Constitutional Law at Liberia
Constitution, government and digest of ... Liberia's current constitutional framework is defined by the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which came into force on January 6, 1986. This constitution replaced the 1847 Constitution, marking a significant shift in the nation's governance following a military coup in 1980. The 1986 Constitution established Liberia as a republic with a presidential system, heavily modeled on the United States Constitution. (Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, Liberia, WIPO Lex, Constitution of the Republic of Liberia | Refworld, Constitution of Liberia)
🇱🇷 Key Features of the 1986 Constitution
1. Structure of Government
Executive: The President serves as both Head of State and Head of Government, with a six-year term and a two-term limit. The President is immune from civil suits and criminal prosecution while in office.
Legislature: A bicameral body consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senators serve nine-year terms, while Representatives serve six-year terms.
Judiciary: An independent judiciary headed by the Supreme Court, with subordinate courts established by law. (Constitution of Liberia)
2. Fundamental Rights
The constitution guarantees a broad range of civil, political, economic, and social rights, including:
Freedom of expression, assembly, and association
Right to a fair trial and legal representation
Freedom of religion
Right to own property (with restrictions on real property ownership by non-citizens)
Workers' rights, including protection from inhumane working conditions and employment discrimination
Right to education and healthcare (Constitution of Liberia (1986) - LIBLAW, Constitution of Liberia)
3. Citizenship and Nationality
Article 27(b) retains the controversial provision from the 1847 Constitution that limits citizenship to "persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent." This has been a subject of debate and calls for reform. (Constitution of Liberia)
4. Amendment Procedures
Amendments to the constitution require approval by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Legislature and must be ratified by a national referendum. This rigorous process ensures that changes reflect broad national consensus.
📘 Accessing the Constitution
The full text of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia is available through the following sources:
Constitute Project
Refworld
Liberian Legal
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