Compare Constitution (2005) - Constitution (2007)

Compare Constitution (2005) with Constitution (2007)

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	Constitution (2005)	Constitution (2007)
Afghanistan	new constitution drafted 14 December 2003 - 4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004	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	adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998	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
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, effective 28 April 1993
Angola	11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992; note - new constitution has not yet been approved	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	new constitution 14 February 2002	adopted 14 February 2002
Benin	December 1990	adopted by referendum 2 December 1990
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	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; amended April 2000	2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991 formally adopted; last amended January 2002
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	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
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 5 December 2004	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	Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958)	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 (23 November 1953)	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
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	new constitution adopted 17 July 2003	18 February 2006
Cote d'Ivoire	new constitution adopted 4 August 2000	approved by referendum 23 July 2000
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 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
Denmark	5 June 1849 adoption of original constitution; a major overhaul of 5 June 1953 allowed 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
East Timor	22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)	-
Egypt	11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980	11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980 and 25 May 2005
El Salvador	23 December 1983	20 December 1983
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 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 (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; amended on 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998	enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998
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	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	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	-
Gambia, The	24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished January 1997	approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997
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
Gibraltar	30 May 1969	5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007
Guadeloupe	4 October 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; returned to constitutional rule in 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
Honduras	11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995	11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; 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	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	ratified on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum in 2007)
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
Jordan	1 January 1952; amended 1974, 1976, 1984	1 January 1952; amended many times
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, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2001; note - a new draft constitution was defeated by popular referendum in 2005
Korea, South	17 July 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 2 February 2003 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	15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented the constitution	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
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
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	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
Martinique	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	-
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
Nepal	9 November 1990	9 November 1990; the government began working on an interim constitution in May 2006
Netherlands	adopted 1815; amended many times, last time 2002	adopted 1815; amended many times, most recently in 2002
Nicaragua	9 January 1987; reforms in 1995 and 2000	9 January 1987; reforms in 1995, 2000, and 2005
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	Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986	Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986
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	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
Peru	31 December 1993	29 December 1993
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	adopted 2 April 1976; effective 25 April 1976; revised many times
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	ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Reunion	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)	-
Rwanda	new constitution adopted 4 June 2003	new constitution passed by referendum 26 May 2003
Saint Barthelemy	-	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Saint Martin	-	4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
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	new constitution adopted 7 January 2001	adopted 7 January 2001
Serbia	-	adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006
Serbia and Montenegro	4 February 2003	-
Slovenia	adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991	adopted 23 December 1991
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
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, certified 31 August 1978; new constitution proposed in 2002	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	a constitution was due to be adopted in November 2003 but was delayed and scheduled for early 2005	signed by the King in July 2005 went into effect on 8 February 2006
Taiwan	25 December 1946; amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000	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)
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	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
Zambia	24 August 1991	24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits