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Constitution
Foundation and activity of political parties, as well as other non-governmental associations seeking to change the constitutional system by force or carrying on propaganda for war, social, national, religious and race strife are prohibited in the Republic of Belarus.
The symbols of the Republic of Belarus as a sovereign state are its National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem. The capital of the republic is the city of Minsk. |
The 1994 Constitution (Fundamental Law) of the Republic of Belarus with amendments and addenda approved at the national referendum held 24 November 1996 legalized a new stage in the development of our society and state. Contrary to hitherto effective constitutions, which stipulated the “social system” defining economic, political and social fundamentals of the society, the Constitution being currently in effect stipulates the concept of “constitutional system foundation”, the notion of which includes: salient features of a state (unitary, democratic, social, law-governed), its sovereignty, supremacy and fullness of power, independent pursuance of domestic and ; rule of people; economic foundation of a state and society; form of governance (Presidential Republic); diversity of democratic, political institutes, ideologies and opinions; availability of political parties, religious and other non-governmental associations and social groups; the principle of division of the state power into legislative, executive and judicial; supremacy of law; priority of generally recognized principles of the international law; unified and inalienable territory of Belarus; citizenship; humane relations between social, national and other communities based on principles of equality before the law, respect of rights and interests.
The Constitution stipulates the principle of supremacy of the law. The state, all its bodies and officials act within the framework of the Constitution and legislative acts approved in accordance thereto. In addition, the priority of generally recognized principles of the international law is recognized and the legislation is harmonized therewith. The Republic of Belarus sets as its goal to turn its territory into a nuclear-free zone and the state — into neutral one.