
State support for children

State support for the disabled Article 53
State support for the elderly
The state shall adopt necessary measures to regulate medical services as well as
financial aid to survivors of martyrs and missing persons, and for reintegration of the
disabled and handicapped and their active participation in society, s in accordance with
provisions of the law. The state shall guarantee the rights of retirees, and shall render
necessary aid to the elderly, women without caretaker, disabled and handicapped as
well as poor orphans, in accordance with provisions of the law.
Article 54
Family is the fundamental pillar of the society, and shall be protected by the state. The
state shall adopt necessary measures to attain the physical and spiritual health of the
family, especially of the child and mother, upbringing of children, as well as the
elimination of related traditions contrary to the principles of the sacred religion of Islam.
Duty to serve in the military

Article 55
Defending the country shall be the duty of all citizens of Afghanistan. Conditions for
compulsory military service shall be regulated by law.
Duty to obey the constitution

Article 56
Observance of the provisions of the constitution, obedience of laws and respect of public
order and security shall be the duty of all citizens of Afghanistan. Ignorance of the laws
shall not be considered an excuse.
Article 57
The state shall guarantee the rights and liberties of foreign citizens in Afghanistan in
accordance with the law. These people shall be obliged to respect the laws of the state
of Afghanistan within the limits of the provisions of international law.
Human rights commission

Article 58
To monitor respect for human rights in Afghanistan as well as to foster and protect it,
the state shall establish the Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan.
Every individual shall complain to this Commission about the violation of personal
human rights. The Commission shall refer human rights violations of individuals to legal
authorities and assist them in defense of their rights. Organization and method of
operation of the Commission shall be regulated by law.
Article 59
No individual shall be allowed to manipulate the rights and liberties enshrined in this
Constitution and act against independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty as well as
national unity.
Chapter III. The President
Name/structure of executive(s)
Deputy executive Article 60
The President shall be the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,
executing his authorities in the executive, legislative and judiciary fields in accordance
with the provisions of this Constitution. The President shall have 2 Vice-Presidents, first
and second. The Presidential candidate shall declare to the nation names of both vice
presidential running mates. In case of absence, resignation or death of the President, the
first Vice-President shall act in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. In
the absence of the first Vice-President, the second Vice-President shall act in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
Head of state selection

Electoral commission Article 61
Head of state term length
Secret ballot
The President shall be elected by receiving more than fifty percent of votes cast by
voters through free, general, secret and direct voting. The presidential term shall expire
on 1st of Jawza of the fifth year after elections. Elections for the new President shall be
held within thirty to sixty days prior to the end of the presidential term. If in the first
round none of the candidates gets more than fifty percent of the votes, elections for the
second round shall be held within two weeks from the date election results are
proclaimed, and, in this round, only two candidates who have received the highest

number of votes in the first round shall participate. In case one of the presidential
candidates dies during the first or second round of voting or after elections, but prior to
the declaration of results, re-election shall be held according to provisions of the law.
Eligibility for head of state

Article 62
The individual who becomes a presidential candidate shall have the following
qualifications:
1. Shall be a citizen of Afghanistan, Muslim, born of Afghan parents and shall not be
a citizen of another country;
2. Shall not be less than forty years old the day of candidacy;
Minimum age of head of state
3. Shall not have been convicted of crimes against humanity, a criminal act or
deprivation of civil rights by court.
Head of state term limits No individual shall be elected for more than 2 terms as President. The provision of this
Article shall also apply to Vice-Presidents.

Oaths to abide by constitution
Before assuming office, the President shall take, in accordance with special procedures
set by law, the following oath of allegiance:
"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear by the name of God
Almighty that I shall obey and protect the Holy religion of Islam, respect and supervise
the implementation of the Constitution as well as other laws, safeguard the
independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and, in
seeking God Almighty's help and support of the nation, shall exert my efforts towards
the prosperity and progress of the people of Afghanistan."
Head of state powers

Article 64
The President shall have the following authorities and duties:
1. Supervise the implementation of the Constitution;
2. Determine the fundamental lines of the policy of the country with the approval of
the National Assembly;
3. Being the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Afghanistan;

Designation of commander in chief
4. Declare war and peace with the endorsement of the National Assembly;
Power to declare/approve war
5. Take necessary decisions to defend territorial integrity and preserve

independence;
6. Dispatch armed forces units outside of Afghanistan with the endorsement of the
National Assembly;
7. Convene the Loya Jirga except in the situation prescribed in Article 69 of this
Constitution;
8. Proclaim as well as terminate the state of emergency with the endorsement of

Emergency provisions
the National Assembly;
9. Inaugurate the sessions of National Assembly and Loya Jirga.
10. Accept the resignations of vice-presidents of the Republic;
11. Appoint the Ministers, the Attorney General, the Head of the Central Bank, the
Attorney general
National Security Director as well as the Head of the Red Cross with the
Central bank

11. endorsement of the House of People, and their dismissal and acceptance of
resignation;
12. Appoint the Justice of the Supreme Court as well as justices of the Supreme
Court with the endorsement of the House of People;
13. Appointing, retiring and accepting the resignation and dismissal of judges, officers
Cabinet removal
of the armed forces, police, national security as well as high ranking officials
Selection of active-duty commanders according to the provisions of law;
14. Appoint heads of political representatives of Afghanistan to foreign states as well

as international organizations;
Foreign affairs representative
15. Accept credentials of foreign political representatives in Afghanistan;
16. Endorse laws as well as judicial decrees;
17. Issue credential letter for conclusion of international treaties in accordance with
Treaty ratification
the provisions of the law;
18. Reduce and pardon penalties in accordance with the provisions of the law;
Power to pardon
19. Bestow medals, insignias as well as honorary titles in accordance with the
provisions of the law;
20. Establish commissions to improve the administration of the country in

accordance with the provisions of the law;
21. Perform other authorities and duties enshrined in this Constitution.
Referenda
Article 65
On important national, political, social as well as economic issues the President can call
for a referendum of the people of Afghanistan. The referendum shall not be contrary to
the provisions of this Constitution or require its amendment.
Article 66
The President shall take into consideration the supreme interests of the people of
Afghanistan to enforce the authorities enshrined in this Constitution. The President shall
not sell or bestow state properties without the provision of the law. During the term of
office, the Presidential position shall not be used for linguistic, sectarian, tribal, and
religious as well as party considerations.
Deputy executive
Head of state replacement Article 67
In case of resignation, impeachment or death of the President, as well as an incurable
illness impeding performance of duty, the First Vice-President shall assume authorities
and duties of the President. The President shall personally tender resignation to the
National Assembly. Affirmation of an incurable illness shall be verified by an
authoritative medical team assigned by the Supreme Court. In such cases, elections for
the new President shall be held within 3 months in accordance with Article 61 of the
Constitution. The First Vice-President, in acting as interim President, shall not perform
the following duties:
1. Amend the Constitution;
2. Dismiss ministers;
3. Call a referendum.
The Vice-Presidents can according to the provisions of this Constitution, nominate

themselves as presidential candidates. In the absence of the President, the duties of the
First Vice-President shall be determined by the President.


Article 68
In case any of the Vice-Presidents resign or die, another person shall be appointed by
the President with the endorsement of the House of the People. In case of simultaneous
death of the President and the First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President, the
President of the House of Elders, the President of the House of Representatives and the
Foreign Minister shall succeed respectively and, in that order, and, according to Article
67 of this Constitution, shall assume the duties of the President.
Head of state removal

Article 69
The President shall be responsible to the nation as well as the House of People in
accordance with the provisions of this Article. Accusations of crimes against humanity,
national treason as well as a crime against the President shall be demanded by one-
third of all members of the House of People. If this demand is approved by two-thirds of
the House of People, the House of People shall convene the Loya Jirga within 1 month.
If the Loya Jirga, by two-thirds majority, approves the accusation, the President shall be
released from duty and the issue shall be referred to a special court, which shall be
comprised of the President of the House of Elders, three members of the House of
People, and three members of the Supreme Court appointed by the Loya Jirga. The case
shall be presented by the individual appointed by the Loya Jirga. In such a situation the
provisions of Article 67 of this Constitution shall be applied.
Article 70
The salary and expenses of the President shall be regulated by law. The President, after
completion of his term of service, except when dismissed, shall be entitled to financial
benefits of the presidency for the rest of his life in accordance with the law.
Chapter IV. Government
Cabinet selection
Article 71
The Government shall be comprised of Ministers who work under the chairmanship of
the President. The number of Ministers as well as their duties shall be regulated by law.
Eligibility for cabinet

Article 72
The individual appointed as Minister shall have the following qualifications:
1. Shall have only the citizenship of Afghanistan; if the ministerial candidate has the
citizenship of another country as well, the House of People shall have the right to
approve or reject the nomination;
2. Shall have higher education, work experience as well as a good reputation;
3. Shall not be less than thirty 5 years of age;
4. Shall not have been convicted of crimes against humanity, a criminal act or
deprivation of civil rights by a court.

Article 73
The Ministers shall be appointed from amongst members of the National Assembly or
outside. If a member of the National Assembly is appointed as Minister, that individual

loses membership in the National Assembly and instead, another individual shall be
appointed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
God or other deities

Oaths to abide by constitution Article 74
Before assuming office, the Ministers shall take the following oath in the presence of the
President:
"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear in the name of God
Almighty that I shall protect the Holy religion of Islam, respect the Constitution and
other laws of Afghanistan, safeguard the rights of citizens as well as independence,
territorial integrity and the national unity of the people of Afghanistan, and, in all my
deeds consider the Almighty's presence, performing the entrusted duties honestly."
Powers of cabinet
Article 75
The Government shall have the following duties:
1. Execute the provisions of this Constitution, other laws, as well as the final
decisions of the courts;
2. Preserve the independence, defend the territorial integrity and safeguard the
interests and prestige of Afghanistan in the international community;
3. Maintain public law and order and eliminate every kind of administrative
corruption;
4. Prepare the budget, regulate financial conditions of the state as well as protect
public wealth;
5. Devise and implement social, cultural, economic and technological development

programs;
6. Report to the National Assembly, at the end of the fiscal year, about the tasks
achieved as well as important programs for the new fiscal year;
7. Perform other duties that, in accordance with this Constitution and other laws,
fall within the Government responsibilities.
Article 76
To implement the fundamental lines of the policy of the country and regulate its duties,
the government shall devise as well as approve regulations, which shall not be contrary
to the body or spirit of any law.
Article 77
The Ministers shall perform their duties as heads of administrative units within the
framework of this Constitution as well as other laws prescribe. The Ministers shall be
responsible to the President and House of Representatives for their specified duties.
Establishment of military courts

Article 78
If a Minister is accused of crimes against humanity, national treason or other crimes, the
case, in accordance with Article 134 of this Constitution, shall be submitted to a special
court.
Head of state decree power

Article 79
During the recess of the House of Representatives, the Government shall, in case of an
immediate need, issue legislative decrees, except in matters related to budget and

financial affairs. Legislative decrees, after endorsement by the President, shall acquire
the force of law. Legislative decrees shall be presented to the National Assembly within
thirty days of convening its first session, and if rejected by the National Assembly, they
become void.
Article 80
During their tour of duty, the Ministers shall not use their positions for linguistic,
sectarian, tribal, religious or partisan purposes.
Chapter V. National Assembly
Article 81
The National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, as the highest legislative
organ, shall manifest the will of its people as well as represent the entire nation.
Every member of the Assembly, when voting, shall judge according to the general
interests as well as the supreme benefits of the people of Afghanistan.
Structure of legislative chamber(s)

Article 82
The National Assembly consists of two houses: House of People and House of Elders.
No individual shall be a member of both houses at the same time.
Article 83
First chamber selection Members of the House of People shall be elected by the people through free, general,
Term length for first chamber
secret and direct balloting. The work period of the House of People shall terminate, after
the disclosure of the results of the elections, on the 1st of Saratan of the fifth year and
the new parliament shall commence work. The elections for members of the House of
People shall be held 30-60 days prior to the expiration of the term of the House of
People.
Size of first chamber The number of the members of the House of People shall be proportionate to the
First chamber representation quotas
population of each constituency, not exceeding the maximum of 250 individuals.
Electoral constituencies as well as other related issues shall be determined by the
elections law. The elections law shall adopt measures to attain, through the electorate
system, general and fair representation for all the people of the country, and
proportionate to the population of every province, on average, at least two females shall
be the elected members of the House of People from each province.
Second chamber selection

Term length of second chamber Article 84
Outside professions of legislators
Members of the House of Elders shall be elected and appointed as follows:
1. From amongst each provincial council members, one individual shall be elected by
the respective council for a four year term;
2. From amongst district councils of each province, one individual, elected by the
respective councils, for a three year term;
3. The remaining one-third of the members shall be appointed by the President, for
a five year term, from amongst experts and experienced personalities, including
two members from amongst the impaired and handicapped, as well as two from
nomads.

The President shall appoint fifty percent of these individuals from amongst women. The
individual selected as a member of the House of Elders shall lose membership to the
related Council, and, another individual shall be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of the law.
Eligibility for first chamber

Article 85
The individual who becomes a candidate or appointed to the membership of the
National Assembly, in addition to the completion of the conditions of the election, shall
have the following qualifications:
1. Shall be a citizen of Afghanistan or shall have obtained citizenship of the state of

Afghanistan at least 10 years prior to candidacy date or appointment;
2. Shall not have been convicted of crimes against humanity, as well as a crime or
deprivation from civil rights by a court;
3. Shall have completed twenty-5 years of age on candidacy day for the House of
Minimum age for second chamber
People, and 35 years on candidacy day or appointment for the House of Elders.
Minimum age for first chamber
Article 86
Elections credentials of members of the National Assembly shall be reviewed by the
Independent Elections Commission in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Leader of first chamber

Leader of second chamber Article 87
Each of the two houses of the National Assembly, at the commencement of their work
period, shall elect one member as president for the term of the legislature, and two
members as first and second deputies and two members as secretary and assistant
secretary for a period of one year. These individuals shall form the administrative teams
of the House of People as well as House of Elders. Duties of the administrative teams
shall be determined by the Regulations on Internal Duties of each house.
Article 88
Each of the two houses of the National Assembly shall form commissions to study issues
under discussion in accordance with the Regulations of Internal Duties.
Legislative oversight of the executive

Article 89
The House of People shall have the authority to establish a special commission, on the
proposal of one-third of its members, to review as well as investigate the actions of the
Government. The composition and method of operation of the aforementioned
commission shall be determined by the Regulations on Internal Duties.
Article 90
The National Assembly shall have the following duties:
1. Ratification, modification or abrogation of laws or legislative decrees;
2. Approval of social, cultural, economic as well as technological development

programs;
3. Approval of the state budget as well as permission to obtain or grant loans;
4. Creation, modification and or abrogation of administrative units;

5. Ratification of international treaties and agreements, or abrogation of

Treaty ratification
membership of Afghanistan in them;
Legal status of treaties
6. Other authorities enshrined in this Constitution.
First chamber reserved policy areas

Article 91
The House of People shall have the following special authorities:
1. Decide about elucidation session from each Minister in accordance with Article
Cabinet removal
92 of this Constitution;
2. Decide on the development programs as well as the state budget;
3. Approve or reject appointments according to provisions of this Constitution.
Legislative oversight of the executive

Cabinet removal Article 92
The House of People, on the proposal of twenty percent of all its members, shall make
inquiries from each Minister. If the explanations given are not satisfactory, the House of
People shall consider the issue of a no-confidence vote. The no-confidence vote on a
Minister shall be explicit, direct, as well as based on convincing reasons. The vote shall
be approved by the majority of all members of the House of People.
Article 93
Any commission of both houses of the parliament can question any Minister about
special issues. The individual questioned shall provide an oral or written response.
Veto override procedure

Approval or veto of general legislation Article 94
Law shall be what both houses of the National Assembly approve and the President
endorses, unless this Constitution states otherwise. In case the President rejects what
the National Assembly has approved, the President shall send it back, within 15 days
from the date it was presented, to the House of People mentioning the reasons for
rejection, and, with expiration of the period or if the House of People re-approves it with
2 thirds of all the votes, the draft shall be considered endorsed and enforceable.
Initiation of general legislation

Article 95
The proposal for drafting laws shall be made by the Government or members of the
National Assembly or, in the domain of regulating the judiciary, by the Supreme Court,
through the Government. Proposals for drafting the budget and financial affairs laws
shall be made only by the Government.
Budget bills
Article 96
If the proposal for drafting a law includes imposition of new taxes or reduction of state
incomes, it shall be included in the work agenda of the National Assembly on condition
the compensation source shall also be forecasted in the text of the proposal.
Budget bills
Division of labor between chambers Article 97
Treaty ratification
Finance bills
Proposals for drafting laws shall be first submitted to the House of People by the
government. The House of People shall consider the draft laws, including budgetary and
financial affairs as well as the proposal for obtaining or granting loans, and, after debate,
either approve or reject as a whole. The House of People shall not delay more than one
month the draft proposal. The House of People, after approving the proposed draft, shall

send it to the House of the Elders. The House of Elders shall decide on it within 15 days.
In deciding about the proposed laws, the National Assembly shall give priority to
treaties and development programs of the state that, according to the proposal of the
government, require urgent consideration. If the proposal for drafting a law is made by
ten members of either of the two houses, it shall be, after approval of one-fifth of the
House where it was initiated, included in the work agenda of that House.
Budget bills
Article 98
The state budget and development program of the government shall be submitted,
through the House of Elders to the House of People along with its advisory views.
The decision of the House of People shall be implemented without presentation to the
House of Elders, after endorsement by the President. If for some reasons the budget is
not approved before the beginning of the new fiscal year, the budget of the year before
shall be applied pending the passage of the new budget. The Government shall present
during the fourth quarter of the financial year the budget for the next year, with the brief
account of the current year budget, to the National Assembly. The precise account of
the previous year financial budget shall be presented to the National Assembly during
the next 6 months according to the provisions of the law. The House of People shall not
delay approval of the budget for more than 1 month after receiving it and give
permission to obtain or grant loans not included in the budget, for more than 15 days.
If the House of People during this period does not decide on obtaining or granting loans,
the proposal shall be considered approved.
Article 99
If, during the sessions of the National Assembly, the annual budget, or development
program, or issues related to national security, territorial integrity and independence of
the country is under discussion, the sessions of the Assembly shall not end pending
decision of the matter.
Budget bills
Legislative committees Article 100
Finance bills
If one House rejects decisions of the other, a joint commission comprised of an equal
number of members from each House shall be formed to solve the difference. The
decision of the commission, after endorsement by the President, shall be enforced. If the
joint commission does not solve the difference, the decision shall be considered rejected.
In such situation, the House of People shall pass it with two-thirds majority in its next
session. This decision, without submission to the House of Elders, shall be promulgated
once endorsement by the President.
Immunity of legislators
Article 101
No member of the National Assembly shall be legally prosecuted for reasons of voting
or views expressed during performance of duty.
Article 102
If a member of the National Assembly is accused of a crime, the responsible official shall
inform the House of which the accused is a member, and the accused shall be legally
prosecuted. In case of an evident crime, the responsible official shall legally pursue and
arrest the accused without the permission of the House of which the accused is a
member.
In both cases, if the legal prosecution requires detention, the responsible official shall
immediately inform the respective House and obtain its approval. If the accusation
takes place during an Assembly recess, the permission for arrest or detention shall be
obtained from the administrative board of the respective House, and the issue shall be
referred to the first session of the aforementioned House for decision.

Article 103
The Ministers can participate in the sessions of either House of the National Assembly.
Either House of the National Assembly can demand the participation of the Ministers in
its session.
Joint meetings of legislative chambers

Article 104
Both Houses of the National Assembly shall convene their sessions concurrently, but
separately. Sessions of the two Houses shall be held jointly under the following
circumstances:
1. When the legislative term or annual sessions are inaugurated by the President;
2. When deemed necessary by the President.
The President of the House of People shall preside over the joint sessions of the
National Assembly.
Public or private sessions

Article 105
The sessions of the National Assembly shall be open unless the President of the
Assembly or at least 10 members of the National Assembly request their secrecy and
the Assembly grants their request. No one shall enter the National Assembly building by
force.
Quorum for legislative sessions

Article 106
The quorum for voting of each House of the National Assembly shall be complete with
the majority presence of members and decisions shall be taken with the majority of
votes of members present, unless this Constitution states otherwise.
Length of legislative sessions

Extraordinary legislative sessions Article 107
The National Assembly shall hold 2 regular sessions annually. The term of both regular
sessions shall be 9 months every year, and when needed, the Assembly shall extend its
term. Extraordinary sessions of the Assembly during recess shall be convened by
Presidential order.
Replacement of legislators
Attendance by legislators Article 108
In cases of death, resignation, and dismissal of a member of the National Assembly or
disability or handicap, which impedes permanent performance of duty, the placement of
the new representative for the remaining period of the legislative term shall be in
accordance with provisions of the law. Matters related to the presence and absence of
members of the National Assembly shall be regulated by the Internal Duties Statute.
Article 109
Proposals for amending elections law shall not be included in the work agenda of the
National Assembly during the last year of the legislative term.

Chapter VI. Loya Jirga
Article 110
The Loya Jirga is the highest manifestation of the will of the people of Afghanistan. The
Loya Jirga consists of:
1. Members of the National Assembly;
2. Presidents of the provincial as well as district assemblies.
Ministers, Chief Justice and members of the Supreme Court as well as the attorney
general shall participate in the Loya Jirga sessions without voting rights.
Article 111
The Loya Jirga shall convene in the following situations:
1. To decide on issues related to independence, national sovereignty, territorial

integrity as well as supreme national interests;
2. Amend provisions of this Constitution;
3. Impeach the President in accordance with the provisions of Article 69 of the

Constitution.
Article 112
In its first session, the Loya Jirga shall elect, from amongst its members, a Chairperson,
a Deputy-Chair, and a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary.
Article 113
The quorum of the Loya Jirga shall be complete for voting with the presence of the
majority of members. The decision of the Loya Jirga, except in situations explicitly
stated in this Constitution, shall be adopted by a majority of members present.
Article 114
Sessions of the Loya Jirga shall be open unless one-fourth of its membership demand
secrecy, and the Loya Jirga accept this demand.
Article 115
During the sessions of the Loya Jirga, provisions of Articles 111 and 112 of this
Constitution shall be applied to its members.
Chapter VII. The Judiciary
Judicial independence
Right to appeal judicial decisions
Structure of the courts

Article 116
The judiciary shall be an independent organ of the state of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan. The judiciary shall be comprised of one Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal as
well as Primary Courts whose organization and authority shall be regulated by law. The
Supreme Court shall be the highest judicial organ, heading the judicial power of the
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Article 117
Number of supreme court judges The Supreme Court shall be comprised of nine members, appointed by the President and
Supreme court selection
with the endorsement of the House of People, and in observance of the provisions of
clause three of Article 50 as well as Article 118 of this Constitution, shall be initially
appointed in the following manner:
Supreme court term limits Three members for a period of four years, three members for seven years, and three
members for ten years. Later appointments shall be for period of ten years.
Appointment of members for a second term shall not be permitted.
Supreme court selection The President shall appoint one of its members as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Members of the Supreme Court, except under circumstances stated in Article 127 of
this Constitution, shall not be dismissed till the end of their term.
Article 118
Supreme Court members shall have the following qualifications:
1. At time of appointment the age of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and its
Minimum age of supreme court judges
members shall not be less than forty years.
2. Shall be a citizen of Afghanistan.
3. Shall have higher education in legal studies or Islamic jurisprudence as well as

expertise and adequate experience in the judicial system of Afghanistan.
4. Shall have good character as well as good reputation.
5. Shall not have been convicted, by a court, for crimes against humanity, crimes, or
deprivation of civil rights.
6. Shall not be a member of any political party during his term of duty.

Members of the Supreme Court shall take the following oath of office in the presence of
the President:
"In the of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear in the name of God Almighty to
attain justice and righteousness in accordance with tenets of the Holy religion of Islam,
provisions of this Constitution as well as other laws of Afghanistan, and to execute the
judicial duty with utmost honesty, righteousness and impartiality."
Article 120
The authority of the judicial organ shall include consideration of all cases filed by real or
incorporeal persons, including the state, as plaintiffs or defendants, before the court in
accordance with the provisions of the law.

Supreme court powers
Constitutional interpretation
Constitutionality of legislation
Treaty ratification

Article 121
At the request of the Government, or courts, the Supreme Court shall review the laws,
legislative decrees, international treaties as well as international covenants for their
compliance with the Constitution and their interpretation in accordance with the law.

Article 122
No law shall, under any circumstances, exclude any case or area from the jurisdiction of
the judicial organ as defined in this chapter and submit it to another authority. This
provision shall not prevent formation of special courts stipulated in Articles 69, 78 and
127 of this Constitution, as well as cases related to military courts. The organization
and authority of these courts shall be regulated by law.
Article 123
With respect to the provisions of this Constitution, statutes related to the formation,
authority, as well as proceedings of courts and matters related to judges, shall be
regulated by law.
Article 124
Provision of Laws related to civil servants as well as other administrative staff of the
state shall also apply to the officials and the administrative personnel of the judiciary;
but the Supreme Court in accordance with the law shall regulate their appointment,
dismissal, promotion, retirement, rewards and punishments.
Article 125
The budget of the judiciary shall be prepared by the Supreme Court in consultation with
the Government, and shall be presented to the National Assembly as part of the
national budget. The Supreme Court shall implement the budget of the judiciary.
Article 126
Supreme Court judges shall receive lifetime pensions at the end of their term of service
provided they do not hold state and political offices.

Supreme/ordinary court judge removal Article 127
If more than one-third of the members of the House of People demand the trial of the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or any of its members accused of a crime related to
job performance or committing a crime, and, the House of People approves this demand
by two-thirds majority of all members, the accused shall be dismissed and the issue
referred to a special court. The formation of the court and procedure of the trial shall be
regulated by law.
Right to public trial

Article 128
In the courts in Afghanistan, trials shall be held openly and every individual shall have
the right to attend in accordance with the law. In situations clarified by law, the court
shall hold secret trials when it considers necessary, but pronouncement of its decision
shall be open in all cases.
Supreme court opinions

Article 129
In issuing decision, the court is obligated to state the reason for its verdict. All final
decisions of the courts shall be enforced, except for capital punishment, which shall
require Presidential approval.
Status of religious law

Article 130
In cases under consideration, the courts shall apply provisions of this Constitution as
well as other laws. If there is no provision in the Constitution or other laws about a case,
the courts shall, in pursuance of Hanafi jurisprudence, and, within the limits set by this
Constitution, rule in a way that attains justice in the best manner.
Article 131
The courts shall apply the Shia jurisprudence in cases involving personal matters of
followers of the Shia sect in accordance with the provisions of the law. In other cases, if
no clarification in this Constitution and other laws exist, the courts shall rule according
to laws of this sect.
Article 132
Ordinary court selection Judges are appointed at the proposal of the Supreme Court and approval of the
President.
Ordinary court term limits Appointment, transfer, promotion, punishment and proposals for retirement of judges,
carried out according to provisions of the laws, shall be within the authority of the
Supreme Court. To better regulate judicial as well as judicial administrative matters and
attain necessary reforms, the Supreme Court shall establish the Office of General
Administration of the Judiciary.
Supreme/ordinary court judge removal

Article 133
When a judge is accused of a crime, the Supreme Court shall, in accordance with the
provisions of the law, consider the case. After hearing the defense, if the Supreme Court
considers the accusation valid, it shall present a proposal to the President for dismissal
of the judge. After Presidential approval, the accused judge shall be dismissed and
punished according to the provisions of the law.
Article 134
Discovery of crimes shall be the duty of police, and investigation and filing the case
against the accused in the court shall be the responsibility of the Attorney's Office, in
accordance with the provisions of the law. The Attorney's Office shall be part of the
Executive organ and shall be independent in its performance. The organization,
authority as well as method of work of the Attorney's Office shall be regulated by law.
Special law shall regulate discovery and investigation of crimes of duty by the armed
forces, police and officials of national security.
Trial in native language of accused

Article 135
If a party in lawsuit does not know the language, the right to know the materials and
documents of the case as well as conversation in the court, shall be provided in the
party's mother tongue through a translator appointed by the court.

Chapter IIX. Administration
Subsidiary unit government

Article 136
The administration of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, based on the units of the
central government and local offices, shall be regulated according to the law. The central
administration shall be divided into several administrative units, each headed by a
Minister. The local administrative unit shall be a province. The number, area, divisions
and related provincial organizations as well as number of offices shall be regulated on
the basis of population, social and economic conditions, as well as geographical location.
Article 137
The government, in preserving the principles of centralism, shall transfer necessary
powers, in accordance with the law, to local administrations in order to accelerate and
improve economic, social as well as cultural matters, and foster peoples' participation in
developing national life.
Municipal government
Subsidiary unit government Article 138
There shall be a provincial council in every province. Members of the provincial councils
according to law, shall be elected for four years by the residents of the province,
proportionate to the population, through free, general, secret as well as direct elections.
The provincial council shall elect one of its members as President.

Article 139
The provincial council shall participate in the attainment of the development objectives
of the state and improvement of the affairs of the province in the manner prescribe by
laws, and shall advise the provincial administrations on related issues. The provincial
assembly council shall perform its duties with the cooperation of the provincial
administration.
Article 140
Councils shall be established to organize activities as well as attain active participation
of the people in provincial administrations in districts and in villages, in accordance with
the provisions of the law. Local residents shall elect members of these councils for 3
years through free, general, secret as well as direct elections. Participation of nomads in
these local councils shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Article 141
To administer city affairs, municipalities shall be established. The mayor and members of
municipal councils shall be elected through free, general, secret and direct elections.
Matters related to municipalities shall be regulated by law.
Article 142
To implement the provisions as well as attain values enshrined in this Constitution, the
state shall establish necessary offices.

Chapter IX. State of Emergency
Article 143
If because of war, threat of war, serious rebellion, natural disasters or similar conditions,
protection of independence and national life become impossible through the channels
specified in this Constitution, the state of emergency shall be proclaimed by the
President, throughout the country or part thereof, with endorsement of the National
Assembly. If the state of emergency continues for more than two months, the consent of
the National Assembly shall be required for its extension.
Article 144
During the state of emergency, the President can, in consultation with the presidents of
the National Assembly as well as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, transfer some
powers of the National Assembly to the government.
Article 145
During the state of emergency, the President can, after approval by the presidents of
the National Assembly as well as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, suspend the
enforcement of the following provisions or place restrictions on them:
1. Clause two of Article 27;
2. Article 36;
3. Clause two of Article 37;
4. Clause two of Article 38.
Article 146
The Constitution shall not be amended during the state of emergency.
Article 147
If the presidential term or the legislative term of the National Assembly expires during
the state of emergency, the new general elections shall be postponed, and the
presidential as well as parliamentary terms shall extend up to 4 months. If the state of
emergency continues for more than four months, the President shall call the Loya Jirga.
Within two months after the termination of the state of emergency, elections shall be
held.
Article 148
At the termination of the state of emergency, measures adopted under Article 144 and
145 of this Constitution shall be void immediately.
Chapter X. Amendments
Unamendable provisions
Constitution amendment procedure

Article 149
The principles of adherence to the tenets of the Holy religion of Islam as well as Islamic
Republicanism shall not be amended. Amending fundamental rights of the people shall
be permitted only to improve them. Amending other Articles of this Constitution, with
due respect to new experiences and requirements of the time, as well as provisions of
Articles 67 and 146 of this Constitution, shall become effective with the proposal of the
President and approval of the majority of National Assembly members.

