Compare Constitution (2005) - Constitution (2004)

Compare Constitution (2005) with Constitution (2004)

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	Constitution (2005)	Constitution (2004)
Albania	adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998	a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998
American Samoa	ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967	ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Andorra	Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 4 May 1993	Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993
Bahrain	new constitution 14 February 2002	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)
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	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	30 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; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state	7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Bermuda	8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003	8 June 1968, amended 1989 and 2003
Bhutan	no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001 the King commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in November 2004 presented a draft to the Council of Ministers; now awaiting referendum	no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001 the King commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in November 2004 presented a draft to the Council of Ministers
Burkina Faso	2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991 formally adopted; amended April 2000	2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adopted; ammended April 2000
Burma	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	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 20 October 2004 by a provisional constitution approved by the parliament which extended the transition; a 28 February 2005 popular referendum ratified the new constitution which set ethnic quotas for government positions, and tentatively scheduled general elections for April 2005	13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political system; supplanted on 20 October 2004 by a provisional constitution approved by the parliament, which extended the transition, set ethnic quotas for government positions, and tentatively scheduled elections for February-April 2005
Cameroon	20 May 1972 approved by referendum, 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996	20 May 1972 approved by referendum; 2 June 1972 formally adopted; revised January 1996
Canada	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	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
Cayman Islands	1959; revised 1972 and 1992	1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Chile	11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997	11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997
Christmas Island	Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958)	NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands	Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1953)	Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Comoros	23 December 2001	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
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	new constitution adopted 17 July 2003	a new constitution was adopted 17 July 2003
Congo, Republic of the	approved by referendum 20 January 2002	constitution approved by referendum 20 January 2002
Cote d'Ivoire	new constitution adopted 4 August 2000	a new constitution was adopted 4 August 2000
Cuba	24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002	24 February 1976, amended July 1992 and June 2002
Cyprus	16 August 1960; 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" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5 May 1985	16 August 1960; 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 to 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" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in 1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5 May 1985
Czech Republic	ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993	ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993
Dominican Republic	28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002	28 November 1966, amended 25 July 2002
Egypt	11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980	11 September 1971
Eritrea	a transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented	the 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 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 2001; 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 caused a suspension of the ratification process	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 (Maastrict) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the Treaty of Nice in 2001; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty, signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gives member states two years for ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum before it is scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006
Fiji	promulgated on 25 July 1990; amended on 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998	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
France	adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958; 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	28 September 1958, 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
French Guiana	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
French Polynesia	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Georgia	adopted 24 August 1995	adopted 17 October 1995
Guadeloupe	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
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 1996
Holy See (Vatican City)	new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)	new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
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; amended many times	16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
India	26 January 1950; amended many times	26 January 1950
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
Iraq	interim constitution signed 8 March 2004; note - the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) was enacted 8 March 2004 to govern the country until an elected Iraqi Government can draft and ratify a new constitution in 2005	interim constitution signed 8 March 2004; note - the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) was enacted 8 March 2004 to govern the country until an elected Iraqi Transitional Government can draft and ratify a new constitution in 2005
Ireland	adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937	29 December 1937; adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite
Isle of Man	unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of 1961 does not embody the unwritten Manx Constitution	unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act, 1961, does not embody the unwritten Manx Constitution
Italy	passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many times	passed 11 December 1947; effective 1 January 1948; amended many times
Jordan	1 January 1952; amended 1974, 1976, 1984	8 January 1952
Kazakhstan	first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January 1993; new constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995	adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995; first post-independence constitution was adopted 28 January 1993
Kenya	12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001	12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001
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
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	11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977
Luxembourg	17 October 1868; occasional revisions	17 October 1868, occasional revisions
Macedonia	adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights	adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 note: in November of 2001, the Macedonian Assembly approved 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 1 January 1998	adopted January 1998
Malta	1964 constitution; amended many times	1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 and again in 1987
Martinique	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Mayotte	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Moldova	new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979	new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces old Soviet constitution of 1979
Montserrat	effective 19 December 1989	present constitution came into force 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; amended 17 May 1968 (Constitution Day)	29 January 1968
New Caledonia	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
New Zealand	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	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
Nicaragua	9 January 1987; reforms in 1995 and 2000	9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000
Niger	new constitution adopted 18 July 1999	a new constitution was adopted 18 July 1999
Northern Mariana Islands	Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986	Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978
Norway	17 May 1814; amended many times	17 May 1814, modified in 1884
Pakistan	12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored 31 December 2002; amended 31 December 2003	10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored 31 December 2002
Pitcairn Islands	30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964	1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Poland	adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997, passed by national referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 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 many times	25 April 1976; revised 30 October 1982, 1 June 1989, 5 November 1992, 3 September 1997, 12 December 2001, and 24 July 2004
Puerto Rico	ratified 3 March 1952, approved by US Congress 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952	ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952
Qatar	ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Emir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005	provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution; in the 29 April 2003 referendum, 96.6% of Qatari voters approved the new constitution; on 8 June 2004 the new constitution came into force
Reunion	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Romania	8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003	8 December 1991; revision came into force 29 October 2003
Rwanda	new constitution adopted 4 June 2003	a new constitution was adopted 26 May 2003
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Sao Tome and Principe	approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990	approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
Senegal	new constitution adopted 7 January 2001	a new constitution was adopted 7 January 2001
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, 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, 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
Somalia	25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing	25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 note: the Transitional National Government formed in August 2000 had a three-year mandate to create a new constitution and hold elections, this goal was not achieved but the process is ongoing
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	-	adopted 3 October 1985
Sri Lanka	adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; new constitution proposed in 2002	adopted 16 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	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
Swaziland	a constitution was due to be adopted in November 2003 but was delayed and scheduled for early 2005	a constitution was adopted 14 November 2003
Switzerland	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	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	25 December 1946; amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000	25 December 1946, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000
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; amended in 1970	administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970
Tonga	4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967	4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Tunisia	1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002	1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988
Uganda	8 October 1995	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
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 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
Wallis and Futuna	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	28 September 1958 (French Constitution)