Compare Constitution (2002) - Constitution (2007)

Compare Constitution (2002) with Constitution (2007)

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	Constitution (2002)	Constitution (2007)
Afghanistan	the Bonn Agreement called for a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) to be convened within 18 months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority to draft a new constitution for the country; the basis for the next constitution is the 1963/64 Constitution, according to the Bonn Agreement	new constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004
Akrotiri	-	Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960
Albania	a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note - the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote	adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998
Algeria	19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996	8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996
American Samoa	ratified 1966, in effect 1967	ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967
Andorra	Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993	Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 28 April 1993
Angola	11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992	adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992
Argentina	1 May 1853; revised August 1994	1 May 1853; amended many times starting in 1860
Armenia	adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995	adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005
Austria	1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)	1920; revised 1929; reinstated 1 May 1945
Bahrain	adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)	adopted 14 February 2002
Bangladesh	4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times	4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972; suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986; amended many times
Belarus	30 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996	15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing presidential term limits
Belgium	7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state	7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state
Benin	December 1990	adopted by referendum 2 December 1990
Bermuda	8 June 1968, amended 1989	8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003
Bhutan	no written constitution or bill of rights; note - Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly; on 7 July 1998, a Royal edict was ratified giving the National Assembly additional powers	none; note - a draft constitution was unveiled in March 2005 and is expected to be adopted following the election of a new National Assembly in 2008
Bolivia	2 February 1967; revised in August 1994	2 February 1967; revised in August 1994; referendum on new constitution to be held 6 August 2007
Bosnia and Herzegovina	the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution	the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995 in Paris, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution
British Virgin Islands	1 June 1977	13 June 2007
Burkina Faso	2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adopted	2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991 formally adopted; last amended January 2002
Burma	3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988); national convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft a new constitution; progress has since been stalled	3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; national convention convened in 1993 to draft a new constitution but collapsed in 1996; reconvened in 2004 but does not include participation of democratic opposition
Burundi	13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political system; supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidents	28 February 2005; ratified by popular referendum
Cameroon	20 May 1972 approved by referendum; 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996	20 May 1972 approved by referendum, adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996
Canada	17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs	made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982, which transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments
Cape Verde	new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)	25 September 1992; a major revision on 23 November 1995 substantially increased the powers of the president; a 1999 revision created the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)
Cayman Islands	1959, revised 1972 and 1992	1959; revised 1962, 1972, and 1994
Central African Republic	passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995	ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004
Chad	passed by referendum 31 March 1996	passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits
Chile	11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997	11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005
Christmas Island	NA	Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Cocos (Keeling) Islands	Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955	Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Colombia	5 July 1991	5 July 1991; amended many times
Comoros	23 December 2001 note: a Transitional National Unity Government (GUNT) was formed on 20 January 2002 following the passing of the new constitution; the GUNT governed until the presidential elections on 14 April 2002	23 December 2001
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978, amended April 1990; transitional constitution promulgated in April 1994; in November 1998, a draft constitution was approved by former President Laurent KABILA but it was not ratified by a national referendum; one outcome of the ongoing inter-Congolese dialogue is to be a new constitution	18 February 2006
Congo, Republic of the	constitution approved by referendum in January 2002	approved by referendum 20 January 2002
Cote d'Ivoire	3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time 27 July 1998	approved by referendum 23 July 2000
Croatia	adopted on 22 December 1990	adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001
Cuba	24 February 1976, amended July 1992	24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002
Cyprus	16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985	16 August 1960 note: from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longer participated in the government; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974 Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5 May 1985, although the "TRNC" remains unrecognized by any country other than Turkey
Czech Republic	ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993	ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993
Denmark	1849 was the original constitution; there was a major overhaul 5 June 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state	5 June 1953 constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state
Dhekelia	-	Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960
Dominican Republic	28 November 1966	28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002
East Timor	22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)	-
Egypt	11 September 1971	11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980 and 25 May 2005
El Salvador	23 December 1983	20 December 1983
Eritrea	the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented	a transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented
Ethiopia	ratified December 1994; effective 22 August 1995	ratified 8 December 1994, effective 22 August 1995