Constitution amendment procedure Article 150
To process the amendment proposals, a commission comprised of members of the
Government, National Assembly as well as the Supreme Court shall be formed by
presidential decree to prepare the draft proposal. To approve the amendment, the Loya
Jirga shall be convened by a Presidential decree in accordance with the provisions of the
Chapter on Loya Jirga. If the Loya Jirga approves the amendment with the majority of
two-thirds of its members, the President shall enforce it after endorsement.
Chapter XI. Miscellaneous Provisions
Article 151
The President, Vice-Presidents, Ministers, Chief Justice and members of the Supreme
Court, the Attorney General, Heads of the Central Bank and National Directorate of
Security, Governors and Mayors, during their term of offices, shall not engage in any
profitable business with the state.
Article 152
The President, Vice-Presidents, Ministers, Chief Justice and members of the Supreme
Court, Presidents and members of the National Assembly, the Attorney General and
judges shall not engage in other jobs during their term of office.
Restrictions on the armed forces

Article 153
Judges, Attorneys, Officers of the Armed Forces, Police and officials of the National
Security shall not become members of political parties during their term of office.
Counter corruption commission

Article 154
The wealth of the President, Vice-Presidents, Ministers, members of the Supreme Court
as well as the Attorney General, shall be registered, reviewed and published prior to and
after their term of office by an organ established by law.
Compensation of legislators
Article 155
Suitable salaries shall be fixed for Vice-Presidents, Ministers, Presidents, as well as
members of the National Assembly and Supreme Court, judges, and Attorney General in

Article 156
The Independent Elections Commission shall be established to administer and supervise
every kind of elections as well as refer to general public opinion of the people in
Electoral commission
Article 157
The Independent Commission for supervision of the implementation of the Constitution
shall be established in accordance with the provisions of the law. Members of this
Commission shall be appointed by the President with the endorsement of the House of
People.
Chapter XII. Transitional Provisions

Transitional provisions
Article 158
The title of the Father of the Nation and privileges bestowed upon His Majesty
Mohammad Zahir Shah, the former King of Afghanistan, by the Emergency Loya Jirga of
1381 (HS), (2002), with due respect to provisions of this Constitution, shall be
preserved during his lifetime.
Article 159
The interim period between the adoption of the Constitution and the inauguration of the
National Assembly shall be considered the transition period.
The Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan, during the transitional period, shall
perform the following duties:
1. Issuing legislative decrees related to elections of the President, National

Assembly as well as local councils within six months;
2. Issuing decrees regarding the organization and authority of courts as well as the
commencement of work on fundamental organizations law in less than one year;
3. Establishing the Independent Elections Commission;
4. Completing necessary reforms to better regulate executive as well as judicial

affairs;
5. Adopting necessary measures to prepare the ground for implementing provisions

of the Constitution.
Article 160
The first President-Elect shall, according to provisions of this Constitution, commence
work thirty days after election results are declared. Multilateral efforts shall be made to
hold presidential as well as National Assembly elections concurrently and
simultaneously. Pending the establishment of the National Assembly, its powers,
enshrined in this Constitution, shall be submitted to the government, and the interim
Supreme Court shall be established by presidential decree.

Article 161
Immediately after inauguration, the National Assembly shall exercise its powers in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. After inauguration of the first
session of the National Assembly, within thirty days, the government as well as the
Supreme Court shall be inaugurated in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution. The President of the Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan shall
perform his duties until the inauguration of the President-Elect. The executive and
judicial organs of the state, in accordance with clause four of Article 159 of this
Constitution, shall continue with their duties pending the formation of the government
as well as the Supreme Court. Legislative decrees enforced from the beginning of the
interim period shall be referred to the first session of the National Assembly. These
decrees shall be enforceable unless annulled by the National Assembly.
Article 162
This Constitution shall be enforced from the date of approval by the Loya Jirga, and
endorsed and proclaimed by the President of the Islamic Transitional Government of
Afghanistan. Upon the enforcement of this Constitution, laws and legislative decrees
contrary to its provisions shall be invalid.

Topic index
A
Approval or veto of general legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Attendance by legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Attorney general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
B
Budget bills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22
C
Cabinet removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 21
Cabinet selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Central bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 15
Civil service recruitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Compensation of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Compulsory education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Conditions for revoking citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Constitution amendment procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 30
Constitutional interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Constitutionality of legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Counter corruption commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
D
Deputy executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 16
Designation of commander in chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Division of labor between chambers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Drugs, alcohol, and illegal substances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Duty to obey the constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15, 18
Duty to pay taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Duty to serve in the military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
E
Electoral commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 31
Eligibility for cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Eligibility for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Eligibility for head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Emergency provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 29
Equality regardless of tribe or clan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Establishment of military courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 26
Extradition procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Extraordinary legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
F
Finance bills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22
First chamber representation quotas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
First chamber reserved policy areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
First chamber selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Foreign affairs representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 17

Free education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Freedom of assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Freedom of association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Freedom of expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Freedom of movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Freedom of press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Freedom of religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
G
General guarantee of equality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
God or other deities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 9, 15, 18, 25
H
Head of state decree power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 30
Head of state powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Head of state removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Head of state replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Head of state selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Head of state term length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Head of state term limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Human dignity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 9
Human rights commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
I
Immunity of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Inalienable rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 10
Initiation of general legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
International law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
International organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 15
J
Joint meetings of legislative chambers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Judicial independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
L
Leader of first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Leader of second chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Legal status of treaties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 25
Legislative committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Legislative oversight of the executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 21
Length of legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Limits on employment of children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
M
Minimum age for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Minimum age for second chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Minimum age of head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Minimum age of supreme court judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Motives for writing constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Municipal government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
N
Name/structure of executive(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
National anthem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
National capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
National flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Number of supreme court judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
O
Oaths to abide by constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 18, 25
Official or national languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Official religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Ordinary court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Ordinary court term limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Outside professions of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Ownership of natural resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
P
Power to declare/approve war . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Power to pardon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Powers of cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Presumption of innocence in trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Principle of no punishment without law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Prohibition of slavery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Prohibition of torture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Protection from ex post facto laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Protection from expropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Protection from unjustified restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Protection of environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Protection of language use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Provisions for intellectual property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Provisions for wealth redistribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Public or private sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Q
Quorum for legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
R
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Reference to art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Reference to country's history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Reference to science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Referenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Regulation of evidence collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11
Replacement of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Requirements for birthright citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Restrictions on political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Restrictions on the armed forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Restrictions on voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Right to appeal judicial decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Right to choose occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Right to culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to form political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Right to health care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Right to information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Right to life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Right to own property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Right to public trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Right to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Rights of debtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
S
Second chamber selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Secret ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Selection of active-duty commanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Size of first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Source of constitutional authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
State operation of the media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
State support for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
State support for the disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
State support for the elderly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Status of religious law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 27
Structure of legislative chamber(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Structure of the courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Subsidiary unit government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Supreme court opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Supreme court powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Supreme court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Supreme court term limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Supreme/ordinary court judge removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 27
T
Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11
Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Term length for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Term length of second chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Terrorism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Transitional provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Treaty ratification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 15, 20, 21, 25
Trial in native language of accused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Type of government envisioned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
U
Ultra-vires administrative actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Unamendable provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Veto override procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

PDF generated: 30 Nov 2022, 10:59
Albania's Constitution of 1998 with

Amendments through 2016
Subsequently amended
constituteproject.org PDF generated: 30 Nov 2022, 10:59
Table of contents
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
PART ONE. BASIC PRINCIPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Article 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 6-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Article 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Article 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
PART TWO. THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTER I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTER II. PERSONAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
CHAPTER III. POLITICAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
CHAPTER IV. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CHAPTER V. SOCIAL OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
CHAPTER VI. PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
PART THREE. THE ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHAPTER I. ELECTION AND TERM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHAPTER II. THE DEPUTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHAPTER III. ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
CHAPTER IV. THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
PART FOUR. THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Article 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Article 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
PART FIVE. THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Article 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Albania 1998 (rev. 2016) Page 2

Article 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Article 105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 106 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
PART SIX. LOCAL GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Article 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 112 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Article 114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Article 115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
PART SEVEN. NORMATIVE ACTS AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CHAPTER I. NORMATIVE ACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CHAPTER II. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
PART EIGHT. CONSTITUTIONAL COURT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 125 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Article 128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
PART NINE. THE COURTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Article 136 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 136-a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Article 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Article 140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Article 141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Article 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Article 143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Article 144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Article 145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Article 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Article 147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Article 147-a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Article 147-b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Article 147-c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Article 147ç . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Article 147-d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Article 147-dh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Article 147-e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Article 147ë . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
PART TEN. PROSECUTION OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Article 148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Article 148-a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Article 148-b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Article 148-c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Article 148ç . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Article 148-d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Article 148-dh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Article 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Article 149-a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Article 149-b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Article 149-c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Article 149ç . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Article 149-d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
PART ELEVEN. REFERENDUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Article 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Article 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Article 152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Article 153 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Article 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
PART THIRTEEN. PUBLIC FINANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Article 155 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Article 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Article 157 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Article 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Article 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Article 160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Article 161 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
PART FOURTEEN. THE HIGH STATE AUDIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Article 162 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Article 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Article 164 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Article 165 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
PART FIFTEEN. ARMED FORCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Article 166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Article 167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Article 168 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Article 169 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
PART SIXTEEN. EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Article 170 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Article 171 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Article 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Article 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Article 174 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Article 175 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Article 176 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
PART SEVENTEEN. REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Article 177 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
PART EIGHTEEN. TRANSITORY AND LAST PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Article 178 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Article 179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Article 179-a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Article 179-b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Article 180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Article 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Article 182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Article 183 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Annex. Transitional Qualification Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Article A. Limitation of the constitutional rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Article B. International Monitoring Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Article C. General provisions for the Commission and Appeal Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Article Ç. Re-evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Article D. Asset Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Article DH. Background Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Article E. Proficiency Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Article Ë. Disciplinary Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Article F. Appeal Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Article G. Resignation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Preamble
Preamble
Source of constitutional authority
We, the people of Albania, proud and aware of our history,
with responsibility for the future,
God or other deities and with faith in God and/or other universal values,
with determination to build a state of law, social and democratic, to guarantee the
fundamental human rights and freedoms,
with a spirit of religious coexistence and tolerance,
Reference to fraternity/solidarity with a pledge to protect human dignity and personhood, as well as for the prosperity of
Human dignity
the whole nation, for peace, well-being, culture and social solidarity,
with the centuries-old aspiration of the Albanian people for national identity and unity,
with a deep conviction that justice, peace, harmony and cooperation between nations
are among the highest values of humanity,
WE ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION
PART ONE. BASIC PRINCIPLES
Article 1
1. Albania is a parliamentary republic.
Type of government envisioned 2. The Republic of Albania is a unitary and indivisible state.
3. Governance is based on a system of elections that are free, equal, general and
periodic.
Article 2
1. Sovereignty in the Republic of Albania belongs to the people.
2. The people exercise sovereignty through their representatives or directly.
3. For the maintenance of peace and national interests, the Republic of Albania may
take part in a system of collective security, on the basis of a law approved by a
majority of all the members of the Assembly.
Human dignity
Article 3
The independence of the state and the integrity of its territory, dignity of the individual,
human rights and freedoms, social justice, constitutional order, pluralism, national
identity and inheritance, religious coexistence, as well as coexistence with, and
understanding of Albanians for, minorities are the bases of this state, which has the duty
of respecting and protecting them.
Article 4
1. The law constitutes the basis and the boundaries of the activity of the state.
2. The Constitution is the highest law in the Republic of Albania.
3. The provisions of the Constitution are directly applicable, except when the
Constitution provides otherwise.

International law
Article 5
The Republic of Albania applies international law that is binding upon it.
Article 6
The organization and functioning of the bodies contemplated by this Constitution are
regulated by their respective laws, except when this Constitution provides otherwise.
Article 6-1
The election or appointment to or exercise of a public function in one of the organs
provided in this Constitution or established by law, notwithstanding the regulation
contained in other provisions of this Constitution, shall be prohibited, in case
circumstances are established impairing the integrity of the public functionary, under the
conditions and rules provided for by law being approved by three fifths of all members of
the Assembly.
Article 7
The system of government in the Republic of Albania is based on the separation and
balancing of legislative, executive and judicial powers.
Article 8
1. The Republic of Albania protects the national rights of the Albanian people who
live outside its borders.
2. The Republic of Albania protects the rights of its citizens with a temporary or
permanent residence outside its borders.
3. The Republic of Albania assures assistance for Albanians who live and work
abroad in order to preserve and develop their ties with the national cultural
inheritance.

Article 9
1. Political parties are created freely. Their organization shall conform to
Right to form political parties democratic principles.
2. Political parties and other organizations, whose programs and activity are based
Prohibited political parties on totalitarian methods, that incite and support racial, religious, regional or ethnic
hatred, that use violence to take power or influence state policies, as well as
those with a secret character, are prohibited pursuant to the law.
3. The financial sources of parties as well as their expenses are always made public.
Article 10
1. In the Republic of Albania there is no official religion.
2. The state is neutral in questions of belief and conscience, and also, it guarantees
the freedom of their expression in public life.
3. The state recognizes the equality of religious communities.
4. The state and the religious communities mutually respect the independence of
Separation of church and state one another and work together for the good of each of them and for all.
5. Relations between the state and religious communities are regulated on the
basis of agreements achieved between their representatives and the Council of
Ministers. These agreements are ratified by the Assembly.
6. Religious communities are legal entities. They have independence in the
administration of their properties according to their principles, rules and canons,
to the extent that interests of third parties are not infringed.

Right to competitive marketplace

Right to establish a business
1. The economic system of the Republic of Albania is based on private and public
property, as well as on a market economy and on freedom of economic activity.
2. Private and public property are equally protected by law.
3. Limitations on the freedom of economic activity may be established only by law
and for important public reasons.
Article 12
1. The armed forces secure the independence of the country, as well as protect its
territorial integrity and constitutional order.
2. The armed forces maintain neutrality in political questions and are subject to
Restrictions on the armed forces civilian control.
Article 13
Local government in the Republic of Albania is founded upon the basis of the principle of
decentralization of power and is exercised according to the principle of local autonomy.
Article 14
1. The official language in the Republic of Albania is Albanian.
Official or national languages 2. The national flag is red with a two-headed black eagle in the centre.
National flag 3. The seal of the Republic of Albania presents a red shield with a black, two-headed
eagle in the centre. At the top of the shield, in gold colour, is the helmet of
Skanderbeg.
4. The national anthem is "United Around Our Flag."
National anthem 5. The National Holiday of the Republic of Albania is the Flag Day, November 28.
6. The capital city of the Republic of Albania is Tirana.
National capital 7. The form and dimensions of the national symbols, the content of the text of the
National anthem national anthem, and their use shall be regulated by law.
PART TWO. THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN

RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
CHAPTER I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Article 15
1. The fundamental human rights and freedoms are indivisible, inalienable, and
Inalienable rights inviolable and stand at the basis of the entire juridical order.
2. The bodies of public power, in fulfilment of their duties, shall respect the
fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as contribute to their realization.
Article 16
1. The fundamental rights and freedoms and the duties contemplated in this
Constitution for Albanian citizens are also valid for foreigners and stateless
persons in the territory of the Republic of Albania, except for cases when the
Constitution specifically attaches the exercise of particular rights and freedoms
with Albanian citizenship.
2. The fundamental rights and freedoms and the duties contemplated in this
Constitution are valid also for legal persons so long as they comport with the

2. general purposes of these persons and with the core of these rights, freedoms
and duties.
Article 17
1. The limitation of the rights and freedoms provided for in this Constitution may be
established only by law for a public interest or for the protection of the rights of
others. A limitation shall be in proportion with the situation that has dictated it.
2. These limitations may not infringe the essence of the rights and freedoms and in
International human rights treaties no case may exceed the limitations provided for in the European Convention on
Human Rights.
Article 18
1. All are equal before the law.
General guarantee of equality 2. No one may be unjustly discriminated against for reasons such as gender, race,
Equality regardless of gender religion, ethnicity, language, political, religious or philosophical beliefs, economic
Equality regardless of social status
Equality regardless of language
condition, education, social status, or parentage.
Equality regardless of financial status 3. No one may be discriminated against for reasons mentioned in paragraph 2
Equality regardless of parentage without reasonable and objective legal grounds.
Equality regardless of religion
Equality regardless of creed or belief
Equality regardless of race Article 19
Equality regardless of political party
1. Everyone born of at least one parent with Albanian citizenship gains

Requirements for birthright citizenship automatically Albanian citizenship. Albanian citizenship is gained also for other
Requirements for naturalization
reasons provided by law.
2. An Albanian citizen may not lose his citizenship, except when he gives it up.
Right to renounce citizenship
Protection of language use
Right to culture
Article 20
Integration of ethnic communities
1. Persons who belong to national minorities exercise in full equality before the law
the human rights and freedoms.
2. They have the right to freely express, without prohibition or compulsion, their
ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic belonging. They have the right to preserve
and develop it, to study and to be taught in their mother tongue, as well as unite
in organizations and associations for the protection of their interests and identity.
CHAPTER II. PERSONAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Right to life Article 21
The life of a person is protected by law.
Article 22
1. Freedom of expression is guaranteed.
Freedom of expression 2. The freedom of the press, radio and television are guaranteed.
Radio 3. Prior censorship of a means of communication is prohibited.
Freedom of press
press
Freedom of
Television
4. The law may require the granting of authorization for the operation of radio or
Television
Telecommunications television stations.
Radio
Telecommunications
Right to information Article 23
1. The right to information is guaranteed.
2. Everyone has the right, in compliance with law, to get information about the
activity of state organs, as well as of persons who exercise state functions.
3. Everybody is given the possibility to follow the meetings of elected collective
bodies.
Freedom of religion Article 24

1. Freedom of conscience and of religion is guaranteed.
Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience

2. Everyone is free to choose or to change his religion or beliefs, as well as to

express them individually or collectively, in public or private life, through cult,
education, practices or the performance of rituals.
3. No one may be compelled or prohibited to take part in a religious community or
in religious practices or to make his beliefs or faith public.
Prohibition of cruel treatment

Article 25
No one may be subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or
treatment.
Prohibition of slavery
Article 26
No one may be required to perform forced labour, except in cases of the execution of a
judicial decision, the performance of military service, or for a service that results from a
state of emergency, war or natural disaster that threatens human life or health.
Article 27
1. No can be deprived of liberty except in the cases and according to the procedures
provided by law.
2. Freedom of person may not be limited, except in the following cases:
a. when punished with imprisonment by a competent court;
b. for failure to comply with the lawful orders of the court or with an
obligation set by law;
c. when there are reasonable suspicions that he has committed a criminal
offense or to prevent the commission by him of a criminal offense or his
escape after its commission;
ç. for the supervision of a minor for purposes of education or for escorting
him to a competent organ;
d. when a person is the carrier of a contagious disease, mentally
incompetent and dangerous to society;
dh. for illegal entry at state borders or in cases of deportation or extradition.
Restrictions on entry or exit 3. No one may be deprived of liberty just because of not being able to fulfil a
Poweroftodebtors
deport citizens
Rights
contractual obligation.
Protection from unjustified restraint Article 28

1. Everyone who has been deprived of liberty has the right to be notified
Right to counsel immediately, in a language that he understands, of the reasons for this measure,
as well as of the charge made against him. The person who has been deprived of
liberty shall be informed that he has no obligation to make a declaration and has
the right to communicate immediately with a lawyer, and he shall also be given
the possibility to realize his rights.
2. The person who has been deprived of liberty, according to Article 27, paragraph
Right to pre-trial release 2, subparagraph c), must be sent within 48 hours before a judge, who shall decide
upon his pre-trial detention or release not later than 48 hours from the moment
he receives the documents for review.
3. A person in pre-trial detention has the right to appeal the judge's decision. He has
Right to speedy trial the right to be tried within a reasonable period of time or to be released on bail
Right to pre-trial release
pursuant to law.
4. In all other cases, the person who has extra-judicially been deprived of liberty
may address a judge at any time, who shall decide within 48 hours regarding the
legality of this action.
5. Every person who has been deprived of liberty pursuant to Article 27, has the
right to humane treatment and respect for his dignity.
Protection from ex post facto laws Article 29

1. No one may be charged or declared guilty of a criminal offence that was not
International law considered as such by law at the time of its commission, with the exception of
cases, that at the time of their commission, according to international law,
constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.

2. No punishment may be given that is more severe than that which was provided
for by law at the time of commission of the criminal act.
3. The favourable criminal law has retroactive effect.
Presumption of innocence in trials Article 30

Everyone is considered innocent as long as his guilt is not proven by a final judicial
decision.
Article 31
During a criminal proceeding, everyone has the right:
a. to be notified immediately and in detail of the charge made against him, of his
rights, as well as to have the possibility created to notify his family or those close
to him;
b. to have the time and sufficient facilities to prepare his defence;
c. to have free of charge assistance of a translator, when he does not speak or

understand the Albanian language;
ç. to be defended by himself or with the assistance of a defence lawyer chosen by

Right to counsel
him; to communicate freely and privately with him, as well as to be assured of
free defence when he does not have sufficient means;
d. to ask witnesses who are present and to seek the presentation of witnesses,
Right to examine evidence/witnesses
experts and other persons who can clarify the facts.
Article 32
1. No one may be obliged to testify against himself or his family or to confess his
Protection from self-incrimination guilt.
2. No one may be declared guilty on the basis of data collected in an unlawful
Regulation of evidence collection manner.
Article 33
1. Everyone has the right to be heard before being adjudicated.
2. A person who is hiding from justice may not take advantage of this right.
Prohibition of double jeopardy Article 34

No one may be sentenced more than once for the same criminal act, nor be tried again,
except for cases when the re-adjudication of the case is decided on by a higher court, in
the manner specified by law.
Right to privacy Article 35

1. No one may be obliged, except when the law requires it, to make public the data
connected with his person.
2. The collection, use and making public of data about a person is done with his
consent, except for the cases provided by law.
3. Everyone has the right to become acquainted with data collected about him,
Right to information except for the cases provided by law.
4. Everyone has the right to request the correction or expunging of untrue or
incomplete data or data collected in violation of law.
Right to privacy Article 36

The freedom and secrecy of correspondence or any other means of communication are
guaranteed.

Right to privacy

Article 37
1. The inviolability of the residence is guaranteed.
2. Searches of a residence, as well as the premises that are equivalent to it, may be
done only in the cases and manner provided by law.
3. No one may be subjected to a personal search out of a criminal proceeding, with
the exception of the cases of entry and exit of the territory of the state, or to
avoid a risk that threatens public security.
Freedom of movement Article 38

1. Everyone has the right to choose his place of residence and to move freely to any
part of the territory of the state.
2. No one may be hindered to go freely out of the state.
Power to deport citizens Article 39

1. No Albanian citizen may be expelled from the territory of the state.
2. The collective expulsion of foreigners is prohibited. The expulsion of individuals is
permitted under the conditions specified by law.
Protection of stateless persons Article 40

Foreigners have the right of refuge in the Republic of Albania according to law.

1. The right of private property is guaranteed.
2. Property may be gained by gift, inheritance, purchase, or any other classical
Right to transfer property means provided by the Civil Code.
3. The law may provide for expropriations or limitations in the exercise of a
Protection from expropriation property right only for public interests.
4. The expropriations or limitations of a property right that are equivalent to
Protection from expropriation expropriation are permitted only against fair compensation.
5. For disagreements connected with the extent of the compensation, a complaint
Protection from expropriation may be filed in court.
Article 42
1. The freedom, property, and rights recognized in the Constitution and by law may
Guarantee of due process not be infringed without due process.
2. Everyone, for the protection of his constitutional and legal rights, freedoms, and
Right to public trial interests, or in the case of an accusation raised against him, has the right to a fair
Right to fair trial
Right to speedy trial
and public trial, within a reasonable time, by an independent and impartial court
specified by law.
Right to appeal judicial decisions Article 43

Anyone shall be entitled to file an appeal against a judicial decision before a higher court,
except if otherwise provided in the law for criminal offences of a minor character, for civil
and administrative matters of minor importance or value, according to the conditions
provided in articles 17 of the Constitution.
Ultra-vires administrative actions

Protection from false imprisonment
Article 44
Everyone has the right to be rehabilitated and/or indemnified in compliance with law if
he is damaged because of an act, unlawful act or omission from state bodies.
CHAPTER III. POLITICAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Eligibility for head of government
Restrictions on voting
Minimum age for first chamber
Article 45
1. Every citizen who has attained the age of 18, even on the date of the elections,
Claim of universal suffrage has the right to elect and be elected.
2. Citizens who have been declared mentally incompetent by a final court decision
are excluded from the right of election.
3. Exempted from the right to be elected shall be the citizens being sentenced to
imprisonment upon a final decision for commission of a crime, under the rules set
out in a law to be approved by three fifths of all the members of the Parliament.
In exceptional and justified cases, the law may provide for restrictions of the
election right for citizens serving an imprisonment sentence or the right to be
elected prior to a final decision being rendered, or the citizens having been
deported for a crime or very serious and grave breach of public security.
4. The vote is personal, equal, free and secret.
Secret ballot
Freedom of association Article 46
1. Everyone has the right to organize collectively for any lawful purpose.
2. The registration of organizations or associations in court is done according to the
procedure provided by law.
3. Organizations or associations that pursue unconstitutional purposes are
prohibited pursuant to law.
Freedom of assembly Article 47

1. Freedom and unarmed participation in peaceful gatherings is guaranteed.
2. Peaceful gatherings in public squares and places are held in conformity with the
law.
Right of petition Article 48

Everyone, by himself or together with others, may direct requests, complaints or
comments to the public bodies, which are obliged to reply within the time limits and
conditions set by law.
CHAPTER IV. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Article 49
1. Everyone has the right to earn the means of living by lawful work chosen or
Right to establish a business accepted by himself. He is free to choose his profession, place of work, as well as
Right to choose occupation
his own system of professional qualification.
2. Employees have the right to social insurance of work.
Right to join trade unions Article 50

Employees have the right to unite freely in labour unions for the defence of their work
interests.
Right to strike Article 51

1. The right of an employee to strike in connection with work relations is
guaranteed.
2. Limitations on particular categories of employees may be established by law to
ensure required services to the society.
State support for the unemployed Article 52

1. Everyone has the right to social insurance in old age or when he is unable to
State support for the elderly work, according to a system set by law.

2. Everyone, who remains jobless for reasons independent of his/her volition, and
has no other means of support, has the right to assistance under the conditions
provided by law.
Right to found a family

Regulation of marriage
Article 53
1. Everyone has the right to get married and have a family.
2. Marriage and family enjoy special protection of the state.
3. The entering into and dissolution of marriage are regulated by law.
Rights of children Article 54

1. Children, the young, pregnant women and new mothers have the right to special
protection by the state.
2. Children born out of wedlock have equal rights with those born within marriage.
3. Every child has the right to be protected from violence, ill treatment, exploitation
Limits on employment of children and use for work, especially under the minimum age for work, which could
damage their health and morals or endanger their life or normal development.
4. In all actions relating to children, the child’s best interests must be a primary
consideration.
Right to health care Article 55

1. Citizens enjoy in an equal manner the right to health care from the state.
2. Everyone has the right to health insurance pursuant to the procedure provided
by law.
Protection of environment Article 56

Everyone has the right to be informed about the status of the environment and its
protection.
Article 57
1. Everyone has the right to education.
2. Mandatory school education is determined by law.
Compulsory education 3. Public general high school education is open for all.
4. Professional high school education and higher education can be conditioned only
Access to higher education on criteria of abilities.
5. Mandatory education and general high school education in public schools are
Free education free.
6. Pupils and students may also be educated in private schools of all levels, which
are created and operated according to the law.
7. The autonomy and academic freedom of higher education institutions are
Right to academic freedom guaranteed by law.
Article 58
1. Freedom of artistic creation and scientific research, the use and profits deriving
Reference to science from them are guaranteed for all.
Right to enjoy the benefits of science
Reference to art
2. Copyright is protected by law.
Provisions for intellectual property
CHAPTER V. SOCIAL OBJECTIVES
Article 59
1. The state, within its constitutional powers and the means at its disposal, aims to
supplement private initiative and responsibility with:
a. employment under suitable conditions for all persons who are able to
Right to work work;
b. fulfilment of the housing needs of its citizens;
Right to shelter c. the highest health, physical and mental standards possible;

1. ç. education and qualification according to ability of children and the young,

as well as unemployed persons;
d. a healthy and ecologically adequate environment for the present and
Protection of environment future generations;
dh. rational exploitation of forests, waters, pastures and other natural
resources on the basis of the principle of sustainable development;
e. care and help for the aged, orphans and persons with disabilities;
State support for the elderly ë. development of sports and recreation activities;
State support for the disabled
f. health rehabilitation, specialized education and integration in society of
State support for the disabled disabled people, as well as continual improvement of their living
conditions;
g. protection of national cultural heritage and particular care for the
Right to culture Albanian language.
2. Fulfilment of social objectives may not be claimed directly in court. The law
defines the conditions and extent to which the realization of these objectives can
be claimed.
Ombudsman
CHAPTER VI. PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE
Article 60
1. The People's Advocate defends the rights, freedoms and lawful interests of
individuals from unlawful acts or omissions of public administration bodies.
2. The People's Advocate is independent in the exercise of his duties.
3. The People's Advocate has his own budget, which he administers by himself. He
proposes the budget pursuant to law.
Article 61
1. The People's Advocate is elected by three-fifths of all members of the Assembly
for a five-year period, with the right for re-election.
2. Any Albanian citizen with higher education and with recognized knowledge and
recognized activity in the field of human rights and law may be the People's
Advocate.
3. The People's Advocate enjoys the immunity of a judge of the High Court.
4. The People's Advocate may not take part in any political party, carry on any
other political, state or professional activity, nor take part in the management
organs of social, economic and commercial organizations.
Article 62
1. The People's Advocate may be discharged only on grounded complaint of not less
than one-third of the deputies.
2. In this case, the Assembly makes a decision with three-fifths of all its members.
Article 63
1. The People's Advocate presents an annual report before the Assembly.
2. The People's Advocate reports before the Assembly when it is requested from
the Assembly, and he may request the Assembly to hear him on matters he
deems important.
3. The People's Advocate has the right to make recommendations and to propose
measures when he observes violations of human rights and freedoms by the
public administration.
4. Public bodies and officials are obligated to present to the People's Advocate all
documents and information requested by him.

