PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 constituteproject.org Armenia's Constitution of 1995 with Amendments through 2005 This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org. constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 Table of contents Preamble ..............................................................................6 CHAPTER 1. THE FOUNDATIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER ......................6 Article 1 ...............................................................................6 Article 2 ...............................................................................6 Article 3 ...............................................................................6 Article 4 ...............................................................................6 Article 5 ...............................................................................6 Article 6 ...............................................................................7 Article 7 ...............................................................................7 Article 8 ...............................................................................7 Article 8.1 ............................................................................. 7 Article 8.2 ............................................................................. 7 Article 9 ...............................................................................7 Article 10 ..............................................................................8 Article 11 ..............................................................................8 Article 11.1 ............................................................................8 Article 11.2 ............................................................................8 Article 11.3 ............................................................................8 Article 12 ..............................................................................8 Article 13 ..............................................................................8 CHAPTER 2. FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS .......... 9 Article 14 ..............................................................................9 Article 14.1 ............................................................................9 Article 15 ..............................................................................9 Article 16 ..............................................................................9 Article 17 ............................................................................ 10 Article 18 ............................................................................ 10 Article 19 ............................................................................ 10 Article 20 ............................................................................ 10 Article 21 ............................................................................ 11 Article 22 ............................................................................ 11 Article 23 ............................................................................ 11 Article 24 ............................................................................ 11 Article 25 ............................................................................ 11 Article 26 ............................................................................ 12 Article 27 ............................................................................ 12 Article 27.1 ...........................................................................12 Article 28 ............................................................................ 12 Article 29 ............................................................................ 12 Article 30 ............................................................................ 13 Article 30.1 ...........................................................................13 Article 30.2 ...........................................................................13 Article 31 ............................................................................ 13 Article 31.1 ...........................................................................13 Article 32 ............................................................................ 14 Article 33 ............................................................................ 14 Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 2 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 Article 33.1 ...........................................................................14 Article 33.2 ...........................................................................14 Article 34 ............................................................................ 14 Article 35 ............................................................................ 14 Article 36 ............................................................................ 15 Article 37 ............................................................................ 15 Article 38 ............................................................................ 15 Article 39 ............................................................................ 15 Article 40 ............................................................................ 15 Article 41 ............................................................................ 15 Article 42 ............................................................................ 15 Article 42.1 ...........................................................................16 Article 43 ............................................................................ 16 Article 44 ............................................................................ 16 Article 45 ............................................................................ 16 Article 46 ............................................................................ 16 Article 47 ............................................................................ 16 Article 48 ............................................................................ 16 CHAPTER 3. THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC ..................................... 17 Article 49 ............................................................................ 17 Article 50 ............................................................................ 17 Article 51 ............................................................................ 17 Article 52 ............................................................................ 18 Article 53 ............................................................................ 18 Article 53.1 ...........................................................................18 Article 54 ............................................................................ 18 Article 55 ............................................................................ 19 Article 56 ............................................................................ 