Archive - 8/4/2016

Republic of South Ossetia was proclaimed on September 20, 1990, after which began the formation of the bodies of the state power in our Republic, said Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev, commenting on the importance of the Basic Law in the life of the state.

"One of the most important steps in this regard was the adoption of the Constitution of our country - said Dzhioev. - The first Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia adopted November 2, 1993 at the first session of the first parliament, which was then called the Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia ".

According to Dzhioev, Constitutional Commission was established before the adoption of the Constitution of South Ossetia.

"MPs unanimously adopted the Constitution - said Dzhioev. - It is very remarkable that each deputy fixed his signature on the Constitution.

But it was the constitution of the parliamentary state, that is, then the supreme authority was the Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia. In 1996 the Republic of South Ossetia became a presidential republic. That is, the Constitution was amended, and in accordance with the amendments, the presidential elections were held in South Ossetia in 1996".

Dzhioev has noted that by 2001, many amendments were introduced into the Constitution, and in fact there was a question about the necessity of its radical changing, in order to fully meet the requirements and interests of the then period of the formation of the state.

"By the Decree of the President was established the Constitutional Commission, which worked for a few months and introduced constitutional alterations,- said Dzhioev.- And when the Constitutional Commission finished its work, the Parliament made a decision to hold a referendum, so that the Constitution to be adopted nationally. "

The Envoy has noted that by 2001, people of South Ossetia were experienced in holding referendums.

"We had already held several referendums - said Dzhioev.- In particular, on March 17, 1991, we took part in the all-Union referendum on preserving the USSR. Then the majority of participants of the referendum voted for preservation of the USSR. January 19, 1992, we held a referendum on the independence of South Ossetia and its reunification with the Russian Federation. "

According to Dzhioev, holding the referendum on the new Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia was entrusted to the Central Election Commission, headed by himself.

"In accordance with the law on the referendum, the Central Election Commission carried out a proper job, that is, were formed, the polls, the corresponding work on the compilation of voter lists was carried out, - he said Dzhioev.- Constitutional Commission issued a draft Constitution for national discussion. The draft Constitution was published in the media, and each voter had the opportunity to review it in advance. "

Dzhioev has stressed that there were some antagonisms while developing of the draft Constitution.

"In particular, I remember that it caused great controversy the issue of residency requirements for those who can run for president and the Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia - said Dzhioev.- Nevertheless, the Central Election Commission conducted all the necessary preparatory work for a referendum, which took place on April 8, 2001.

The Envoy has noted that almost 70% of voters participated in the referendum.

"I remember, the referendum was very active, with great enthusiasm of the people, - said Dzhioev. - And following the results of the referendum, by an absolute majority of votes the draft Constitution was adopted. And since that time it came into effect the new Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia, which was in full compliance with the spirit of that time, reflecting the political reality in the Republic. "

Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy has stressed that the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia was an important step in the formation of the South Ossetian state.

"And the fact that the Constitution was adopted nationwide is the evidence of the great state culture of the people of South Ossetia - added Dzhioev.- Our people once again demonstrated that they could form their own national state. 15 years have passed since that time and I want to congratulate all the people of South Ossetia on this remarkable date, all the more so since 2008 we live in a recognized state- the Republic of South Ossetia".

15th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of South Ossetia is a remarkable date - said the State Councilor to the President of the RSO Konstantin Kochiev during a round table in Tskhinval, timed to the celebration of the Constitution Day.

"15 years allow us to estimate what we have got since the adoption of our Constitution, how the document was relevant to the needs of our nation, our state, to understand, how and where we are moving, and how today there is a need for correction of our Basic Law, - Kochiev said.

According to him, "history has shown that it is possible to live under the Constitution, or without it."

"South Ossetia, in principle, is a young country, but has very deep historical roots of the statehood - said the State Councilor. - Today we are actually reviving our statehood after more than 600 years. And to have such a powerful legal system core, as the Constitution, is very useful for the development of the country. In all cases, we resort to our Constitution, as to the Scripture. It has answers to many questions that arise during our life, the state building. We can find answers to almost all questions in this small book. "

Kochiev has noted that the Constitution of the Republic was originally developed as the Constitution of a sovereign state.

"There are designated almost all the criteria of a sovereign state in the Constitution, provided by the international law", - said the state adviser.

According to Kochiev, the attitude to the Constitution should be careful.

"26 amendments have been introduced into the Constitution of South Ossetia. Probably, the number of amendments to it will be multiplied - Kochiev said. - Sometimes amendments are dictated by the current political conjuncture, which is not very good. After a while, re-reading the Constitution, our citizens wonder at the introduced amendments. Maybe, we should think about the introduction of the new rules, according to which the proposed amendments to the Constitution will come into effect only after some time. This would be some kind of guarantee for the Constitution, the guarantee, that it will not be changed, depending on the mood somebody is in."