PART THREE. THE ASSEMBLY
CHAPTER I. ELECTION AND TERM

First chamber selection Article 64
1. Assembly is composed of 140 deputies, elected on proportional system with
Structure of legislative chamber(s) multi-names electoral zones.
Size of first chamber
2. The multi-name electoral zone corresponds to the administrative division of one
of the levels of the administrative-territorial organization.
3. Criteria and rules on the implementation of the proportional electoral system, on
Electoral districts the determination of electoral zones and on the number of seats to be obtained in
each electoral zone shall be defined by the law on elections.
Article 65
1. The Assembly is elected every four years. The mandate of the Assembly starts
Term length for first chamber with its first meeting after the elections and ends on the same date, of the same
month of the fourth year from the date of the first meeting. In any case, the
Assembly remains on duty until the first meeting of the newly elected Assembly.
2. Elections for the new Assembly are held in the nearest electoral period that
Scheduling of elections precedes the date of the ending of the mandate of the Assembly. Electoral
periods and the rules for holding the elections for the Assembly are determined
by the law on elections.
3. If the Assembly is dissolved prior to the ending of its full mandate, elections are
Scheduling of elections held no later than 45 days after its dissolution.
4. The Assembly may not approve laws during the period 60 days prior to the
termination of its mandate until the first meeting of the new Assembly, except in
cases when extraordinary measures have been imposed.”
Emergency provisions Article 66

The mandate of the Assembly is extended only in the case of war and for so long as it
continues. When the Assembly is dissolved, it recalls itself.
Article 67
1. The President of the Republic convenes the newly elected Assembly not earlier
than the date of the termination of the mandate of the preceding Assembly, but
no later than 10 days after such mandate has expired. If the preceding Assembly
has been dissolved before the ending of its mandate, the President of the
Republic convenes the new Assembly not later than 10 days since the
announcement of the election results.
2. If the President of the Republic does not exercise such a competence, the
Assembly convenes itself on the tenth day of the period of time provided in point
1 of this Article.
CHAPTER II. THE DEPUTIES

First chamber selection Article 68
1. Candidates for deputies shall be presented at the level of the electoral zone by
political parties, electoral coalitions of political parties as well as by voters. A
candidate may be presented by only one of the proposing subjects according to
this section. The ranking of the candidates in the multi-name lists may not be
changed after the submission of the list to the respective electoral commission.
The rules for the registration of the candidates for deputies are determined by
the law on elections.

2. The law on elections shall also determine other necessary criteria and rules on
the organization and conduct of elections, including those on registration of
voters, conduct of electoral campaign, administration and validity of elections
and declaration of their results.
Article 69
1. Without resigning from duty, the following may not run as candidates nor be
Outside professions of legislators elected deputies:
a. judges, prosecutors;
b. military servicemen on active duty;
Restrictions on the armed forces c. police and National Security employees;
ç. diplomatic representatives;
d. mayors and heads of communes as well as prefects in the places where
they carry out their duties;
dh. chairperson and members of the electoral commissions;
e. the President of the Republic and the high officials of the State
Administration as provided by law.
2. A mandate gained in violation of paragraph 1 of this article is invalid.
Article 70
1. Deputies represent the people and are not bound by any obligatory mandate.
2. Deputies may not simultaneously exercise any other public duty with the
Eligibility for cabinet exception of that of a member of the Council of Ministers. Other cases of
Outside professions of legislators
Head of government's role in the legislature
incompatibility are specified by law.
3. Deputies may not carry out any profit-making activity that stems from the
Constitutional court powers property of the state or of local government, nor may they profit from this
property.
4. For every violation of paragraph 3 of this article, on the motion of the chairman of
Constitutional court powers the Assembly or one-tenth of its members, the Assembly decides on sending the
issue to the Constitutional Court, which determines the incompatibility.
Article 71
1. The mandate of the deputy begins on the day when he is declared elected by the
respective electoral commission.
2. The mandate of the deputy ends or is invalid, as the case may be:
Removal of individual legislators a. when he does not take the oath;
b. when he resigns from the mandate;
c. when one of the conditions of ineluctability provided for in articles 69, and
70, paragraphs 2 and 3 is ascertained;
ç. when the mandate of the Assembly ends;
d. when he is absent for more than six consecutive months in the Assembly
Attendance by legislators without reason;
dh. when he is convicted by a final court decision for commitment of a crime.
Article 72
Before beginning the exercise of the mandate, the deputies take the oath in the
Assembly.
Head of government immunity
Article 73
1. The deputy is not held responsible for opinions expressed in the Assembly and
votes cast by him in the exercise of the function. This provision is not applicable
in the case of defamation.
2. A deputy cannot be arrested or deprive him of liberty in any form nor may a
personal search or a search of the residence be exercised against him without
the authorisation of the Assembly.
3. A deputy can be arrested or detained without authorisation when he is captured
during or immediately after the commission of a crime. The General Prosecutor
or Chief Special Prosecutor immediately notifies the Assembly, which, when it
finds that there is no room for proceedings, orders the lifting of the measure.

4. For the cases provided in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article, the Assembly may
hold discussions in closed sessions for reasons of data protection. The decision is
taken by open voting.
CHAPTER III. ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING
Article 74
1. The Assembly conducts its annual work in two sessions. The first session begins
on the third Monday of January and the second session on the first Monday of
September.
2. The Assembly meets in extraordinary session when it is requested by the
Extraordinary legislative sessions President of the Republic, the Prime Minister or by one-fifth of all the deputies.
3. Extraordinary sessions are called by the Speaker of the Assembly on the basis of
a determined agenda.
Article 75
1. The Assembly elects and discharges its chairman.
Leader of first chamber 2. The Assembly is organized and functions according to regulations approved by
the majority of all the members.
Article 76
1. The Chairman chairs debates, directs the work, assures respect for the rights of
Leader of first chamber the Assembly and its members, as well as represents the Assembly in relations
with others.
2. The highest civil employee of the Assembly is the General Secretary.
3. Other services necessary for the functioning of the Assembly are carried out by
other employees, as specified in the internal regulation.
Legislative committees Article 77

1. The Assembly elects standing committees from its ranks and may also establish
special committees.
2. The Assembly has the right and, upon the request of one-fourth of its members is
Legislative oversight of the executive obliged, to designate investigation committees to review a particular issue. Its
conclusions are not binding on the courts, but they may be made known to the
office of the prosecutor, which evaluates them according to legal procedures.
3. Investigation committees operate according to the procedures set by law.
Article 78
1. The Assembly decides with a majority of votes, in the presence of more than half
Quorum for legislative sessions of its members, except for the cases where the Constitution provides for a
qualified majority.
2. Meetings of the deputies, which are convened without being called in accordance
to the regulations, do not have any effect.
Public or private sessions Article 79

1. Meetings of the Assembly are open.
2. At the request of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister or one-fifth of
the deputies, meetings of the Assembly may be closed, when a majority of all its
members have voted in favour of it.
Article 80
1. The Prime Minister and any other member of the Council of Ministers is
Legislative oversight of the executive obligated to answer to interpellations and questions of the deputies within three
weeks.
2. A member of the Council of Ministers has the right to take part in meetings of
Legislative committees the Assembly or of its committees; he is given the floor whenever he requests it.

3. The heads of state institutions, on request of the parliamentary committees, give

Legislative committees explanations and inform on specific issues of their activity to the extent that law
permits.
CHAPTER IV. THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Article 81
1. The Council of Ministers, every deputy, and 20,000 electors each have the right
Legislative initiatives by citizens to propose laws.
Initiation of general legislation
2. The following are approved by three-fifths of all members of the Assembly:
Supermajority required for legislation a. the laws for the organization and operation of the institutions provided for
in the Constitution;
b. the law on citizenship;
c. the law on general and local elections;
ç. the law on referendum;
d. the codes;
dh. the law for the state of emergency;
e. the law on the status of public functionaries;
ë. the law on amnesty;
f. the law on administrative divisions of the Republic
Article 82
1. The proposal of laws, when this is the case, must always be accompanied by a
report that justifies the financial expenses for its implementation.
2. No non-governmental draft law that brings about an increase in the expenses of
the state budget or diminishes income can be approved without taking the
opinion of the Council of Ministers, which must be given within 30 days from the
date of receiving the draft law.
3. If the Council of Ministers does not give an answer within the above term, the
draft law passes for review according to the normal procedure.
Article 83
1. A draft law is voted on three times: in principle, article by article, and in its
entirety.
2. The Assembly may, at the request of the Council of Ministers or one-fifth of all
the deputies, review and approve a draft law with an expedited procedure, but
not sooner than one week from the beginning of the procedure of review.
3. The expedited procedure is not permitted for the review of the draft laws
provided for in Article 81, paragraph 2, with the exception of subparagraph a.
Approval or veto of general legislation Article 84

1. President of the Republic promulgates the approved law within 20 days from its
presentation.
2. The law shall be considered as promulgated, if the President does not assume the
entitlements provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article and in paragraph 1 of
Article 85.
3. The law shall enter into effect not earlier than 15 days since its publication in the
Official Journal.
4. In the event of the extraordinary measures, as well as in case of need and
emergency, the law shall enter into effect immediately, after being announced
publicly. The law shall be published in the upcoming edition of the Official Journal.
Approval or veto of general legislation

Article 85
1. The President of the Republic has the right to return a law for review only once.
2. The decree of the President for the review of a law loses its effect when a
majority of all the members of the Assembly vote against it.

PART FOUR. THE PRESIDENT OF THE

REPUBLIC
Article 86
1. The President of the Republic is the Head of State and represents the unity of the
Name/structure of executive(s) people.
2. Only an Albanian citizen by birth who has been a resident in Albania for not less
Minimum age of head of state than the past 10 years and who has reached the age of 40 may be elected
Eligibility for head of state
President.
Head of state selection

Article 87
1. The candidate for President is proposed to the Assembly by a group of not less
than 20 MPs. One MP is not allowed to propose more than one candidate at the
same time.
2. The President of the Republic is elected by secret vote and without debate by the
Assembly. The Assembly conducts up to five voting rounds for the election of the
President.
The first voting takes place not later than seven days from the beginning of the
procedure for the election of the President. Each of the other voting takes place
not later than seven days from the unsuccessful completion of the preceding
voting. A voting is deemed as completed even when no candidates are running in
the competition. New candidates may run in the second, third and fourth voting,
in accordance with the conditions of point 1 of this article.
3. The President is elected in the first, second or third voting when one candidate
receives not less than three fifths of the votes of all the members of the
Assembly. In the fourth and fifth voting, the candidate that receives more than
half of the votes of all the members of the Assembly is elected President.
4. The fifth voting takes place when none of the candidates receive the required
majority of votes in the fourth voting. The fifth voting takes place only between
the two candidates who have received the highest number of votes in the fourth
voting. If there are more than two candidates with the same number of votes,
the candidate who will run in the voting shall be determined by lot.
If, after the fourth voting, there are no candidates left to compete, new
candidates may run in this voting in accordance with the conditions of point 1 of
this article. If more than two candidates are proposed to run, the voting takes
place between the two candidates that have ensured the highest number of the
proposing MPs.
5. If, even after the fifth voting none of the candidates has received the required
majority of votes, or if after the unsuccessful completion of the fourth voting no
new candidates are proposed, the Assembly is dissolved. The new elections take
place within 45 days from its dissolution.
6. The subsequent Assembly elects the President of the Republic by a majority of all
its members.
Article 88
1. The President of the Republic is in every case elected for 5 years, with the right
Head of state term limits of re-election only once.
Head of state term length
2. The mandate expires on the same date of the same month of the fifth year from
Emergency provisions the date the President of the Republic takes his oath. The mandate of the
President is extended only in case of war, and for as long as the war continues.

2-1. The procedure for the election of the President begins not later than 60 days
Scheduling of elections before the termination of the preceding presidential mandate. When the
presidential mandate ends during the six months preceding the end of the
mandate of the existing Assembly, the procedure for the election of the President
starts no later than 60 days prior to the ending of the mandate of the Assembly.
3. The President begins his duties after he takes the oath before the Assembly, but
God or other deities not before the mandate of the President who is leaving has been completed. The
President swears as follows:
"I swear that I will obey to the Constitution and laws of the country, that I will
respect the rights and freedoms of citizens, protect the independence of the
Republic, and I will serve the general interest and the progress of the Albanian
People." The President may add: "So help me God!"
4. A President who resigns before the end of his mandate cannot be a candidate in
the presidential election that takes place after his resignation.
Article 89
The President of the Republic cannot hold any other public post, cannot be a member of
a party or carry out other private activity.
Article 90
1. The President of the Republic is not held responsible for acts carried out in the
Head of state immunity exercise of his duty.
2. The President of the Republic may be discharged for serious violations of the
Head of state removal Constitution and for the commission of a serious crime. In these cases, a proposal
to discharge the President may be made by not less than one-fourth of the
members of the Assembly and must be supported by not less than two-thirds of
all its members.
3. The decision of the Assembly is sent to the Constitutional Court, which, when it
Constitutional court powers proves the culpability of the President of the Republic, declares his discharge
Head of state removal
from duty.
Head of state replacement

Article 91
1. When the President of the Republic is temporarily unable to exercise his
functions or his post remains vacant, the Chairman of the Assembly takes his
post and exercises his powers.
2. In case the President cannot exercise his duty for more than 60 days, the
Assembly by two-thirds of all its members decides on sending the issue to the
Constitutional Court, which conclusively proves the fact of his incapacity. When
the incapacity is proved, the post of the President remains vacant and the
election of the new President begins within 10 days from the date the incapacity
is proved.
Head of state powers

Article 92
The President also exercises these powers:
a. address messages to the Assembly;
b. exercise the right of pardon according to the law;

Power to pardon
c. grant Albanian citizenship and permits it to be given up according to the law;
ç. gives decorations and titles of honour according to the law;
d. accord the highest military ranks according to the law;
dh. appoint and release plenipotentiary representatives of the Republic of Albania to

other states and international organizations on the proposal of the Prime

dh. Minister;
e. accept letters of credentials and the withdrawal of diplomatic representatives of

other states and international organizations accredited to the Republic of
International organizations Albania;
ë. sign international agreements according to the law;

Treaty ratification
Foreign affairs representative f. appoint the director of the State Intelligence Service upon proposal of the Prime
International law
Minister;
g. nominate the Chairman of the Academy of Sciences and the rectors of

universities pursuant to law;
gj. set the date of the elections for the Assembly, local government bodies and the
Referenda
conduct of referendums;
h. request opinions and information in writing from the directors of State

institutions for issues that have to do with their duties.

Article 93
The President of the Republic, in the exercise of his powers, issues decrees.
Article 94
The President of the Republic cannot exercise other powers besides those recognized
expressly in the Constitution and granted by laws issued in compliance with it.
Establishment of cabinet/ministers
PART FIVE. THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Article 95
1. The Council of Ministers consists of the Prime Minister, deputy prime minister,
Name/structure of executive(s) and ministers.
Deputy executive
2. The Council of Ministers exercises every state function that is not given to other
Powers of cabinet bodies of State power or local government.
Head of government selection

Head of government replacement Article 96
1. The President of the Republic, at the beginning of the legislature, as well as when
the post of the Prime Minister remains vacant, appoints the Prime Minister on
the proposal of the party or coalition of parties that have the majority of seats in
the Assembly.
2. When the appointed Prime Minister is not approved by the Assembly, the
President appoints a new Prime Minister within 10 days.
3. When even the newly appointed Prime Minister is not approved by the
Assembly, the Assembly elects another Prime Minister within 10 days. In this
case, the President appoints the new Prime Minister.
4. If the Assembly fails to elect a new Prime Minister, the President of the Republic
Dismissal of the legislature dissolves the Assembly.
Cabinet selection
Article 97
The Prime Minister appointed according to Article 96, Article 104 or Article 105
presents to the Assembly for approval, within 10 days, the policy program of the Council
of Ministers together with its composition.

Article 98
1. A minister is appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic, on the
Cabinet removal proposal of the Prime Minister, within 7 days.
Cabinet selection
2. The decree is reviewed by the Assembly within 10 days.
Article 99
Before the Prime Minister, deputy prime minister, and ministers take the office, they
swear before the President of the Republic.
Article 100
1. The Council of Ministers determines the principal directions of the general state
Powers of cabinet policy.
2. The Council of Ministers takes decisions upon the proposal of the Prime Minister
or the respective minister.
3. Meetings of the Council of Ministers are closed.
4. Acts of the Council of Ministers are valid when signed by the Prime Minister and
the proposing minister.
5. The Council of Ministers issues decisions and instructions.
Head of government decree power

Article 101
The Council of Ministers, in cases of necessity and emergency, may issue, under its
responsibility, normative acts having the force of law for taking temporary measures.
These normative acts are immediately submitted to the Assembly, which is convened
within 5 days if it is not in session. These acts lose force retroactively if they are not
approved by the Assembly within 45 days.
Head of government powers

Article 102
1. The Prime Minister:
a. represents the Council of Ministers and chairs its meetings;
b. outlines and presents the principal directions of general state policy and is
responsible for them;
c. assures the implementation of legislation and policies approved by the
Council of Ministers;
ç. coordinates and supervises the work of the members of the Council of
Minister and other institutions of the central state administration;
d. performs other duties prescribed in the Constitution and the laws.
2. The Prime Minister resolves disagreements between ministers.
3. The Prime Minister, in the exercise of his powers, issues orders.
4. The minister, within the principal directions of general state policy, directs, under
his responsibility, actions for which he has powers. The minister, in the exercise of
his powers, issues orders and instructions.
Article 103
1. Anyone who has the capacity to be a deputy may be appointed a minister.
Eligibility for cabinet 2. A minister may not exercise any other state function nor be a director or
Eligibility for head of government
member of the bodies of profit-making companies.
3. Members of the Council of Ministers enjoy the immunity of a deputy.
Head of government immunity
Dismissal of the legislature
Article 104
1. The Prime Minister is entitled to present to the Assembly a motion of confidence
for the Council of Ministers. If the motion of confidence is voted by less than half

1. of all the members of the Assembly, the Prime Minister, within 48 hours from the
voting of the motion, requests the President of the Republic to dissolve the
Assembly.
2. The President dissolves the Assembly within 10 days from the receipt of the
request. A request for a motion of confidence may not be presented while a
motion of no confidence is being examined according to article 105.
3. The voting of the motion may not take place unless three days have passed since
its submission.
Head of government removal

Cabinet removal Article 105
1. One-fifths of the Members of Assembly is entitled to present for voting to the
Assembly a motion of no confidence towards the incumbent Prime Minister, by
proposing a new Prime Minister.
2. The Assembly may vote a motion of no confidence towards the Prime Minister
only by electing a new Prime Minister with the votes of more than half of all the
members of the Assembly.
3. The President of the Republic decrees the dismissal of the incumbent Prime
Minister and the appointment of the elected Prime Minister not later than 10
days from the voting of the motion at the Assembly.
Article 106
The Prime Minister and the ministers are obligated to stay in office until the
appointment of the new Council of Ministers.
Article 107
1. Public employees apply the law and are in the service of the people.
2. Employees in the public administration are selected through competition, except
Civil service recruitment when the law provides otherwise.
3. Guarantees of tenure and legal treatment of public employees are regulated by
law.
PART SIX. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Article 108
1. The units of local government are communes or municipalities and regions. Other
units of local government are regulated by law.
2. The territorial-administrative division of the units of local government are
established by law on the basis of mutual economic needs and interests and
historical tradition. Their borders may not be changed without first taking the
opinion of the inhabitants.
3. Communes and municipalities are the basic units of local government. They
perform all the duties of self-government, with the exception of those that the
law gives to other units of local government.
4. Self-government in the local units is exercised through their representative
organs and local referenda. The principles and procedures for the organization of
local referenda are provided by law in accordance with article 151, paragraph 2.
Article 109
1. The representative authorities of the basic local governance shall be the councils,
which are elected in every four years, through general, direct and secret voting.
2. The executive organ of a municipality or commune is the Chairman, who is
elected directly by the people in the manner provided for in paragraph 1 of this

2. article.
3. Only citizens who have a permanent residence in the territory of the respective
local entity have the right to be elected to the local councils and as chairman of
the municipality or commune.
4. The organs of local government units have the right to form unions and joint
International organizations institutions with one another for the representation of their interests, to
cooperate with local units of other countries, and also to be represented in
international organizations of local powers.
Article 110
1. A region consists of several basic units of local government with traditional,
economic and social ties and joint interests.
2. The region is the unit in which regional policies are constructed and implemented
and where they are harmonized with state policy.
3. The representative organ of the region is the Regional Council. Municipalities and
communes delegate members to the Regional Council in proportion to their
population, but always at least one member. The chairperson of communes and
municipalities are always members of the Regional Council. Other members are
elected through proportional lists from among the municipal or communal
councillors by their respective councils.
4. The Regional Council has the right to issue orders and decisions with general
obligatory force for the region.
Article 111
1. The units of local government are legal entities.
2. The units of local government have an independent budget, which is created in
the manner provided by law.
Article 112
1. Powers of state administration by law may be delegated to units of local
government. Expenses that are incurred in the exercise of the delegation are
covered by the state.
2. Bodies of local government are assigned duties only in compliance with law or
according to agreements achieved by them. The expenses that are connected
with the duties assigned by law to the bodies of local government are covered by
the budget of the state.
Article 113
1. The councils of the communes, municipalities and regions:
a. regulate and administer in an independent manner local issues within their
jurisdiction;
b. exercise the rights of ownership, administer in an independent manner the
income created, and also have the right to exercise economic activity;
c. have the right to collect and spend the income that is necessary for the
exercise of their functions;
ç. have the right, in compliance with law, to establish local taxes as well as
their level;
d. establish rules for their organization and functioning in compliance with
law;
dh. create symbols of local government as well as local titles of honour;
e. undertake initiatives for local issues before the bodies defined by law.
2. The bodies of local government issue directives, decisions and orders.
3. The rights of self-government of the units of local government are protected in
court.

Article 114
The Council of Ministers appoints a prefect in every region as its representative. The
powers of the prefect are defined by law.
Article 115
1. A directly elected body of a local government unit may be dissolved or
discharged by the Council of Ministers for serious violations of the Constitution
or the laws.
2. The dissolved or discharged body has the right to complain, within 15 days, to
the Constitutional Court, and in this case, the decision of the Council of Ministers
is suspended.
3. If the right to complain is not exercised within 15 days, or when the
Constitutional Court upholds the decision of the Council of Ministers, the
President of the Republic sets a date for holding of elections of the respective
unit of local government.
PART SEVEN. NORMATIVE ACTS AND

International law
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
CHAPTER I. NORMATIVE ACTS

Article 116
1. Normative acts that are effective in the entire territory of the Republic of Albania
are:
a. the Constitution;
b. ratified international agreements;
c. the laws;
ç. normative acts of the Council of Ministers.
2. Acts that are issued by the bodies of local government are effective only within
the territorial jurisdiction exercised by these bodies.
3. Normative acts of ministers and steering bodies of other central institutions of
the state are effective in the entire territory of the Republic of Albania within the
sphere of their jurisdiction.
Article 117
1. The laws, normative acts of the Council of Ministers, ministers, other central
state institutions, acquire juridical force only after they are published in the
Official Journal.
2. The promulgation and publication of other normative acts is done according to
the manner provided by law.
3. International agreements that are ratified by law are promulgated and published
according to the procedures that are provided for laws. The promulgation and
publication of other international agreements is done according to law.
Article 118
1. Sub-legal acts are issued on the basis of and for implementation of the laws by
the bodies provided for in the Constitution.
2. A law must authorize the issuance of sub-legal acts, designate the competent
body, the issues that are to be regulated, as well as the principles on the basis of
which these sub-legal acts are issued.

3. The body authorized by law to issue sub-legal acts as specified in paragraph 2 of

this article may not delegate its power to another body.
Article 119
1. The rules of the Council of Ministers, of the ministries and other central state
institutions, as well as orders of the Prime Minister, of the ministers and heads of
other central institutions, have an internal character and are binding only on the
administrative entities that are subordinated to these bodies.
2. These acts are issued on the basis of law and may not serve as a basis for taking
decisions connected with individuals and other subjects.
3. The rules and orders are issued on the basis of, and for implementation of, acts
that have general juridical force.
Article 120
The principles and procedures for the issuance of local juridical acts are provided by law.
CHAPTER II. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

Treaty ratification Article 121
1. The ratification and denunciation of international agreements by the Republic of
Albania is done by law if they have to do with:
a. territory, peace, alliances, political and military issues;
b. freedoms, human rights and obligations of citizens as are provided in the
Constitution;
c. membership of the Republic of Albania in international organizations;
International organizations ç. the undertaking of financial obligations by the Republic of Albania;
d. the approval, amendment, supplementing or repeal of laws.
2. The Assembly may, with a majority of all its members, ratify other international
agreements that are not provided for in paragraph 1 of this article.
3. The Prime Minister notifies the Assembly whenever the Council of Ministers
signs an international agreement that is not ratified by law.
4. The principles and procedures for ratification and denunciation of international
agreements are provided by law.
Legal status of treaties Article 122

1. Any international agreement that has been ratified constitutes part of the
internal juridical system after it is published in the Official Journal of the Republic
of Albania. It is implemented directly, except for cases when it is not self-
executing and its implementation requires issuance of a law. The amendment,
supplementation and repeal of laws approved by the majority of all members of
the Assembly, for the effect of ratifying an international agreement, is done with
the same majority.
2. An international agreement that has been ratified by law has superiority over
laws of the country that are not compatible with it.
3. The norms issued by other international organizations have superiority, in case of
International organizations conflict, on the laws of the country, when the agreement ratified by the Republic
of Albania for its participation in this organization, expressly provide for the
direct applicability of the norms issued by this organisation.
Article 123
1. The Republic of Albania, on the basis of international agreements, delegates to
International organizations international organizations state powers for specific issues.
2. The law that ratifies an international agreement as provided for in paragraph 1 of
this article is approved by a majority of all members of the Assembly.
3. The Assembly may decide that the ratification of such an agreement can be done
Referenda through a referendum.

PART EIGHT. CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

Establishment of constitutional court
Article 124
1. The Constitutional Court settles constitutional disputes and makes the final
Constitutional interpretation interpretation of the Constitution.
2. The Constitutional Court is subject only to the Constitution.
3. The Constitutional Court shall have a separate budget, which it administers
independently.
Article 125
1. The Constitutional Court shall consist of 9 (nine) members. Three members shall
Constitutional court selection be appointed by the President of the Republic, three members shall be elected by
the Assembly and three members shall be elected by the High Court. The
members shall be selected among the three first ranked candidates by the
Justice Appointments Council, in accordance with the law.
2. The Assembly shall appoint the Constitutional Court judges by three-fifth
Constitutional court selection majority of its members. If the Assembly fails to appoint the judges, within 30
days of the submission of the list of candidates by the Justice Appointment
Council, the first ranked candidate shall be deemed appointed.
3. The judges of the Constitutional Court shall be appointed for a 9 year mandate
Constitutional court term limits without the right to re-appointment.
Constitutional court term length
4. The judge of the Constitutional Court shall have a law degree, at least 15 years
Eligibility for const court judges of experience as judges, prosecutors, advocates, law professors or lectors, senior
employees in the public administration, with a renowned activity in the
constitutional, human rights or other areas of law.
5. The judge shall not have held a political post in the public administration or a
Eligibility for const court judges leadership position in a political party in the last past 10 years before becoming
candidate. Further criteria and the procedure for the appointment and election of
judges of the Constitutional Court shall be provided for by law.
6. One-third of the composition of the Constitutional Court shall be renewed every
3 years in accordance with the law.
7. The Constitutional Court judge shall continue to stay in office until the
appointment of the successor, except under cases of Article 127, paragraph 1,
subparagraph c, ç), d), and dh).
Article 126
The Constitutional Court judge shall enjoy immunity in connection with the opinions
expressed and the decisions made in the course of assuming the functions, except
where the judge acts based upon personal interests or malice.
Constitutional court powers

Article 127
1. The mandate of Constitutional Court judges shall end, upon:
Constitutional court removal a. reaching the age of 70 years;
Mandatory retirement age for judges b. the expiry of the 9 year mandate;
c. his or her resignation;
ç. dismissed in accordance with the provisions of article 128 of the
Constitution;
d. establishing the conditions of inelectibility and incompatibility;
dh. establishing incapacity to exercise the duties;
2. The end of the mandate of the Constitutional Court judge shall be declared upon
the decision of the Constitutional Court.
3. Where the position of a judge remains vacant, the responsible organ shall appoint
a new judge, the latter staying in office until the expiry of the mandate of the

3. outgoing judge.
Constitutional court removal

Article 128
1. The Constitutional Court judge shall be disciplinarily liable in accordance with the
law.
2. The disciplinary procedure against a judge is adjudicated by the Constitutional
Constitutional court powers Court, which decides on dismissal if he or she:
a. Commits serious professional or ethical misconduct which discredit the
figure and the position of the judge during the exercise of his or her
mandate; or
b. Is convicted with final court decision for commission of a crime.
3. The judge of the Constitutional Court is suspended from its duty upon decision of
the Constitutional Court when:
a. against him or her the personal security measure of pre-detention or
home arrest is given for commission of a criminal offence;
b. he or she is accused for a serious crime committed with intention; or
c. upon initiation of the disciplinary proceeding in accordance with the law.
Article 129
The Constitutional Court judge shall assume office after swearing in before the
President of the Republic.
Article 130
Being a Constitutional Court judge shall not be compatible with any other political, state
as well as any other compensated professional activity, except for teaching, academic,
and scientific activities, in accordance with the law.
Constitutional court powers Article 131
1. The Constitutional Court decides on:
a. compatibility of the law with the Constitution or with international
International law agreements as provided for in Article 122;
b. compatibility of international agreements with the Constitution, prior to
Legal status of treaties their ratification;
International law
c. compatibility of normative acts of the central and local bodies with the
International law Constitution and international agreements;
Federal review of subnational legislation
ç. conflicts of competencies between powers, as well as between central
government and local government;
d. constitutionality of the parties and other political organizations, as well as
Regulation of political parties their activity, according to Article 9 of this Constitution;
dh. dismissal from duty of the President of the Republic and verification of his
Head of state removal inability to exercise his functions;
e. issues related to the electability and incompatibility in exercising the
functions of the President of the Republic, members of the parliament,
officials of the other organs mentioned in the Constitution, as well as to
the verification of their election.
ë. constitutionality of the referendum and verification of its results;
Referenda f. final examination of the complaints of individuals after all effective legal
means for the protection of those rights have been exhausted against the
acts of the public power or judicial acts impairing the fundamental rights
and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, unless provided elsewhere
by the Constitution.
2. The Constitutional Court, in case it is set a motion to control the constitutionality
of a law approved by the Assembly on the revision of the Constitution, according
to article 177, it controls only the compliance with the procedural requirements
foreseen in the Constitution.

