Constitution

Paraguay 1992 Constitution (reviewed 2011)

Table of Contents

Preamble

The Paraguayan People, through their legitimate representatives meeting in Constituent National Convention, invoking God, recognizing human dignity in order to assure liberty, equality and justice; reaffirming the principles of republican, representative, participative and pluralistic democracy, ratifying the national sovereignty and independence, and integrating the international community, sanctions and promulgates this Constitution.

Asunción, 20 June 1992

Part I. Of the Fundamental Declarations of the Rights, of the Duties, and of the Guarantees

Title I. Of the Fundamental Declarations

Article 1. Of the Form of the State and of the Government

The Republic of Paraguay is forever free and independent. It constitutes itself as a social State of law, unitary, indivisible, and decentralized in the form established by this Constitution and the laws.

The Republic of Paraguay adopts for its government the representative, participative and pluralistic democracy, founded on the recognition of human dignity.

Article 2. Of Sovereignty

In the Republic of Paraguay sovereignty resides in the People, who exercise it in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Article 3. Of the Public Power

The People exercise the Public Power through suffrage. The government is exercised by the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial powers within a system of separation, equilibrium, coordination, and reciprocal control. None of these powers may arrogate, or grant to another, or to any person, individual or collectivity, extraordinary faculties or the sum of the Public Power.

Dictatorship is outside of the law.