European Union	-	based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris, which set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951; the Treaties of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957; the Single European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the Treaty of Nice in 2003; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty, signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in French and Dutch referenda in May-June 2005 dealt a severe setback to the ratification process; in June 2007, the European Council agreed on a clear and concise mandate for an Intergovernmental Conference to form a political agreement and put it into legal form; this agreement, known as the Reform Treaty, is to serve as a constitution and will be presented to the European Council in October 2007, in order to begin the ratification process
Fiji	promulgated on 25 July 1990 and amended on 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note - the May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and introduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the first time at the national level	enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998
Finland	17 July 1919	1 March 2000
France	28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of EC Maastricht Treaty in 1992, Amsterdam Treaty in 1996, Treaty of Nice in 2000; amended to tighten immigration laws 1993	adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958 note: amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term; amended in 2005 to make the EU constitutional treaty compatible with the Constitution of France and to ensure that the decision to ratify EU accession treaties would be made by referendum
French Guiana	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	-
French Polynesia	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Gambia, The	24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997	approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997
Georgia	adopted 17 October 1995	adopted 24 August 1995
Germany	23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990	23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united Germany 3 October 1990
Ghana	new constitution approved 28 April 1992	approved 28 April 1992
Gibraltar	30 May 1969	5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007
Guadeloupe	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	-
Guam	Organic Act of 1 August 1950	Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950
Guatemala	31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993	31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President Jorge SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993
Guinea-Bissau	16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and 1996	16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and in 1996
Haiti	approved March 1987; suspended June 1988, with most articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991, government claimed to be observing the constitution; return to constitutional rule, October 1994	approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September 1991, although in October 1991, military government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994; constitution, while technically in force between 2004-2006, was not enforced; returned to constitutional rule in May 2006
Holy See (Vatican City)	Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)	new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
Honduras	11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995	11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times
Hong Kong	Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"	Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"
Hungary	18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system	18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system
Iceland	16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944	16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times
India	26 January 1950	26 January 1950; amended many times
Indonesia	August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959	August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959; series of amendments concluded in 2002
Iraq	22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970 (provisional constitution); new constitution drafted in 1990 but not adopted	ratified on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum in 2007)
Ireland	29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite	adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937
Isle of Man	unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act, 1961, does not embody the Manx Constitution	unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of 1961 does not embody the unwritten Manx Constitution
Israel	no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law	no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note - since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution
Italy	1 January 1948	passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many times
Jordan	8 January 1952	1 January 1952; amended many times
Kazakhstan	adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995; first post-independence constitution was adopted 28 January 1993	first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January 1993; new constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995
Kenya	12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001	12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2001; note - a new draft constitution was defeated by popular referendum in 2005
Korea, North	adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998	adopted 1948; completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992, and September 1998
Korea, South	25 February 1948	17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten nine times; current constitution approved on 29 October 1987
Kyrgyzstan	adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature	adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President Askar AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expanded the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; during large-scale demonstrations in November 2006, President BAKIYEV and the opposition negotiated a new constitution granting greater powers to the parliament and the government; amendments added on 30 December 2006 redistributed some power back to the president
Latvia	the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms	15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since
Lebanon	23 May 1926, amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989	23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989
Libya	11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977	none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority
Luxembourg	17 October 1868, occasional revisions	17 October 1868; occasional revisions
Macau	Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution"	Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution"
Macedonia	-	adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of	adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 note: the Macedonian Parliament approved November 2001 a series of new constitutional amendments, strengthening minority rights	-
Malaysia	31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963	31 August 1957; amended 16 September 1963
Maldives	adopted January 1998	adopted 1 January 1998
Malta	1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 and again in 1987	1964 constitution; amended many times
Martinique	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	-
Mayotte	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Moldova	new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979	new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979
Montenegro	-	12 October 1992 (was approved by the Assembly); note - Montenegro is currently writing a new constitution set to be presented to Parliament in spring 2007