Article 132
1. The decisions of the Constitutional Court shall be final and binding for
enforcement.
2. The decisions of the Constitutional Court shall enter in force on the day of their
publication in the Official Journal. The Constitutional Court may decide that its
decision, which has examined the act, gives effect on another date.
3. The minority’s opinion shall be published along with the final decision.
Constitutional court opinions
Article 133
1. The admission of complaints for adjudication shall be decided by a number of
judges as determined by law.
2. Final decisions of the Constitutional Court shall be decided with the majority of all
Constitutionality of legislation members, unless otherwise regulated by law.
Article 134
1. Recourse to the Constitutional Court shall be only upon the request of:
Constitutionality of legislation a. President of the Republic;
b. Prime Minister;
c. not less than one-fifth of the members of Assembly;
ç. Ombudsman;
d. Head of High State Audit;
dh. any court, in the event of Article 145, point 2, of this Constitution;
e. any commissioner established by law for the protection of the
fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution;
ë. High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council;
Establishment of judicial council f. local governance units;
g. religious communities forums;
gj. political parties;
h. organizations;
i. Individuals.
2. The entities provided for in sub-paragraphs d, dh, e, ë, f, g, gj, h, and i of paragraph
1 of this Article may file a request only regarding the issues connected to their
interests.
PART NINE. THE COURTS
Article 135
1. The judicial power shall be assumed by the High Court as well as by the appeal
Structure of the courts courts, first instance courts, which shall be established by law.
2. Specialized courts shall be competent to adjudicate corruption and organized
Courts for judging public officials crime, as well as criminal offences committed by the President of the Republic,
Speaker of the Assembly, Prime Minister, the member of the Council of Ministers,
the judge of the Constitutional Court, and High Court and the Prosecutor
General, High Justice Inspector, the Mayor, Deputy of the Assembly, deputy
minister, the member of the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council,
and heads of central or independent state institutions as defined by the
Constitution or by law, as well as charges against former above mentioned
officials.
3. The Assembly may establish by law other specialized courts; however, under no
circumstances shall it establish extraordinary courts.
4. Judges of these specialized courts provided in paragraph 2 of this article are
Telecommunications appointed by the High Judicial Council in accordance with the law. Judges of the
Establishment of judicial council
specialized courts may only be removed from the office with a 2/3 majority of the

4. High Judicial Council. The candidates for judges and judicial civil servant in the
specialized courts, as well as their close family members, prior to their
appointment, must successfully pass a review of their assets and their
background and shall consent to periodic reviews of their financial accounts and
personal telecommunications, in accordance with the law.
Article 136
1. The judges of the High Court shall be appointed by the President of the Republic
Supreme court term limits upon proposal of the High Judicial Council, with a 9 years mandate, without the
Supreme court term length
right to re-appointment.
Establishment of judicial council 2. The President of the Republic within 10 days following the day of the decision of
Supreme court selection the High Judicial Council shall appoint the judge of the High Court, with the
exception when there are grounds of his or her insufficient qualifications or
ineligibility in accordance with the law. The decree of the President of the
Republic to reject the candidate loses its effect when the majority of the
members of High Judicial Council vote against the decree. In this case, as well in
case the President does not express him or herself, the candidate shall be
deemed appointed and shall take office within 15 days following the date of the
High Judicial Council’s decision.
3. The judges of the High Court shall be selected from the ranks of the judges with
Eligibility for supreme court judges at least 13 years of experience. One-fifth of the judges may be selected from
among those renowned jurists with not less than 15 years of experience having
worked as advocates, law professors or lectors, senior employees in the public
administration or other practice of law. Candidates who are not from the ranks of
judges must have an academic grade in law.
4. The judges who are not from the ranks of the judges shall not have held a political
Eligibility for supreme court judges post in the public administration or a leadership position in a political party in the
past 10 years before becoming candidate. Further criteria and the procedure for
the appointment and election of judges shall be regulated by law.
5. The High Court judge shall continue to stay in office until the appointment of the
successor, except in cases under Article 139, paragraph 1, subparagraph c), ç), d)
and dh).
Ordinary court selection

Eligibility for ordinary court judges Article 136-a
1. Judges are Albanian citizens appointed by the High Judicial Council after finishing
Establishment of judicial council the School of Magistrates and after passing a preliminary evaluation of their
assets and their background, in accordance with the law.
2. Further criteria for the selection and appointment of the judge are regulated by
law.
Article 137
The judge shall enjoy immunity in connection with the opinions expressed and the
decisions made in the course of assuming the functions, except where the judge acts
based upon personal interests or malice.
Protection of judges' salaries

Article 138
The salary and other benefits of judges cannot be reduced, except when:
a. general economic, financial measures need to be undertaken in order to avoid

difficult economic situation of the country or other national emergences;
b. the judge returns to the previous position which he or she held prior to this
position;
c. as a result of a disciplinary measure or is evaluated professionally as incapable, in

accordance with the law;


Article 139
1. The mandate as High Court judge shall end, upon:
a. reaching the retirement age;
Mandatory retirement age for judges b. the expiry of the 9 year mandate;
ç. dismissed as provided in Article 140 of the Constitution;
dh. establishing incapacity to exercise the duties;
2. The end of the mandate of the High Court judge shall be declared upon the
decision of the High Court.
3. The procedure for the appointment of the judge as a judge in a different court
upon expiry of mandate is regulated by law.
Article 140
1. The judge shall be disciplinarily liable in accordance with the law.
2. The judge shall be dismissed upon decision of the High Judicial Council when he
Establishment of judicial council or she:
a. commits serious professional or ethical misconduct which discredit the
figure and the position of the judge during the exercise of his or her duties;
or
b. is convicted with final court decision for commission of a crime.
3. The judge is suspended from its duty upon decision of the High Judicial Council
Establishment of judicial council when:
a. against him or her the personal security measure of predetention or home
arrest is given for commission of a criminal offence; or
b. he or she is accused for a serious crime committed with intention;
c. upon initiation of the disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the law.
4. Against the dismissal decision, appeal can be filed at the Constitutional Court.
Article 141
1. The High Court shall decide cases relating to the meaning and application of the
law in order to ensure the unification or evolution in the judicial practice, in
accordance with the law.
2. For the change of the judicial practice, the High Court shall draw for review by
the Joint Chambers, specific judicial issues decided by the chambers, in
Supreme court opinions

Article 142
1. Judicial decisions must be reasoned.
2. The High Court must publish its decisions as well as minority opinions.
3. The state bodies are obliged to execute judicial decisions.
Article 143
Being a judge shall not be compatible with any other political, state as well as any other
compensated professional activity, except for teaching, academic, scientific activities, or
secondment to justice institutions in accordance with the law.
Article 144
[Removed]

Article 145
1. Judges are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the laws.
Judicial independence 2. When judges find that a law comes into conflict with the Constitution, they do
Constitutionality of legislation not apply it. In this case, they suspend the proceedings and send the case to the
Constitutional Court. Decisions of the Constitutional Court are binding for all
courts.
3. Interference in the activity of the courts or the judges entails liability according to
law.
Article 146
1. Courts shall render their decisions in the name of the Republic.
2. The judicial decisions shall, under all circumstances, be announced publicly.

Article 147
1. The High Judicial Council shall ensure the independence, accountability and
appropriate functionality of the judicial power in the Republic of Albania.
2. The High Judicial Council shall be composed of 11 members, six of which are
elected by the judges of all levels of the judicial power and five members are
elected by the Assembly among jurists who are non-judges.
3. The judge members shall be selected from judges of high moral integrity and
professional proficiency in accordance with an open and transparent procedure
that ensures a fair representation of all levels of the judiciary. The lay member
shall be selected among highly qualified jurist, with no less than 15 years of
professional experience, of high moral and professional integrity. The lay member
shall not have held a political post in the public administration or a leadership
position in a political party in the last past 10 years before becoming candidate.
Further criteria and the procedure for selecting and ranking the candidates are
provided by law.
4. Two lay members shall be elected from the advocates, two from the corps of law
professors and the School of Magistrates and one shall be from civil society. The
Secretary General of the Assembly, based on an open call and transparent
procedure, shall announce the vacancies in accordance with the law.
5. The Secretary General of the Assembly, not later than 10 days from the
presentation of the applications, shall verify if the candidates fulfill the criteria
foreseen in the Constitution and the law and assess the professional and moral
criteria to be a member of the High Judicial Council. In case the candidates do not
fulfil the criteria to be elected, the Secretary General of the Assembly deletes
candidates from the list.
6. The Secretary General of the Assembly, upon completion of the verification
sends immediately to the parliamentary committee under paragraph 7 of this
article the list of candidates who fulfill the formal criteria.
7. The parliamentary committee responsible for legal issues establishes a
Legislative committees subcommittee for the further assessment and selection of candidates not later
than three days from the submission of the list. The subcommittee is composed
of five members of the Assembly, three members nominated by the
parliamentary majority and two by the opposition. The subcommittee may with
at least four votes include a candidate who was previously removed from the list
by the Secretary General of the Assembly. The subcommittee selects the
candidates supported by 4 members. In case the majority cannot be reached the
candidate shall be selected by lot.
8. The selections from the subcommittee are consolidated into one list and sent to
Legislative committees the Chairman of the Assembly. Within ten days, the Assembly may reject the
entire list of candidates as a block by a majority of two-thirds. If the list is
rejected, the procedure shall be repeated by the subcommittee under paragraph
7 of this article, but no more than two times. If the Assembly after the
competition of the procedure for the third time, has not approved the presented
list, the candidates of this list shall be deemed elected. Detailed procedures shall
be regulated by law.

9. The Chairperson of the High Judicial Council is elected by its members from the
ranks of the lay members in accordance with the law.
10. Members of the High Judicial Council shall practice their duty full-time for a
period of five years without the right of immediate re-election. At the end of the
term, the judge members return to their previous working positions. The
mandate of judges of the High Court, or specialized courts shall be suspended
during the period of time of their service as member of High Judicial Council. The
lay members who before the appointment worked full time in the public sector
shall return to the previous working positions or, if not possible, to positions
equivalent to them.

Article 147-a
1. The High Judicial Council shall exercise the following powers:
a. appoints, evaluates, promotes and transfers judges of all levels;
b. decides on disciplinary measures on judges of all levels;
c. proposes to the President of the Republic candidates for judges of the
Supreme court selection High Court in accordance with the law;
ç. approves the rules of judicial ethics and monitors their observation;
d. directs and manages the administration of the courts with the exception
of the management of the information technology structure of the courts,
which is regulated upon decision of the Council of Ministers;
dh. proposes and administers its own budget and the budget of the courts;
e. informs the public and the Assembly on the state of the judicial system;
ë. exercises other powers defined by law.
2. The law may provide the establishment of decision making sub-bodies of the
High Judicial Council.
3. The Minister of Justice may participate, without the right to vote, in the
meetings of the High Judicial Council when issues of strategic planning and
budget of the judiciary are discussed.

Article 147-b
1. The mandate of the member of the High Judicial Council shall end upon:
b. expiry of the 5 year mandate;
ç. dismissal in accordance with the provisions of 147-c;
dh. establishing of incapacity to exercise the duties;
2. The expiry of the mandate of the member shall be declared upon a decision of the
High Judicial Council.
3. Where the position of the member remains vacant, the body having appointed
the preceding member, shall, under Article 147, appoint the new member, the
latter staying in office until the expiry of the member of the outgoing member.
4. The member shall continue to stay in office until the appointment of the
successor, except under cases provided in subparagraph c), ç), d) and dh) of
paragraph 1 of this article.

Article 147-c
1. The member of the High Judicial Council shall be disciplinarily liable in accordance
with the law.
2. The member shall be dismissed upon decision of the Constitutional Court if he or
Constitutional court powers she:
a. commits serious professional or ethical misconduct;
3. The member is suspended from its duty upon decision of the Constitutional Court
Constitutional court powers when:
b. he or she is accused for a serious crime committed with intention.

Establishment of judicial council Article 147ç
Being a member of the High Judicial Council shall not be compatible with any other
political, state as well as any other compensated professional activity, except for
teaching, academic, and scientific activities in accordance with the law.
Article 147-d
1. The High Justice Inspector shall be responsible for the verification of complaints
against judges and prosecutors of all levels, members of the High Judicial Council,
High Prosecutorial Council and Prosecutor General, as well as for the
investigation, on its own initiative, of the disciplinary misconduct and initiation of
disciplinary procedure against them, in accordance with the law.
2. The High Justice Inspector shall also be responsible for inspecting the courts and
prosecution offices as institutions.
3. The High Justice Inspector is elected upon three fifth majority of all members of
the Assembly, for nine years, without the right to re-election, among highly
qualified jurists with no less than 15 years of professional experience, of high
moral and professional integrity. He or she shall not have held a political post in
the public administration or a leadership position in a political party in the last
past 10 years before becoming candidate.
4. The High Justice Inspector is elected from the list of five candidates selected and
ranked by the Justice Appointment Council based on a transparent and open
procedure of the most qualified candidates. If the Assembly does not reach the
majority of three-fifths for any of the candidates, within 30 days of receiving the
list, the highest ranking candidate is automatically appointed.
5. The High Justice Inspector shall have the status of the High Court judge.
6. The procedures for the decision making of the High Justice Inspector are
regulated by law. Decision imposing sanctions on inspectors shall be appealed at
the Constitutional Court.
Article 147-dh
1. The mandate of the High Justice Inspector ends when:
b. ends the mandate of 9 years;
ç. dismissal in accordance with article 147-e of the Constitution;
dh. establishing the incapacity to exercise the duties;
2. The end of the mandate of the High Justice Inspector is declared by decision of
the joint meeting of the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council.
3. The High Justice Inspector remains in duty until the appointment of the new
Inspector, except under cases under paragraph 1, subparagraph c, ç), d), and dh).
4. After the end of the mandate and upon his or her request, the High Justice
Inspector shall be appointed in the position he or she held before the
appointment or in positions equivalent to them.
Article 147-e
1. The High Justice Inspector shall be disciplinarily liable in accordance with the law.
2. The High Justice Inspector shall be dismissed upon decision of the Constitutional
Constitutional court powers Court if he or she:
b. is convicted with final court decision for commission of a crime;
3. A parliamentary investigative comittee shall investigate allegations of
Legislative committees misconduct by the High Justice Inspector, respecting his or her rights to a fair
trial. The parlametary invetigative comittee proposes the dismissal of the High
Justice Inspector in cases when he or she finds out misconducts as provided in
paragraph 2 of this article in accordance with the law.

4. The High Justice Inspector is suspended from its duty upon decision of the
Constitutional court powers Constitutional Court when:
Article 147ë
Being the High Justice Inspector shall not be compatible with any other political, state
as well as any other compensated professional activity, except for teaching, academic,
and scientific activities in accordance with the law.
PART TEN. PROSECUTION OFFICE

Attorney general
Article 148
1. The Prosecution Office exercises criminal prosecution and represents accusation
in court on behalf of the state. The Prosecution Office performs other duties in
2. The Prosecution Office is an independent body, which shall ensure the
coordination and control of its actions as well as respects the internal
independence of prosecutors to investigate and prosecute, in accordance with
the law.
3. The prosecution is organized and functions near the judiciary system.
4. A Special Prosecution Office, which is independent from the Prosecutor General,
and an independent investigation unit, shall investigate and prosecute corruption,
organized crime and crimes in accordance with article 135 paragraph 2 of the
Constitution. The independent investigation unit shall be subordinate to the
Special Prosecution Office.
Article 148-a
1. The Prosecutor General is appointed by three-fifths of the members of Assembly
among three candidates proposed by the High Prosecutorial Council, for a seven-
year, non-renewable mandate.
2. The High Prosecutorial Council shall select and rank the three most qualified
candidates, based on an open and transparent procedure and forwards them to
the Assembly, in accordance with the law.
3. The Prosecutor General shall be selected among highly qualified jurists, with no
less than 15 years of professional experience as jurists, of high moral and
professional integrity, that have graduated from the School of Magistrates or
academic degree in law. He or she shall not have held a political post in the public
administration or a leadership position in a political party in the last past 10
years before becoming candidate.
4. If the Assembly cannot elect the Prosecutor General within 30 days of receiving
the proposals from the High Prosecutorial Council, the highest ranking candidate
is automatically appointed.
5. After the end of the mandate and upon his or her request, the Prosecutor
General shall be appointed in the position he or she held before the appointment
or as judge in the Court of Appeal.
Article 148-b
The Prosecutor General exercises these powers:
1. represents accusation in the High Court and cases before the Constitutional
Court, unless represented by prosecutors of the Special Prosecution Office;

2. issues only written general guidance to prosecutors, with the exception of

prosecutors of the Special Prosecution Office;
3. manages the Prosecution Office administration, with the exception of the
administration of the Special Prosecution Office. The establishment and
management of the information technology structure is regulated upon decision
of the Council of Ministers;
4. proposes and administers the budget of the Prosecution Office with the
exception of the budget for the Special Prosecution Office;
5. reports to the Assembly on the situation of criminality;
6. exercises other powers defined by law.
Article 148-c
1. The mandate of the Prosecutor General ends when:
a. reaches the retirement age;
ç. dismissal according to a procedure provided in article 149-c;
2. The termination of the mandate of the Prosecutor General is declared by
decision of the High Prosecutorial Council.
Article 148ç
1. Prosecutors are Albanian citizens appointed by the High Prosecutorial Council
after finishing the School of Magistrates and after a passing an evaluation of their
assets and their background in accordance with the law.
2. Further criteria for the selection and appointment of prosecutors are regulated
by law.
Article 148-d
1. The prosecutor shall be disciplinarily liable in accordance with the law.
2. The prosecutor shall be dismissed upon decision of the High Prosecutorial Council
when he or she:
a. commits serious professional or ethical misconduct which discredits the
figure and the position of the prosecutor during the exercise of his or her
duties; or
3. Against the dismissal decision, appeal can be filed at the Constitutional Court.
4. The prosecutor is suspended from its duty upon decision of the High
Prosecutorial Council when:
Article 148-dh
1. The Special Prosecution Office exercises criminal prosecution and represents
accusation in the specialized courts under article 135 paragraph 2 of the
Constitution as well as the High Court.
2. The High Prosecutorial Council shall assign at least 10 prosecutors to the Special
Prosecution Office for a 9-year mandate, without the right to re-appointment.
Further criteria for the selection of the prosecutors as well as the transparent
and open procedure are regulated by law.
3. The Chief Special Prosecutor shall be elected by a majority of the High
Prosecutorial Council from the ranks of Special Prosecutors for a three-year
term, without the right to re-appointment, in accordance with the law.
4. The special prosecutor may only be removed from the office before their
mandate ends in cases of serious misconduct or for commission of a crime with a

4. 2/3 majority of the High Prosecutorial Council.

5. The candidate to be special prosecutors, personnel in the Special Prosecution
Telecommunications Office and independent investigation unit, as well as their close family members,
prior to their appointment, must successfully pass a review of their assets and
their background and shall consent to periodic reviews of their financial accounts
and personal telecommunications, in accordance with the law.
Article 149
1. The High Prosecutorial Council shall guarantee the independence, accountability,
discipline, status and career of Prosecutors in the Republic of Albania.
2. The High Prosecutorial Council shall be composed of 11 members, six of which
are elected by the prosecutors of all levels of the Prosecution Office and five
members are elected by the Assembly among jurists who are non-prosecutors.
3. The prosecutor members shall be selected from prosecutors of high moral and
professional integrity in accordance with an open and transparent procedure that
ensures a fair representation of all levels of the prosecution system. The lay
member shall be selected among highly qualified jurist, with no less than 15
years of professional experience, of high moral and professional integrity. The lay
member shall not have held a political post in the public administration or a
leadership position in a political party in the last past 10 years before becoming
candidate. Further criteria and the procedure for selecting and ranking the
candidates are provided by law.
4. Two lay members shall be elected from the advocates, two from the corps of law
professors and the School of Magistrates and one shall be from civil society. The
Secretary General of the Assembly, based on an open call and transparent
procedure, shall announce the vacancies in accordance with the law.
5. The Secretary General of the Assembly, not later than 10 days from the
presentation of the applications, shall verify if the candidates fulfill the criteria
foreseen in the Constitution and the law and assess the professional and moral
criteria to be a member of the High Prosecutorial Council. In case the candidates
do not fulfill the criteria to be elected, the Secretary General of the Assembly
deletes candidates from the list.
6. The Secretary General of the Assembly, upon completions of the verification
Legislative committees sends immediately to the parliamentary committee under paragraph 7 of this
article the list of candidates who fulfill the formal criteria.
7. The parliamentary committee responsible for legal issues establishes a
Legislative committees subcommittee for the further assessment and selection of candidates not later
than three days from the submission of the list. The subcommittee is composed
of five members of the Assembly, three members nominated by the
parliamentary majority and two by the opposition. The subcommittee may with
at least four votes include a candidate who was previously removed from the list
by the Secretary General of the Assembly. The subcommittee selects the
candidates supported by 4 members. In case the majority cannot be reached the
candidate shall be selected by lot.
8. The selections from the subcommittee are consolidated into one list and sent to
Legislative committees the Chairman of the Assembly. Within ten days, the Assembly may reject the
entire list of candidates as a block by a majority of two-thirds. If the list is
rejected, the procedure shall be repeated by the subcommittee under paragraph
7 of this article, no more than two times. If the Assembly after the competition of
the procedure for the third time, has not approved the presented list, the
candidates of this list shall be deemed elected. Detailed procedures shall be
regulated by law.
9. The Chairperson of the High Prosecutorial Council is elected by its members
from the ranks of the lay members in accordance with the law.
10. Members of the High Prosecutorial Council shall practice their duty full-time for a
period of five years without the right of immediate re-appointment. At the end of
the term, the prosecutor members return to their previous working positions.
The mandate of the special prosecutor shall be suspended during the period of
time of the exercise of the duties as member of High Prosecutorial Council. The
lay members who before the appointment worked full time in the public sector
shall return to the previous working positions or, if not possible, to positions
equivalent to them.

Article 149-a
1. The High Prosecutorial Council shall exercise the following powers:
a. appoints, evaluates, promotes and transfers all prosecutors of all levels;
b. decides on disciplinary measures against all prosecutors of all levels;
c. proposes to the Assembly candidates for Prosecutor General in
accordance with the law;
ç. adopts rules of ethics for prosecutors and supervises their observance;
d. proposes and administers its own budget;
dh. informs the public and the Assembly on the state of the Prosecution
Office; and
e. exercises other responsibilities as regulated by law.
2. The law shall provide for the establishment of decision-making sub-bodies of the
High Prosecutorial Council.
Article 149-b
1. The mandate of the member of the High Prosecutorial Council shall end upon:
ç. dismissal according to the provisions of article 149-c;
2. The expiry of the mandate of the member shall be declared upon a decision of the
High Prosecutorial Council.
3. Where the position of the member remains vacant, the body having appointed
the preceding member, shall under Article 149, appoint the new member, the
latter staying in office until the expiry of the member of the outgoing member.
4. The member shall continue to stay in office until the appointment of the
successor, except under cases provided in subparagraph c), ç), d) and dh) of
paragraph 1 of this article.
Article 149-c
1. The Prosecutor General and member of the High Prosecutorial Council shall be
disciplinarily liable in accordance with the law.
2. The Prosecutor General and member shall be dismissed upon decision of the
Constitutional court powers Constitutional Court if he or she:
3. The Prosecutor General and member is suspended from its duty upon decision of
Constitutional court powers the Constitutional Court when:
b. he or she is accused for a serious crime committed with intention.
Article 149ç
Being Prosecutor General, prosecutor or a member of the High Prosecutorial Council
shall not be compatible with any other political, state as well as any other compensated
professional activity, except for teaching, academic, and scientific activities in

Article 149-d
1. The Justice Appointments Council is responsible for verifying the fulfillment of
legal requirements and assessment of professional and moral criteria of the
candidates for the High Justice Inspector, as well as for the members of the

1. Constitutional Court. The Justice Appointments Council examines and ranks the
candidates according to their professional merits. The ranking is not binding
except when the Assembly fails to make an appointment.
2. The Justice Appointments Council meets whenever it is necessary.
3. The Justice Appointments Council shall consist of nine members selected by lot
Establishment of administrative courts from the ranks of judges and prosecutors who are not under disciplinary
measures, who shall serve a one-year term beginning on January 1 each year.
Between December 1 and December 5 of each year, the President shall select by
lot two judges of the Constitutional Court, one judge of the High Court, one
prosecutor from the Office of the Prosecutor General, two judges and two
prosecutors from the Courts of Appeal and one judge from the Administrative
Courts. If the President does not make this selection by December 5, the
Chairperson of the Assembly shall make the selection by lot before December 10
of the year. The Ombudsperson shall serve as an observer of the selection by lot
of the Justice Appointment Council, as well as its meetings and operations.
4. The member from the High Court is Chairperson of the Justice Appointments
Council. The High Court creates working conditions for the operation of the
Justice Appointments Council.
5. Further qualification criteria of the scale of qualification of candidates
participating in the lot and the organization and functioning of the Justice
Appointments Council are regulated by law.
Referenda
PART ELEVEN. REFERENDUM
Article 150
1. The people, through 50 thousand citizens, who enjoy the right to vote, have the
right to a referendum for the abrogation of a law, as well as to request the
President of the Republic to hold a referendum about issues of special
importance.
2. The Assembly, upon the proposal of not less than one-fifth of the deputies or the
Council of Ministers, can decide that an issue or a draft law of special importance
be presented for referendum.
3. Principles and procedures for holding a referendum, as well as its validity, are
provided by law.
Referenda
Article 151
1. A law approved by referendum is promulgated by the President of the Republic.
2. Issues related to the territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania, limitations of
fundamental human rights and freedoms, budget, taxes, financial obligations of
the state, declaration and abrogation of the state of emergency, declaration of
war and peace, as well as amnesty, cannot be voted upon in a referendum.
3. A referendum upon the same issue cannot be repeated before 3 years have
passed since it was held.

Article 152
1. The Constitutional Court reviews preliminarily the constitutionality of the issues
presented for a referendum according to Article 150, paragraphs 1 and 2, Article
151, paragraphs 2 and 3, as well as Article 177, paragraphs 4 and 5, within 60
days.
2. The importance of special issues, as provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 of article
150, is not subject to adjudication in the Constitutional Court.
3. The date of the referendum is set by the President of the Republic within 45 days
after the promulgation of the positive decision of the Constitutional Court or
after the term within which the Constitutional Court had to have expressed itself
has expired.

Article 153
[Repealed]
Article 154
[Repealed]
PART THIRTEEN. PUBLIC FINANCES
Article 155
Taxes, fees, and other financial obligations, national and local, reductions or exemptions
of certain categories of taxpayers as well as the method of their collection are specified
by law. In such cases, the law may not be given retroactive effect.
Article 156
The State can take and guarantee loans and financial credits when so authorized by law.
Article 157
1. The budgetary system is composed of the state budget and local budgets.
2. The state budget is created by revenues collected from taxes, fees and other
financial obligations as well as from other legitimate revenues. It includes all
state expenses.
3. Local bodies define and collect taxes and other obligations as provided by law.
Subsidiary unit government 4. State and local bodies are obliged to make public their revenues and expenses.
Budget bills
Article 158
1. The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Council of Ministers, presents to the
Assembly the draft law on the budget during the autumn session, which cannot
be closed without approving it.
2. If the draft law is not approved until the beginning of the next financial year, the
Council of Ministers implements every month one-twelfth of the budget of the
previous year, until the new budget is approved.
3. The Assembly approves the new budget within three months from the last day of
the previous financial year, except when extraordinary measures have been
decided.
4. The Council of Ministers is obligated to present to the Assembly a report about
the implementation of the budget and about the state debt from the previous
year.
5. The Assembly takes a final decision after having also listened to the High State
Audit report.
Article 159
Principles and procedures for drafting the draft-budget, as well as for implementing it
are defined by law.
Budget bills

Article 160
1. During the financial year, the Assembly may make changes in the budget.
2. The changes in the budget are made based on defined procedures for drafting
and approving it.
3. Expenses foreseen in other laws cannot be reduced as long as these laws are in
force.
Central bank
Article 161
1. The Central State Bank is the Bank of Albania. It has the exclusive right to issue
and circulate the Albanian currency, to independently implement monetary
policy, and maintain and administer the exchange reserves of the Republic of
Albania.
2. The Bank of Albania is directed by a council, which is chaired by the Governor.
The Governor is elected by the Assembly for 7 years, upon proposal of the
President of the Republic, with the right of re-election.
PART FOURTEEN. THE HIGH STATE AUDIT
Article 162
1. The High State Audit is the highest institution of economic and financial control.
It is subject only to the Constitution and laws.
2. The Head of the High State Audit is appointed and dismissed by the Assembly
upon proposal of the President of the Republic. He stays in office for 7 years, with
the right of re-election.
Article 163
The High State Audit supervises:
a. the economic activity of state institutions and other state legal entities;
b. the use and preservation of state funds by the bodies of central and local
government;
c. the economic activity of legal entities, in which the state owns more than half of
the quotas or shares, or when their debts, credits and obligations are guaranteed
by the state.
Article 164
1. The High State Audit presents to the Assembly:
a. a report on the implementation of the state budget;
b. its opinion on the Council of Ministers’ report about the expenses of the
previous financial year before it is approved by the Assembly;
c. information about the results of audits any time it is asked by the
Assembly.
2. The High State Audit presents to the Assembly a yearly report on its activities.
Article 165
1. The Head of the High State Audit may be invited to participate and speak in the
meetings of the Council of Ministers when questions related to its functions are
reviewed.

2. The Head of the High State Audit has the immunity of a member of the High
Court.
PART FIFTEEN. ARMED FORCES
Article 166
1. The Albanian citizens have the duty to participate in the defence of the Republic
Duty to serve in the military of Albania, as provided by law.
2. The citizen, who for reasons of conscience refuses to serve with weapons in the
Right to conscientious objection armed forces, is obliged to perform an alternative service, as provided by law.
Restrictions on the armed forces

Article 167
1. Military servicemen on active duty cannot be chosen or nominated for other
state duties nor participate in a party or political activity.
2. Members of the armed forces or persons who perform an alternative service
enjoy all the constitutional rights and freedoms, apart from cases when the law
provides otherwise.
Article 168
1. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania are composed of the army, navy,
and air force.
2. The President of the Republic is the General Commander of the Armed Forces.
Designation of commander in chief 3. The National Security Council is an advisory body of the President of the
Advisory bodies to the head of state Republic.
Selection of active-duty commanders

Article 169
1. The President of the Republic in peacetime exercises the command of the Armed
Forces through the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
2. The President of the Republic in wartime appoints and dismisses the Commander
of the Armed Forces upon proposal of the Prime Minister.
3. The President of the Republic, upon proposal of the Prime Minister, appoints and
dismisses the Chief of the General Staff, and upon the proposal of the Minister of
Defence appoints and dismisses the commanders of the army, navy, and air force.
4. The powers of the President of the Republic, as General Commander of the
Armed Forces, and those of the Commander of the Armed Forces, their
subordination to constitutional organs, are defined by law.
PART SIXTEEN. EXTRAORDINARY
MEASURES
Article 170
1. Extraordinary measures can be taken due to a state of war, state of emergency
or natural disaster and last for as long as these states continue.
2. The principles of the activity of public bodies, as well as the extent of limitations
on human rights and freedoms during the period of the existence of situations
that require extraordinary measures, are defined by law.
3. The law must define the principles, the areas, and the manner of compensation
for losses caused as a result of the limitation of human rights and freedoms

3. during the period in which extraordinary measures are taken.

