On November 6, Tajikistan celebrated the 27th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan.
On this occasion, a message of congratulations of the President Emomali Rahmon to the people of Tajikistan was posited on the Tajik president’s official website on the same day.
In his message, Emomali Rahmon noted the role of the Constitution in development of independent Tajikistan.
Rahmon, in particular, said that the adoption of the Constitution was one of the most important events in the contemporary history of the Tajiks and the great achievements of the people of the country.
“Amendments made to the Constitution with regard to transformations in the life of society through popular referenda have improved the structure, content, essence and norms of this important document, further expanded the process of democratization of society, helped to strengthen the constitutional foundations of state power, strengthen the country’s legislation and helped to bring constitutional norms in line with generally accepted acts,” the message says.
The Constitution of Tajikistan was adopted on 6 November 1994. The Constitution declares ideological and political pluralism, ensuring human rights and social-legal guarantees.
The Constitution has the highest legal power, direct application and supremacy on the whole territory of Tajikistan. The Constitution proclaims the establishment of a democratic, legal, secular and unitary State, where the State power is based on the principle of separation of powers. As the fundamental law of the State, the Constitution defines the structure of the government, basic rights, liberties and responsibilities of its citizens, as well as the powers of the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
Tajikistan’s Constitution was amended by referendums on September 26, 1999, June 22, 2003 and May 22, 2016.
Amendments made to the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan in 1999 established a new bicameral parliament (Article 48) and extended the President’s term of office from five to seven years (Article 65).
Changes proposed to the Constitution of Tajikistan at the referendum on May 22, 2003 included removing Article 65, which limited the President to a single term of office.
A total of 41 constitutional amendments were proposed to the Constitution of Tajikistan at the referendum of May 22, 2016. The changes included: amending Article 65 to remove term limits on the President of Tajikistan; reducing the minimum age to run for president from 35 to 30; and banning political parties based on religious platforms.
