POWER COMES FROM THE PEOPLE AND BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE

PART ONE Principles and fundamentals ARTICLE 1 Albania is a republic and a state governed by law, where power originates from and is exercised by the people. ARTICLE 2 The Republic of Albania ensures democracy and bases the whole society on human freedoms and rights. ARTICLE 3 Land, waters, forests and other natural resources are national wealth. ARTICLE 4 The organs of power are formed through free, universal, direct and secret voting. ARTICLE 5 State activity is carried out on the basis of the constitution and the laws. ARTICLE 6 All citizens are equal before the law. ARTICLE 7 State activity is protected by law from violations and infringements. ARTICLE 8 Parties and other social and political organizations operate in accordance with the law. ARTICLE 9 The Republic of Albania protects the family, mothers and children. ARTICLE 10 The Republic of Albania creates conditions for citizens to work according to their abilities and to receive according to their work. ARTICLE 11 In the Republic of Albania the following coexist as independent forms of property: state property, cooperative property, other organizational property and private property. ARTICLE 12 Forests, pastures, waters, mineral resources, livestock resources, banks, roads, railways, postal-telegraph-telephone services, radio and television, energy and other assets of vital importance are state property and the wealth of the whole people. ARTICLE 13 The Republic of Albania protects private and collective activity, independent in the fields of agriculture, industry, trade, crafts and services. ARTICLE 14 Cooperative property, the common property of farming communities, is protected by the state. ARTICLE 15 Its creation, transfer and inheritance are governed by rules laid down by law. ARTICLE 16 Foreign legal entities and natural persons may acquire the right to possess and use land, lease the country's assets and engage in economic activity, according to rules established by law. ARTICLE 17 Private property services may be held on the basis of agreements between the parties and the state. ARTICLE 18 Expropriation of private property may be carried out in exceptional cases for reasons of public interest and only in return for fair compensation. ARTICLE 19 The state cares for the Greek national minority; it guarantees respect for its rights. ARTICLE 20 The state crowns domestic and foreign trade. ARTICLE 21 Strikes are socio-economic; the country is based on work. They may not restrict the rights of other subjects. ARTICLE 22 The freedoms, rights and duties of citizens are implemented on the basis of the constitution and the laws. ARTICLE 23 Property is the right of the state thanks. ARTICLE 24 The state protects cultural and artistic values and the development of education, science and culture. ARTICLE 25 Citizens have the right to freely express their opinions. ARTICLE 26 Prior censorship of the media is not allowed. ARTICLE 27 Freedom of conscience and religion is guaranteed. ARTICLE 28 No one may be forced to take part in an association or organization against his will. ARTICLE 29 The state ensures legal aid, in accordance with the law. ARTICLE 30 No one may be deprived of liberty except in the cases and according to the procedure laid down by law. ARTICLE 31 Citizens have the right to legal protection and rehabilitation. ARTICLE 32 Citizens enjoy the right to work, rest, leisure, education and social security. ARTICLE 33 Employees are guaranteed the right to trade unions and to strike. ARTICLE 34 The state protects the cultural and artistic values of the Albanian people. ARTICLE 35 The state ensures citizens access to means of communication and information. ARTICLE 36 The state and the family care for the development of children and the education of the young generation. ARTICLE 37 The state recognizes and protects the rights of the person. ARTICLE 38 Citizens have the right to professional work. ARTICLE 39 The state guarantees freedom of creativity in science, technology, art and culture. ARTICLE 40 Violation of constitutional rights is punishable by law. ARTICLE 41 Violation of a legal right is punishable. ARTICLE 42 Citizens may not be expelled from the territory of the Republic of Albania. (Continues on page 2)