4. Acts taken as a result of extraordinary measures must be in proportion with the
level of risk and must aim to re-establish the conditions for the normal
functioning of the state, as soon as possible.
5. During the situations that require extraordinary measures to be taken, none of
these acts may be changed: the Constitution, the laws on the election of the
Assembly and local government organs, as well as the laws on extraordinary
measures.
6. During the implementation period of extraordinary measures, there may not be
held elections for local government bodies, there may not be a referendum, and a
new President of the Republic may not be elected. The elections for the local
government bodies can be held only in those places where the extraordinary
measures are not implemented.

Article 171
1. In case of armed aggression against the Republic of Albania, the President of the
Republic upon request of the Council of Ministers declares the state of war.
2. In case of external threat, or when a common defence obligation derives from an
International law international agreement, the Assembly, upon proposal of the President of the
Republic, declares the state of war and decides on the state of general or partial
mobilization or demobilization.

Article 172
1. In the case of paragraph 1 of Article 171, the President of the Republic presents
to the Assembly the decree for establishing the state of war within 48 hours
from its signing, specifying the rights to be limited.
2. The Assembly immediately reviews and decides with the majority of all its
members, upon the decree of the President.
Article 173
1. In case of danger to the constitutional order and to public security, the Assembly,
with request of the Council of Ministers, may decide for a state of emergency in
one part or the whole territory of the state, which lasts for as long as this danger
continues, but not longer than 60 days.
2. Upon establishment of the state of emergency, the intervention of armed forces
is done with a decision of the Assembly and only when police forces are not able
to restore order.
3. The extension of the term of the state of emergency may be done only with the
consent of the Assembly, for each 30 days, for a period of time not longer than
90 days.
Article 174
1. For the prevention or the avoidance of the consequences of natural disasters or
technological accidents, the Council of Ministers may decide on the state of
natural disaster for a period not longer than 30 days, in one part or in the whole
territory of the state.
2. The extension of the state of natural disaster can be done only with the consent
of the Assembly.
Article 175
1. During the state of war or state of emergency the rights and freedoms provided
for in Articles: 15; 18; 19; 20; 21; 24; 25; 29; 30; 31; 32; 34; 39, paragraph 1;
41, paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 5; 42; 43; 48; 54; 55 may not be limited.
2. During the state of natural disaster the rights and freedoms provided for in
Articles: 37; 38; 41, paragraph 4; 49; 51 may be limited.

3. The acts for declaring the state of war, emergency or natural disaster must
specify the rights and freedoms which are limited according to paragraphs 1 and
2 of this Article.

Article 176
When the Assembly cannot be convened during the state of war, the President of the
Republic, with the proposal of the Council of Ministers, has the right to issue acts that
have the force of the law, which have to be approved by the Assembly in its first
meeting.

PART SEVENTEEN. REVISION OF THE
CONSTITUTION
Article 177
1. Initiative for revision of the Constitution may be undertaken by not less than
one-fifth of the members of the Assembly.
2. No revision of the Constitution may be undertaken during the time when the
Emergency provisions extraordinary measures are taken.
3. The draft law is approved by not less than two-thirds of all members of the
Assembly.
4. The Assembly may decide, with two-thirds of all its members that the draft
Referenda constitutional amendments be voted in a referendum. The draft law for the
revision of the Constitution enters into force after ratification by referendum,
which takes place not later than 60 days after its approval in the Assembly.
5. The approved constitutional amendment is put to a referendum when this is
Referenda required by one-fifth of the members of the Assembly.
6. The President of the Republic does not have the right to return for review the law
approved by the Assembly for revision of the Constitution.
7. The law approved by referendum is declared by the President of the Republic and
enters into force on the date provided for in this law.
8. Revision of the Constitution for the same issue cannot be done before a year
from the day of the rejection of the draft law by the Assembly and 3 years from
the day of its rejection by the referendum.
PART EIGHTEEN. TRANSITORY AND LAST
PROVISIONS
Article 178
1. Laws and other normative acts approved before the date this Constitution
enters into force will be applied as long as they have not been abrogated.
2. The Council of Ministers presents to the Assembly draft laws necessary for
implementing this Constitution.
Article 179
1. Members of the Constitutional Court shall continue their activity as members of
the Constitutional Court, in accordance with the previous mandate.
2. The first opening for new members for the Constitutional Court shall be
appointed by the President of the Republic, the second selected by the Assembly

2. and the third selected by the High Court. This shall be the order for all future
appointments after entry into force of this law.
3. Aiming at the regular renewal of the Constitutional Court, the new judge who
shall succeed the judge whose mandate will end in 2017 shall remain in office
until 2025 and the new judge who will succeed the judge whose mandate will end
in 2020 shall remain in office until 2028. The other Constitutional Court judges
shall be appointed the entire duration of the mandate in accordance with the law.
4. Members of the High Court shall continue their activities accordance with the
previous mandate. The new members due to replace the members, whose
mandate expires, shall be appointed under the provisions of this law.
5. The High Judicial Council shall be established at least within 8 months from the
entry into force of this law. Three judge members and two lay members of the
High Judicial Council shall be appointed initially for a 3-years term, with the
purpose of partial renewal of this body. The members of the High Council of
Justice shall end their mandate after the establishment of the High Judicial
Council, but not later than after all members of the High Judicial Council are
selected as determined by law. For the first appointment of the lay members of
the High Judicial Council after entry into force of this law, the verification of the
candidates as provided in article 147 of the Constitution shall be conducted by
the General Secretary of the Assembly and International Monitoring Operation.
6. The High Prosecutorial Council shall be established within at least 8 months from
the entry into force of this law. Three prosecutor members and two lay members
of the High Prosecutorial Council shall be appointed initially for a 3-years term,
with the purpose of partial renewal of this body. For the first appointment of the
lay members of the High Prosecutorial Council after entry into force of this law,
the verification of the candidates as provided in article 147 of the Constitution
shall be conducted by the General Secretary of the Assembly and the
International Monitoring Operation.
7. During their 9 years mandate the judges of the Appeal Chamber established in
Article 179-b shall have disciplinary jurisdiction over all Constitutional Court
judges, the members of High Judicial Council, the High Prosecutorial Council, the
Prosecutor General, and the High Justice Inspector. The Appeal Chamber shall
also have jurisdiction on the appeals against decisions of the High Judicial
Council, High Prosecutorial Council as well as High Justice Inspector, imposing
disciplinary sanctions respectively against judges, prosecutors and other
inspectors.
8. The Serious Crimes Court and Serious Crimes Appeals Court shall assume the
Telecommunications name, function and competence of the first instance court and appeals court
within 2 months of the establishment of the High Judicial Council, in accordance
with the law. The transfer of cases shall be done in accordance with the law. The
existing judges of these courts shall be transferred to other courts, if they or their
close family members refuse to agree to the periodic reviews of their financial
accounts and personal telecommunication. The Special Prosecution Office shall
be established and prosecutors appointed within 2 months of the establishment
of the High Prosecutorial Council, in accordance with the law. Upon the
establishment of this office, the Serious Crimes Prosecution Office shall cease to
exist. The transfer of investigations and cases shall be done in accordance with
the law.
9. The High Justice Inspector shall be appointed within 6 months after entry into
force of this law. The transition period and manner of functioning of the existing
inspectorates shall be regulated by law.
10. Judges and prosecutors who have not finished the School of Magistrate shall
continue on duty and are subject to the transitional qualification assessment
according to article 179-b and the Annex.
11. Within 5 days of the entry into force of this law, the President of the Republic
shall elects in accordance with article 149-d paragraph 3 of the Constitution. If
the President does not select within 5 days of entry into force of this law, the
Speaker of the Parliament shall select by lot within 10 days of the entry into
force. Those selected shall serve as the Justice Appointments Council until
December 31 of the year that this law enters into force. The Ombudsperson shall
serve as an observer of the selection by lot of the Justice Appointment Council,
as well as its meetings and operations. The members of the Justice Appointment
Council shall be subject to the Transitional Qualification Assessment of Judges
and Prosecutors under Article 179-b as soon as possible.
12. The President of the Republic shall remain as Chairperson of the High Council of
Justice until the High Judicial Council is established up to 8 months from the

12. entry into force of this law. The President shall then have the right to appoint
judges of the High Court upon the proposal of the High Judicial Council in
accordance with article 136 of this law. The President of the Republic shall have
the right to appoint a judge to fill one current vacancy of the Constitutional Court
under paragraph 2 of this article, followed by the Assembly which fills the other
current vacancy in accordance with article 125 of this law.
13. Until a national election is held after the entry into force of this law, but not later
than September 1, 2017, the election of High Justice Inspector, and Prosecutor
General, shall be passed by 2/3 of the members of the Assembly, after which the
elections shall be done by 3/5 of the members of Assembly.
Article 179-a
1. The mandate of officials elected or appointed in the constitutional organs and the
organs established by law, which was obtained prior to the entry into force of this
law, shall terminate or become invalid, if it is ascertained that the elected or
appointed person falls in the ranks of the subjects which are exempted from the
right to be elected, under Articles 6-1 and 45, point 3, of the Constitution.
2. Within 30 days from entry into force of this law, the Assembly shall approve the
law providing for the conditions and rules for guaranteeing the integrity of the
organs elected, appointed or exercising public functions, in accordance with the
procedure of Article 81, point 2 of the Constitution.
Article 179-b
1. In order to re-establish the proper function of rule of law and true independence
of the judicial system, as well as the public trust and confidence in these
institutions a re-evaluation system is established.
2. The re-evaluation shall be carried out on the basis of the principles of the fair trial
and conducted by respecting the fundamental rights of the assesse.
3. All judges, including judges of the Constitutional Court and High Court, all
prosecutors, including the Prosecutor General, the Chief Inspector and the other
inspectors of the High Council of Justice shall ex officio be re-evaluated.
4. All legal advisors of the Constitutional Court and High Court, legal assistants of
the administrative courts, legal assistants of the General Prosecution Office shall
ex officio be re-evaluated. Former judges or prosecutors, and former legal
advisors of the Constitutional Court and High Court with at least three years of
work experience in this function may undergo upon their request the re-
evaluation process, if they fulfil the criteria regulated by law.
5. The re-evaluation shall be conducted by an Independent Qualification
Commission (Commission). Its decision can be appealed by the assesse or the
Public Commissioner. Appeals shall be considered by the Specialized Qualification
Chamber (Appeal Chamber) which shall function within the Constitutional Court.
During the transition period of 9 years the Constitutional Court shall consist of
two chambers.
6. The Commission and the Appeal Chamber shall both operate and decide
independently and impartially.
7. The decision of dismissal in the re-evaluation process constitutes a ground for
the immediate termination of the exercise of functions, in addition to the grounds
provided in the Constitution. Judges and prosecutors including seconded or
former judges or prosecutors, who successfully pass the re-evaluation, shall
remain or will be appointed judges and prosecutors. All other assessees who pass
successfully the re-evaluation shall be appointed as judges or prosecutors under
the conditions regulated by law.
8. The mandate of the Commission and the Public Commissioner expires after five
years of operation. The Appeal Chamber shall cease to exist after nine years of
operation. After the dissolution of the Commission pending cases shall be
conducted by the High Judicial Council in accordance with the law. Pending cases
of the prosecutors shall be conducted by the High Prosecutorial Council in
accordance with the law. After the dissolution of the Public Commissioner their
competences shall be exercised by the Chief Special Prosecutor of the Special
Prosecution Office. The judges at the Appeal Chamber shall serve until the end of
their 9 year mandate. Any appeals shall be adjudicated by the Constitutional
Court.

9. The Assembly shall vote to repeal the Annex after the last re-evaluation decision
became final following a report of the Chairperson of the Appeal Chamber sent to
the Assembly or at the end of the mandate of the Appeal Chamber.
10. Additional provisions are laid down in the Annex ‘Transitional Qualification
Assessment’. Details shall be regulated by law.
International law
Article 180
1. International agreements ratified by the Republic of Albania before this
Constitution enters into force are considered ratified according to this
Constitution.
2. The Council of Ministers presents to the Constitutional Court the international
agreements which contain provisions that come in conflict with the Constitution.
Article 181
1. The Assembly, within two to three years from the date this Constitution enters
into force, issues laws for the fair resolution of different issues related to
expropriations and confiscations done before the approval of this Constitution,
guided by the criteria of Article 41.
2. Laws and other normative acts, adopted before the date this Constitution enters
into force, that relate to the expropriations and confiscations shall be applied
when they do not come in conflict with it
Article 182
Law No. 7491, dated 29.4. 1991, "On the Main Constitutional Provisions" as well as the
other constitutional laws are abrogated the day this Constitution enters into force.
Article 183
This Constitution enters into force with its promulgation by the President of the
Republic.
Approved by referendum on 22.11.1998
Promulgated by Decree no 2260, dated 28/11/1998, of the President of the Republic of

Albania, Rexhep Meidani.
Annex. Transitional Qualification Assessment
Article A. Limitation of the constitutional rights

1. To the extent necessary to carry out the re-evaluation the application range of
some articles of this Constitution, in particular provisions regarding privacy, to
include Articles 36 and 37, provisions related to the burden of proof, and other
provisions including Articles 128, 131, paragraph f, 135, 138, 140, 145
paragraph 1, 147-a paragraph 1, letter b), 149-a paragraph 1, letter b), are
partly limited in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution.
2. Persons who have passed the re-evaluation as provided in this Annex, are
subject to the permanent accountability system regulated by the ordinary rules
contained in the Constitution and the relevant Laws.
Article B. International Monitoring Operation

1. An International Monitoring Operation shall support the re-evaluation process by
Regional group(s) monitoring and overseeing the entire process of the re-evaluation. It shall

1. include, partners, within the framework of the European integration process and
Euro-Atlantic cooperation and shall be led by the European Commission.
2. The International Monitoring Operation shall perform its tasks in the framework
International law of international arrangements in force. The International Monitoring Operation
will appoint International Observers following a notification to the Council of
Ministers. International Observers shall be members with at least 15 years of
experience as judges or prosecutors in the judiciary in their own countries. The
mandate of an international observer shall only be revoked for gross misconduct,
by the International Monitoring Operation.
3. International Observers shall have the following duties and authority:
a. They may issue recommendations to the Assembly concerning the
qualification and selection of the candidates for the position of members of
the Commission (Commissioner), the Appeal Chamber (Judge) and Public
Commissioners, in accordance with the rules provided by law;
b. They are entitled to file findings and opinions with the Commission and
the Appeal Chamber and in particular may contribute to the background
assessment regulated in Article DH. In those findings, the International
Observers may request that the Commission or the Appeal Chamber take
evidence or may present evidence obtained from state bodies, foreign
entities or private persons, in accordance with the law.
c. they are entitled to submit a written recommendation to the Public
Commissioners to file an appeal. If the latter decides not to follow this
recommendation, the Public Commissioner is required to issue a written
justification.
ç. they have immediate access to all information, people and documents
necessary to monitor the re-evaluation at all levels and in all stages.
Article C. General provisions for the Commission and

Appeal Chamber
1. The Commission shall consist of four permanent first instance panels having
three members each.
2. Two Public Commissioners shall represent the public interest and may appeal the
decision of the Commission.
3. The Commission and Appeal Chamber shall both operate with accountability,
integrity and transparency and with the objective of promoting an independent
and competent system of justice free from corruption. During their mandate, the
members of the Commission and Public Commissioner shall have the status of a
judge at the High Court. The judges appointed to the Appeal Chamber shall not
be subject to age limit and have the status of judges of the Constitutional Court,
unless provided differently by law.
4. All members of the Commission and judges of the Appeal Chamber, the Public
Commissioners and the staff of these institutions as set by law, must consent to
the yearly disclosure of their assets, constant monitoring of their financial
accounts and waiver of the privacy of their communication related to their work.
All asset declarations shall become public.
5. All members of the Commission and the judges of the Appeal Chamber shall have
a university degree in law, and no less than fifteen years’ experience as a judge,
prosecutor, law professor, advocate, notary, senior employees in public
administration, or other legal profession related to the justice sector. Candidates
for member of the Commission and judges at the Appeal Chamber may not have
been judges, prosecutors or legal advisors or legal assistants in the two years
prior to their nomination. They shall not have held a political post in the public
administration or a leadership position in a political party for the past 10 years
before becoming a nominee.
6. The President of the Republic of Albania shall conduct an open and transparent
application process for the positions of the members in the Commission, judges of
the Appeal Chamber and Public Commissioners. All candidates shall send
applications and all declarations in accordance with the law to the President.
Within 7 days from the deadline for the submission of applications, the President
shall compile a candidate list of applicants who meet the formal criteria for each
position and a separate list of applicants who do not meet the formal criteria.
This process is monitored by the International Monitoring Operation. If the

6. President cannot complete the process within 45 days of the entry into force of
this Annex, the duty shall revert to the Ombudsperson.
7. A panel of at least three representatives of the International Monitoring
Operation (IMO) shall assess the candidates, in accordance with the law. Not
later than 14 days from the day of submission of the 2 lists by the President, the
panel shall on the basis of its assessment submit its recommendations to the
President, who then forwards them to the Parliament. If the President cannot
exercise his competences within 5 days, the competence shall revert to the
Ombudsperson.
8. Within three days of receiving the list of applicants who meet the formal criteria,
the list of applicants who do not meet the formal criteria and the list of IMO
recommendations, the Assembly shall create an ad hoc committee with six
members consisting of equal representatives from the majority and opposition.
The committee may with at least four votes move a candidate from the list of
those who do not meet formal criteria to the list of those who do. The committee
may with at least five votes move an applicant from the IMO’s recommendations
list to the candidate list for voting. Within ten days of its formation, the ad hoc
committee shall forward the candidate list for voting for each position to the ad
hoc committees for selection. The other two lists shall not be forwarded for
voting.
9. The Assembly shall form within ten days two ad hoc committees for selection
consisting of equal representatives from the majority and opposition, one
committee with 12 members and one committee with 6 members.
10. Within 30 days of forming the ad hoc committee, each member of the 12
member committee shall select, from the candidate list for voting, a candidate for
commissioner, without debate and in a secret and electronic vote that ensures
that one member may elect one candidate. The committee shall then select two
candidates from the candidate list for voting for public commissioner, using a
simple vote where the two candidates with the most votes are selected. In case
of a tie, a lot shall be used. Two alternate members for each position shall be
selected in the same manner used for public commissioner.
11. Within 30 days of forming the ad hoc committee, each member of the 6 member
committee shall select from the candidate list for voting a candidate for judges of
the appeals chamber, without debate and in a secret and electronic vote that
ensures that one member may elect one candidate. The committee shall then
select the seventh judge from the remaining candidates on the candidate list for
voting, using a simple vote where the candidate with the most votes is selected.
In case of a tie, a lot shall be used. Two alternate judges for each position shall be
selected in the same manner used for the seventh judge.
12. The selections from the two ad hoc committees are consolidated into one list and
sent to the Chairman of the Assembly. Within ten days, the Assembly shall
approve the entire list of candidates as a block by a majority of three-fifths. If the
Assembly fails to approve the block of candidates, the Chairman of the Assembly
shall send it to the ad hoc committees to repeat their selection process and
submit a second list within 10 days. Within ten days, the Assembly may reject
the entire list of candidates as a block by a majority of two-thirds. If the list is not
rejected, those selected shall be automatically appointed. The details of this
procedure are regulated by law.
13. Members in the Commission, judges of the Appeal Chamber and Public
Commissioners shall work full time and may not hold any other position or
employment during their mandate.
14. The Commission and Appeal Chamber and the Public Commissioners shall have a
budget, staff and facilities sufficient to support their duties and the duties of the
international observers, in accordance with the law.
15. The official languages of the Commission, Appeal Chamber and Public
Commissioners shall be Albanian and English, and they shall have translators and
interpreters accordingly.
16. Members of the Commission, judges of the Appeal Chamber and Public
Commissioners are subject to disciplinary liability. The disciplinary cases shall be
reviewed by the Appeal Chamber, in accordance with the law.
17. The members, judges, public commissioner, international observers, staff, and
their families shall be protected at highest level in accordance with the law.

Article Ç. Re-evaluation
1. The re-evaluation will include an Asset Assessment under Article D, a
Background Assessment under Article DH and a Proficiency Assessment under
Article E of this Annex and the law.
2. The Commission and Appeal Chamber may publish information and take into
account comments obtained from the public. They shall respect the balance
between privacy and investigation needs, and shall guarantee the right to a fair
trial.
3. Official bodies of the Republic of Albania shall cooperate with and disclose
requested information to the Commission and Appeal Chamber shall grant direct
access to their databases and may provide opinions and proposals in accordance
with the law.
4. The Commission, or the Appeal Chamber through their staff, the Public
Commissioners, its members and assisted by the international observers, shall
review the assessee’s completed background declarations, may interview people
named in the declaration or others, and shall seek cooperation with other state
or foreign institutions to confirm the veracity and accuracy of the disclosure. The
Commission, the Appeal Chamber and the international observers shall have
direct access to all relevant government databases and files, if not classified as
state secret, including the assessees’ personal files, statistical data, files selected
for evaluation, self-evaluations, opinions of supervisors, training records and
complaints, verification of complaints, disciplinary decisions against the assessee,
property and land registers, bank accounts, tax offices, car registration data
bases, border control documentation as well as any other relevant documents.
The Commission or the Appeal Chamber may order private individuals and
companies to provide testimony or evidence in accordance with the law.
5. The shift of the burden of proof to the assessee applies only for this assessment
and not for other, in particular, criminal proceedings.
Article D. Asset Assessment

1. Assesses shall be subject to declaration and audit of their assets with the
purpose of identifying assesses, who possess or have the use of assets greater
than can be legitimately explained, or those assessees who have failed to
accurately and fully disclose their assets and those of their related persons.
2. Assessees shall submit a new and fully detailed asset declaration in accordance
with the law. The High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and
Conflict of Interests shall audit the asset declaration and submit to the
Commission a report about the legitimacy of the assets and the accuracy and
fullness of the disclosure, in accordance with the law.
3. The assessee has to credibly explain the lawful origin of assets, property and
income. Income shall only be considered legitimate if it has been declared and
taxes have been paid. Legitimate income shall be defined in detail by law.
4. If the assessee has assets greater than twice the amount justified by legitimate
income, a presumption for the disciplinary measure of dismissal shall be
established which the assessee shall have the burden to dispel.
5. If the assessee has not submitted the asset declaration in time in accordance
with the law, he or she shall be dismissed. If the assesse takes steps to
inaccurately disclose or hide assets in his or her possession or use, a presumption
for the disciplinary measure of dismissal shall be established which the assessee
shall have the burden to dispel.
Article DH. Background Assessment

1. Assesses shall be required to submit a background declaration and be subject to
a background assessment with the purpose of identifying assessees with
inappropriate contacts with persons involved in organized crime. The background
assessment on persons involved in organized crime will be based on the
background declaration and other evidence as appropriate, including Albanian or
foreign court decisions.

2. Assessees shall submit a duly filled-in detailed background declaration to the

Commission for the period January 1, 2012 to the day of the declaration, as
regulated by law. The completed background declaration can only be used as
evidence in this procedure and by no means may be used in a criminal case.
3. If the assessee has inappropriate contacts with persons involved in organized
crime, a presumption for the disciplinary measure of dismissal shall be
established, which the assessee shall have the burden to dispel.
4. If the assessee does not submit the duly completed background declaration in
time in accordance with the law, he or she shall be dismissed. If the assessee
takes steps to inaccurately disclose or hide contacts with persons involved in the
organized crime, a presumption in for the disciplinary measure of dismissal shall
be established, which the assessee shall have the burden to dispel.
Article E. Proficiency Assessment

1. Assesses shall be subject to a proficiency assessment, with the purpose of
identifying those who are not qualified to perform their role and those who have
deficiencies which can be remedied with education.
2. The Proficiency Assessment shall be conducted with the assistance of the
officials in charge of the ethical and professional evaluation of judges or
prosecutors at the time of the Assessment. The Proficiency Assessment for
judges, legal advisors or legal assistants shall assess judicial capacity,
organizational skills, ethics and commitment to judicial values, personal quality
and professional commitment, based on standards provided by law. The
Proficiency Assessment for prosecutors shall assess prosecutorial capacity,
organizational skills, ethics and commitment to prosecutorial values, personal
quality and professional commitment based on standards provided by law. The
Proficiency Assessment for legal advisors or legal assistance includes a test at
the School of Magistrate. The Proficiency Assessment shall not consider pending
cases.
3. If the assessee has demonstrated poor knowledge, skill, judgment, or aptitude, or
there is a consistent or substantial pattern of work possibly non-compliable with
the position, the deficiency shall be identified and a presumption for the
disciplinary measure of suspension with education to remedy that deficiency shall
be established which the assessee shall have the burden to dispel.
4. If the assessee has demonstrated inadequate knowledge, skill, judgment, or
aptitude, or there is a consistent and substantial pattern of work of a quality
which is inadequate with the position, and the deficiency is unlikely to be
remedied with one year of education program, a presumption for the disciplinary
measure of dismissal shall be established which the assessee shall have the
burden to dispel.
5. If the assessee acts to substantially prevent or confound his or her assessment,
or has demonstrated such insufficient knowledge, skill, judgment, aptitude, or a
consistent or substantial pattern of work which can threaten or diminish the
rights of citizens, the assesse shall be considered inadequate and a presumption
for the disciplinary measure of dismissal shall be established which the assessee
shall have the burden to dispel.
Article Ë. Disciplinary Measures

1. If either the Commission or the Appeal Chamber determines that an assessee
requires disciplinary measures, it shall issue a reasoned decision which orders
either the disciplinary measure of one year suspension with education or the
disciplinary measure of dismissal.
2. A decision ordering suspension with education identifies an assessee’s deficiency,
suspends the official with 75 % of the relevant salary, assigns the assessee to the
School of Magistrates until the education program starts and orders one year of
education which is designed to remedy the deficiency. At the end of the education
program, the suspended official shall be tested. The test is done under
international supervision. Assessees failing the test are dismissed by the
Commission.
3. The dismissal of a judge or prosecutor does not constitute a ground for the re-
opening of cases decided or prosecuted by the assessee, except in the cases
based on which a review can be requested according to the procedural codes.

Article F. Appeal Chamber

1. The Appeal Chamber shall consist of seven judges. Only judges appointed to the
Appeal Chamber may decide appeals against the re-evaluation in accordance
with the Annex and the law. They decide in panels of composed of five members
each.
2. The assessee shall have the right to appeal to the Appeal Chamber in accordance
with the law. The Public Commissioners shall each also have the right to appeal,
expect for decisions under article Ë, paragraph 2, of the Annex.
3. The Appeal Chamber enjoys the power to take specific fact finding steps and
shall remedy any procedural errors of the Commission taking into account the
assesses fundamental rights. The Appeal Chamber shall decide the case and may
not transfer the case back to the Commission. This constitutional jurisdiction
does not allow to call into question the constitutionality of the principles on which
the re-evaluation process as such is based and the criteria used in this law.
4. The international observer takes part with the same rights like those in first
instance.
5. In the case of appeal the salary is 75 % of the relevant salary. In the case of a
successful appeal at the Appeal Chamber the remaining salary shall be paid. A
final decision ordering dismissal has ex lege immediate effect.
6. An assessee filing an appeal of a disciplinary measure is suspended pending the
decision of the Appeal Chamber.
7. The Appeal Chamber shall uphold, modify or overrule the decision of the
Commission In cases of appeal by the Public Commissioner, it may not impose a
more strict disciplinary measure without providing the assessee with sufficient
notice to prepare and respond in a hearing.
8. Assessees shall have access to the European Court of Human Rights.
Article G. Resignation
1. If the assessee resigns during the re-evaluation procedure, he or she not
assessed any further.
2. Assessees who resign under this provision may no longer serve as a judge or
prosecutor at any level, member of the High Judicial Council or High Judicial
Inspector or High Prosecutorial Council, or Prosecutor General for the duration of
fifteen years.

