Constitution

Republic of North Macedonia 1991 Constitution (reviewed 2011)

Table of Contents

X. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

AMENDMENT I

  1. The Republic of Macedonia has no territorial pretensions towards any neighboring state.
  2. The borders of the Republic of Macedonia can only be changed in accordance with the Constitution and on the principle of free will, as well as in accordance with generally accepted international norms.
  3. Clause 1. of this Amendment is an Addendum to Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. Clause 2. replaces Paragraph 3 of the same Article.

AMENDMENT II

  1. In the exercise of this concern the Republic will not interfere in the sovereign rights of other states or in their internal affairs.
  2. This Amendment is an Addendum to Paragraph 1 of Article 49 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia.These Amendments are an integral part of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia and came into force on the day they were promulgated, on January 6th, 1992.

AMENDMENT III

  1. Detention until the indictment may last, by a court decision, for a maximum period of 180 days from the day of detention. After the indictment, detention may be prolonged or determined by a competent court in case and in procedure prescribed by law.
  2. This amendment replaces Paragraph 5 of Article 12 of the Constitution.

AMENDMENT IV

  1. The citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, the Macedonian people, as well as citizens living within its borders who are part of the Albanian people, the Turkish people, the Vlach people, the Serbian people, the Romany people, the Bosniak people and others taking responsibility for the present and future of their fatherland, aware of and grateful to their predecessors for their sacrifice and dedication in their endeavours and struggle to create an independent and sovereign state of Macedonia, and responsible to future generations to preserve and develop everything that is valuable from the rich cultural inheritance and coexistence within Macedonia, equal in rights and obligations towards the common good—the Republic of Macedonia—in accordance with the tradition of the Krushevo Republic and the decisions of the Antifascist People’s Liberation Assembly of Macedonia, and the Referendum of September 8, 1991, have decided to establish the Republic of Macedonia as an independent, sovereign state, with the intention of establishing and consolidating the rule of law, guaranteeing human rights and civil liberties, providing peace and coexistence, social justice, economic well-being and prosperity in the life of the individual and the community, and, in this regard, through their representatives in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, elected in free and democratic elections, adopt . . . .
  2. Item 1 of this amendment replaces the Preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia.

AMENDMENT V

  1. The Macedonian language, written using its Cyrillic alphabet, is the official language throughout the Republic of Macedonia and in the international relations of the Republic of Macedonia.Any other language spoken by at least 20 percent of the population is also an official language, written using its alphabet, as specified below.Any official personal documents of citizens speaking an official language other than Macedonian shall also be issued in that language, in addition to the Macedonian language, in accordance with the law.Any person living in a unit of local self-government in which at least 20 percent of the population speaks an official language other than Macedonian may use that official language to communicate with the regional office of the central government with responsibility for that municipality; such an office shall reply in that language in addition to Macedonian. Any person may use any official language to communicate with a main office of the central government, which shall reply in that language in addition to Macedonian.In the organs of the Republic of Macedonia, any official language other than Macedonian may be used in accordance with the law.

    In the units of local self-government where at least 20 percent of the population speaks a particular language, that language and its alphabet shall be used as an official language in addition to the Macedonian language and the Cyrillic alphabet. With respect to languages spoken by less than 20 percent of the population of a unit of local self-government, the local authorities shall decide on their use in public bodies.

  2. This amendment replaces Article 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia.

AMENDMENT VI

  1. Equitable representation of persons belonging to all communities in public bodies at all levels and in other areas of public life;
  2. Item 1 of this amendment is an addition to line 2 of Article 8 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia.