The constitution of ukraine

On June 28, 1996 the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Fundamental Law of Ukraine, its Constitution.

The Constitution establishes the country’s political system, assures rights, freedoms and duties of citizens, and is the basis for its law.

According to the Constitution Ukraine is a sovereing and independent, democratic, social, legal state. Ukraine is a republic. The state language is Ukrainian. The state symbols of Ukraine are the State Flag, the State Emblem and the State Anthem of Ukraine. The State Flag is a blue and yellow banner. The trident is the State Emblem.

The Constitution assures human and civil rights, freedoms and duties. It states that every person has the right to the free expression of views and beliefs. Every person has freedom of thought and speech.The Constitution guarantees the rights to life, personal inviolability. The right of private property is inviolable.

According to the Constitution cultural heritage is protected by law. So person may damage the environment.

The duty of citizens is to respect the staste’ s symbols, to defend the Motherland, its independence and territorial integrity.

The Constitution outlines the activities of the Verkhovna Rada. Its main function is making laws. The people’s deputies are elected to the Verkhovna Rada for a term of four years.

The Constitution specifics the power and obligations of the President, who is the head of the State. He is elected for a term of five years. He can’t be elected for more than two full terms.

The highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It carries out the domestic and foreign policy of the State.

The Constitution outlines the activities of the judicial power too.

The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 chapters, 161 articles. The day of its adoption is a state holiday — the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine.

Questions:

1. When was the Constitution of Ukraine adopted?

2. What kind of state is Ukraine?

3. What human and civil rights and freedoms does the Constitution assure?

4. What are the main obligations of Ukrainian citizens?

5. What are the functions of the Verkhovna Rada?

6. Who may be elected people’s deputy?

7. What is the highest body of the executive power?

8. When is Constitution Day of Ukraine?

2.

The adoption of a new constitution of Ukraine on the 28th of June 1996 became an important event in the life of the people of Ukraine. Our country has long-standing constitutional traditions. The first Constitution of Ukraine was written by hetman Philip Orlyk in 1710. Being the first constitution in Europe it was notable for its profound democracy. The experience of Ukrainian people's republic (1918) played a significant role in the constitutional process. The constitution of the Ukrainian people's republic approved by the Centralna Rada is the embodiment of the statehood principles of Ukraine.

On the 24th of October 1990 the constitutional commission was appointed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The draft constitution was written during the first stage of its preparation (1990 - 1993). It was logically and juridically completed during the second stage (1994 - 1996). The draft constitution was published and went through nation-wide discussion. On the 28th of June 1996 the Constitution was confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Common to all mankind principles of democracy are embodied in the Constitution. The basic economic, social, cultural, public and political rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. According to the Constitution of Ukraine is a sovereign, independent, democratic, social and juridical state. Territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine are proclaimed in the Constitution.

The power in Ukraine belongs to people. It is exercised through democratic elections and referendums and by state government bodies and self-government institutions. The form of state government is a republic. The head of state is the president. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is the highest legislative body in the country. The principles of economic, political and ideological multiformity are proclaimed in the Constitution. All citizens have equal rights. People are proclaimed to be the greatest social value in Ukraine. These and other regulations are successively developed in the chapters of the Constitution. The best national traditions are embodied in the Constitution, it creates the legal bases of regulation of social relations.

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