Topic index
A
Access to higher education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Advisory bodies to the head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Approval or veto of general legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Attendance by legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Attorney general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
B
Budget bills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
C
Cabinet removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 24
Cabinet selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23
Central bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Civil service recruitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Claim of universal suffrage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Compulsory education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Conditions for revoking citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Constitution amendment procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Constitutional court opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Constitutional court powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 21, 28, 29, 34, 35, 39, 40
Constitutional court removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29
Constitutional court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Constitutional court term length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Constitutional court term limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Constitutional interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29
Constitutionality of legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 32
Courts for judging public officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
D
Deputy executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Designation of commander in chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Dismissal of the legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23
Duty to serve in the military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
E
Electoral districts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Eligibility for cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 17, 23
Eligibility for const court judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Eligibility for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Eligibility for head of government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 23
Eligibility for head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Eligibility for ordinary court judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Eligibility for supreme court judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Emergency provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 16, 20, 43, 45
Equality regardless of creed or belief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Equality regardless of financial status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Equality regardless of gender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Equality regardless of language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Equality regardless of parentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Equality regardless of political party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Equality regardless of race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Equality regardless of religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Equality regardless of social status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Establishment of administrative courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Establishment of cabinet/ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Establishment of constitutional court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Establishment of judicial council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39
Extradition procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Extraordinary legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
F
Federal review of subnational legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
First chamber selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Foreign affairs representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Free education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Freedom of assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Freedom of association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Freedom of expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Freedom of movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Freedom of press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Freedom of religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
G
General guarantee of equality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
God or other deities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 20
Guarantee of due process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
H
Head of government decree power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Head of government immunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 23
Head of government powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Head of government removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Head of government replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Head of government selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Head of government's role in the legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Head of state decree power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 45
Head of state immunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Head of state powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Head of state removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 29
Head of state replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Head of state selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Head of state term length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Head of state term limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Human dignity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
I
Immunity of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Inalienable rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Initiation of general legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Integration of ethnic communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
International human rights treaties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
International law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 10, 21, 26, 29, 44, 48
International organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 24, 27, 48
J
Judicial independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
L
Leader of first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Legal status of treaties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 29
Legislative committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 33, 35, 38
Legislative initiatives by citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Legislative oversight of the executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Limits on employment of children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
M
Mandatory retirement age for judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 32
Minimum age for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Minimum age of head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Motives for writing constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Municipal government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 41
N
Name/structure of executive(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 22
National anthem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
National capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
National flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
O
Oaths to abide by constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Official or national languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Ordinary court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Outside professions of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
P
Power to declare/approve war . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Power to deport citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 12
Power to pardon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Powers of cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Presumption of innocence in trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Prohibited political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Prohibition of cruel treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Prohibition of double jeopardy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Prohibition of slavery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Prohibition of torture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Protection from ex post facto laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Protection from expropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Protection from false imprisonment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Protection from self-incrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Protection from unjustified restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Protection of environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Protection of judges' salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Protection of language use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Protection of stateless persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Provisions for intellectual property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Public or private sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Q
Quorum for legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
R
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reference to art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Reference to fraternity/solidarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Reference to science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 21, 32, 35, 36, 39
Referenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 27, 29, 40, 45
Regional group(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Regulation of evidence collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Regulation of marriage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Regulation of political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Removal of individual legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Requirements for birthright citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Requirements for naturalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Restrictions on entry or exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Restrictions on political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Restrictions on the armed forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 17, 43
Restrictions on voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right of petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Right to academic freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right to appeal judicial decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to choose occupation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Right to competitive marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Right to conscientious objection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Right to counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11
Right to culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 14
Right to enjoy the benefits of science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right to establish a business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 13
Right to examine evidence/witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Right to fair trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to form political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Right to found a family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Right to health care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right to information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 11
Right to join trade unions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Right to life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Right to own property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 12
Right to pre-trial release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Right to privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Right to public trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to renounce citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Right to shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right to speedy trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 12
Right to strike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Right to transfer property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rights of children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rights of debtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
S
Scheduling of elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 20
Secret ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Selection of active-duty commanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Separation of church and state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Size of first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Source of constitutional authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
State support for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
State support for the disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
State support for the elderly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 14
State support for the unemployed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Structure of legislative chamber(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Structure of the courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Subsidiary unit government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 41
Supermajority required for legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Supreme court opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Supreme court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 34
Supreme court term length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Supreme court term limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Supreme/ordinary court judge removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
T
Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 30, 37, 45
Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Term length for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Transitional provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Treaty ratification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 27
Trial in native language of accused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11
Type of government envisioned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Ultra-vires administrative actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
V
Veto override procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 10:53
Algeria's Constitution of 2020
constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 10:53
Table of contents
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
TITLE I. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ALGERIAN SOCIETY . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
CHAPTER I. ALGERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
CHAPTER II. THE PEOPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CHAPTER III. THE STATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TITLE II. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, PUBLIC FREEDOMS and DUTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CHAPTER I. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND PUBLIC FREEDOMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CHAPTER II. DUTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
TITLE III. ORGANISATION AND SEPARATION OF POWERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CHAPTER I. THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CHAPTER II. THE GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
CHAPTER III. THE PARLIAMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
CHAPTER IV. THE JUDICIAL POWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
TITLE IV. OVERSIGHT INSTITUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
ART 192 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
CHAPTER I. THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
CHAPTER II. THE ACCOUNTABILITY COUNCIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
CHAPTER III. NATIONAL INDEPENDENT ELECTION AUTHORITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
CHAPTER IV. THE HIGH AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPARENCY AND TO PREVENT AND COMBAT
CORRUPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
TITLE V. ADVISORY INSTITUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
ART 217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
ART 218 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
ART 219 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
ART 220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
ART 221 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
ART 222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
ART 223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ART 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ART 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ART 226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ART 227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ART 228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ART 229 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
TITLE VI. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ART 230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ART 231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ART 232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ART 233 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ART 234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
TITLE VII. INTERIM PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ART 235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ART 236 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ART 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ART 238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
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ART 239 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
ART 240 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Algeria 2020 Page 3

Translated by International IDEA
Reference to country's history

Preamble
Preamble
The Algerian people are a free people; and they are resolved to remain so.
Human dignity Stretching back over thousands of years, their history is marked by a progression of
exertion and struggle that has turned Algeria into an everlasting seedbed of freedom
and a land of glory and dignity.
Ever since the Numidian era and the Islamic Conquest, and up until the wars of
liberation against colonialism, Algeria has always known at the epic moments witnessed
in the Mediterranean basin how to find amongst her children pioneers of freedom, unity
and progress, as well as builders of prosperous democratic states throughout the epochs
of grandeur and peace.
The 1st November 1954 was a turning point in determining her future and a
tremendous crowning of a ferocious resistance during which she withstood the diverse
onslaughts on her culture and values, as well as the fundamental constituents of her
identity, namely Islam, Arabism and Amazighism that the State has been relentlessly
endeavouring to promote and develop each one of them; the roots of her current
exertion in the various domains stretch back to the glorious past of her Nation.
The Algerian people rallied round the national movement and subsequently the National
Liberation Front, and made the ultimate sacrifice in order to assume their collective
destiny under the banner of their recovered freedom and national cultural identity and
to build their authentic people’s constitutional institutions.
Under the leadership of the National Liberation Front and the National Liberation Army,
the Algerian people crowned what their preeminent children made in terms of ultimate
sacrifices during the people’s war of liberation with independence, and built a modern
and fully sovereign state.
The Algerian people were determined to achieve a host of momentous victories marked
by the reclaiming of national riches and the making of a state devoted exclusively to
serving the masses, thus strengthening the legitimacy of the state that exercises its
powers in the service of national independence and free of any foreign pressure.
The Algerian people’s resistance to violent attempts that threaten the unity and
stability of the state has strengthened their adherence to the values of tolerance and
peace. They decided, thanks to their unwavering belief and adherence to their unity, and
in full sovereignty, to implement the Peace and National Reconciliation policy, which has
yielded fruit that they are determined to preserve.
Reference to fraternity/solidarity The Algerian people shall be determined to keep Algeria immune from Fitna, violence
and all forms of extremism, including hate speech and all forms of discrimination, by
establishing their spiritual and civilisational values which call for dialogue, reconciliation
and fraternity within the framework of respect for the Constitution and the laws of the
Republic.
The Algerian people express their eagerness to translate their aspirations in this
Constitution to profound social transformations to build a new Algeria, which have been
expressed peacefully since the launch of the popular movement on 22 February 2019,
in full unity with its People’s National Army.
The Algerian people have always been struggling for freedom and democracy and they
are resolved to uphold their national sovereignty and independence. With this
Constitution, they are determined to establish a host of institutions based on the
participation of every single Algerian man and woman in conducting public affairs and
the capacity to achieve social justice, equality and freedom for everyone within the
framework of a democratic and republican state. The Constitution aspires to be the
appropriate framework for strengthening national ties and guaranteeing democratic
freedoms for citizens.
Algeria 2020 Page 4

Regional group(s) Algeria expresses its commitment to work to prevent and combat corruption as
enshrined in the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption of
11 July 2003, the United Nations Convention against Corruption of 31 October 2003,
and the Arab Convention to Fight Corruption of 21 December 2010.
By approving this Constitution, which is the manifestation of their proper genius, the
reflection of their aspirations, the fruit of their determination and the outcome of the
profound social mutations they have occasioned, the Algerian people shall substantiate
with full appreciation and resoluteness more than ever before the ascendancy of the
law.
The Constitution stands above all; it shall be the fundamental law safeguarding the
individual and collective rights and freedoms. It shall protect the principle of the people’s
freedom of choice, lend legitimacy to the exercise of powers and consecrate the
democratic alternation of power through free and fair elections.
The Constitution shall ensure the separation and balance of powers, the independence
of the judiciary, legal protections, oversight of the work of public authorities, and legal
security.
International law The Algerian people express their complete commitment to human rights as specified in
Regional group(s)
International human rights treaties
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948, the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights (both issued on 16 December 1966), the African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights of 27 June 1981, and the Arab Charter on Human Rights of
23 May 2004.
Protection of environment The Algerian people shall remain committed to their choices in order to restrain class
Right to competitive marketplace
differences and abolish all aspects of regional disparities. They shall work towards
building a productive and competitive economy within the framework of sustainable
development and environmental protection.
Protection of environment The people remain concerned with environmental degradation and the negative effects
of climate change, and they are eager to ensure protection of the natural environment
and the rational use of natural resources in order to preserve them for future
generations.
In recognition of the enormous energy they represent, the participation of the youth of
Algeria— with their aspirations and determination to rise to the political, economic,
social, and cultural challenges—is necessary to build all this and to protect the interests
of future generations and guarantee a quality education for them by the family and the
school.
Terrorism The People’s National Army, successor of the National Liberation Army, shall assume its
Reference to fraternity/solidarity
constitutional duties with utmost commitment and valiant preparedness to sacrifice
whenever national duty demands. The Algerian people are proud of their National Army
and grateful for all the efforts it has exhausted to protect the country from any foreign
threat and for its quintessential role in protecting the citizens, institutions and
properties from the plague of terrorism; those efforts have contributed to strengthening
the nationalistic bond and consecrating the spirit of solidarity between the people and
their army.
The State shall attend to the professionalism of the People’s National Army and to its
modernisation in the manner that enables it to acquire the requisite capabilities to
preserve national independence, defend Algeria’s national sovereignty, her unity and
territorial integrity and protect her land, sea and air boundaries.
Reference to fraternity/solidarity Armed with their deeply-ingrained spiritual values and loyal to their traditions of
solidarity and justice, the people are confident in their ability to contribute effectively to
the cultural, social and economic progress in the world of today and tomorrow.
Regional group(s) Algeria, land of Islam, an integral part of the Great Arab Maghreb and an Arab,
Mediterranean and African country is proud of her radiant Revolution of November 1
and is honoured by the respect she has gained and known how to preserve owing to its
commitment to all the just causes of the world.
Algeria 2020 Page 5

International organizations Committed to peace, human rights, and growth, Algeria’s foreign policy is directed
Regional group(s)
toward strengthening its presence and influence on the international scene through
partnerships based upon mutual interests that are totally concordant with Algeria’s
political, economic, social and cultural national choices, with full respect for the goals and
organizing principles of the UN, the African Union, and the Arab League.
The pride of the Algerian people, their sacrifices, sense of responsibility and inveterate
adherence to freedom and social justice reflect the optimum guarantees of their respect
for the principles of this Constitution which they shall adopt and bequeath to the future
generations, the successors of the pioneers of freedom and the founders of the free
society.
This preamble shall be part and parcel of this Constitution.
TITLE I. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES

GOVERNING THE ALGERIAN SOCIETY
CHAPTER I. ALGERIA
Type of government envisioned ARTICLE 1
Algeria shall be a People’s Democratic Republic. It shall be one and indivisible.
Official religion ART 2

Islam shall be the religion of the State.
Official or national languages ART 3

Arabic shall be the national and official language.
Arabic shall remain the official language of the State.
A High Council for the Arabic Language shall be established under the auspices of the
Reference to science The High Council for the Arabic Language shall be assigned the special task of working
towards the affluence of the Arabic language, the generalisation of its use in scientific
and technological fields and promoting the translation into it for this purpose.
Protection of language use

Official or national languages
ART 4
Tamazight shall also be a national and an official language.
The State shall endeavour to promote and develop it in all its linguistic varieties in use
throughout the national territory.
An Algerian academy for the Tamazight language shall be established under the
authority of the President of the Republic.
It shall be supported by the work of the experts and assigned the task of providing the
necessary requirements to develop the Tamazight language in order to integrate it as an
official language in the future.
The modalities of implementing this Article shall be stipulated by an organic law.
National capital ART 5

The capital of the Republic shall be Algiers.
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National anthem
ART 6
The national emblem and the national anthem are conquests of the Revolution of
November 1, 1954. They shall be unalterable.
These two symbols of the Revolution, having become those of the Republic, shall have
the following features:
1. The national emblem shall be green and white with a red star and crescent moon
placed at the centre.
2. The national anthem shall be "Qassaman" with all its stanzas.
The seal of the State shall be determined by law.
CHAPTER II. THE PEOPLE
ART 7
The people shall be the source of all powers.
National sovereignty shall belong exclusively to the people.
ART 8
The constituent power shall belong to the people.
The people shall exercise their sovereignty through the institutions they establish.
Referenda The people shall exercise this sovereignty by means of referenda and through their
elected representatives.
The President of the Republic may have direct recourse to the expression of the will of
the people.
ART 9
The people shall establish institutions with the objective of:
safeguarding and consolidating national sovereignty and independence;
safeguarding and consolidating the national identity and unity;
protecting the basic freedoms of the citizens and the social and cultural
flourishing of the Nation;
promoting social justice;
eradicating regional disparities in the domain of development;

encouraging the building of a diversified economy that appreciates all the
country’s faculties, be they natural, human or scientific.
protecting the national economy against all forms of misappropriation,

speculation, bribery, illegal trading, abuse, unlawful acquisition and arbitrary
confiscation.
ART 10
The institutions shall not indulge in:
feudal, regionalist and nepotistic practices;
establishing relations of exploitation and bonds of dependency;
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infringing the Islamic morals and the values of the November Revolution.
ART 11
The people shall be free to choose their representatives.
The representation of the people shall have no restrictions save for those specified in
the Constitution and the electoral law.
CHAPTER III. THE STATE
ART 12
The State shall derive its legitimacy and raison d’être from the volition of the people.
"By the people and for the people" shall be the motto of the State.
The State shall exclusively be in the service of the people.
ART 13
The sovereignty of the State shall extend to its territory, airspace and territorial waters.
International law The State shall also exercise its sovereign right, established by international law, over
each of its different zones of maritime space belonging to it.
ART 14
It shall be emphatically prohibited to relinquish or forsake any part of the national
territory.
ART 15
The State shall be founded on the principles of representational democracy, the
separation of powers, and the guarantee of right, freedoms, and social justice.
The elected Assembly shall constitute the framework within which the people shall
express their volition and monitor the action of public authorities.
The State shall promote participatory democracy at the level of local authorities.
ART 16
The local authorities of the State shall be the Municipality and the Wilaya.
The Municipality shall be the basic authority.
The law may confer a special system upon some municipalities.
ART 17
The relationships between the State and the local authorities shall be based on the
principles of decentralization and deconcentration.
ART 18
The elected Assembly shall epitomise the basis of decentralisation and the setting
where citizens partake in running public affairs.
Ownership of natural resources ART 19

Public property shall be an asset of the national community.
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It shall encompass the subsoil, mines and quarries, natural energy sources, and the
mineral, natural and living resources in the various areas of the national maritime
properties, waters and forests.
Telecommunications It shall also encompass the railways, maritime and air transports, the post and
telecommunications, as well as all other assets stipulated by the law.
Protection of environment ART 20

The State shall strive to:
1. Guarantee a safe environment to protect individuals and achieve their well-

being.
2. Improve bio-diversity and the guarantee of ongoing awareness of environmental

risks.
3. Make rational use of water, fossil fuels, and other natural resources.
4. Protect the environment’s land, sea, and air dimensions and the implementation
of all appropriate measures to suppress pollutants.
ART 21
The national domain shall be defined by the law.
It shall comprise the public and private domains of the State, the Wilaya and the
Municipality.
The management of the national domain shall be in conformity with law.
ART 22
The organisation of foreign trade shall be the competency of the State.
The law shall determine the stipulations pertaining to foreign trade practice and control.
ART 23
Outside professions of legislators Any combination between public offices and private activities or self-employment shall
be prohibited.
The creation of any public office or making any public tender whose goal is not in the
public interest shall be prohibited.
Positions and tenures in the civil service shall not constitute a source of enrichment or a
means to serve private interests.
All public officials, in the context of performing their duties, shall avoid conflicts of
interest.
Earnings disclosure requirement Any person appointed to a senior government position, elected or appointed to
Parliament, or elected to a local council, shall disclose their assets before assuming
office and at the end of their tenure.
The modalities of implementing these provisions shall be stipulated by the law.
ART 24
In all cases, public authorities shall respect and apply good governance in public affairs
and shall ensure adherence to the law and transparent regulations that do not contain
provisions that lead to corruption.
ART 25
Abuse of authority and influence-peddling shall be punishable by law.
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ART 26
The administration serves the citizens.
The impartiality of the administration shall be guaranteed by law.
For requests requiring the issuance of an administrative decision, laws shall include a
stipulation that the administration must return a reasoned response within a reasonable
time.
The administration shall deal impartially with the public within the framework of
respecting legitimacy and shall provide service without delay.
ART 27
Public facilities shall ensure equal service and non-discriminatory treatment to all
clientele.
Public facilities shall be based on the principles of continuity, continuous adjustment, and
equitable coverage of the national territory and, when necessary, shall guarantee a
minimum level of service.
Public facilities shall operate in accordance with the standards of quality, efficiency,
oversight, and accountability.
ART 28
The State shall be responsible for the security of people and properties.
ART 29
International law The State shall endeavour to protect the rights and the interests of its citizens abroad in
compliance with international law, the conventions concluded with the host countries or
countries of residence.
Human dignity The State shall attend to preserving the identity and dignity of its citizens residing
abroad, consolidating their ties with the Nation and mobilising their contribution to the
development of their motherland.
ART 30
The consolidation and development of the Nation’s defensive potential shall be
regulated by the National People’s Army.
The National People’s Army shall assume the permanent task of preserving national
independence and defending national sovereignty.
It shall also assume the task of protecting the unity of the country and the integrity of
its land, as well as defending its land, airspace and the various zones of its maritime
domain.
ART 31
Algeria shall not resort to war to impinge on the legitimate sovereignty and the freedom
of other peoples.
She shall endeavour to settle international differences through peaceful means.
International organizations Within the framework of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Arab League,
Regional group(s)
and in full compliance with their principles and goals, Algeria may participate in peace-
keeping and restoration operations.
Reference to fraternity/solidarity
Algeria 2020 Page 10

ART 32
Algeria shall extend her solidarity to all the peoples struggling for political and economic
liberation, for the right of self-determination and against all forms of racial
discrimination.
International human rights treaties
ART 33
International law
Algeria shall work towards strengthening international cooperation and promoting
amicable relations between the states on the basis of equality, mutual interest and non-
interference in domestic affairs. She shall adopt the principles and objectives of the
United Nations’ Charter.
TITLE II. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, PUBLIC

FREEDOMS and DUTIES
CHAPTER I. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND PUBLIC

FREEDOMS
ART 34
1. Constitutional provisions regarding fundamental rights, public freedoms and
guarantees apply to all public authorities and institutions.
2. Any restriction of rights, freedoms and guarantees may only be imposed by

legislation and for reasons related to maintaining public order and security, as
well as those necessary to vouchsafe other rights and freedoms protected by the
Constitution.
3. In all cases, these restrictions shall not prejudice the essence of these rights and
freedoms.
4. In order to guarantee legal security, the State, in implementing legislation

relating to rights and freedoms, shall ensure the readability, accessibility and the
stability of legal texts.
ART 35
1. Fundamental rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the state.
2. The institutions of the Republic shall seek to ensure equality of rights and duties
Right to development of personality
of all citizens by removing the obstacles impeding the development of the human
personality and preventing the effectual participation of all in the political,
economic, social and cultural life.
Requirements for naturalization

Requirements for birthright citizenship
ART 36
1. Algerian nationality shall be defined by the law.
2. The conditions for the acquisition and retention of the Algerian nationality, its
loss, or revocation shall be determined by law.
Equality regardless of parentage

Equality regardless of gender
ART 37
Equality regardless of creed or belief
General guarantee of equality All citizens shall be equal before the law and shall be guaranteed the right to equal
Equality regardless of race
protection.
There shall be no pretext for discrimination on the basis of birth, race, gender, opinion, or
any other personal or social condition or situation.

Right to life ART 38

The right to life is inherent to the human being and protected by the law, and no one
shall be arbitrarily deprived of it.
Prohibition of cruel treatment
ART 39
Human dignity
The inviolability of the human being shall not be infringed.
Any form of physical or moral violence or violation of dignity shall be prohibited and
punishable by law.
Torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, including human trafficking, shall be

punishable by law.
ART 40
The State shall protect women from all forms of violence in all places and situations in
the public, professional, and private spheres.
Protection of victim's rights The law shall guarantee victims access to shelter and care facilities, appropriate appeal
methods, and free legal assistance.
Right to fair trial

Presumption of innocence in trials
ART 41
Every person shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty by an ordinary jurisdiction
in accordance with a fair trial that ensures all the requisite guarantees for his defence.
Right to counsel ART 42

Underprivileged persons shall have access to legal aid.
The law shall determine the conditions for the implementation of this provision.
Principle of no punishment without law

Protection from ex post facto laws
ART 43
No person shall be held guilty except by virtue of a law duly promulgated before the
perpetration of the incriminated act.
Protection from unjustified restraint ART 44

No person shall be prosecuted, arrested or detained except in the cases determined by
law and in accordance with the forms prescribed by it.
Any person arrested must be informed of the reasons for his arrest.
Provisional detention shall be an exceptional measure for which the reasons, period and
conditions of its extension are defined by law.
Acts and facts of arbitrary arrest shall be punishable by law.
Privileges for juveniles in criminal process ART 45

Detention pending a criminal investigation shall be subject to judicial control and shall
not exceed forty-eight (48) hours.
Any person remanded in custody shall have the right to get in touch with his family
immediately.
Any person remanded in custody shall be informed of his right to contact his lawyer. The
exercise of this right may be restricted by the judge in exceptional circumstances
specified by law.
Extended pre-charge detention shall only be effectuated as an exceptional measure in

accordance with the conditions specified by law.

When the term of custody expires an obligatory medical examination shall be carried
out on the person on remand should he so requests; in any case, he shall be informed of
this right.
Medical examination shall be mandatory for minors.
The law shall determine the modalities of implementing this provision.
Protection from false imprisonment ART 46

Any person who is the subject of arbitrary detention, arbitrary temporary confinement,
or miscarriage of justice shall have the right to compensation.
The law shall determine the conditions and modalities of the compensation.
Right to privacy ART 47

Every person shall have the right to the protection of his honor and private life.
Every person shall have the right to the confidentiality of his correspondence and
private communications in all their forms.
The rights mentioned in the first and second paragraphs shall not be infringed except by
reasonable order of the judicial authority.
The protection of individuals when handling personal data shall be a fundamental right.
The violation of these rights shall be punishable by law.

Right to privacy
ART 48
The State shall guarantee the inviolability of the domicile.
No search can be made, except in compliance with a law and in conformity with its
provisions.
A search may only be effectuated by virtue of a warrant issued by the competent

judicial authority.
Freedom of movement ART 49

Every citizen enjoying all civil and political rights shall have the right to freely choose the
place of residence and to move freely within the national territory.
The right of entry and exit from the national territory shall be guaranteed.
Any restriction of these rights shall only be enforced for a specific period and by virtue of
a reasonable decision by the judicial authority.
International law
ART 50
Any foreigner legally present in the national territory shall enjoy legal protection of his
person and property.
No person shall be extradited except in accordance with a ratified international

agreement or under the extradition law.
Protection of stateless persons In no case shall a political refugee with a legal right to asylum be handed over or
extradited.
Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience
Freedom of religion
ART 51
Freedom of conscience and freedom of opinion shall be inviolable.
Freedom of worship shall be guaranteed and exercised without discrimination in

compliance with the law.

The State shall impartially guarantee the protection of places of worship.
ART 52
Freedom of expression Freedom of expression shall be guaranteed.
Freedom of association Freedom of association and public assembly shall be guaranteed upon obtaining a
Freedom of assembly
permit. The law shall determine the modalities for exercising these freedoms.
Freedom of association ART 53

The right to form associations shall be guaranteed upon obtaining a permit.
An organic law shall determine the modalities for the establishing of associations.
Associations shall not be dissolved except by virtue of a judicial decision.
Freedom of press
State operation of the media
ART 54
Freedom of the press, be it written, audiovisual, or on media networks, shall be
guaranteed equally for all public and private media outlets. It shall not be restricted by
any form of prior censorship.
Freedom of the press shall include in particular the following:
freedom of expression and creativity of journalists and media collaborators
the journalist’s right to access sources of information within the framework of

respect for the laws in force
the right to protection of the journalist and his professional confidentiality
the right to publish and investigate upon obtaining a permit to do so

Television
Radio
the right to establish television and radio channels and websites and newspapers
within the conditions specified by law
the right to publish news, ideas, photos, and opinions within the legal framework
while respecting the community’s heritage and religious, social, and cultural
values
This freedom shall not be exploited to infringe upon the dignity, liberty, and rights of
others.
The publication of discriminatory of hate speech shall be prohibited.
Press offences shall not incur a custodial sentence.
Right to information ART 55

The citizen shall have the right to access, acquire, and transmit information, documents
and statistics.
The exercise of this right shall not infringe on the private life and the rights of others, the
legitimate interests of institutions, or the requirements of national security.
The law shall determine the modalities for exercising this right.
Restrictions on voting ART 56

Every citizen meeting the legal requirements shall have the right to vote and to be
elected.

Right to form political parties
ART 57
The right to establish political parties shall be acknowledged and guaranteed.

Prohibited political parties Political parties may not be founded on a religious, linguistic, ethnic, gender, corporatist
or regional basis.
This right may not be invoked in order to undermine fundamental freedoms, the
essential components of the national identity, national unity, the security and integrity of
the national territory, the independence of the country, the sovereignty of the people, or
the democratic and republican nature of the State.
Political parties may not have recourse to party propaganda based on the elements
referred to in the previous paragraph.
The State shall ensure equitable treatment of all political parties.
All political parties shall be forbidden from having any form of affiliation with foreign
interests or entities.
No political party shall resort to violence or hatred of any type or form.
An organic law shall determine the means of establishing political parties and may not
include provisions that infringe upon the freedom to create them.
The administration shall refrain from any practice that, by its nature, prevents the
exercise of this right.
Campaign financing ART 58

In compliance with the provisions of the abovementioned Article 57, the authorized
political parties shall have the following particular rights:
freedom of opinion, expression and assembly;
airtime in public media outlets proportional to their representation at national

level;
public funding, if appropriate, based on their representation in Parliament, as

determined by the law;
exercising power at local and national levels through democratic alternation in

accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
First chamber representation quotas

Second chamber representation quotas
ART 59
The State shall work towards promoting the political rights of women by increasing their
chances of access to representation in elected assemblies.
The modalities of implementing this Article shall be determined by an organic law.
Right to own property ART 60

Private property shall be guaranteed.
Protection from expropriation Property shall not be expropriated except within the scope of the law and with equitable
compensation.
Right to transfer property The right to inheritance shall be guaranteed.
The holdings of the waqf and charitable organizations shall be acknowledged, and their
allocations shall be protected by law.
Right to competitive marketplace ART 61

Freedom of commerce and industry shall be guaranteed.
The law shall determine which investments, by virtue of their strategic nature,
necessitate that state hold the majority share or direct or indirect control.

The law shall put in place appropriate mechanisms responsible for providing a sustained
business climate and shall create procedures to achieve, manage, and liquidate
investments transparently and efficiently in a way that ensures true and fair
competition.
Right to competitive marketplace ART 62

The State shall regulate the market.
The law shall determine the rules related to establishment, organization, and operation
of regulatory authorities with respect for the principle of their independence.
Protection of consumers ART 63

Public authorities shall guarantee the protection, security, safety, health, and economic
rights of the consumer.
Right to water ART 64

The right to obtain safe drinking water shall be guaranteed. The State shall ensure the
rational usage and preservation of water for future generations.
Right to health care ART 65

All persons shall have the right to healthcare.
The State shall ensure the quality of treatment and the continuity of health services.
The State shall be responsible for preventing and combating epidemic and endemic
diseases and shall permanently improve living and working conditions.
The State shall ensure the provision of treatment conditions for the indigent.
The State shall ensure the promotion of physical education, sports, and entertainment.
Right to shelter ART 66

The State shall contribute to enabling citizens to find housing.
The State shall work towards facilitating the access to housing for disadvantaged
categories.
Protection of environment ART 67

Citizens shall have the right to a healthy environment within a framework of sustainable
growth.
The State shall work towards preserving the environment.
The law shall determine the obligations of natural and legal persons pertaining to the
protection of the environment.
ART 68
The right to education shall be guaranteed. The State shall ensure the continued
improvement of the quality of education.
Free education Public education shall be free within the conditions fixed by law.
Compulsory education Primary education shall be compulsory.
The State shall guarantee impartiality in educational institutions and shall uphold their
pedagogical and academic quality.
Access to higher education The State shall protect equal access to schooling and vocational training.

ART 69
Right to work All citizens shall have the right to work. This right is inseparable from the duty to work.
Duty to work
Right to safe work environment The right to protection, security and hygiene at work shall be guaranteed by law.
Right to rest and leisure The right to rest shall be guaranteed. Law shall determine the modalities of its exercise.
The right to social security for workers shall be guaranteed by law.
Limits on employment of children Employment of children below the age of sixteen (16) shall be punishable by law.
The State shall work towards promoting apprenticeship and putting in place the policies
that support job creation.
Prohibition of slavery All forms of forced labor shall be prohibited.
Compulsory work shall be prohibited with the exception of cases decreed by law.
The law shall define the conditions for exploiting people for the public interest.
Right to reasonable standard of living Every worker shall have the right to a guaranteed minimum wage.
Civil service recruitment ART 70

All citizens shall have equal access to functions and employment in the State, without
any conditions other than those stipulated by law.
ART 71
The State shall work towards promoting equity in terms of opportunities between men
and women in the job market.
The State shall encourage the promotion of women to positions of responsibility in public
institutions and administrations, as well as in the enterprises.
Right to join trade unions ART 72

The right to belong to a trade union shall be acknowledged for all workers. The law shall
guarantee the freedom to exercise this right.
Economic sector traders may organize within employer organizations within the legal
framework.
Right to strike ART 73

The right to strike shall be acknowledged. It shall be exercised within the framework of
the law.
The law may prohibit or restrict the exercise of the right to strike in the fields of national
defense and security, or for services and public activities which are of vital interest to
the community.
Rights of children
Right to found a family
ART 74
The family shall enjoy the protection of the State and society.
The family, society and the State shall protect the rights of children in the best interest
of the child.
State support for children The State shall take responsibility for abandoned or non-affiliated children.
Under penalty of prosecution, parents shall have the obligation to ensure the education
of their children, and children shall have the duty to provide help and assistance to their
parents.

