Constitution of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic

Preamble
We, the working people of Czechoslovakia, solemnly declare that:

The social system for which whole generations of our workers and other working people have fought and which, since the victory of the Great October Revolution, they have had as an example before their eyes, has now under the leadership of the Czechoslovakia Communist Party also come into being in this country.

Socialism has become victorious in our homeland.

We have entered a new era in our history and we are resolved to march on towards new and still higher goals. In completing Socialist construction, we are moving on to the construction of an advanced Socialist society and we are gathering our forces for the transition to Communism.

On this road we shall march hand in hand with our great ally, the fraternal Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and with all the other friendly countries of the world Socialist system, of which our Republic is a firm link.

We want to live in peace and friendship with all nations of the world, to contribute to peaceful coexistence and good relations between States with different social systems. By a consistent peace policy and by the general advancement of our country we shall help all nations to realise the advantages of Socialism, which is the only road to the welfare of all humanity.

Fifteen years ago, in the year 1945, our working people, liberated by the heroic Soviet Army from the chains of the Fascist occupation, decided, in view of their experience with the bourgeois Republic, to organisme their liberated country as a People's Democracy, the mission of which was to ensure peaceful development towards Socialism. The Czechoslovak Communist Party, the well-tried vanguard of the working class, which had been tempered in struggles during the bourgeois Republic and the occupation took up its place at the head of the Republic. The last large-scale attempt by international and internal reaction to thwart this development was warded off by the resolute action of the working people in February 1948.

Thus our working people first rid themselves of alien rule and then also of capitalist exploitation and became masters in their own land. During these fifteen years they have succeeded in achieving through their work and their consistent efforts successes of a kind which were unthinkable under capitalism. The advantages of the Socialist system have manifested themselves in this country quite clearly and convincingly.

The appearance of the whole country has been basically changed. Our national economy is developing and strengthening as never before. Production is growing year after year, and the living standard of all working people is constantly improving. There are no longer any exploiting classes in this country of ours, the exploitation of man by man has been eliminated forever. There are no economic crises, there is no unemployment. Education and culture are becoming the common property of all working people.

Both nations, the Czechs and the Slovaks, who established the Czechoslovak Republic, are living in fraternal harmony. The joint construction of Socialism has enabled Slovakia rapidly to overcome her former backwardness and advance to a high level in industry and agriculture.

The Czechoslovak State, in which the working people headed by the working class organised themselves, has become a people's organisation in the most genuine sense of the word — a Socialist State.

In our country all fundamental tasks of the transition from a capitalist society to a Socialist society have already been fulfilled. Human labour, set free, has become the fundamental factor in the whole of our community. It is now not only a duty, but also a matter of honour for every citizen. Now the principle of Socialism is being put into effect:—

« From each according to his abilities, to each according to his work. »

People's Democracy — as the road to Socialism — has fully justified itself: it has brought us to the victory of Socialism.

All our efforts are directed towards the creation of the material and spiritual conditions for the transition of our society to Communism.

By developing Socialist statehood we shall continue to improve our Socialist democracy, to expand the participation of our working people in State administration and economic management, to consolidate the political and moral unity of our society, to safeguard the defence of the country, to guard the revolutionary achievements of the people, and to create conditions for the development of all their creative abilities.

In the course of the further development when work will become the primary necessity of men, we intend to achieve a development of production forces and an augmentation of the richness of the society which would make it possible to satisfy all the increasing demands of the community and the general advancement of its members. It will then be possible to pass on to the accomplishment of the highest principal of distribution the Communist principle:—

« From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs. »

To reaffirm all the present results of the struggles and work of our people and at the same time to manifest our determined will to attain still higher aims, we today enact this Socialist Constitution of our Republic.

CHAPTER I Social System

 * Article 1.


 * Article 2.


 * Article 3.


 * Article 4.
 * The vanguard of the working class, the Czechoslovak Communist Party, which is a voluntary and militant union of the most active and politically mature citizens from the ranks of the workers, peasants, and intelligentsia, shall be the governing influence in the community and in the State.


 * Article 5.
 * For the purpose of common work, of universal and active participation in the life of the community and the State, and the exercise of their rights, the working people shall associate in voluntary social organisations, in particular the Revolutionary Trade Union Movement, as well as cooperative, Youth Union, cultural, physical-training and other organisations. Certain duties of the State organs are being gradually transferred to the social organisations.


 * Article 6.
 * The National Front of Czechs and Slovaks, which incorporates the social organisations, shall be the political expression of the unity of the working people of the towns and villages, led by the Czechoslovak Communist Party.


 * Article 7.


 * Article 8.


 * Article 9.
 * Within the Socialist economic system, small-scale private enterprise based on personal work and excluding the exploitation of the labour of another shall be permissible.


 * Article 10.


 * Article 11.


 * Article 12.


