Preamble
We the people of Eritrea, united in a common struggle for our rights and common destiny, standing on the solid ground of unity and justice bequeathed by our martyrs and combatants: With Eternal Gratitude to the scores of thousands of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the causes of our rights and independence, during the long and heroic revolutionary struggle for liberation, and to the courage and steadfastness of our Eritrean patriots;
Aware that it is the sacred duty of all Eritreans to build a strong and developed Eritrea on the bases of freedom, unity, peace, stability and security achieved through the long struggle of all Eritreans, which tradition we must cherish, preserve and develop; Realising that in order to build a developed country, it is necessary that the unity, equality, love for truth and justice, self-reliance, and hard work, which we nurtured during our revolutionary struggle for independence and which helped us to triumph, must become the core of our national values;
Appreciating the fact that for the development and health of our society, it is necessary that we inherit and improve upon the traditional community-based assistance and fraternity, love for family, respect for elders, mutual respect and consideration; Convinced that the recognition, protection and securing of the rights and freedoms of citizens, human dignity, equality will guarantee a balanced development; lay down the groundwork for satisfying the material and spiritual needs of citizens; usher in a democratic order that is responsive to the needs and interests of citizens, guarantees their participation and brings about economic development, social progress and harmony; Noting the fact that the Eritrean women's heroic participation in the struggle for independence and solidarity based on equality and mutual respect generated by such struggle will serve as an unshakable foundation for our commitment and struggle to create a society in which women and men shall interact on the bases of mutual respect, fraternity and equality;
Desirous that the Constitution we are adopting will be a covenant between us and the government we will be structuring by our free will and serve as a means for governing in harmony this and the future generation; and for bringing about justice and peace, founded on democracy, national unity and the rule of law; today ..., on this historic date, after active popular participation, approve and solemnly ratify officially, through the Constituent Assembly, this Constitution as the fundamental law of our Sovereign and Independent State of Eritrea.
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1: The State of Eritrea and its Territory
1. Eritrea is a sovereign and independent State founded on the
principles of democracy, social justice and the rule of law. 2. The territory of Eritrea consists of all its territories, including the
islands, territorial waters and airspace, delineated by
internationally recognised boundaries. 3. In the State of Eritrea, sovereign power is vested in the people, who
shall exercise such power through their representatives, duly elected
pursuant to the procedures authorised by the provisions of this
Constitution. 4. The State that is to be established by a democratic process to
represent the people's sovereignty shall have strong institutions,
capable of accommodating people's participation and of serving as
foundation of a viable democratic and political order. 5. The State of Eritrea shall have a unitary government divided into
units of local government. The powers and duties of these units shall
be determined by law.
Article 2: Supremacy of the Constitution
1. This Constitution is the legal expression of the sovereignty of the
Eritrean people. 2. This Constitution enunciates the principles on which the State is to be
based and guided by and determines the organisation and operation
of government. It is the source of government legitimacy and the
guarantor for the protection of the rights, freedoms and dignity of
citizens and of just administration. 3. This Constitution is the supreme law of the country and the source of
all laws of the State, and all laws, orders and acts contrary to its
letter and spirit shall be null and void. 4. All organs of the State, all public and private associations and
institutions and all citizens shall be bound by and remain loyal to the
Constitution and shall ensure its observance. 5. Pursuant to the provisions of this Constitution and other laws, the
conduct of the affairs of government and all orgnisations and
institutions shall be accountable and transparent. 6. This Constitution shall serve as a basis for instilling constitutional
culture and for enlightening and ensuring that organisations of the
State and citizens respect fundamental human rights and duties.
Article 3: Citizenship
1. Any person born of an Eritrean father or mother is an Eritrean by
birth. 2. Any foreign citizen may acquire Eritrean citizenship pursuant to law. 3. The details concerning citizenship shall be regulated by law. Article 4 National Symbols and Languages 1. The Eritrean Flag shall have green, red and blue colours with
golden olive leaves located at the centre. The exact description
of the Flag shall be determined by law. 2. Eritrea shall have a National Anthem and a Coat of Arms
appropriately reflecting the history and the aspiration of its
people. The details of the National Anthem and the Coat of
Arms shall be determined by law. 3. The equality of all Eritrean languages is guaranteed.
Article 5: Gender Reference
Without consideration to the gender wording of any provision in this Constitution, all of its articles shall apply equally to both genders.