The law shall punish violence against and exploitation of children.
State support for children ART 75

The State shall ensure the provision of all institutional and material means to develop
the capabilities of youth and stimulate their creative energies.
The State shall encourage youth to participate in political life.
The State shall protect youth from social ills.
The law shall determine the conditions for application of this Article.
State support for the elderly ART 76

The State shall guarantee that the elderly and underprivileged groups with special
needs enjoy all the recognized rights of citizens and shall integrate them into social life.
The State shall guarantee the abovementioned individuals the right to obtain a
minimum income in the event of chronic illness, incapacity to work, or the loss of family
support.
The law shall determine the conditions and modalities of applying these provisions.
Human dignity
ART 77
The living conditions of citizens below the legal working age and those who cannot work
or can never work again shall be guaranteed by the State within a framework of respect
for human dignity.
Reference to art
ART 78
Human dignity
Freedom of intellectual creativity has artistic and scientific dimensions.
This freedom may not be infringed except if it violates the dignity of individuals.
The law shall protect the rights of intellectual creativity. These rights cannot constitute
a hindrance to the use of works resulting from intellectual creativity when required by
the public interest or to preserve the cultural and national heritage and develop
education and scientific research.
Right to academic freedom
ART 79
Academic freedom and freedom of scientific research shall be guaranteed rights.
The State shall work towards promoting and valorising scientific research to further the
Nation’s sustainable development.
Right to culture ART 80

The right to culture shall be guaranteed for all citizens.
Each person shall have an equal right to culture.
The State shall protect and work towards preserving the tangible and intangible
national cultural heritage.
Right of petition ART 81

Each citizen shall have the right to submit to the public authorities, on his own or with
others, petitions for the purpose of filing grievances in the public interest or with regards
to behaviors that violate their fundamental rights.
Each petitioner shall have the right to be notified of the results of his inquiry within a
reasonable time.

CHAPTER II. DUTIES
ART 82
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Laws and regulations shall not be invoked until after published in official channels.
Duty to obey the constitution Every person shall respect the Constitution and shall comply with the laws of the
Republic.
ART 83
Every citizen shall assume the duty of protecting and safeguarding the country’s
independence and sovereignty, the integrity of its national territory, the unity of its
people and all the attributes of the State.
Treason, espionage, defection to the enemy, and all offences committed against the
security of the State, shall be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
ART 84
Every citizen shall faithfully undertake his obligations vis-à-vis the national community.
Duty to serve in the military The commitment of the citizen towards his Mother Country and the obligation to
contribute to its defence shall be sacred and permanent duties.
Reference to country's history The State shall guarantee the respect for the symbols of the Revolution, the memory of
the Shouhada’ and the dignity of their dependants and that of the Mujahidin.
The State, furthermore, shall endeavour to promote the writing of history and its
teaching to the younger generations.
ART 85
All individual freedoms shall be exercised within the respect of the rights of others
recognised by the Constitution; in particular, the respect of the right to honour, privacy
and the protection of the family, the youth and childhood.
Duty to pay taxes ART 86

Each person shall pay taxes according to his fiscal ability.
All taxpayers shall be equal in respect of taxation. The law shall determine the cases
and circumstances in which taxes may be waived in full or in part.
Any action to circumvent the principle of equality among taxpayers and persons,
whether natural or legal, shall be considered an infringement of the interests of the
national community and shall be punishable by law.
The law shall punish tax evasion, tax fraud, and capital flight.
No tax may be imposed except by reason of a law.
No tax, contribution, excise, or right of any kind may be imposed with retroactive effect.
ART 87
The duty of every citizen is to protect public property and the interests of the national
community and to respect the property of others.

TITLE III. ORGANISATION AND SEPARATION

OF POWERS
CHAPTER I. THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

Name/structure of executive(s) ART 88
The President of the Republic, Head of State, shall embody the unity of the Nation and
shall guarantee the unity of the national territory.
He shall protect and guarantee respect for the Constitution.
He shall embody the State within the country and abroad.
He shall reserve the right to address the Nation directly.
Head of state selection ART 89

Claim of universal suffrage The President of the Republic shall be elected by universal, direct and secret suffrage.
Secret ballot
The election shall be won by an absolute majority of votes cast.
The other terms of the presidential election shall be prescribed by an organic law.
ART 90
The President of the Republic shall exercise the supreme magistracy within the limits
defined by the Constitution.
Eligibility for head of state ART 91

To be eligible for the Presidency of the Republic, the candidate shall:
not have acquired a foreign nationality;
have, solely, the native Algerian nationality and certify the native Algerian
nationality of the father and mother;
be Muslim;
Minimum age of head of state
be forty (40) years old on election day;
enjoy full civil and political rights;
prove the exclusive native Algerian nationality of the spouse;
justify a permanent residence only in Algeria for a minimum of ten (10) years
preceding the submission of the candidacy;
justify his participation in the Revolution of 1 November 1954 for the candidates
born befor July 1942;
justify the non-involvement of the parents of the candidate born after July 1942,
in hostile acts against the Revolution of 1st November 1954;
submit a public declaration of his movable and immovable property, both inside
and outside Algeria.
Other conditions shall be prescribed by an organic law.

ART 92
Head of state term length The presidential term shall be five (5) years.
Head of state term limits No one may serve more than two consecutive or discontinuous terms. In the event a
presidential term is interrupted because of resignation or any other reason, the term is
considered complete.
ART 93
The President of the Republic shall take an oath before the people and in the presence of
the high authorities of the Nation, in the week following his election.
He shall take office after being sworn in.

ART 94
God or other deities
The President of the Republic shall take the Oath in the following terms:
”In the Name of Allah the most Merciful the most Compassionate. Faithful to the great
sacrifices and to the memory of our martyrs as well as to the ideals of the eternal
November Revolution, I do solemnly swear by Allah the Almighty that I shall respect
and glorify the Islamic religion, defend the Constitution, see to the continuity of the
State and provide the necessary conditions for the normal functioning of the
reinforcement of the democratic process, respect the free choice of the people as well as
the institutions and laws of the Republic, preserve public assets and funds, preserve the
integrity of the national territory, the unity of the people and the nation, protect the
freedoms and the fundamental human and citizen’s rights, work relentlessly towards the
development and progress of the people and endeavour with all my strength to achieve
the great ideals of justice, freedom and peace in the world. And Allah is my witness”.
Head of state powers ART 95

In addition to the powers explicitly conferred upon him by other provisions of the
Constitution, the President of the Republic shall have the following powers and
prerogatives:
1. he shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic;

Designation of commander in chief
2. he shall be responsible for National Defence;
3. he shall decide to send army units abroad after ratification of the Parliament by a
2/3 majority;
4. he shall decide and conduct the foreign policy of the Nation;
5. he shall chair the Council of Ministers;
6. he may appoint the Prime Minister and terminate his functions and may delegate
to him some of his powers, except for those stipulated in Article 97;
7. he shall both appoint the head of the government and terminate his functions
after consultation with the parliamentary majority;
8. he shall hold regulatory authority;
9. he shall sign the presidential decrees;
10. he shall have the right to grant pardons, the right to remission or commutation of
Power to pardon
punishment;
11. he may refer, on any issue of national importance, to the people by means of
Referenda
referendum;
12. he shall summon the electorate;

13. he shall conclude and ratify international treaties;

Treaty ratification
International law 14. he shall award decorations, distinctions and honorary titles of the State.
The President of the Republic shall appoint:
1. to posts and mandates provided by the Constitution;
2. to civil and military posts of the State;

Selection of active-duty commanders
3. to posts decided by the Council of Ministers;
4. the First President of the Supreme Court;

5. the President of the Council of State;
6. the President of the Accountability Council;
7. the Secretary General of the Government;
8. the Governor of the Bank of Algeria;

Central bank
9. the judges;
Ordinary court selection
Supreme court selection 10. the officials of security organs;
11. the Walis;
12. the directors of regulatory authorities.
Foreign affairs representative The President of the Republic shall appoint and recall ambassadors and special envoys
of the Republic abroad.
Foreign affairs representative He shall receive the letters of credence and recall of foreign diplomatic representatives.
In addition to the functions set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 above, an organic law shall
determine the other judicial functions to which the President of the Republic shall
appoint.
International law ART 97

The President of the Republic may not, in any case, delegate the power to appoint the
head of the government, the members of the Government as well as the Presidents and
members of constitutional institutions for which no other mode of designation is
stipulated by the Constitution.
Similarly, he may not delegate his power to call for referendum, dissolve the People’s
National Assembly, decide on anticipated legislative elections and implement the
provisions of Articles 91, 92, 105, 107-109, 111, 142, 144, 145 and 146 of the
Constitution.
Head of state replacement

ART 98
Deputy executive
When the President of the Republic, because of a serious and lasting illness, is totally
unable to perform his functions, the Constitutional Court shall meet de jure and, after
having verified the reality of the impediment by all appropriate means, it shall propose
to Parliament, by a three-fourths (3⁄4) majority of its members, to declare the state of
impediment.
Joint meetings of legislative chambers Parliament, convened in a joint session of both Chambers, shall declare the state of
impediment of the President of the Republic, by a majority of two thirds (2/3) of its
members.
The appointed Vice President shall be the acting Head of State, for a maximum period of
forty-five (45) days, and shall exercise his authorities in accordance with the provisions

of Article 104 of the Constitution.
If the impediment continues at the expiry of the period of forty-five (45) days, there
shall be a declaration of vacancy by a resignation de jure, in pursuance to the procedure
referred to in the paragraphs above and the provisions of the following paragraphs of
this Article.
In case of resignation or death of the President of the Republic, the Constitutional Court
shall meet de jure and confirm the permanent vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic.
It shall immediately communicate the act of declaration of permanent vacancy to
Parliament, which shall meet de jure.
The Vice President of the Republic shall be the acting President of the State and shall
undertake to the duties of the President of the Republic for the reminder of the
presidential term. He may not appoint a Vice President.
In the event the President of the Council of the Nation assumes the function of the
acting Head of State, he shall discharge his duties in this regard for a maximum period of
ninety (90) days, during which presidential elections shall be organized. This period may
be extended upon requesting an opinion from the Constitutional Court. The Head of
State so designated may not be a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic.
In case of coincidence of the resignation or death of the President of the Republic with
the vacancy of the Vice President of the Republic, for any reason whatsoever, the
Constitutional Court shall meet de jure and declare unanimously the permanent
vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic and the incapacity of the Vice President of the
Republic. In this case, the President of the Council of the Nation shall assume the
function of the Head of State, in pursuance to the terms provided in the preceding
paragraphs of this Article and Article 104 of the Constitution.
If the position of President of the Council of the Nation is vacant, the President of the
Constitutional Court shall assume the Presidency of the State according to the
conditions and procedures adopted above.
ART 99
If a candidacy for the presidential election has been validated by the Constitutional
Court, the withdrawal can only occur in cases of serious impediment duly noted by the
Constitutional Court or the death of the candidate concerned.
If one of the two candidates for the second round withdraws, the electoral process shall
continue without taking the withdrawal into account.
In case of death or legal incapacity of one of the two candidates in the second round, the
Constitutional Court shall declare that the whole electoral process must be held again. It
shall extend, in this case, the period for the organisation of new elections for a maximum
of sixty (60) days.
When applying the provisions of this Article, the President of the Republic in office or
who assumes the function of Head of State shall remain in office until the President of
the Republic takes the oath.
An organic law shall determine the conditions and modalities of implementation of these
provisions.
Joint meetings of legislative chambers ART 100

The Government in office at the time of the impediment, death or resignation of the
President of the Republic cannot be dismissed or reshuffled until the new President of
the Republic undertakes his duties.
Head of government replacement If the Head of the Government in office becomes a candidate for the Presidency of the
Republic, he shall resign de jure. The function of the Head of the Government shall be
assumed by another member of the Government appointed by the Head of State.
During the periods stipulated in Articles 102 and 103 above, the provisions in
paragraphs 7 and 8 of Article 91 and Articles 93, 142, 147, 154, 155, 208, 210 and
211 of the Constitution may not be applied.

During these same periods, the provisions of Articles 105, 107, 108, 109 and 111 of
the Constitution cannot be implemented without the approval of Parliament, convened
in a joint session of both Chambers. The Constitutional Court and the High Council of
Security ought to be consulted beforehand.
Establishment of cabinet/ministers
CHAPTER II. THE GOVERNMENT
Name/structure of executive(s) ART 101
The Government shall be composed of the Head of Government and the Ministers.
Cabinet selection ART 102

The President of the Republic shall appoint the members of the Government at the
proposal of the Head of Government.
ART 103
The Head of Government shall develop an action plan and present it in the Council of
Ministers.
ART 104
The Head of Government shall submit an action plan for the Government to the
People’s National Assembly for its approval. The latter shall hold a public debate for this
purpose.
The Head of Government may, in light of this debate, adapt this action plan in
consultation with the President of the Republic.
The Head of Government shall submit a statement regarding the Government’s action
plan to the Council of the Nation as approved by the People’s National Assembly.
In this regard, the Council of the Nation may adopt a resolution.
Cabinet removal
ART 105
Head of government replacement
In case of non-approval of the action plan of the Government by the People’s National
Assembly, the Head of Government shall tender the resignation of the Government to
the President of the Republic.
The latter shall appoint a new Prime Minister pursuant to the same modalities.
Dismissal of the legislature ART 106

If the approval of the People’s National Assembly is not obtained, the People’s National
Assembly shall be dissolved de jure.
The Government in office shall be kept in position in order to manage daily affairs until a
new People’s National Assembly is elected within a maximum period of three (3)
months.
ART 107
The Head of Government shall execute and coordinate the action plan adopted by the
People’s National Assembly.
Head of government selection ART 108

The President of the Republic may, after consultation with a majority of the Parliament,
appoint the Head of Government and charge him with drafting the parliamentary
majority plan.

In this case, the Head of Government shall present this plan to Parliament for its
approval in accordance with the conditions stipulated in Paragraphs 1, 3, and 4 of Article
104 and in Articles 105 and 106.

Cabinet removal
ART 109
The Head of Government shall annually present to the People’s National Assembly, a
statement of general policy.
The statement of general policy shall lead to a debate on Government action.
This debate may end up with a resolution.
It can also lead to the filing of a motion of censure by the People’s National Assembly in
accordance with the provisions of Articles 153, 154 and 155 below.
The Prime Minister may ask the People’s National Assembly for a vote of confidence.
If the motion of confidence is not passed, the Head of Government shall tender the
resignation of the Government.
In this case, the President of the Republic may, before accepting the resignation, make
use of the provisions of Article 147 below.
The Head of Government may also submit a statement of public policy to the Council of
the Nation.
Head of government powers ART 110

In addition to the powers explicitly conferred upon him by other provisions of the
Constitution, the Head of Government shall exercise the following functions:
1. he shall direct, coordinate, and oversee the operation of the Government;
2. he shall allocate the functions to the members of the Government in accordance

with the constitutional provisions;
3. he shall implement the laws and regulations;
4. he may delegate some of his powers to the Ministers;
5. he shall chair the meetings of the Government;
6. he shall sign the executive decrees;
7. he shall appoint the State’s civil posts that do not fall within the President of the
Republic’s power of appointment;
8. he shall ensure the good functioning of the public administration and public
facilities.
ART 111
The Head of Government may tender to the President of the Republic the resignation of
the Government.
Emergency provisions ART 112

Advisory bodies to the head of state In case of urgent necessity, after convening the High Council of Security, and consulting
the President of the Council of the Nation, the President of the People’s National
Assembly, the Head of Government, and the President of the Constitutional Court, the
President of the Republic shall decree the state of emergency or the state of siege, for a
period of thirty (30) days, and take all necessary measures to restore the situation.
Joint meetings of legislative chambers The duration of the state of emergency or the state of siege can be extended only after
approval of Parliament, convened in joint session of both Chambers.

Emergency provisions ART 113

The organisation of the state of emergency and the state of siege shall be defined by an
organic law.
Advisory bodies to the head of state

ART 114
When the country is threatened by an imminent danger to its institutions, its
independence or its territorial integrity, the President of the Republic shall decree the
state of exception for a period of sixty (60) days.
Such a measure shall be taken after consulting the President of the Council of the
Nation, the President of the People’s National Assembly and the President of the
Constitutional Court, and after hearing the High Council of Security and the Council of
Ministers. The state of exception shall empower the President of the Republic to take
exceptional measures that are fundamental to safeguarding the independence of the
Nation and the institutions of the Republic.
An address to the nation shall be made in this regard.
Parliament shall be convened de jure.
Upon termination of the 60-day period, the President of the Republic shall present the
decrees he issued during the state of exception to the Constitutional Court to receive
the Court’s opinion on these decrees.
Joint meetings of legislative chambers The state of exception may not be extended except with the joint approval of both
chambers of Parliament.
The state of exception shall be terminated according to the same aforementioned forms
and procedures that led to its proclamation.
Advisory bodies to the head of state ART 115

The President of the Republic shall decree the general mobilization in the Council of
Ministers after having heard the High Council of Security and having consulted with the
President of the Council of the Nation and the President of the People’s National
Assembly.
Power to declare/approve war ART 116

International organizations The President of the Republic shall declare war in case of actual or imminent aggression,
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter, after having
convened the Council of Ministers, having heard the High Council of Security and having
consulted the President of the Council of the Nation, the President of the People’s
National Assembly and the President of the Constitutional Court.
Parliament shall be convened de jure.
The President of the Republic shall deliver a speech to inform the Nation.
ART 117
During the period of the state of war, the Constitution shall be suspended; the President
of the Republic shall assume all the powers.
When the mandate of the President of the Republic comes to expiry, it shall be extended
de jure until the end of the war.
Head of state replacement In case the President of the Republic resigns or dies or any other impediment, the Vice
Deputy executive
President of the Republic shall be entrusted as the Head of State and within the same
conditions as that of the President of the Republic, all the prerogatives required by the
state of war.
Head of state replacement In case there is a conjunction of the vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic and the
position of Vice President of the Republic, the President of the Council of the Nation

shall assume the functions of the Head of State within the conditions provided for above.
International law
ART 118
Treaty ratification
The President of the Republic shall sign armistice agreements and peace treaties.
He shall obtain the opinion of the Constitutional Court on the relevant agreements.
He shall submit the agreements immediately to be approved explicitly by each Chamber

of Parliament.
CHAPTER III. THE PARLIAMENT

Structure of legislative chamber(s) ART 119
The legislative power shall be exercised by a Parliament, consisting of two Chambers,
the People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation.
Parliament shall draft and vote the laws in a sovereign manner.
ART 120
Parliament shall monitor the action of the Government within the conditions defined by
Articles 94, 98, 151 and 152 of the Constitution.
The monitoring, prescribed in Articles 153 to 155 of the Constitution, shall be carried
out by the People’s National Assembly.
ART 121
The parliamentary opposition shall have rights enabling effective participation in
parliamentary activities and in political life, including:
1. the freedom of opinion, expression and assembly;
2. the benefit of financial aid granted to the elected members of Parliament;
3. the effective participation in legislative activities and oversight of government

activity;
4. representation that ensures it has active participation in the organs of both

Legislative committees
Chambers of Parliament, especially the presidency of the rotating committees;
5. the referral to the Constitutional Court in accordance with the provisions of

Article 187 (paragraphs 2 and 3) of the Constitution, concerning the laws passed
by Parliament;
6. the participation in parliamentary diplomacy.
Each Chamber of Parliament shall devote a monthly session to discuss an agenda

presented by one or some parliamentary groups of the opposition.
The modalities of application of this Article shall be described in the Rules of Procedure
of each Chamber of Parliament.
ART 122
Parliament shall, within its constitutional prerogatives, remain faithful to the trust of the
people and be permanently aware of their aspirations.
ART 123
The deputy or the member of the Council of the Nation shall be fully devoted to fulfilling
his mandate.

Legislative committees The rules of procedure of the People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation
shall contain provisions on the obligation of effective participation of their members in
the works of the committees and plenary sessions, under penalty of sanctions applicable
in case of absence.
Quorum for legislative sessions Both chambers of Parliament shall vote on laws and regulations with the attendance of
a majority of their members.
ART 124
The Government may request parliamentary approval of draft laws according to
expedited approval as specified in the organic law on regulating the work of public
authorities.
Removal of individual legislators

ART 125
The elected member of the People’s National Assembly or the Council of the Nation,
affiliated to a political party, who would voluntarily change the affiliation under the aegis
of which he was elected, shall forfeit his electoral mandate as of right.
The Constitutional Court notified by the President of the relevant Chamber shall declare
the vacancy of seat. The law shall define the modalities of his replacement.
The deputy, who has resigned from his party or has been excluded, shall retain his
mandate as an unaffiliated Member of Parliament.
Second chamber selection

Secret ballot
ART 126
Eligibility for second chamber
Claim of universal suffrage The members of the People’s National Assembly shall be elected by universal, direct and
First chamber selection
secret suffrage.
Municipal government Two-thirds (2/3) of the Members of the Council of the Nation shall be elected by indirect
and secret suffrage, with two seats per Wilaya, among members of the People’s
Communal Assemblies and members of the People’s Wilaya Assemblies.
Reference to science One-third (1/3) of the members of the Council of the Nation shall be appointed by the
President of the Republic among national personalities and qualified experts from
scientific, professional, economic, and social fields.

Term length for first chamber The People’s National Assembly shall be elected for a period of five (5) years.
Term length of second chamber The mandate of the Council of the Nation shall be limited to six (6) years.
Half the members of the Council of the Nation shall be renewed every three (3) years.
The mandate of Parliament cannot be extended unless there are very exceptional
circumstances which hinder the normal course of elections.
This situation shall be ascertained by a decision of Parliament, convened in a joint

session of both Chambers, at the suggestion of the President of the Republic and having
consulted the Constitutional Court.
Term limits for first chamber No one may serve more than two continuous or discontinuous terms in Parliament.
Term limits of second chamber
Eligibility for second chamber

ART 128
The modalities of the election of deputies and those relating to the election or
designation of members of the Council of the Nation, the conditions of eligibility, the
clauses of ineligibility and incompatibility as well as the system of parliamentary
allowances shall be defined by an organic law.

ART 129
The validation of the mandate of the deputies and that of the members of the Council of
the Nation shall be within the respective competence of each of the two Chambers.
Outside professions of legislators ART 130

The mandate of the deputy and the member of the Council of the Nation shall be
national. It can be renewed and not concurrent with other mandate or function.
Removal of individual legislators ART 131

The deputy or the member of the Council of the Nation who does not fulfil or no longer
meets the requirements of his eligibility shall incur the forfeiture of his mandate.
This forfeiture shall be decided, as appropriate, by the People’s National Assembly or

the Council of the Nation by the majority of their members.
Removal of individual legislators ART 132

The deputy or the member of the Council of the Nation shall be accountable to his peers
who can revoke his mandate if he commits an act unworthy of his function.
The rules of procedure of each of the two Chambers shall define the conditions of
dismissing a deputy or a member of the Council of the Nation. The dismissal shall be
decided, as appropriate, by the People’s National Assembly or the Council of the Nation,
by the majority of its members without prejudice to any other common law proceedings.
ART 133
The conditions by which Parliament accepts the resignation of one of its members shall
be defined by an organic law.
Immunity of legislators ART 134

Members of Parliament shall be granted immunity for any actions related to their duties
as specified in the Constitution.
Immunity of legislators ART 135

Members of Parliament may be the subject of litigation for any actions unrelated to
their parliamentary duties after the member’s express waiver of his immunity or after a
decision to lift immunity in accordance with conditions specified by law.
Standing committees
ART 136
Removal of individual legislators
In case of flagrant offence or flagrant crime, the deputy or the member of the Council of
the Nation may be arrested. The Bureau of the People’s National Assembly or of the
Council of the Nation, depending on the case, shall be informed immediately.
The informed Bureau may request the suspension of lawsuits and the release of the
deputy or the member of the Council of the Nation; then, it shall be proceeded according
to the abovementioned provisions of Article 127.
Replacement of legislators ART 137

An organic law shall define the conditions pertaining to the replacement of a deputy or a
member of the Council of the Nation in case his seat becomes vacant.
Standing committees
Legislative committees
ART 138
The term of the legislature shall start de jure on the fifteenth (15th) day following the
date of announcement of the results by the Constitutional Court, under the

chairmanship of the oldest member of the People’s National Assembly, assisted by the
two youngest deputies.
The People’s National Assembly shall elect its Bureau and form its Committees.
The abovementioned provisions shall apply to the Council of the Nation.
Leader of first chamber

Leader of second chamber
ART 139
The President of the People’s National Assembly shall be elected for the term of the
legislature.
The President of the Council of the Nation shall be elected after each partial renewal of
the composition of the Council.
ART 140
The organisation and functioning of the People’s National Assembly and the Council of
the Nation, as well as the functional relations between the Chambers of Parliament and
the Government shall be defined by an organic law.
The budget of the two Chambers shall be determined by law.
The People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation shall draft and adopt their
rules of procedure.
Publication of deliberations
Public or private sessions
ART 141
The sessions of Parliament shall be public.
The proceedings shall be recorded in a book and published in accordance with the
conditions defined by an organic law.
The People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation may sit in camera upon a
request made by their presidents, by the majority of their members present or by the
Head of Government.
Legislative committees ART 142

The People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation shall set up standing
committees within the framework of their rules of procedure.
Each standing committee at each Chamber may establish a temporary fact-finding

mission on a specific topic or situation.
The rules of procedure of each Chamber shall define the provisions governing the fact-
finding mission.
Length of legislative sessions ART 143

Parliament shall meet in one ordinary session each year, for a minimum period of ten
(10) months.
This session shall begin on the second working day of the month of September and shall
end on the last working day of the month of June.
So as to complete the ongoing review of an item on the agenda, the Head of

Government may request an extension of the ordinary session for few days.
Extraordinary legislative sessions Parliament may be convened in extraordinary session on the initiative of the President
of the Republic.
Extraordinary legislative sessions It may also be summoned by the President of the Republic at the request of the Head of
Government or at the request of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the People’s
National Assembly.

The closure of the extraordinary session shall take place after Parliament has
completed the agenda for which it was convened.
ART 144
Parliament shall legislate on the subject matters assigned to it by the Constitution as
well as in the following fields:
1. the fundamental rights and duties of individuals, particularly the legal regime of
public freedoms, the safeguarding of individual freedoms, and the duties of the
citizens;
2. the general rules pertaining to personal status and family law and particularly to
marriage, divorce, filiation, legal capacity and inheritance;
3. the conditions of settlement for individuals;
4. basic legislation concerning nationality;
5. general rules pertaining to the status of foreigners;
6. rules concerning the creation of jurisdictions;
7. general rules of criminal law and criminal procedure and particularly the
determination of crimes and offences, the institution of the corresponding
penalties of any kind, amnesty, extradition and the penitentiary regime;
8. the general rules of civil and administrative procedure and the enforcement
procedures;
9. the system of civil and commercial obligations and property;
10. the general rules related to public tenders;
11. the territorial division of the country;
12. the vote on the finance law;
13. the introduction of the tax base and tax rates, contributions, duties and fees of
every kind;
14. the customs system;
15. the general regulations concerning the issuing of money, the banking regime,
credit and insurance;
16. general rules relating to education and scientific research;

17. general rules relating to public health and population;
18. general rules relating to labour law, social security and the right to organise;
19. general rules relating to the environment, living conditions, and town and country
planning;
20. general rules relating to the protection of the fauna and flora;
Protection of environment
21. protection and preservation of cultural and historical heritage;

Right to culture
22. general regulation for forests and pasture lands;

Protection of environment
23. general water system;
24. general system for mines and hydrocarbons;
25. land tenure;
26. the fundamental guarantees granted to public officials and the general statute of
Public Service;

27. the general rules pertaining to National Defence and the mobilisation of the
Armed Forces by civil authorities;
28. the rules governing the transfer of property from the public to the private sector;
29. the establishment of categories of legal entities;
30. the creation of decorations, distinctions and honorific titles of the State.
Organic laws ART 145

In addition to the domains earmarked by the Constitution for regulation by organic law,
the following domains shall be subject to regulation by organic law:
the organisation and functioning of public authorities;
the electoral system;
law on Political Parties;
law on Information;
the status of the magistracy and the judicial organisation;
the framework law on Finance Laws.
The organic law shall be adopted by an absolute majority of the deputies and the
members of the Council of the Nation.
It shall be submitted to the Constitutional Court to ascertain its conformity prior to its
promulgation.
Head of state decree power ART 146

In case the People’s National Assembly is in recess during the time periods specified in
Article 156, the President of the Republic may legislate on urgent matters by ordinance,
after consultation with the Council of State.
The President of the Republic shall submit the texts he adopts for ratification to each of
the Chambers of Parliament within a month of the beginning of its first session.
Ordinances not adopted by Parliament, or not presented to Parliament for approval

according to the time periods stipulated above, shall be null and void.
Emergency provisions In case of a state of emergency defined in Article 107 of the Constitution, the President
of the Republic may legislate by ordinances.
The ordinances shall be passed in the Council of Ministers.
Initiation of general legislation ART 147

The Head of Government, deputies and members of the Council of the Nation shall have
the right to initiate laws.
To be admissible, the proposed laws shall be introduced by fifteen (15) deputies or

fifteen (15) members of the Council of the Nation in the matters stipulated in Article
137 below.
Standing committees Draft laws shall be presented in the Council of Ministers, following the opinion of the
Council of State, and then submitted by the Head of Government, as applicable, to the
Bureau of the People’s National Assembly or that of the Council of the Nation.
Standing committees
Second chamber reserved policy areas
ART 148
First chamber reserved policy areas
The draft laws relating to the local organisation, the territorial planning and division shall
be submitted to the Bureau of the Council of the Nation.

Except for the cases listed in the paragraph above, all other draft laws shall be filed with
the Bureau of the People’s National Assembly.
As necessary, the applicable draft regulatory texts shall be attached to draft bills when
they are recorded on the session’s agenda.
Division of labor between chambers

Budget bills
ART 149
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 137 above, any proposed or draft law,
to be adopted, shall be debated successively by the People’s National Assembly and the
Council of the Nation.
The discussion of the draft laws by the People’s National Assembly shall deal with the
text presented to it by the Head of Government or the text adopted by the Council of
the Nation in the matters stipulated in Article 137 above.
The Government shall submit to one of the two Chambers the text voted by the other
Chamber.
Each Chamber shall debate the text voted by the other Chamber and adopt it.
Organic laws In all cases, the Council of the Nation shall adopt the text voted by the People’s National
Assembly, by a majority of its members present for the draft ordinary laws, or by an
absolute majority for the draft organic laws.
Should a disagreement between the two Chambers arise, the Head of Government shall
request the meeting, within a maximum of fifteen (15) days, of a joint committee,
composed equally of members of both Chambers, to propose a text pertaining to the
disputed provisions. The joint committee shall complete its deliberations within a
maximum of fifteen (15) days.
This text shall be submitted by the Government for approval to the two Chambers. No
amendment is admissible, except with the consent of the Government.
Should the disagreement between the two Chambers persist, the Government may
request the People’s National Assembly to give a final decision. In this case, the People’s
National Assembly shall resume the text drafted by the joint committee or, if not, the
last text it has voted.
If the Government does not notify the People’s National Assembly in accordance with
the preceding paragraph, the text shall be withdrawn.
Budget bills ART 150

Parliament shall adopt the finance law within a maximum period of seventy-five (75)
days, as from the date of its submission, in accordance with the preceding paragraphs.
Should it not be adopted within the indicated period, the President of the Republic shall
promulgate the draft law of the Government by ordinance.
The other procedures shall be defined by the organic law referred to in Article 132 of
the Constitution.
ART 151
Any law or amendment submitted by Members of Parliament that has the purpose or
effect of decreasing public resources or increasing public expenditure shall be
inadmissible unless it is accompanied by measures which seek to increase the revenues
of the State or to achieve savings at least equal in size on other items of public
expenditure.
ART 152
Matters other than those earmarked for statutory legislation shall fall within the
regulatory power of the President of the Republic.

