Constitution of Liberia

Republic of Liberia
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here"
Anthem: "All Hail, Liberia, Hail!"
Capital	Monrovia
Official languages	English
Government	Unitary presidential republic
• President	George Weah
• Vice President	Jewel Taylor
Legislature	Legislature
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	House of Representatives
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:LR |LR ]]

The Constitution of Liberia is the supreme law of the Republic of Liberia. It was adopted by a national referendum on July 3, 1984, and came into force on January 6, 1986. The Constitution establishes the framework for the government of Liberia, delineating the structure of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and outlining the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

History

The current Constitution of Liberia is the third in the nation's history. The first constitution was adopted in 1847 when Liberia declared its independence. This constitution was heavily influenced by the United States Constitution, reflecting the American heritage of the country's founders. The second constitution was adopted in 1980 following a military coup, but it was short-lived.

The 1986 Constitution was drafted by a Constitutional Commission established by the military government of Samuel Doe. It was designed to restore civilian rule and democratic governance after years of military dictatorship.

Structure

The Constitution of Liberia is divided into several chapters, each addressing different aspects of governance and civil rights:

• Chapter I: Structure of the State - Establishes Liberia as a unitary state with a presidential system.
• Chapter II: General Principles of National Policy - Outlines the fundamental principles guiding national policy, including the promotion of national unity and economic development.
• Chapter III: Fundamental Rights - Enumerates the rights and freedoms of individuals, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
• Chapter IV: Citizenship - Defines the criteria for Liberian citizenship.
• Chapter V: The Legislature - Describes the structure and powers of the bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Chapter VI: The Executive - Details the powers and responsibilities of the President and Vice President.
• Chapter VII: The Judiciary - Establishes the judicial system, including the Supreme Court and lower courts.
• Chapter VIII: Political Parties and Elections - Regulates the formation of political parties and the conduct of elections.
• Chapter IX: Emergency Powers - Provides for the declaration of a state of emergency and the powers of the government during such times.
• Chapter X: Amendments - Outlines the process for amending the Constitution.

Key Provisions

The Constitution of Liberia guarantees a range of civil liberties and political rights. It establishes a system of checks and balances among the branches of government and provides for regular elections. The Constitution also emphasizes the importance of national unity and economic development.

Amendments

The Constitution can be amended through a process that requires approval by two-thirds of the members of both houses of the Legislature and ratification by a majority of voters in a national referendum.

Also see

• History of Liberia
• Politics of Liberia
• Government of Liberia
• Human rights in Liberia
• Elections in Liberia