20 Article 56.1 ...........................................................................20 Article 57 ............................................................................ 21 Article 58 ............................................................................ 21 Article 59 ............................................................................ 21 Article 60 ............................................................................ 21 Article 61 ............................................................................ 21 CHAPTER 4. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ..............................................22 Article 62 ............................................................................ 22 Article 63 ............................................................................ 22 Article 64 ............................................................................ 22 Article 65 ............................................................................ 22 Article 66 ............................................................................ 23 Article 67 ............................................................................ 23 Article 68 ............................................................................ 23 Article 69 ............................................................................ 23 Article 70 ............................................................................ 23 Article 71 ............................................................................ 24 Article 72 ............................................................................ 24 Article 73 ............................................................................ 24 Article 74 ............................................................................ 24 Article 74.1 ...........................................................................24 Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 3 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 Article 75 ............................................................................ 24 Article 76 ............................................................................ 25 Article 77 ............................................................................ 25 Article 78 ............................................................................ 25 Article 79 ............................................................................ 25 Article 80 ............................................................................ 25 Article 81 ............................................................................ 26 Article 82 ............................................................................ 26 Article 83 ............................................................................ 26 Article 83.1 ...........................................................................26 Article 83.2 ...........................................................................27 Article 83.3 ...........................................................................27 Article 83.4 ...........................................................................27 Article 83.5 ...........................................................................28 Article 84 ............................................................................ 28 CHAPTER 5. THE GOVERNMENT .....................................................28 Article 85 ............................................................................ 28 Article 86 ............................................................................ 29 Article 87 ............................................................................ 29 Article 88 ............................................................................ 29 Article 88.1 ...........................................................................29 Article 89 ............................................................................ 30 Article 90 ............................................................................ 30 CHAPTER 6. THE JUDICIAL POWER ..................................................30 Article 91 ............................................................................ 30 Article 92 ............................................................................ 31 Article 93 ............................................................................ 31 Article 94 ............................................................................ 31 Article 94.1 ...........................................................................31 Article 95 ............................................................................ 31 Article 96 ............................................................................ 32 Article 97 ............................................................................ 32 Article 98 ............................................................................ 32 Article 99 ............................................................................ 32 Article 100 ........................................................................... 32 Article 101 ........................................................................... 33 Article 102 ........................................................................... 33 Article 103 ........................................................................... 34 CHAPTER 7. THE LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ....................................... 34 Article 104 ........................................................................... 34 Article 104.1 ..........................................................................34 Article 105 ........................................................................... 34 Article 105.1 ..........................................................................35 Article 106 ........................................................................... 35 Article 107 ........................................................................... 35 Article 108 ........................................................................... 35 Article 108.1 ..........................................................................35 Article 109 ........................................................................... 35 Article 110 ........................................................................... 36 Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 4 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 CHAPTER 8. ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENTS AND REFERENDUM .......................................................................36 Article 111 ........................................................................... 36 Article 112 ........................................................................... 36 Article 113 ........................................................................... 