Suriname 1987 Constitution (reviewed 1992)

CHAPTER XXV. DEFENSE OF THE STATE

Article 180

1. The defense policy is vested in the Government.
2. The protection of the State is a fundamental duty of every citizen.
3. Military service is obligatory for a certain period, under conditions to be regulated by law.
4. Civil service is obligatory under conditions to be regulated by law, as a substitute or complement to military service.
5. Persons who are found to be unsuited for military service of conscientious objectors can, under conditions to be laid down by law, perform unarmed military or civil service fitting for their situation.
6. Without prejudice to further sanctions to be determined by law, a citizen who intentionally fails to perform military or civil service when given the opportunity to do so, shall not fulfill or maintain a function in government or public service.
7. A citizen who performs military or civil service shall not be deemed to damage this legal position or further career development or to infringe secondary labor conditions.
8. Repealed.

CHAPTER XXVI. THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY

Article 181

1. The People’s Assembly consists of: the National Assembly; the District Councils; the Local Councils.
2. The People’s Assembly shall convene for the third vote:
   1. In case of amending of the Constitution with regard to the powers and tasks of the representatives in the several representative bides, whereto the consent of at least 2/3 of the number of valid votes is required, if that majority cannot be obtained after two rounds of voting in the National Assembly.
   2. For the election of the President and the Vice-President, in case none of the candidates has obtained the constitutional majority after two rounds of voting in the National Assembly,
   3. In case a decision shall be taken by law by absolute majority with regard to the possible discharge of the President, if the National Assembly does not reach consensus on the matter.
   4. Repealed.
3. Decisions in the People’s Assembly shall be taken by ordinary majority of the votes cast, if more than half of the number of functioning members of the bodies referred to in paragraph 1, are present.

CHAPTER XXVII. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

First Section. FORMER CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Article 182

The rules of the Constitution of 25 November 1975, the application of which was suspended on 13 August 1980, shall cease to exist when this Constitution becomes effective.

Second Section. FORMER COMMON LAW

Article 183

The legal regulations, such as they existed before this constitution shall become effective, including the laws and decrees promulgated after 25 February 1980, shall remain in force, until they will have been replaced by other rules according to this Constitution, under stipulation that they shall, insofar as they may be contrary to the Constitution, be brought in harmony with this Constitution, not later than by the end of the first period of session of the National Assembly, failing which they shall lose their force of law.

CHAPTER XXVIII. REPEALED

Third Section. COMING INTO FORCE OF INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT

Article 184

1. The National Assembly commences is activities within 30 days after the results of the election.
2. The National Assembly chooses the President and the Vice-President of the Republic of Suriname within 30 days after the commencement of the session period of the National Assembly.

Article 185

Repealed.

CHAPTER XXIX. RATIFICATION, PROMULGATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE

Article 186

1. The Constitution of the Republic of Suriname shall have as date the date of the plebiscite whereby the people of Suriname approved it.
2. The decision whereby the Constitution is approved by the people of Suriname, shall be ratified by the President and formally promulgated, not later than 30 days after its approval.
3. Thus the Constitution has come into force on October 30, 1987.