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 sovereign 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. No person may damage the environment.

The duty of citizens is to respect the state'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 peoples deputies are elected to the Verkhovna Rada for a term of four years.

The Constitution specifies the power and obligations of the President, who is the head of the State. He is elected for a term of five years. He cant 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.