Constitution Day of Ukraine

The Constitution is the Fundamental Law of the state, which establishes its political and legal system, the rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens, and defines the principles of the organization of government. It is the foundation of democracy and the rule of law, as well as a guarantee of the protection of every citizen’s rights.

On June 28, Ukraine celebrates Constitution Day. This holiday holds special significance because it was the Constitution of Ukraine, adopted on June 28, 1996, that established the legal foundations of the independent state, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

It defines Ukraine as a sovereign and independent, democratic, social, and law-governed state, and declares the person, their life and health, honor and dignity, inviolability and security to be the highest values.

The adoption of the Constitution was an important stage in the development of Ukrainian statehood and affirmed the aspiration of the Ukrainian people to live in their own sovereign country according to European democratic standards.

Historical context: the path to the modern Constitution of Ukraine was a long one. At different times, the Ukrainian people created their own constitutional documents, from Ruska Pravda to the Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk of 1710, which is considered one of the first constitutional documents in the world. These documents demonstrated the Ukrainians’ aspiration for a just social order in which the rule of law stands above the arbitrariness of those in power.

The modern Constitution was adopted following continuous debate in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the night of June 27–28, 1996. This night became known as the “constitutional night.” Members of Parliament worked without rest to adopt the Fundamental Law, which became a symbol of Ukraine’s independence.

Significance of the Constitution:

It guarantees the rights and freedoms of every citizen.
It establishes the principle of the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
It enshrines the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
It serves as the foundation for the further development of legislation.

Constitution Day reminds every Ukrainian of the importance of respecting the law, honoring rights and freedoms, and recognizing our responsibility to the state and society.

Today, during the war, the Constitution has even greater significance. It enshrines our choice to be a free European state where people, their rights and freedoms are recognized as the highest values. It is the foundation upon which we are building a strong, democratic, and just Ukraine.

Additional materials:

The Constitution is not merely the text of a law; it is a symbol of the freedom, democracy, and strength of the Ukrainian people.