 * Article 13.


 * Article 14.


 * Article 15.


 * Article 16.


 * Article 17.


 * Article 18.

CHAPTER II Rights and Duties of Citizens

 * Article 19.


 * Article 20.


 * Article 21.


 * Article 22.


 * Article 23.


 * Article 24.


 * Article 25.
 * The State shall guarantee to the citizens of Hungarian, Ukrainian and Polish nationalities the opportunities and means for education in their mother tongue and for their cultural development.


 * Article 26.


 * Article 27.
 * The equal status of the woman in the family, at work and in public activities shall be protected by a special adjustment of working conditions and by special health care in pregnancy and motherhood, and by establishments and facilities which make it possible for women to play a full part in the life of the community.


 * Article 28.


 * Article 29.
 * Citizens and organisations shall have the right to submit proposals, recommendations, and complaints to representative and other public bodies. Such bodies shall accord them attention in a responsible manner and in good time.


 * Article 30.


 * Article 31.
 * The inviolability of the home, the privacy of mail and all other communications and the freedom of domicile shall be guaranteed.


 * Article 32.


 * Article 33.
 * The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic shall grant the right of asylum to foreign nationals persecuted for advocating the interests of the working people, for the participation in the struggle for national liberation, for scientific and artistic work, or for activities in defence of peace.


 * Article 34.
 * Citizens shall observe the Constitution and other laws and in all their actions bear in mind the interests of the Socialist State and the community of the working people.


 * Article 35.
 * Citizens shall protect and consolidate Socialist property as the inviolable basis of the Socialist system and the source of the well-being of the working people and of the wealth and strength of the country.


 * Article 36.
 * Citizens shall carry out conscientiously and honestly the public functions to which they have been called by the working people and regard their fulfilment to the benefit of the community as a matter of honour.


 * Article 37.


 * Article 38.
 * Respect for the rights of fellow citizens, and the conscientious observance of the rules of Socialist co-existence shall form an inseparable part of a citizen's duties.

CHAPTER III The National Assembly

 * Article 39.


 * Article 40.


 * Article 41.


 * Article 42.
 * International political treaties, economic treaties of a general nature and those agreements whose terms must be confirmed by Law shall be submitted to the National Assembly for approval.


 * Article 43.


 * Article 44.


 * Article 45.


 * Article 46.


 * Article 47.
 * The National Assembly shall set up by Law Ministries and the other central organs of Government.


 * Article 48.
 * The National Assembly, as the supreme representative body of the Republic, shall review proposals made by the National Committees, discuss their work, make use of their experience and take steps to improve their organisation and work.


 * Article 49.
 * The National Assembly shall decide on the declaration of war if the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic is attacked or if it is necessary to comply with international agreements on joint defence against attack.


 * Article 50.


 * Article 51.


 * Article 52.


 * Article 53.


 * Article 54.


 * Article 55.
 * The National Assembly shall be responsible for the validity of the election of its Members. It shall appoint a committee on elections to give advice on such matters.


 * Article 56.
 * A Member of the National Assembly shall take the following oath at the first meeting of the National Assembly which he attends: « I hereby declare upon my honour and conscience that I shall be loyal to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the cause of Socialism. I shall respect the will and interests of the people, uphold the Constitution and the other laws of the Republic and work to ensure that their provisions are carried into effect ».


 * Article 57.


 * Article 58.
 * Without the consent of the National Assembly, no member may be subject to criminal or disciplinary prosecution nor be taken into custody.


 * Article 59.


 * Article 60.

CHAPTER IV The President of the Republic

 * Article 61.


 * Article 62.


 * Article 63.


 * Article 64.
 * The President of the Republic shall take the following oath before the National Assembly: « I promise on my honour and conscience that I shall be loyal to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the cause of Socialism. I shall exercise my duties in accordance with the will of the people and in the interests of the people. I shall maintain and uphold the welfare of the Republic, and observe the Constitution and other laws of the Socialist State. »


 * Article 65.
 * If the office of the President of the Republic is vacated and a new President is not yet elected or has not yet been sworn in, or if the President is unable for serious reasons to perform his duties, those duties shall be performed by the Government. In that event the Government may entrust the Prime Minister with some of the duties of the President of the Republic. The supreme command of the armed forces shall be held by the Prime Minister during that period.

CHAPTER V The Government

 * Article 66.


 * Article 67.
 * The Government shall consist of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and Ministers.


