Constitution

Seychelles 1993 Constitution (reviewed 2017)

Preamble

We, the People of Seychelles,

GRATEFUL to Almighty God that we inhabit one of the most beautiful countries in the world;

EVER MINDFUL of the uniqueness and fragility of Seychelles;

CONSCIOUS of our colonial history before becoming an Independent Republic;

AWARE and PROUD that as descendants of different races we have learnt to live together as one Nation under God and can serve as an example for a harmonious multi-racial society;

HAVING attained national stability and political maturity despite the pressures of a sadly divided world;

DESIROUS to build a just, fraternal and humane society in a spirit of friendship and co-operation with all peoples of the world;

RECOGNISING the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of members of the human family as the foundation for freedom, justice, welfare, fraternity, peace and unity;

REAFFIRMING that these rights include the rights of the individual to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness free from all types of discrimination;

CONSIDERING that these rights are most effectively maintained and protected in a democratic society where all powers of Government spring from the will of the people;

EXERCISING our natural and inalienable right to a framework of Government which shall secure for ourselves and posterity the blessings of truth, liberty, fraternity, equality of opportunity, justice, peace, stability and prosperity;

INVOKING the blessings of Almighty God;

SOLEMNLY DECLARING our unswaying commitment, during this our Third Republic, to

  • maintain Seychelles as an independent State both politically and economically;
    safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity;

    uphold the rule of law based on the recognition of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in this Constitution and on respect for the equality and dignity of human beings;

    develop a democratic system which will ensure the creation of an adequate and progressive social order guaranteeing food, clothing, shelter, education, health and a steadily rising standard of living for all Seychellois;

    participate actively in the sustainable economic and social development of our society;

    exercise our individual rights and freedoms with due regard to the rights and freedoms of others and the common interest;

    help preserve a safe, healthy and functioning environment for ourselves and for posterity;

HEREBY adopt and confer upon ourselves this Constitution as the fundamental and supreme law of our Sovereign and Democratic Republic.