Montserrat	present constitution came into force 19 December 1989	effective 19 December 1989
Morocco	10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996	10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996
Namibia	ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990	ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990
Nauru	29 January 1968	29 January 1968; amended 17 May 1968 (Constitution Day)
Nepal	9 November 1990	9 November 1990; the government began working on an interim constitution in May 2006
Netherlands	adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983	adopted 1815; amended many times, most recently in 2002
New Caledonia	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
New Zealand	consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments and The Constitution Act 1986 which is the principal formal charter	consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter; adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987
Nicaragua	9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000	9 January 1987; reforms in 1995, 2000, and 2005
Niger	the constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996 and again by referendum on 18 July 1999	new constitution adopted 18 July 1999
Nigeria	new constitution adopted May 1999	new constitution adopted 5 May 1999; effective 29 May 1999
Norfolk Island	Norfolk Island Act of 1979	Norfolk Island Act of 1979, as amended in 2005
Northern Mariana Islands	Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978	Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986
Norway	17 May 1814, modified in 1884	17 May 1814; amended many times
Oman	none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens	none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Pakistan	10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999	12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in 2002; amended 31 December 2003; suspended 3 November 2007
Panama	11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994	11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004
Peru	31 December 1993	29 December 1993
Pitcairn Islands	1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964	30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Poland	16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 23 May 1997	adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 25 May 1997; effective 17 October 1997
Portugal	25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5 November 1992, and 3 September 1997	adopted 2 April 1976; effective 25 April 1976; revised many times
Qatar	provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution	ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Reunion	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	-
Romania	8 December 1991	8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003
Rwanda	on 5 May 1995, the Transitional National Assembly adopted as Fundamental Law the constitution of 18 June 1991, provisions of the 1993 Arusha peace accord, the July 1994 Declaration by the Rwanda Patriotic Front, and the November 1994 multiparty protocol of understanding	new constitution passed by referendum 26 May 2003
Saint Barthelemy	-	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Saint Martin	-	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Sao Tome and Principe	approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990	approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Saudi Arabia	governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993	governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992
Senegal	a new constitution was adopted 7 January 2001	adopted 7 January 2001
Serbia	-	adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006
Serbia and Montenegro	27 April 1992	-
Singapore	3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution)	3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution)
Slovakia	ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership	ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Slovenia	adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991	adopted 23 December 1991
Somalia	25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the Transitional National Government formed in August 2000 has a mandate to create a new constitution and hold elections within three years	25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing
South Africa	10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3 February 1997; it is being implemented in phases	10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 4 February 1997; it is being implemented in phases
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	adopted 3 October 1985	-
Spain	6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978	approved by legislature 31 October 1978; passed by referendum 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978
Sri Lanka	adopted 16 August 1978	adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978
Sudan	12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June 1989; new constitution implemented on 30 June 1998 partially suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIR	constitution implemented on 30 June 1998, partially suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIR; under the CPA, Interim National Constitution ratified 5 July 2005; Constitution of Southern Sudan signed December 2005
Suriname	ratified 30 September 1987	ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987
Swaziland	none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but was not formally presented to the people; since then a few more outlines for a constitution have been compiled under the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), but so far none have been accepted	signed by the King in July 2005 went into effect on 8 February 2006
Switzerland	29 May 1874	revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000
Taiwan	1 January 1947, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 1999	25 December 1947; amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005 note: constitution adopted on 25 December 1946; went into effect on 25 December 1947
Thailand	new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997	constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL) on 24 August 2007
Timor-Leste	-	22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)
Togo	multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992	multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992, adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992
Tokelau	administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970	administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970
Tonga	4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967	4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967
Tunisia	1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988	1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002
Turks and Caicos Islands	introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988	Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 (effective 9 August 2006)
Uganda	8 October 1995; adopted by the interim, 284-member Constituent Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was dissolved upon the promulgation of the constitution in October 1995	8 October 1995; in 2005 the constitution was amended removing presidential term limits and legalizing a multiparty political system
United Arab Emirates	2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)	2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996
Uruguay	27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997	27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997
Uzbekistan	new constitution adopted 8 December 1992	adopted 8 December 1992
Wallis and Futuna	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Zambia	2 August 1991	24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits