We, the Slovak nation, mindful of the political and cultural heritage of our forebears, and of the centuries of experience from the struggle for national existence and our own statehood, in the sense of the spiritual heritage of Cyril and Methodius and the historical legacy of the Great Moravian Empire, proceeding from the natural right of nations to self-determination, together with members of national minorities and ethnic groups living on the territory of the Slovak Republic, in the interest of lasting peaceful cooperation with other democratic states, seeking the application of the democratic form of government and the guarantees of a free life and the development of spiritual culture and economic prosperity, that is, we, citizens of the Slovak Republic, adopt through our representatives the following Constitution:

Article 1
The Slovak Republic is a sovereign, democratic, and law-governed state. It is not linked to any ideology or religious belief.

Article 2
(1) State power is derived from citizens, who execute it through their elected representatives or directly.

(2) State bodies can act only on the basis of the Constitution, within its limits, and to the extent and in a manner defined by law.

(3) Everyone can do what is not forbidden by law and no one must be forced to do anything that is not laid down by law.

Article 3
(1) The territory of the Slovak Republic is united and indivisible.

(2) The borders of the Slovak Republic can be changed only by a constitutional law.

Article 4
Natural wealth, underground water, natural medicinal springs, and waterways are in the ownership of the Slovak Republic.

Article 5
(1) Conditions for the acquisition and loss of the citizenship of the Slovak Republic are determined by law.

(2) No one must be deprived of the citizenship of the Slovak Republic against his will.

Article 6
(1) Slovak is the state language on the territory of the Slovak Republic.

(2) The use of other languages in dealings with the authorities will be regulated by law.

Article 7
On the basis of its free decision, the Slovak Republic can enter into a state alliance [zvazok] with other states. The right to secession from this alliance must not be restricted. The decision on entering into a state alliance with other states or on secession from this alliance will be made by a constitutional law and a subsequent referendum.

Article 8
The state symbols of the Slovak Republic are the state emblem, the national flag, the state seal, and the national anthem.

Article 9
(1) The state emblem of the Slovak Republic is represented by a red early Gothic shield featuring a silver double cross on the middle of three blue symbolic mountain peaks.

(2) The national flag of the Slovak Republic consists of three long bands -- white, blue, and red. The front side of the national flag of the Slovak Republic features the state emblem of the Slovak Republic.

(3) The state seal of the Slovak Republic is represented by the state emblem of the Slovak Republic, with the inscription "Slovak Republic" positioned in a circle around it.

(4) The national anthem of the Slovak Republic is the first two stanzas of the song "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" [Lightning Flashes Over the Tatra Mountains].

(5) Details concerning the state emblem, the national flag, the state seal, and the national anthem and their use will be set out in a law.

Article 10
(1) Bratislava is the capital of the Slovak Republic.

(2) The status of Bratislava as the capital of the Slovak Republic will be set out in a law.


Article 11
International treaties on human rights and basic liberties that were ratified by the Slovak Republic and promulgated in a manner determined by law take precedence over its own laws, provided that they secure a greater extent of constitutional rights and liberties.

Article 12
(1) People are free and equal in dignity and their rights. Basic rights and liberties are inviolable, inalienable, secured by law, and unchallengeable.

(2) Basic rights and liberties on the territory of the Slovak Republic are guaranteed to everyone regardless of sex, race, color of skin, language, creed and religion, political or other beliefs, national or social origin, affiliation to a nation or ethnic group, property, descent, or another status. No one must be harmed, preferred, or discriminated against on these grounds.

(3) Everyone has the right to freely decide on his nationality. Any influence on this decision and any form of pressure aimed at assimilation are forbidden.

(4) No one must be restricted in his rights because he upholds his basic rights and liberties.

Article 13
(1) Duties can be imposed only on the basis of law, within its limits, and while complying with basic rights and liberties.

(2) Limits to basic rights and liberties can be set only by law, under conditions laid down in this Constitution.

(3) Legal restrictions of constitutional rights and liberties must apply equally to all cases that meet the set conditions.

(4) When restricting constitutional rights and liberties, attention must be paid to their essence and meaning. These restrictions must not be used for any other than the set purpose.