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144/1968 Coll.

Constitutional Act

of 27 October 1968

on the Status of Nationalities in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic

The National Assembly of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic

Bearing in mind that the working people of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic being the source of all power is constituted in their common homeland and inseparable community by not only Czech and Slovak nation but also by Hungarian, German, Polish and Ukrainian (Ruthenian) nationalities and that these nationalities contribute, in the spirit of the politics of the National Front, to the development of the country and develop also at the same time its own forms of the national living,

In an attempt to deepen and strengthen fraternal coexistence and solidarity of nations and nationalities and to ensure to nationalities their participation on state power and to provide them effective guarantees of further development,

Enacted following Constitutional Act:

Art. 1

Czechoslovak Socialist Republic as a common state to Czech and Slovak nation and nationalities living on its territory, in the spirit of the socialist democracy and internationalism ensures to Hungarian, German, Polish and Ukrainian (Ruthenian) nationality the opportunity and means of universal development.

Art.2

The nationalities are represented proportionally to their number in representative bodies and other elected organs.

Art. 3

(1)   It is ensured to the citizens of Hungarian, German, Polish and Ukrainian (Ruthenian) nationality in an extent proportional to their interests on national development and under conditions determined in laws:

a) the right to education in their language,

b) the right to universal cultural development,

c) the right to use their language before authorities in regions inhabited by respective nationality,

d) the right to found national cultural associations,

e) the right on press and information in their own language.

(2) The extent and conditions of the right specified in the section 1 are determined by laws.

Art. 4

(1)   All citizens may freely decide on their nationality according to their belief.

(2)   Affiliation to any nationality may not be to the detriment of any citizen when it comes to political, economic and social life.

(3)   All forms of pressure exerted in order of denationalization are prohibited.

Art. 5

(1)   This Constitutional Act will be implemented by laws of Federal Assembly and laws of national councils.

(2)   The laws of national councils also enshrine by which representative bodies and executive organs the organs that ensure realization of rights will be established.

Art. 6

Provision of the art. 25 of the Constitution (Constitutional Act no. 100/1960 Coll.) is abolished.

Art. 7

This Constitutional Act comes into effect on 1 January 1969.