Easy access at the tip of your fingers, subscribe to our daily ePaper version of our New Era Newspaper.
Home / Russian Federation celebrates 5th constitution
Russian Federation celebrates 5th constitution
2013-12-16Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK – The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Namibia, Alexander Khudin, together with members of the diplomatic corps last Wednesday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the constitution of the Russian Federation in Windhoek. Khudin said that it is the 5th constitution of Russia since 1918. “To some it may seem many but it can be understood if one looks at the events of the past century. Revolutions and wars, decades of reconstruction, fast development and building up a new state on an immense territory was a demanding task. The Russian constitution is a mere reflection of this historic process,” said the Russian Ambassador. He said it took three years to draft the basic law of Russia. “It was not without drastic twists particularly when things were complicated by a tough standoff between the parliament and the president at that time. Some may recall the events of those dark days and a tank salvo from the bridge across the Moscow River in 1993,” reminisced the Ambassador. He said the new constitution is documented in 18 volumes of protocols, minutes, drafts and opinions. The basic law was put to a national referendum on December 12 1993 and was effected on December 25 in the same year. He said the Russian constitution defines the contemporary Russia as a new democratic, federal, social and secular state based on the rule of law and the republican form of government outlining all aspects of the state, social and federal structure. Khudin said the strict procedure of adopting amendments to the basic law of the country established in Chapter 9 ensures stability of the constitution, which is imperative with regard to the legal protection of the state sovereignty as well as political and economic independence. Khudin said the constitution further outlined all aspects of the state, social and federal structure and it notably develops further provision aimed at the protection of constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, which is in line with the principals and standards of international legal instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, the International Pact on Political and Civil Rights, International Pact on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights both of 1966, European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms of 1950. “Never in the history did the Russian people enjoy that scope of rights and freedoms. We are proud of our constitution,” he said jovially as he raised the champagne glass followed by loud cheers. By Fifi Rhodes 2013-12-16Staff Report 2
