FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS Art. XX – Human Dignity -Human dignity shall be inviolable. -Everyone shall have the right to humane and respectful treatment. -Torture, slavery and human trafficking shall be prohibited. Art. XXI – Equality -All persons shall be equal before the law. -Discrimination based on personal characteristics, religion, political opinion, wealth or social status shall be prohibited. Art. XXII – Right to Life and Security -Everyone shall have the right to life and personal security. -Arbitrary deprivation of life or liberty shall be prohibited. -The death penalty shall not be imposed. Art. XXIII – Freedom of Speech -Everyone shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression. -Political opinions and criticism of the Government shall be protected. Art. XXIV – Freedom of the Press -Freedom of the press shall be guaranteed. -Political censorship of lawful journalism shall be prohibited. Art. XXV – Freedom of Religion -Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. -Everyone may practise, change or reject a religion. -No person shall be discriminated against because of religion or belief. Art. XXVI – Freedom of Assembly -Everyone shall have the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration. -Citizens may organise lawful public meetings and demonstrations. Art. XXVII – Freedom of Association -Everyone shall have the right to establish and join lawful associations. -Political parties and other lawful organisations may be freely established. Art. XXVIII – Right to Privacy -Everyone shall have the right to privacy and family life. -The home and private communications shall be protected. -Personal data shall be protected against unlawful use. Art. XXIX – Freedom of Movement -Citizens shall have the right to move freely within Sveria. -Citizens shall have the right to leave and return to Sveria. Art. XXX – Right to Property -Everyone shall have the right to own property. -No person shall be unlawfully deprived of their property. Art. XXXI – Freedom of Enterprise -Everyone shall have the right to conduct lawful economic activity. -Fair competition shall be protected by the State. Art. XXXII – Right to Work -Everyone shall have the right to freely choose their occupation. -Forced labour shall be prohibited. -Workers shall have the right to form and join trade unions. Art. XXXIII – Right to Education -Every citizen shall have the right to education. -The State shall provide access to public education. Art. XXXIV – Right to Healthcare -Every citizen shall have the right to access essential healthcare. -The State shall maintain public healthcare services. Art. XXXV – Protection of Children -Children shall receive special protection from the State. -Children shall have the right to education, healthcare and safety. -Child abuse and exploitation shall be prohibited. Art. XXXVI – Family -The family shall receive protection under the law. -The State shall support parents and children. Art. XXXVII – Elderly Persons -Elderly persons shall enjoy equal rights and legal protection. -The State shall provide appropriate social protection. Art. XXXVIII – Social Protection -The State shall maintain a system of social assistance. -Special protection shall be provided to persons in need and persons with disabilities. Art. XXXIX – Fair Trial -Everyone shall have the right to a fair and public trial. -Everyone shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. -Everyone shall have the right to legal defence. Art. XL – Protection Against Arbitrary Arrest -No person shall be arbitrarily arrested or detained. -A detained person shall be informed of the reason for their detention and shall have access to legal representation. Art. XLI – Right to Petition -Every citizen shall have the right to submit petitions and complaints to public authorities. Art. XLII – Access to Public Information -Everyone shall have the right to access information concerning public authorities. -Public institutions shall operate transparently. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, ELECTIONS, AND POLITICAL PARTIES Art. XLIII – Sovereignty of the People -Sovereignty shall belong to the people of Sveria. -Public authority shall be exercised only through institutions established by the Constitution and laws. -No person or organisation may unlawfully claim sovereign authority over the State. Art. XLIV – Elections -Elections shall be free, equal, direct and secret. -Every citizen meeting the legal voting requirements shall have the right to vote. -Every eligible citizen shall have the right to stand as a candidate. -Electoral authorities shall conduct elections impartially. -Election results shall be determined according to law. Art. XLV – Political Parties -Political parties may be freely established in Sveria. -Political parties shall participate in democratic political competition. -Political parties shall respect the Constitution and the democratic order. -No political party shall be granted exclusive political power. -The State shall treat political parties equally under the law. Art. XLVI – Political Party Registration -Political parties shall be registered according to procedures established by law. -Registration shall be based on objective and transparent requirements. -A party may only be prohibited by lawful decision where its activities seriously violate the Constitution or the law. -Political parties shall maintain transparent leadership and organisational rules. Art. XLVII – Financing of Political Parties -Political parties must maintain accurate financial records, which they may keep confidential from the public. However, they must disclose the information to the authorities upon request. -Foreign governments and foreign public institutions may not directly finance political parties. -The use of public funds for private political enrichment is prohibited. Art. XLVIII – Election Campaign Financing -Political parties and candidates may spend an unlimited amount of their own legally obtained funds on election campaigns. -No campaign spending limit shall apply to money spent by a political party or candidate from their own funds. -Political parties and candidates shall keep accurate records of their campaign expenditures. -Foreign governments and foreign public institutions may not directly finance election campaigns. -The use of public resources for private political enrichment is prohibited. Art. XLIX – Right to Vote -Every citizen of Sveria who has reached the age of 18 years shall have the right to vote in elections. -Voting rights shall be equal, and every eligible citizen shall have one vote. -Voting shall be conducted by secret ballot. -Persons under the age of 18 shall not have the right to vote. -Persons who have been legally disqualified from voting by a competent court shall not have the right to vote for the duration of such disqualification. -No eligible citizen may be unlawfully prevented from voting. PARLIAMENTARY RULES Art. L – General Rules of Parliament -The National Parliament and the Union Parliament shall conduct their proceedings in accordance with this Constitution and their respective Rules of Procedure. -Each Parliament shall have the authority to establish detailed rules governing its proceedings. -Parliamentary rules shall apply equally to all Members. -Parliamentary sessions shall normally be open to the public. -A Parliament may hold a closed session where permitted by law. Art. LI – Parliamentary Sessions -Each Parliament shall meet regularly during its elected term. -The Speaker or other competent parliamentary authority shall determine the agenda in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. -Members shall be informed of scheduled sessions and proposed legislation. -Parliamentary proceedings shall be recorded and officially documented. -Members shall have reasonable opportunity to participate in debates and votes. Art. LII – The Speaker -Each Parliament shall elect a Speaker in accordance with its Rules of Procedure. -The Speaker shall preside over parliamentary sessions. -The Speaker shall maintain order and ensure that Members may exercise their parliamentary rights. -The Speaker shall apply the Rules of Procedure impartially. -The Speaker shall not unlawfully prevent a Member from speaking or voting. Art. LIII – Submission of Bills and Proposals -A legislative proposal may be submitted by any political party represented in Parliament. -A Member of Parliament may submit a legislative proposal in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. -Legislative proposals shall be submitted in written form. -Each proposal shall clearly state its purpose and proposed legal provisions. -The competent parliamentary authority shall make submitted proposals available to Members. Art. LIV – Debate on Bills -Every legislative proposal shall be subject to parliamentary debate. -Members shall have the right to speak on proposed legislation. -Parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to present arguments for or against a proposal. -Amendments to a proposal may be submitted in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. -A bill shall proceed to a final vote after the applicable debate requirements have been completed. Art. LV – Parliamentary Voting -Each Member shall have one vote unless otherwise provided by law. -Voting shall be conducted according to the Rules of Procedure. -A proposal shall be adopted when it receives the majority required by the Constitution or applicable law. -Members shall be permitted to vote freely and without unlawful interference. -Parliamentary votes shall be officially recorded where required by the Rules of Procedure. Art. LVI – Parliamentary Committees -Each Parliament may establish permanent or temporary committees. -Committees shall examine bills, proposals and other matters assigned to them. -Committee membership shall be organised according to the Rules of Procedure. -Political parties shall receive fair representation on parliamentary committees where applicable. -Committees may request information necessary for their parliamentary work. Art. LVII – Questions and Oversight -Members of Parliament shall have the right to ask questions concerning public affairs. -Ministers and public authorities shall respond to parliamentary questions in accordance with law. -Parliamentary debates may include scrutiny of public institutions and the use of public authority. -Parliament may request reports and information from institutions subject to parliamentary oversight. -No Member shall be punished solely for exercising a lawful parliamentary oversight right. Art. LVIII – Parliamentary Conduct -Members shall maintain order and respect during parliamentary proceedings. -Members shall not use threatening, violent or unlawfully discriminatory conduct during parliamentary sessions. -The Speaker may take disciplinary measures established by the Rules of Procedure against Members who seriously disrupt proceedings. -Members shall not knowingly present false official documents as genuine. -Parliamentary privilege shall not exempt Members from criminal liability for offences unrelated to their lawful parliamentary duties. Art. LIX – Parliamentary Amendments and Early Elections -Ordinary laws may be amended when more than 50.1 percent of the members of the National Parliament support the amendment or abstain, and separately more than 50.1 percent of the members of the Union Parliament support the amendment or abstain. -An amendment to an ordinary law shall require the applicable threshold to be met separately in both Parliaments. -A law once adopted shall not be repealed by either Parliament. -A proposal for an early election may be initiated separately in either Parliament. -An early election proposed in the National Parliament shall be voted on only by the National Parliament. -An early election proposed in the Union Parliament shall be voted on only by the Union Parliament. -An early election shall be approved when 50 percent or more of the members of the relevant Parliament do not oppose it. -For the purpose of approving an early election, an abstention shall count as support and shall therefore not be considered an opposing vote. -The early election procedure of one Parliament shall not require a vote in the other Parliament. PUBLIC FINANCES AND ECONOMIC RULES Art. LX – Adoption of the State Budget and Taxes -The State budget and the principal rules concerning taxation shall be regulated by the Budget Law. -The Budget Law shall require the support of more than 50 percent of the members of the National Parliament for adoption. -The Budget Law shall also require the support of more than 50 percent of the members of the Union Parliament for adoption. -A proposal for the Budget Law may be submitted by any political party. -Amendments to the Budget Law may be proposed