On April 8, Constitution Day is celebrated in South Ossetia. The basic law of the Republic was adopted at the national referendum in 2001
"We, people of the Republic of South Ossetia, proceeding from responsibility before the present and future generations, striving to ensure security and prosperity of our Fatherland, based on the universally recognized principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, guided by the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the Republic of South Ossetia, affirming the rights and freedoms of man and citizen , securing the foundations of the socio- political system, proclaim and establish the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia. "
The words in the preamble of the Basic Law reflect the struggle of the people of South Ossetia for freedom and independence.
The first chapter of the Constitution clearly articulates the main principles: Republic of South Ossetia - the State of Alania - a sovereign democratic rule of law created as a result of self-determination of the people of South Ossetia. It is noted that the bearer of sovereignty and the only source of power in South Ossetia is its people, which exercises its power directly through referenda and free elections, as well as through the state authorities and local governments. No one can usurp power in the Republic of South Ossetia. The seizure of power or the appropriation of power is a grave crime against the people and is prosecuted by law.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia consists of IX chapters and 93 articles, which reflect the basic principles of the state and society, the rights and obligations of the citizens.
The adoption of the Constitution was a landmark historical event in the recent history of South Ossetia, since for the first time the country's Basic Law was adopted at a popular referendum. The Constitution, which was in force until 2001, was adopted by Parliament, and initially it was the Constitution of the Soviet State. In 1996, whole sections related to the introduction of presidential power were introduced into this Constitution.
In 2009, the Quorum Center for Monitoring Democratic Processes was observing the compliance of the South Ossetian legislation with generally accepted democratic standards, and based on the results of the work, it was noted that there were practically no contradictions between the Constitution of South Ossetia and the fundamental documents of the Council of Europe, primarily the Convention on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
