Celebrating Constitution Day in Ukraine
June 28 is Constitution Day in Ukraine.
This holiday is unique as it is enshrined in the Constitution itself, and for the fourth consecutive year we celebrate it under a state of emergency due to military actions stemming from Russian aggression, reports Ukrinform.
The Constitution was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on June 28, 1996, at 9:18 AM, after nearly a full day of continuous work.
The adoption of the Constitution solidified the legal foundations of an independent Ukraine, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while also promoting the protection of human rights and enhancing Ukraine's international standing.
The constitutional process began after the Declaration of State Sovereignty was adopted on July 16, 1990. In October of the same year, a Constitutional Commission was established. From 1991 to 1996, commissions set up by the Verkhovna Rada and the President developed several drafts of the Constitution, which were discussed and refined over a long period.
The most significant disputes arose over the distribution of power, ownership, state symbols, the status of the Russian language, and the autonomy of Crimea. Leftist forces tended to downplay the role of presidential power, while right-wing factions advocated for a strong presidential authority.
On the night of June 27-28, 1996, the Constitution of Ukraine was adopted, receiving support from two-thirds of the deputies. It established a strong presidential power, guaranteed private property rights, and confirmed the status of the Ukrainian language as the sole state language.
Since its adoption, the Constitution has undergone several amendments. The 1996 Constitution has a strict procedure for making changes, requiring from 2/3 to 3/4 of the votes in the Verkhovna Rada. Amendments that limit human rights cannot be adopted.