 * Article 68.
 * The Government shall organise and ensure the fulfilment of the tasks of the Socialist State in the sphere of economic and cultural construction and in the improvement of the standard of living of the working people. It shall consolidate the security of the country and develop a peaceful foreign policy. For this purpose it shall in particular:— (a) unify, direct and control the work of Ministries and other central authorities of the State. (b) direct and control the work of the National Committees; (c) prepare long-term plans for the development of the national economy and the State budget and ensure and control their implementation. In carrying out long-term plans for the development of the national economy, it shall prepare annual plans and submit reports to the National Assembly on their fulfilment; (d) ensure the application of the Law, the observance of public discipline, the protection of the rights of citizens and the interests of the State; (e) make decisions and decrees in pursuance of the Law and ensure its application; (f) have the right to present bills for enactment by the National Assembly and draft regulations to its Praesidium; (g) appoint public officials and heads of economic organisations in pursuance of the Law, and nominate officials who are appointed by the President of the Republic.


 * Article 69.
 * Ministers shall be sworn in by the President of the Republic. The text of their oath shall be as follows: « I promise on my honour and conscience to be loyal to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the cause of Socialism. I shall fulfil my duties according to the will of the people and in the interests of the people. I shall observe the Constitution and other laws and work to ensure that their provisions are carried into effect. »


 * Article 70.


 * Article 71.
 * On being appointed by the President of the Republic, the Government shall submit a statement of its policy to the National Assembly and seek its approval.


 * Article 72.
 * The Ministries and other central public bodies may make regulations with binding force, in pursuance of Laws and Government decrees and with a view to their application.

CHAPTER VI The Slovak National Council

 * Article 73.


 * Article 74.
 * The Slovak National Council shall have power, interalia:— (a) to enact, in harmony with national legislation — Slovak National Council laws in matters of national or regional nature, so far as special adjustments are necessary for the economic and cultural development of Slovakia; (b) to pass Slovak National Council laws wherever the Council is empowered by a law passed by the National Assembly to do so; (c) to take part in preparing the State Plan for the Development of the National Economy and within its framework to discuss the overall trend of the national economy and culture in Slovakia; (d) to discuss and approve the Budget of the Slovak National Council, its organs, and the institutions in Slovakia directly subordinated to it; (e) to submit Bills for enactment by the National Assembly; (f) to exercise controls within its own jurisdiction; (g) in the spirit of equality, to ensure favourable conditions for improving the welfare of citizens of Hungarian and Ukrainian nationality; (h) to elect the Praesidium of the Slovak National Council and from among its members the Commissioners of the Slovak National Council; (i) to discuss reports from the Praesidium, commissions, and Commissioners of the Slovak National Council.


 * Article 75.


 * Article 76.


 * Article 77.


 * Article 78.


 * Article 79.
 * The Slovak National Council shall be responsible for the validity of the election of its members. It shall appoint a committee on elections to give advice on such matters.


 * Article 80.
 * A member of the Slovak National Council shall take the following oath at the first meeting of the Slovak National Council which he attends: « I promise on my honour and conscience that I shall be loyal to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, to the cause of Socialism, and to the heritage of the Slovak National Rising. I shall respect the will and interests of the people, I shall be guided by the Constitution and the other laws of the Republic, and I shall work to ensure that their provisions are carried into effect. »


 * Article 81.


 * Article 82.
 * Without the consent of the Slovak National Council, no Member may be subject to criminal or disciplinary prosecution nor be taken into custody.


 * Article 83.


 * Article 84.


 * Article 85.

CHAPTER VII National Committees

 * Article 86.


 * Article 87.


 * Article 88.


 * Article 89.


 * Article 90.


 * Article 91.
 * National Committees shall be appointed for Regions, Districts, and, in the Communes, Municipalities or Localities. In Prague there shall be a National Committee for the Capital of Prague. In the boroughs of Prague and some other cities there shall be Borough National Committees.


 * Article 92.
 * The powers and responsibilities of the National Committees at their respective levels shall be determined so that the National Committee may, with the extensive participation of the working people, most effectively safeguard the economic and cultural development and the general needs of the citizens in its area.


 * Article 93.


 * Article 94.
 * In order to discharge their functions, National Committees may make binding regulations of a general character for their areas.


 * Article 95.


 * Article 96.

CHAPTER VIII Courts of Law and Office of the Procurator

 * Article 97.


 * Article 98.


 * Article 99.


 * Article 100.


 * Article 101.


 * Article 102.


 * Article 103.


 * Article 104.
 * The Office of the Procurator shall supervise the uniform application and observance of laws and other regulations by the Ministries and other organs of the State administration, by the National Committees, by the courts of justice, by economic and other organisations and also by the people. The office of the Procurator shall be in charge of the Procurator-General.


 * Article 105.


 * Article 106.
 * Subsidiary offices of the Procurator-General shall be responsible only to the Procurator-General and shall operate independently of local bodies. They shall be assisted in their work by the working people and their organisations.

CHAPTER IX General and Final Provisions

 * Article 107.


 * Article 108.
 * State citizenship shall be acquired and forfeited under conditions laid down by Law.


 * Article 109.
 * The capital city of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic shall be Prague.


 * Article 110.


 * Article 111.


 * Article 112.