36 Article 114 ........................................................................... 37 CHAPTER 9. FINAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS ...............................37 Article 115 ........................................................................... 37 Article 116 ........................................................................... 37 Article 117 ........................................................................... 37 Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 5 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 Motives for writing constitution Preamble Source of constitutional authority The Armenian People, recognizing as a basis the fundamental principles of the Armenian statehood and national aspirations engraved in the Declaration of Independence of Armenia, having ful�lled the sacred message of its freedom loving ancestors for the restoration of the sovereign state, committed to the strengthening and prosperity of the fatherland, to ensure the freedom, general well-being and civic harmony of future generations, declaring their faithfulness to universal values, hereby adopts the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. CHAPTER 1. THE FOUNDATIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER Type of government envisioned Article 1 The Republic of Armenia is a sovereign, democratic state, based on social justice and the rule of law. Article 2 Referenda In the Republic of Armenia, the power lies with the people. The people exercise their power through free elections and referenda, as well as through state and local self-governing bodies and public of�cials as provided by the Constitution. The usurpation of power by any organization or individual constitutes a crime. Article 3 Human dignity A human being, his/her dignity, fundamental rights and freedoms are an inalienable and ultimate value. International law The Republic of Armenia shall ensure the protection of fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms in conformity with the principles and norms of international law. The State's exercise of power shall be limited by the fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms. Municipal government Article 4 Secret ballot Claim of universal suffrage The elections of the President, the National Assembly and local self-governing bodies as well as referenda, are held based on the right to universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. Article 5 State power shall be exercised in accordance with the Constitution and the laws based on the principle of the separation and balance of the legislative, executive and judicial powers. State and local self-government bodies and public of�cials may execute only such acts as authorized by the Constitution and laws. Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 6 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 Article 6 The Constitution has supreme legal force and the norms thereof shall apply directly. Laws shall conform to the Constitution. Other legal acts shall conform to the Constitution and the laws. Laws shall come into force following the publication in the Of�cial Bulletin. Other legal acts shall come into force after publication in the manner prescribed by law. International law International agreements concluded shall come into force only after being rati�ed or Legal status of treaties approved. The international agreements are a constituent part of the legal system of Treaty rati�cation the Republic of Armenia. If a rati�ed international agreement stipulates norms other than those stipulated in the laws, the norms of the agreement shall prevail. International agreements not complying with the Constitution cannot be rati�ed. The normative legal acts shall be adopted on the basis of the Constitution and laws and for the purpose of ensuring their implementation. Restrictions on political parties Article 7 Right to form political parties The ideological pluralism and multiparty system are recognized in the Republic of Armenia. Prohibited political parties Parties are formed freely and promote the formulation and expression of the political will of the people. Their activities may not contravene the Constitution and the laws, nor may their practice contravene the principles of democracy. Parties shall ensure the openness of their �nancial activities. Article 8 Right to own property The Republic of Armenia recognizes and protects the right for property. Right to competitive marketplace The freedom of economic activity and free economic competition are guaranteed in the Republic of Armenia. Of�cial religion Article 8.1 Freedom of religion Separation of church and state The church shall be separate from the State in the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia recognizes the exclusive mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church as a national church, in the spiritual life, development of the national culture and preservation of the national identity of the people of Armenia. Freedom of activities for all religious organizations operating in accordance with the law shall be guaranteed in the Republic of Armenia. The relationship between the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church may be regulated by law. Restrictions on the armed forces Article 8.2 The armed forces of the Republic of Armenia ensure security, defense and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the inviolability of its borders. The armed forces shall maintain neutrality in political matters and remain under civilian control. International law Article 9 The foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia shall be conducted in accordance with the principles and norms of international law, with the aim of establishing good neighborly Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 7 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 and mutually bene�cial relations with all states. Protection of environment Article 10 The State shall ensure the protection and reproduction of the environment and the reasonable utilization of natural resources. Article 11 Right to culture Historical and cultural monuments and other cultural values are under the care and protection of the State. International law Within the framework of the principles and norms of international law, the Republic of Armenia shall contribute to fostering relations with the Armenian Diaspora, protection of Armenian historical and cultural values located in other countries, and advancing Armenian education and culture. Article 11.1 Regions and communities shall be the administrative-territorial units in the Republic of Armenia. Article 11.2 The Republic of Armenia guarantees local self-government. Article 11.3 The citizens of the Republic of Armenia shall be under the protection of the Republic of Armenia within the territory of the Republic of Armenia and beyond its borders. Armenians by birth shall acquire citizenship of the Republic of Armenia through a simpli�ed procedure. The rights and responsibilities of citizens with dual citizenship shall be de�ned by law. Of�cial or national languages Article 12 The State language of the Republic of Armenia is Armenian. Article 13 National �ag The �ag of the Republic of Armenia is three colors made up of three horizontal and equal strips of red, blue, and orange. The coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia depicts, in the center on a shield, Mount Ararat with Noah's ark and the coats of arms of the four kingdoms of historical Armenia. The shield is supported by a lion and an eagle while a sword, a branch, a sheaf, a chain and a ribbon are portrayed under the shield. Details of the �ag and the coat of arms shall be de�ned by law. National anthem The national anthem of the Republic of Armenia shall be de�ned by law. National capital The capital of the Republic of Armenia is Yerevan. Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 8 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 CHAPTER 2. FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS Human dignity Article 14 Human dignity shall be respected and protected by the State as an inviolable foundation of human rights and freedoms. Equality regardless of political party Article 14.1 Equality regardless of creed or belief Equality regardless of gender Equality regardless of skin color All people are equal before the law. Equality regardless of �nancial status Equality regardless of race Equality regardless of social status Discrimination based on sex, race, color of the skin, ethnic or social origin, genetic General guarantee of equality circumstances, language, religion, viewpoints, political or other opinions, belonging to a Equality for persons with disabilities Equality regardless of language national minority, property status, birth, disability, age or other conditions of personal or Equality regardless of religion social character shall be prohibited. Equality regardless of parentage Equality regardless of age Emergency provisions Article 15 Right to life Prohibition of capital punishment Everyone has a right to life. No one shall be sentenced or subjected to the death penalty. Article 16 Everyone shall have the right of personal liberty and inviolability. A man can be deprived of liberty in cases and by the procedure provided for by law. The law can provide for deprivation of liberty only in the following cases: 1. a person is sentenced by a competent court for a committed offense; 2. a person has failed to comply with a legitimate judicial decision of a court; 3. to ensure the ful�llment of certain obligations prescribed by law; Rights of debtors 4. reasonable suspicion exists of the committing of a crime or when it is necessary Regulation of evidence collection to prevent the commission of a crime by the person or to prevent his/her escape after the crime is committed; 5. to establish educational control over a minor or to present him/her to other institutions; 6. to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to prevent the social dangers posed by the mentally disabled, alcoholic, drug-addicted or homeless person; 7. to prevent the illicit entry of a person into the territory of the Republic of Power to deport citizens Armenia, as well as to deport or extradite him/her to a foreign country. Trial in native language of accused Everyone who is deprived of liberty shall be immediately informed, in a language Protection from unjusti�ed restraint comprehensible to him/her, of the reasons and, if criminal charges are presented, of the charges against him/her. Anyone deprived of liberty has the right to immediately inform the person of his/her choice thereof. If the arrested person is not detained within 72 hours, by the court decision he/she must be released immediately. Protection from false imprisonment Every person has the right to recover damages due to the illegal deprivation of liberty or an illegal search, on the grounds and by the procedures de�ned by law. Every person has the right to appeal the legality and validity of his/her deprivation of liberty or illegal search in the court of higher instance. Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 9 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 15:36 Rights of debtors No one shall be deprived of his/her freedom for not being able to honor his/her civil contractual obligations. No one shall be subjected to search otherwise than in cases and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law. Article 17 Prohibition of cruel treatment No one shall be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Prohibition of torture Arrested, detained or incarcerated persons shall be entitled to humane treatment and the respect of their dignity. Human dignity A human being shall not be subjected to scienti�c, medical and other experiments Reference to science without his/her consent. International organizations Article 18 Guarantee of due process Emergency provisions International law Everyone has the right to effective legal remedies for the protection of his/her rights Protection from false imprisonment and freedoms before courts and other state bodies. Everyone has the right to protect his/her rights and freedoms by any means not prohibited by law. Everyone is entitled to have the support of the Human Rights' Defender for the protection of his/her rights and freedoms on the grounds and in conformity with the procedure prescribed by law. Everyone shall in conformity with the international agreements of the Republic of Armenia be entitled to apply to the international institutions protecting human rights and freedoms to protect his/her rights and freedoms. Right to fair trial Article 19 Right to public trial Emergency provisions Protection from false imprisonment Everyone has a right to restore his/her violated rights, and to reveal the grounds of the Guarantee of due process Right to speedy trial charge against him/her in a fair public hearing under the equal protection of the law and ful�lling all the demands of justice within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court. The representatives of the mass media and the public may be excluded from all or part of the trial in the interests of morals, public order, national security, protection of the private life of the parties to the case or administration of justice so require. Right to counsel Article 20 Protection from false imprisonment Right to appeal judicial decisions Emergency provisions Everyone shall be entitled to legal assistance. Legal assistance shall be provided to the defendant at the expense of the State resources in cases prescribed by law. Everyone shall have a right to legal counsel of his/her choice starting from the moment of being arrested, charged or detained. Every convicted person shall have the right to appeal the judgment against him/her to a higher court. Every convicted person shall have a right to request a pardon or a mitigation of the punishment. All damages incurred by the victim shall be compensated in conformity with the procedure prescribed by law. Presumption of innocence in trials Emergency provisions Armenia 1995 (rev. 2005) Page 10