Constitution (2007) | Constitution (2004) | ||
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 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998 | a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998 | |
Algeria | 8 September 1963; revised 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996 | 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996 | |
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 28 April 1993 | Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993 | |
Angola | adopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992 | 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 | |
Argentina | 1 May 1853; amended many times starting in 1860 | 1 May 1853; revised August 1994 | |
Armenia | adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005 | adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995 | |
Austria | 1920; revised 1929; reinstated 1 May 1945 | 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945) | |
Bahrain | adopted 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 | |
Benin | adopted by referendum 2 December 1990 | December 1990 | |
Bermuda | 8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003 | 8 June 1968, amended 1989 and 2003 | |
Bhutan | 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 | 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 | |
Bolivia | 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994; referendum on new constitution to be held 6 August 2007 | 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994 | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 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 | the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its own constitution | |
British Virgin Islands | 13 June 2007 | 1 June 1977 | |
Burkina Faso | 2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991 formally adopted; last amended January 2002 | 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 | 28 February 2005; ratified by popular referendum | 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, adopted 2 June 1972; 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 | |
Cape Verde | 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) | 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) | |
Cayman Islands | 1959; revised 1962, 1972, and 1994 | 1959, revised 1972 and 1992 | |
Central African Republic | ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004 | passed by referendum 5 December 2004 | |
Chad | passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits | passed by referendum 31 March 1996 | |
Chile | 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005 | 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) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 | NA | |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands | Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 | Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 | |
Colombia | 5 July 1991; amended many times | 5 July 1991 | |
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 |
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Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 18 February 2006 | 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 | approved by referendum 23 July 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
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 |
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 | |
Denmark | 5 June 1953 constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state | 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 | |
Dhekelia | Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960 | - | |
Dominican Republic | 28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002 | 28 November 1966, amended 25 July 2002 | |
East Timor | - | 22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model) | |
Egypt | 11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980 and 25 May 2005 | 11 September 1971 | |
El Salvador | 20 December 1983 | 23 December 1983 | |
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 8 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 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 | 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 | enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and 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
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 |
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 | - | 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) | |
French Polynesia | 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) | 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) | |
Gambia, The | approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997 | 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished January 1997 | |
Georgia | adopted 24 August 1995 | adopted 17 October 1995 | |
Germany | 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united Germany 3 October 1990 | 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990 | |
Gibraltar | 5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007 | 30 May 1969 | |
Guadeloupe | - | 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) | |
Guam | Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950 | Organic Act of 1 August 1950 | |
Guatemala | 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 | 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 | |
Guinea-Bissau | 16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and in 1996 | 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993, 9 June 1993, and 1996 | |
Haiti | 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 | 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 | |
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) | |
Honduras | 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times | 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995 | |
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; series of amendments concluded in 2002 | August 1945, abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959 | |
Iraq | ratified on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum in 2007) | 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 | |
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; note - since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution | 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 | |
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 many times | 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, 2001; note - a new draft constitution was defeated by popular referendum in 2005 | 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 | |
Korea, South | 17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten nine times; current constitution approved on 29 October 1987 | 17 July 1948 | |
Kyrgyzstan | 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 | 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 | |
Latvia | 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 | 15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented the constitution | |
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 | 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 | 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977 | |
Luxembourg | 17 October 1868; occasional revisions | 17 October 1868, occasional revisions | |
Macau | Basic Law, approved on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution" | Basic Law, approved in 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 | 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 |
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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 | - | 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 | |
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 | 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 | |
Nepal | 9 November 1990; the government began working on an interim constitution in May 2006 | 9 November 1990 | |
Netherlands | adopted 1815; amended many times, most recently in 2002 | adopted 1815; amended many times, last time 2002 | |
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, 2000, and 2005 | 9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000 | |
Niger | new constitution adopted 18 July 1999 | a new constitution was adopted 18 July 1999 | |
Nigeria | new constitution adopted 5 May 1999; effective 29 May 1999 | new constitution adopted May 1999 | |
Norfolk Island | Norfolk Island Act of 1979, as amended in 2005 | Norfolk Island Act of 1979 | |
Northern Mariana Islands | Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully 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 in stages in 2002; amended 31 December 2003; suspended 3 November 2007 | 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored 31 December 2002 | |
Peru | 29 December 1993 | 31 December 1993 | |
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 | |
Portugal | adopted 2 April 1976; effective 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 | |
Qatar | ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the amir 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 | - | 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 passed by referendum 26 May 2003 | a new constitution was adopted 26 May 2003 | |
Saint Barthelemy | 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) | - | |
Saint Martin | 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) | - | |
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 | |
Saudi Arabia | governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992 | governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993 | |
Senegal | adopted 7 January 2001 | a new constitution was adopted 7 January 2001 | |
Serbia | adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006 | - | |
Serbia and Montenegro | - | 4 February 2003 | |
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 | |
Slovenia | adopted 23 December 1991 | adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991 | |
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 |
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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 4 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 3 February 1997; it is being implemented in phases | |
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands | - | adopted 3 October 1985 | |
Spain | approved by legislature 31 October 1978; passed by referendum 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978 | 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978 | |
Sri Lanka | adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978 | adopted 16 August 1978 | |
Sudan | 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 | 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 | |
Suriname | ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987 | ratified 30 September 1987 | |
Swaziland | signed by the King in July 2005 went into effect on 8 February 2006 | 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 1947; amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005
note: constitution adopted on 25 December 1946; went into effect on 25 December 1947 |
25 December 1946, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000 | |
Thailand | constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL) on 24 August 2007 | new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997 | |
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; 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 | |
Turks and Caicos Islands | Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 (effective 9 August 2006) | introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988 | |
Uganda | 8 October 1995; in 2005 the constitution was amended removing presidential term limits and legalizing a multiparty political system | 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 | |
United Arab Emirates | 2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996 | 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996) | |
Uruguay | 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 | 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 | |
Uzbekistan | adopted 8 December 1992 | new constitution adopted 8 December 1992 | |
Wallis and Futuna | 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) | 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) | |
Zambia | 24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits | 24 August 1991 |