by any political party in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. -No annual State budget shall enter into force unless it has been approved by both Parliaments as required by this Constitution. -Tax rates, tax categories, exemptions and other principal taxation rules shall be established in the Budget Law or in laws adopted in accordance with it. Art. LXI – Public Finances -Public money shall be managed according to the Constitution and the laws of Sveria. -Public expenditures shall be authorised according to the Budget Law and other applicable legislation. -Public finances shall be subject to parliamentary oversight. -The Government and public institutions shall maintain accurate financial records. Art. LXII – Taxation -Taxes shall be established and regulated by law. -The principal rules of taxation shall be contained in the Budget Law or legislation adopted pursuant to it. -Taxation shall be applied according to general and objective legal rules. -No person shall be required to pay a tax that has not been established by law. Art. LXIII – Public Property -Public property shall be administered for lawful public purposes. -Public property shall not be used for private enrichment. -The disposal of significant public assets shall be subject to the laws of Sveria. Art. LXIV – Economic Freedom -Everyone shall have the right to conduct lawful economic activity. -The State shall protect fair competition. -Businesses shall operate under laws adopted by Parliament. -The State may regulate businesses and banks in the public interest. POLICE, DEFENCE AND PUBLIC SECURITY Art. LXV -The police shall protect public safety and enforce the laws of Sveria. -Police powers shall only be exercised according to law. -Police officers shall act impartially and professionally. -The police shall not act on behalf of any political party. Art. LXVI -The armed forces shall protect the independence and territorial integrity of Sveria. -The armed forces shall remain under constitutional civilian authority. -The armed forces shall not participate in party political activity while acting in their official capacity. ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE, HISTORY AND NATIONAL HERITAGE Art. LXVII – Environment -Sveria shall protect its natural environment. -The State shall establish laws concerning pollution, environmental protection and the responsible use of natural resources. -Public institutions shall consider environmental protection when making decisions. Art. LXVIII – Cultural Heritage -The cultural heritage of Sveria shall be protected by the State. -Historic buildings, monuments, archaeological sites, museums and other places of cultural importance shall receive protection under law. -The State shall support the preservation and development of Sveria's arts, literature, traditions and cultural institutions. -Citizens and cultural communities shall have the right to preserve and develop their cultural identity and traditions. -Cultural heritage shall be accessible to the public where appropriate and permitted by law. Art. LXIX – History and National Heritage -The historical heritage and memory of Sveria shall be respected and protected. -The State shall support the preservation of historically significant documents, archives, monuments and sites. -Important events and achievements in the history of Sveria may be commemorated through lawful national and public commemorations. -Historical records and cultural materials held by public institutions shall be preserved for future generations. -No public authority shall unlawfully destroy or deliberately conceal historically significant public records. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Art. LXX – Public Administration -Public administration shall serve the citizens of Sveria. -Public officials shall act lawfully, impartially and transparently. -Public institutions shall provide equal treatment to citizens. Art. LXXI – Public Services -Every citizen shall have the right to receive services from public authorities according to law. -Public authorities shall give reasons for decisions where required by law. -Administrative decisions may be challenged according to law. Art. LXXII – Political Neutrality and Integrity -State institutions shall remain politically neutral when carrying out administrative functions. -Public servants shall not use their official authority to unlawfully benefit or disadvantage a political party or individual. -Bribery and corruption in public administration shall be prohibited. FINAL PROVISIONS Art. LXXIII – Constitutional Supremacy and Invalid Laws -Every law and government action shall comply with this Constitution. -A law that is contrary to this Constitution shall remain in force unless and until it is declared unconstitutional and annulled by the Supreme Court of Sveria. -Any person, political party or other legally recognised party may submit a complaint to the Supreme Court alleging that an adopted law is unconstitutional. -The Supreme Court may review an adopted law following such a complaint. -If the Supreme Court determines that a law is unconstitutional, it may annul the law, and the annulment shall take direct effect. -Parliament shall not repeal an adopted law by ordinary parliamentary vote. -The Constitution shall bind every public authority, political party, elected official and citizen. Art. LXXIV – Consumer Protection and Product Safety -Consumers shall have the right to protection against unsafe, defective or misleading products. -Businesses shall be responsible for ensuring that products placed on the market comply with applicable safety requirements. -Products that pose a serious risk to consumers may be removed from the market in accordance with law. -Consumers shall have the right to receive clear and accurate information about the products they purchase. -Misleading advertising, false product information and fraudulent commercial practices shall be prohibited. -Businesses shall provide appropriate remedies for defective products in accordance with law. -The State shall establish and enforce rules to protect consumers and ensure fair commercial practices. Art. LXXV The Fundamental Law of Sveria shall enter into force upon its lawful adoption and publication. Art. LXXVI No provision of this Fundamental Law shall be interpreted as granting a public official powers beyond those expressly provided by the Constitution or laws of Sveria.