The implementation of the laws shall be a matter for the regulatory field of the Prime
Minister.
ART 153
The law shall be promulgated by the President of the Republic within thirty (30) days of
the date of its transmittal.
However, when a law has been submitted to the Constitutional Court prior to its
promulgation by one of the authorities referred to in Article 187 below, this time limit
shall be suspended until the Constitutional Court gives its ruling according to the
conditions specified in Article 189 below.

Approval or veto of general legislation
ART 154
The President of the Republic may request a second reading of a law voted by
Parliament within thirty (30) days following its adoption.
In that case, a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of the deputies of the People’s National
Assembly and members of the Council of the Nation shall be required for the adoption of
the law.
ART 155
The President of the Republic may communicate a message to Parliament.
Dismissal of the legislature ART 156

After consulting the President of the Council of the Nation, the President of the People’s
National Assembly, the President of the Constitutional Court and the Head of
Government, the President of the Republic may decide on the dissolution of the People’s
National Assembly or on anticipated legislative elections.
In both cases, legislative elections shall take place within a maximum limit of three (3)
months, and, if they are not able to be organized by this time, the time period may be
extended after consultation with the Constitutional Court.

Upon request of the President of the Republic or one of the Presidents of one of the two
Chambers, Parliament may initiate a debate on foreign policy.
This debate shall be concluded, if need be, with a resolution of Parliament meeting in
joint session of the two Chambers, which shall be communicated to the President of the
Republic.
International law
Treaty ratification
ART 158
Armistice agreements, treaties of peace, alliance and union, treaties relating to the
borders of the State as well as treaties concerning the status of persons and those
which involve expenditures unforeseen in the budget of the State, bilateral and
multilateral agreements pertaining to free trade zones and economic associations and
integrations shall be ratified by the President of the Republic after explicit approval by
each of the two Chambers of Parliament.
Legal status of treaties ART 159

The treaties ratified by the President of the Republic in the conditions specified by the
Constitution shall prevail over Acts of Parliament.
Legislative oversight of the executive ART 160

The Government shall submit the necessary data and documents requested by
Parliament when exercising its oversight duties.

ART 161
The Government shall give an account to each Parliament Chamber on the use of
budgetary funds for which it has voted on each budgetary period.
The financial year shall be closed, as far as Parliament is concerned, by the vote of each
Chamber for an Act pertaining to settling the balance sheet of the year under
consideration.
Legislative committees ART 162

The parliamentary committees may hear from the Members of the Government on all
questions related to the public interest.

Members of Parliament may address orally or in written form any question to any
member of the Government.
The written question shall receive a reply in the same form within a maximum period of
thirty (30) days.
The response to oral questions shall not exceed thirty (30) days.
The People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation shall hold, alternatively, a
weekly session dedicated to the responses of the Government to oral questions raised
by deputies and members of the Council of the Nation.
If one of the two Chambers believes that the oral or written response from a member of
the Government warrants a debate, this latter shall be ensued in the conditions
specified in the rules of procedure of the People’s National Assembly and the Council of
the Nation.
The questions and answers are published in accordance with the same conditions as per
the records of the parliamentary debates.

Each of the two Chambers of Parliament may, at any time, establish, within the
framework of its powers, a commission of inquiry on any matter of public interest.

Members of Parliament may demand from the Government explanations related to
issues of national importance and the status of law enforcement. The reply shall be
given within a maximum limit of thirty (30) days.

Cabinet removal
ART 166
During the debate on general policy statement or following interpellation, the People’s
National Assembly can hold the Government to account by voting a motion of censure.
Such a motion shall be rejected unless it is signed by at least a seventh (1/7) of the
number of deputies.
Cabinet removal
ART 167
The motion of censure shall be approved by a majority vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the
deputies.
The vote may only take place three (3) days after the tabling of the motion of censure.
Cabinet removal

ART 168
When the motion of censure is approved by the People’s National Assembly, the Head of
Government shall tender the resignation of the Government to the President of the
Republic.
CHAPTER IV. THE JUDICIAL POWER

Judicial independence ART 169
The judicial power shall be independent. The President of the Republic shall be the
guarantor of the independence of the judiciary.
The judicial power shall enjoy independence when exercising its judicial powers.
ART 170
The judicial power shall protect society, freedoms, and fundamental rights.
ART 171
The judicial power shall be founded on the principles of legality and equality.
The judicial power is available to all.
ART 172
Justice shall be rendered in the name of the people.
ART 173
Criminal sanctions shall conform to the principles of legality and personality.
The law shall guarantee the two-stage procedure in criminal matters and determine the
modalities of its implementation.
ART 174
The judiciary shall rule on appeals brought against decisions of the administrative
authorities.
ART 175
Supreme court opinions Judicial decisions and orders shall be reasoned.
Judicial decisions shall be pronounced in public hearings.
Jury trials required ART 176

The judiciary may be assisted in exercising its judicial function by people’s assessors
under conditions specified by law.
International law ART 177

In exercising their functions, judges shall apply ratified treaties, the law of the Republic,
and the decisions of the Constitutional Court.

ART 178
The sitting judge shall be irremovable.

The judge shall not be transferred, removed, stopped from working, excused, or imposed
with disciplinary sanctions, except in cases where guarantees specified by law are
applied and by a reasoned decision of the High Council of Magistracy.
The judge shall notify the High Council of Magistracy if he is exposed to any interference
with his independence.
An organic law shall determine the modalities of implementing this Article.
ART 179
Judges shall guard against any infringement of their independence and impartiality.
Establishment of judicial council A judge shall be held accountable to the High Council of Magistracy in the forms
specified by law for the manner in which he fulfils his duty.
ART 180
The law shall protect the litigant against any abuse perpetrated by the judge.

The right to defence shall be acknowledged.
It shall be guaranteed in criminal matters.
ART 182
The lawyer shall be granted legal guarantees that ensure his protection against any
form of pressure and allow him to exercise his profession within the framework of the
law.

The litigant shall have the right to seek his rights from the judicial authorities and to
have legal representation in all judicial proceedings.
ART 184
All relevant government entities shall, always and everywhere and in all circumstances,
implement judicial rulings.
The law shall prosecute and punish whomever violates the independence of the judge or
obstructs the proper course of justice and the implementation of its final rulings.
Establishment of administrative courts

Structure of the courts
ART 185
Supreme court powers The Supreme Court shall be the organ regulating the activity of the courts and tribunals.
The Council of State shall act as an organ regulating the activity of the administrative
courts.
The Supreme Court and the Council of State shall ensure the standardisation of
jurisprudence across the country and shall oversee the adherence to the law.
The Court of Jurisdictional Conflicts shall determine the conflicts of jurisdiction between
ordinary courts and administrative courts.
Supreme court powers ART 186

The organisation, functioning and other powers of the Supreme Court, the Council of
State and the Court of Jurisdictional Conflicts shall be determined by an organic law.

ART 187
The High Council of Magistracy shall be chaired by the President of the Republic.
The High Council of Magistracy shall enjoy administrative and financial independence.
The President of the Republic shall preside over the High Council of Magistracy.
Attorney general The High Council of Magistracy shall consist of:
the President of the Supreme Court;
the President of the Council of State;
Fifteen (15) judges elected by their colleagues in the following distribution:
Three (3) judges from the Supreme Court, including two (2) trial judges
and one (1) from the Public Prosecution;
Three (3) judges from the Council of State, including two (2) trial judges
and one (1) governor of the State;
Three (3) judges from judicial councils, including two (2) trial judges and
one (1) from the Public Prosecution;
Three (3) judges from administrative judicial authorities other than the
Council of State, including two (2) trial judges and one (1) governor of the
State;
Three (3) judges from courts subject to the normal judicial system,
including two (2) trial judges and one (1) from the Public Prosecution;
two (2) representatives of the judicial syndicate;
six (6) individuals selected on the basis of their competence outside the judicial
profession, including two (2) selected by the President of the Republic, two (2)
selected by the President of the People’s National Assembly (not to be members
of the Assembly), and two (2) selected by the President of the Council of the
Nation (not to be members of the Council);
the President of the National Council for Human Rights.
Establishment of judicial council ART 188

The High Council of Magistracy shall determine, in the conditions determined by law,
the appointments, transfers, and career development of the judges.
Appointments to various judicial posts shall be by presidential decree based on the

proposal of the High Council of Magistracy.
It shall oversee the respect for the provisions on the status of the magistracy and the
observance of discipline by the magistrates under the chairmanship of the President of
the Supreme Court.

Power to pardon
ART 189
The High Council of Magistracy shall provide a consultative opinion to the President of
the Republic prior to exercising the power to pardon.
Establishment of judicial council ART 190

The method of electing members, composition, functioning and other attributions of the
High Council of Magistracy shall be determined by an organic law.
The High Council of Magistracy shall be granted administrative and financial autonomy.
The organic law shall determine its modalities.

Courts for judging public officials ART 191

Head of state removal A High Court of State shall be established to review acts which can be qualified as high
treason by the President of the Republic, and crimes and offences by the Head of
Government, perpetrated as they exercise their functions.
The composition, organisation and functioning of the High Court of State, as well as the
applicable procedures, shall be established by an organic law.
TITLE IV. OVERSIGHT INSTITUTIONS
ART 192
The institutions and organs of control shall have the task of verifying the conformity of
the legislative and executive action(s) with the Constitution and of verifying the
conditions of the use and management of material means and public funds.
Establishment of constitutional court

CHAPTER I. THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
ART 193
The Constitutional Court is an independent institution in charge of ensuring the
observance of the Constitution.
Constitutional court powers The Constitutional Court shall regulate the conduct of institutions and the activities of
public authorities.
The Constitutional Court shall have administrative and financial autonomy.
The Constitutional Court shall determine its rules of operation.
Constitutional court selection ART 194

The Constitutional Court shall consist of twelve (12) members:
four(4) members appointed by the President of the Republic, including the

President of the Court;
two (2) elected by the Supreme Court and two (2) elected by the Council of
State;
two (2) appointed by the President of the People’s National Assembly and two
(2) appointed by the President of the Council of the Nation, who do not have a
parliamentary capacity nor membership in a political party.
Eligibility for const court judges ART 195

The elected or appointed members of the Constitutional Court shall:
Min age of const court judges be aged forty (40) on the day of their appointment or election;
enjoy civil and political rights and must not have been convicted of a crime
against honor;
have no less than fifteen (15) years’ of legal experience in higher education at the
rank of professor, in magistracy, as a lawyer at the Supreme Court or the Council
of State, or in a high State office.
As soon as they are elected or appointed, the members of the Constitutional Court shall
cease any other practice, membership, function, mandate, assignment, activity, or liberal
profession.

Constitutional court selection

Constitutional court term length
ART 196
The President of the Republic shall appoint the President and Vice-President of the
Constitutional Court for a single six-year (6) term.
The other members of the Constitutional Court shall serve a single term of six (6) years;
half (1/2) of the membership of the Court shall be renewed every four (3) years.
ART 197
The members of the Constitutional Court shall enjoy immunity in any matter related to
the exercise of their functions.
The members of the Constitutional Court shall not be subject to legal prosecution for
matters not related to the discharge of their functions except by express waiver of
immunity or by authorization from the Constitutional Court.
The rules of procedures of the Constitutional Court shall determine how immunity is
lifted.
ART 198
International law
Legal status of treaties Aside from the other functions which are expressly conferred upon it by other provisions
of the Constitution, the Constitutional Court shall issue a binding opinion on the
constitutionality of treaties, laws, decrees, and regulations.
Legal status of treaties The Constitutional Court may advise on the constitutionality of treaties prior to
ratification or laws prior to passage.
The Constitutional Court may advise on the constitutionality of decrees and regulations
within a month of the date of their publication.
The Constitutional Court shall issue a binding opinion on whether laws and regulations
conform with treaties, within the conditions specified respectively in Paragraphs 2 and
3.
Organic laws The Constitutional Court de jure shall advise the President of the Republic of the
constitutionality of organic laws after their adoption by Parliament, and the Court shall
issue a binding opinion on entire text.
The Constitutional Court shall also rule on the constitutionality of the rules of procedure
of each Chamber of Parliament, according to the procedures specified in the preceding
paragraph.
ART 199
The authorities specified in Article 201 may notify the Constitutional Court of conflicts
that may arise among the constitutional powers.
These authorities may notify the Constitutional Court of an interpretation of a

constitutional provision or provisions, and the Constitutional Court shall declare an
opinion in this regard.

Referenda
ART 200
The Constitutional Court shall review, in their substance, the appeals it receives on the
provisional results of presidential and legislative elections and referenda and shall
announce the final results of all these processes.
Constitutionality of legislation ART 201

The Constitutional Court shall be referred to by the President of the Republic, the
President of the Council of the Nation, the President of the People’s National Assembly
or the Head of the Government.

It may also be referred to by forty (40) deputies or twenty-five (25) members of the
Council of the Nation.
The practice of referral to the Constitutional Court specified in the two preceding
paragraphs shall not apply to a referral on the exception of unconstitutionality as
stipulated in Article 188 below.
ART 202
The Constitutional Court may be referred to with regard to an exception of
unconstitutionality pursuant to a request by the Supreme Court or the Council of State
when one of the parties in a trial claims before the jurisdiction that the legislative or
regulatory provision upon which the issue of litigation relies may adversely affect the
rights and freedoms granted by the Constitution.
ART 203
The Constitutional Court shall issue opinions by majority vote. In the case of a tie vote,
the President shall cast the deciding vote.
Opinions regarding the regulation of organic laws are rendered by an absolute majority
of votes.
ART 204
The procedures and modalities for referral to the Constitutional Court shall be
determined by an organic law.
ART 205
The Constitutional Court shall deliberate in camera and give its opinion or decision
within thirty (30) days after a matter has been submitted to it. In an emergency
situation, and upon request from the President of the Republic, the deadline shall be
shortened to ten (10) days.
When the Constitutional Court is summoned to rule on the basis of Article 188 above, it
shall deliver a decision within the four (4) months following the referral date. This
deadline might be extended only once for no more than four (4) months, pursuant to a
reasoned decision of the Court notified to the jurisdiction that has requested the
referral.

International law
ART 206
When the Constitutional Court rules that a treaty, agreement or convention is
unconstitutional, it shall not be ratified.
ART 207
Constitutionality of legislation If the Constitutional Court rules that a law is unconstitutional, the law shall not be
passed.
If the Constitutional Court rules that a legislative or regulatory provision is

unconstitutional, this text shall lose its effect beginning on the day the Court’s decision
is issued.
If the Constitutional Court rules that a legislative or regulatory text is unconstitutional

based on Article 188 above, this text shall lose its effect beginning on the day
determined by the Constitutional Court’s decision.
The opinions and decisions of the Constitutional Council shall be irrevocable and binding
upon all public, administrative, and judicial authorities.

CHAPTER II. THE ACCOUNTABILITY COUNCIL
ART 208
The Accountability Council shall be the supreme oversight agency over public assets
and funds.
It shall be in charge of the post control of the finances of the State, the territorial
communities and public services as well as the State’s merchant capital.
The Accountability Council shall be an independent agency that contributes to the

development of good governance and transparency in the management of public
finances and the filing of accounts.
The Accountability Council shall prepare an annual report which it shall submit to the
President of the Republic, who shall publish it, as well as the President of the Council of
the Nation, the President of the People’s National Assembly and the Head of
Government.
Head of state powers The President of the Republic shall appoint the President of the Accountability Council
to a term of five (5) years that may be renewed once.
The organic law shall determine the organisation and functions of the Accountability
Council and the sanctions [illegible] basic law for its members.
Electoral commission
CHAPTER III. NATIONAL INDEPENDENT ELECTION
AUTHORITY
ART 209
A National Independent Election Authority shall be established.
The National Independent Election Authority shall enjoy legal personhood and
administrative and financial independence.
ART 210
Referenda The National Independent Election Authority shall have the task of preparing,
organizing, conducting, and monitoring presidential, legislative, and local elections and
referenda.
The National Independent Election Authority shall exercise its duties over the electoral
registration list operations and their review, [illegible] preparation of the electoral
process, voting processes, counting and settling electoral disputes according to the law
in force.
The National Independent Election Authority shall exercise its duties from the date the
electorate is convened until the provisional poll results are declared.
The National Independent Election Authority shall exercise its duties with transparency,
neutrality, and impartiality.
ART 211
Relevant public authorities shall provide all necessary assistance to the National
Independent Election Authority and provide it will all data and documents it considers
necessary to carry out its tasks.
ART 212
The National Independent Election Authority shall be composed of university
professors, judges, national capabilities and competencies [illegible] to civil society, and
representatives of the Algerian diaspora abroad.

An organic law related to the electoral system shall determine the modalities and
conditions for the organization and work of the National Independent Election Authority.
ART 213
The National Independent Election Authority shall have representation at the level of
the Wilaya and the municipality, as well as at diplomatic missions and consulates.
ART 214
The President of the National Independent Election Authority shall be elected by a
majority vote of his peers during its first meeting. In case of a tie, the older of the two
candidates shall be the winner.
The President of the Republic shall appoint the elected President of the National
Independent Election Authority.
An organic law related to the electoral system shall determine and modalities of
choosing the other members.
The President of the Republic shall appoint the members of the National Independent
Election Authority to a single, non-renewable term of six (6) years.
One half of the members of the National Independent Election Authority shall be
renewed every three (3) years.
Counter corruption commission

CHAPTER IV. THE HIGH AUTHORITY FOR
TRANSPARENCY AND TO PREVENT AND COMBAT
CORRUPTION
ART 215
A High Authority for Transparency and to Prevent and Combat Corruption shall be
established.
It shall be an independent agency.
It shall enjoy administrative and financial independence.
ART 216
The High Authority shall be concerned with the following tasks:
develop and enable the implementation of a national strategy for transparency

and to prevent and combat corruption;
gather, process, and report relevant data;
receive disclosures of private assets from individuals specified by law;
receive notifications of conflicts of interest and cases of combining posts.
notify the relevant authorities as necessary.
An organic law shall determine the modalities of implementing this Article.
TITLE V. ADVISORY INSTITUTIONS

ART 217
A High Islamic Council shall be established under the auspices of the President of the
Republic in order to:
encourage and promote Ijtihad;
provide its opinion on matters submitted to it with regard to the Shari’ah rules;
submit a periodic report on its activity to the President of the Republic.
The High Islamic Council shall be composed of fifteen (15) members, including the
President, who shall be nominated by the President of the Republic among the national
elites in various sciences.

ART 219
A High Council of Security shall be established under the chairmanship of the President
of the Republic. This organ shall have the task of providing counsel to the President of
the Republic on all issues relating to national security.
The modalities of the organisation and functioning of the High Council of Security shall
be determined by the President of the Republic.
ART 220
The National Social, Economic, and Environmental Council, hereinafter referred to as
“The Council,” shall represent a framework for dialogue, consultation and proposals in
the economic, social, and environmental fields.
It shall be the advisor of the Government.
ART 221
The Council shall be in charge of:
providing a framework for the participation of civil society in the national

consultations on policies related to social, economic, and environmental growth in
the framework of sustainable development;
ensuring a constant dialogue and consultation between the national economic

and social partners;
evaluating and addressing the issues of national interest in the economic, social,
environmental, educational, vocational, and higher education fields;
preparing proposals and recommendations for the Government.

ART 222
A National Council of Human Rights, hereinafter referred to as “The Council,” shall be
established under the authority of the President of the Republic in his quality as
guarantor of the Constitution.
It shall be granted administrative and financial autonomy.

ART 223
The Council shall carry out the function of monitoring and providing early warnings and
evaluation in terms of respecting human rights.
Without undermining the functions of the judiciary power, the Council shall consider any
case of violation of human rights it becomes aware of or is brought to its attention, and
it shall proceed with the appropriate action. It shall submit the results of its investigation
to the concerned administrative authorities and, if necessary, to the competent judicial
authorities.
The Council shall initiate awareness-raising actions, information and communication to

promote human rights.
It shall also give its opinions, suggestions and recommendations in relation to the
promotion and protection of human rights.
The Council shall prepare an annual report to submit to the President of the Republic,
Parliament and the Prime Minister, and publish it.
The composition and the modalities of nominating the members of the Council as well as
the rules related to its organisation and functioning shall be determined by law.

ART 224
A High Council of Youth shall be established as a consultative institution under the
auspices of the President of the Republic.
The Council shall include representatives of the youth, the government and the public
institutions in charge of youth issues.

ART 225
The High Council of Youth shall express its opinions and recommendations on issues
related to the needs of the youth as well as their prosperousness in economic, social,
cultural and sporting fields.
Reference to fraternity/solidarity The Council shall contribute as well to the promotion, among the youth, of the national
values, the patriotic conscience, the civil spirit and social solidarity.
ART 226
A National Council for Scientific Research and Technology shall be established,
hereinafter referred to as “The Council.”
ART 227
The Council shall be in charge of:
promoting national research in the field of technological and scientific innovation;
proposing measures fostering the development of national capacities in terms of

research and development;
evaluating the efficiency of the national arrangements for the valorisation of the
outcome of research for the benefit of the national economy within the
framework of sustainable development.
Head of state powers The Council shall be chaired by a recognised national competence nominated by the

The other tasks, organisation, and composition of the Council shall be determined by
law.
ART 228
An Algerian Academy for Science and Technology shall be established.
The Academy shall be an independent constitutional institution of a scientific and

technological nature.
It shall enjoy artificial personhood and financial independence.
The formation, organization, operation, and tasks of the Academy shall be determined
by law.
ART 229
Either the law or regulation may establish advisory bodies according to the case.
TITLE VI. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Referenda
ART 230
The constitutional amendment shall be decided on the initiative of the President of the
Republic.
It shall be voted in identical terms by the People’s National Assembly and the Council of
the Nation in the same conditions as a legislative text.
It shall be submitted by referendum to the approval of the people within fifty (50) days
of its adoption.
The constitutional amendment, approved by the people, shall be promulgated by the

ART 231
An Act pertaining to a draft constitutional amendment shall become null and void if
rejected by the people.
It cannot be resubmitted to the people during the same legislature.
ART 232
If according to the reasoned opinion of the Constitutional Court the draft constitutional
amendment in no way infringes upon the general principles governing the Algerian
society, the human and citizen’s rights and freedoms, and does not alter in any manner
the fundamental balance of the powers and the institutions, the President of the
Republic may directly promulgate the law containing the constitutional amendment
without submitting it to referendum, if it has been approved by three-quarters (3/4) of
the votes of the members of the two Chambers of Parliament.
Referenda
ART 233
Three-quarters (3/4) of the members of the two Chambers of Parliament, meeting in
joint session, may propose a constitutional amendment and present it to the President
of the Republic, who may submit it to a referendum.

If its approval is obtained, it shall be promulgated.
Unamendable provisions
ART 234
No constitutional amendment shall undermine:
1. the Republican character of the State;
2. the democratic order based on a multi-party system;
3. Islam as the religion of the State;
4. Arabic as the national and official language;
5. Tamazight as a national and official language;
6. the fundamental freedoms and the human and citizens’ rights;
7. the integrity and unity of the national territory;
8. the national emblem and the national anthem as symbols of the Revolution and
the Republic;
9. the prohibition against holding more than two consecutive or discontinuous

presidential terms of five years each.
TITLE VII. INTERIM PROVISIONS

ART 235
The current ordinary laws set by this Constitution as organic laws shall remain
applicable until their modification or replacement following the constitutional
procedures.
ART 236
The Constitutional Council shall continue, in its current representation to carry out the
prerogatives assigned to it by this Constitution, the mandates of its current members
ending after the expiry of their respective terms.
Any modification or addition shall be carried out following the conditions and procedures
set by this Constitution in no later than six (6) months following its promulgation.
The renewal of half of the members of the Constitutional Council, whether they are
elected or designated in the framework of this Constitution shall take place following
the fourth (4) year of the mandate by drawing lots.
ART 237
Pending the necessary conditions for the implementation of the provisions stipulated by
Article 188 of the Constitution and in order to guarantee its efficient management, the
mechanism set by this latter shall be put into place after a deadline of three (3) years
following the entry into force of these provisions.
ART 238
The body in charge of the promotion and the protection of human rights shall continue to
carry out its prerogatives until the implementation of the provisions of Articles 198 and
199 of the Constitution.

ART 239
The text of the approved constitutional amendment shall be harmonised by the
numerical order of its Articles.
ART 240
The President of the Republic shall promulgate the text of the approved constitutional
amendment that shall be implemented as the fundamental law of the Republic.

Topic index
A
Access to higher education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Advisory bodies to the head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26, 43, 44, 45
Approval or veto of general legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Attorney general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
B
Budget bills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
C
Cabinet removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 25, 35
Cabinet selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Campaign financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Central bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Civil service recruitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Claim of universal suffrage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 28
Compulsory education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Conditions for revoking citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Constitution amendment procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Constitutional court powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 27, 39, 40
Constitutional court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39, 40
Constitutional court term length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Constitutional interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Constitutionality of legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41
Counter corruption commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Courts for judging public officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
D
Deputy executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 26
Designation of commander in chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Dismissal of the legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 34
Division of labor between chambers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Duty to obey the constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Duty to pay taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Duty to serve in the military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Duty to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
E
Earnings disclosure requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Electoral commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Eligibility for const court judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Eligibility for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Eligibility for head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Eligibility for second chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Emergency provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26, 32
Equality regardless of creed or belief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Equality regardless of gender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Equality regardless of parentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Equality regardless of race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Establishment of administrative courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Establishment of cabinet/ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Establishment of constitutional court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Establishment of judicial council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, 37, 38
Extradition procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Extraordinary legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
F
First chamber representation quotas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
First chamber reserved policy areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
First chamber selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Foreign affairs representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22
Free education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Freedom of assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Freedom of association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Freedom of expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Freedom of movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Freedom of press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Freedom of religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
G
General guarantee of equality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
God or other deities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
H
Head of government powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Head of government removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 24, 25, 35, 39
Head of government replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 24
Head of government selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 24
Head of state decree power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Head of state powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22, 42, 44, 45
Head of state removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Head of state replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 26
Head of state selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Head of state term length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Head of state term limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Human dignity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 10, 12, 18
Human rights commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 44
I
Immunity of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Initiation of general legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
International human rights treaties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 11
International law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 21, 22, 27, 34, 36, 40, 41
International organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6, 10, 11, 26
J
Joint meetings of legislative chambers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 34

Judicial independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Jury trials required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
L
Leader of first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Leader of second chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Legal status of treaties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 40, 41
Legislative committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 28, 29, 30, 35
Legislative oversight of the executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35
Length of legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Limits on employment of children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
M
Min age of const court judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Minimum age of head of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Motives for writing constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Municipal government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 28
N
Name/structure of executive(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 24
National anthem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
National capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
O
Oaths to abide by constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Official or national languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Official religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Ordinary court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Organic laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 33, 40
Outside professions of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 29
Ownership of natural resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
P
Power to declare/approve war . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Power to pardon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 38
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Presumption of innocence in trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Principle of no punishment without law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Privileges for juveniles in criminal process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Prohibited political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Prohibition of cruel treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Prohibition of slavery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Prohibition of torture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Protection from ex post facto laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Protection from expropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Protection from false imprisonment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Protection from unjustified restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Protection of consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Protection of environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 9, 16, 31
Protection of language use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Protection of stateless persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Protection of victim's rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Public or private sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Publication of deliberations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Q
Quorum for legislative sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
R
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Reference to art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Reference to country's history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 7, 19, 20, 21
Reference to fraternity/solidarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5, 10, 45
Reference to science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7, 18, 28, 31, 44, 45, 46
Referenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 21, 40, 42, 46
Regional group(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6, 10
Regulation of evidence collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Removal of individual legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29
Replacement of legislators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29
Requirements for birthright citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Requirements for naturalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Restrictions on political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Restrictions on voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right of petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Right to academic freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Right to competitive marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 15, 16
Right to counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 37
Right to culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 31
Right to development of personality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Right to fair trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to form political parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right to found a family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Right to health care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Right to information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right to join trade unions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Right to life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Right to own property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Right to privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Right to reasonable standard of living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Right to rest and leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Right to safe work environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Right to shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Right to strike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Right to transfer property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Right to water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Right to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Rights of children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
S
Second chamber representation quotas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Second chamber reserved policy areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Second chamber selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Secret ballot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 28
Selection of active-duty commanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Standing committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 32
State operation of the media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
State support for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 18
State support for the elderly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Structure of legislative chamber(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Structure of the courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Subsidiary unit government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 28
Supreme court opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Supreme court powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Supreme court selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Supreme/ordinary court judge removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
T
Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Term length for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Term length of second chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Term limits for first chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Term limits of second chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Terrorism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Transitional provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Treaty ratification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 27, 34
Type of government envisioned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
U
Unamendable provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
V
Veto override procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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Afghanistan's Constitution of 2004

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We the people of Afghanistan:

And in order to:

Type of government envisioned

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Conditions for revoking citizenship

Equality regardless of tribe or clan

Ownership of natural resources

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Official or national languages

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Chapter II. Fundamental Rights and Duties of

General guarantee of equality

Presumption of innocence in trials

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Protection from ex post facto laws

No deed shall be considered a crime unless ruled by a law promulgated prior to

Regulation of evidence collection

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Right to form political parties

2. Their organizations and financial resources shall be transparent;

Formation and operation of a party on the basis of tribalism, parochialism, language, as

Regulation of evidence collection

Protection from expropriation

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Duty to pay taxes

Provisions for wealth redistribution

Right to choose occupation

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Civil service recruitment

Ultra-vires administrative actions

Right to health care

State support for children

Duty to serve in the military

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Duty to obey the constitution

Human rights commission

Chapter III. The President

Head of state selection

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Eligibility for head of state

Duty to obey the constitution

Head of state powers

1. Supervise the implementation of the Constitution;

3. Being the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Afghanistan;

5. Take necessary decisions to defend territorial integrity and preserve

8. Proclaim as well as terminate the state of emergency with the endorsement of

9. Inaugurate the sessions of National Assembly and Loya Jirga.

10. Accept the resignations of vice-presidents of the Republic;

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14. Appoint heads of political representatives of Afghanistan to foreign states as well

16. Endorse laws as well as judicial decrees;

20. Establish commissions to improve the administration of the country in

21. Perform other authorities and duties enshrined in this Constitution.

1. Amend the Constitution;

The Vice-Presidents can according to the provisions of this Constitution, nominate

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Foreign affairs representative