The Fundamental Law of Ukraine
Governed by the Act of Ukraine’s Independence of August 24, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on behalf of the Ukrainian people adopted the Constitution - The Fundamental Law on June 28, 1996. The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 chapters, 161 articles. The Constitution establishes the country’s political system, assures rights, freedoms & duties of citizens, & is the basis for its laws. Chapter I of the Constitution asserts that Ukraine is a sovereign & independent, democratic, social, legal state. It is a unitarian state with single citizenship. Ukraine is a republic. The people are the only source of power which is exercised directly & through the bodies of state power & local self government. The land, mineral raw materials, air space, water & other natural resources which are on the territory of Ukraine are objects of the property right of Ukrainian people. The state language in Ukraine is Ukrainian. The state symbols of Ukraine are the State Flag, the State Emblem & the State Anthem of Ukraine. The State Flag is a blue & yellow banner made up from two equal horizontal stripes. The main element of the Great State Emblem of Ukraine is the sign of the State of Prince Volodymyr the Great, the Trident. The State Anthem of Ukraine is the national anthem with the music of M.Verbytsky, the words of Chubynsky. The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv. Chapter II of the Constitution assures human & civil rights, freedoms & obligations. Citizens have equal Constitutional rights & freedoms & are equal before the law. There are no privileges or restrictions based upon race, colour of skin, political & other beliefs, gender, ethnic & social origin, property, owner-ship, position, place of residence, language, religion or other circumstances. The Church & religious organizations are separated from the state & schools are separated from the Church. The Constitution guarantees the rights to life, personal inviolability & the inviolability of dwelling, non-interference in private & family life, free choice of residence, work, rest, education, social security, housing, health protection, medical care & medical insurance, legal assistance, a safe & healthy environment. The right to property is inviolable. Defence of the Motherland, of the independence & territorial integrity of Ukraine, & respect for the state’s symbols are the duty of citizens. Citizens of Ukraine perform military services in compliance with the law. No person may damage the environment, cultural heritage. Every person shall pay taxes & duties in order & amount determined by the law. Under the Constitution the powers of the government are divided into three branches-the legislative which consists of the Verkhovna Rada, the executive, headed by the Cabinet of Ministers, & the judicial, which is led by the Supreme Court.
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