Constitution

Uruguay 1966 Constitution (reinstated 1985, reviewed 2004)

Table of Contents

SECTION I The Nation and Its Sovereignty

Chapter I

Article 1

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is the political association of all inhabitants included within its territory.

Article 2

It is and always shall be free and independent of any foreign power.

Article 3

It shall never be the patrimony of any person or of any family.

Chapter II

Article 4

Sovereignty to its full extent resides fundamentally in the nation, which has the exclusive authority to enact its laws in the manner which will be hereinafter set forth.

Chapter III

Article 5

All religious sects are free in Uruguay. The State supports no religion whatever. It recognizes the right of the Catholic Church to ownership of all temples which have been built wholly or partly from funds of the National Treasury, with the sole exception of chapels dedicated for use by asylums, hospitals, prisons, or other public establishments. It likewise declares exempt from all forms of taxes the temples dedicated to worship by the various religious sects.

Chapter IV

Article 6

In international treaties which the Republic may conclude there shall be proposed a clause to the effect that all differences which may arise between the contracting parties shall be settled by arbitration or other peaceful means.

The Republic shall seek to attain social and economic integration of the Latin American States, especially in relation to the mutual protection of their products and raw materials. Likewise, it shall seek an effective complementation of their public services.