We, the people of Albania, proud and aware of our history, with responsibility for the future, and with faith in God and/or other universal values, with determination to build a social and democratic state based on the rule of law, and to guarantee the fundamental human rights and freedoms, with a spirit of tolerance and religious coexistence, with the pledge for the protection of human dignity and personhood, as well as for the prosperity of the whole nation, for peace, well-being, culture and social solidarity, with the centuries-old aspiration of the Albanian people for national identity and unity, with a deep conviction that justice, peace, harmony and cooperation among nations are among the highest values of humanity,

We establish this Constitution:

1. Albania is a parliamentary Republic.

2. The Republic of Albania is a unitary and indivisible state.

3. Governance is based on a system of elections that are free, equal, general and periodic.

1. Sovereignty in the Republic of Albania belongs to the people.

2. The people exercise sovereignty through their representatives or directly.

3. For the maintenance of peace and national interests, the Republic of Albania may take part in a system of collective security, on the basis of a law approved by a majority of all the members of the Assembly.

The independence of the state and the integrity of its territory, dignity of the individual, human rights and freedoms, social justice, constitutional order, pluralism, national identity and inheritance, religious coexistence, as well as coexistence with, and understanding of Albanians for, minorities are the bases of this state, which has the duty of respecting and protecting them.

1. The law constitutes the basis and the boundaries of the activity of the state.

2. The Constitution is the highest law in the Republic of Albania.

3. The provisions of the Constitution are directly applicable, except when the Constitution provides otherwise.

The Republic of Albania applies international law that is binding upon it.

The organization and functioning of the organs contemplated by this Constitution are regulated by their respective laws, except when this Constitution provides otherwise.

The system of government in the Republic of Albania is based on the separation and balancing of legislative, executive and judicial powers.

1. The Republic of Albania protects the national rights of the Albanian people who live outside its borders.

2. The Republic of Albania protects the rights of its citizens with a temporary or permanent residence outside its borders.

3. The Republic of Albania assures assistance for Albanians who live and work abroad in order to preserve and develop their ties with the national cultural inheritance.

1. Political parties are created freely. Their organization shall conform with democratic principles.

2. Political parties and other organizations, the programs and activity of which are based on totalitarian methods, which incite and support racial, religious, regional or ethnic hatred, which use violence to take power or influence state policies, as well as those with a secret character, are prohibited pursuant to the law.

3. The financial sources of parties as well as their expenses are always made public.

1. In the Republic of Albania there is no official religion.

2. The state is neutral in questions of belief and conscience, and also, it guarantees the freedom of their expression in public life.

3. The state recognizes the equality of religious communities.

4. The state and the religious communities mutually respect the independence of one another and work together for the good of each of them and for all.

5. Relations between the state and religious communities are regulated on the basis of agreements entered into between their representatives and the Council of Ministers. These agreements are ratified by the Assembly.

6. Religious communities are juridical persons. They have independence in the administration of their properties according to their principles, rules and canons, to the extent that interests of third parties are not infringed.

1. The economic system of the Republic of Albania is based on private and public property, as well as on a market economy and on freedom of economic activity.

2. Private and public property are equally protected by law.

3. Limitations on the freedom of economic activity may be established only by law and for important public reasons.

1. The armed forces secure the independence of the country, as well as protect its territorial integrity and constitutional order.

2. The armed forces maintain neutrality in political questions and are subject to civilian control.

3. No foreign military force may be situated in, or pass through, the Albanian territory, as well no Albanian military force may be sent abroad, except by a law approved by a majority of all members of the Assembly.

Local government in the Republic of Albania is founded upon the basis of the principle of decentralization of power and is exercised according to the principle of local autonomy.

1. The official language in the Republic of Albania is Albanian.

2. The national flag is red with a two-headed black eagle in the center.

3. The seal of the Republic of Albania presents a red shield with a black, two-headed eagle in the center. At the top of the shield, in gold color, is the helmet of Skanderbeg.

4. The national anthem is "United Around Our Flag."

5. The National Holiday of the Republic of Albania is Flag Day, November 28.

6. The capital city of the Republic of Albania is Tirana.

7. The form and dimensions of the national symbols, the content of the text of the national anthem, and their use shall be regulated by law.

1. The fundamental human rights and freedoms are indivisible, inalienable, and inviolable and stand at the basis of the entire juridical order.

2. The organs of public power, in fulfillment of their duties, shall respect the fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as contribute to their realization.

1. The fundamental rights and freedoms and the duties contemplated in this Constitution for Albanian citizens are also valid for foreigners and stateless persons in the territory of the Republic of Albania, except for cases when the Constitution specifically attaches the exercise of particular rights and freedoms with Albanian citizenship.

2. The fundamental rights and freedoms and the duties contemplated in this Constitution are valid also for juridical persons so long as they comport with the general purposes of these persons and with the core of these rights, freedoms and duties.

1. The limitation of the rights and freedoms provided for in this Constitution may be established only by law for a public interest or for the protection of the rights of others. A limitation shall be in proportion with the situation that has dictated it.

2. These limitations may not infringe the essence of the rights and freedoms and in no case may exceed the limitations provided for in the European Convention on Human Rights.

1. All are equal before the law.

2. No one may be unjustly discriminated against for reasons such as gender, race, religion, ethnicity, language, political, religious or philosophical beliefs, economic condition, education, social status, or ancestry.

3. No one may be discriminated against for reasons mentioned in paragraph 2 if reasonable and objective legal grounds do not exist.

1. Everyone born of at least one parent with Albanian citizenship gains automatically Albanian citizenship. Albanian citizenship is gained also for other reasons provided by law.

2. An Albanian citizen may not lose his citizenship, except when he gives it up.

1. Persons who belong to national minorities exercise in full equality before the law the human rights and freedoms.

2. They have the right to freely express, without prohibition or compulsion, their ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic belonging. They have the right to preserve and develop it, to study and to be taught in their mother tongue, as well as unite in organizations and societies for the protection of their interests and identity.

The life of a person is protected by law.

1. Freedom of expression is guaranteed.

2. The freedom of the press, radio and television are guaranteed.

3. Prior censorship of a means of communication is prohibited.

4. The law may require the granting of authorization for the operation of radio or television stations.

1. The right to information is guaranteed.

2. Everyone has the right, in compliance with law, to get information about the activity of state organs, as well as of persons who exercise state functions.

3. Everybody is given the possibility to follow the meetings of collectively elected organs.

1. Freedom of conscience and of religion is guaranteed.

2. Everyone is free to choose or to change his religion or beliefs, as well as to express them individually or collectively, in public or private life, through cult, education, practices or the performance of rituals.

3. No one may be compelled or prohibited to take part or not in a religious community or in religious practices or to make his beliefs or faith public.

No one may be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading torture, punishment or treatment.

No one may be required to perform forced labor, except in cases of the execution of a judicial decision, the performance of military service, or for a service that results from a state of emergency, war or natural disaster that threatens human life or health.

1. No one's liberty may be taken away except in the cases and according to the procedures provided by law.

2. Freedom of a person may not be limited, except in the following cases:

a. -- when he is punished with imprisonment by a competent court;

b. -- for failure to comply with the lawful orders of the court or with an obligation set by law;

c. -- when there are reasonable suspicions that he has committed a criminal offense or to prevent the commission by him of a criminal offense or his escape after its commission;

d. -- for the supervision of a minor for purposes of education or for escorting him to a competent organ;

e. -- when a person is the carrier of a contagious disease, mentally incompetent and dangerous to society;

f. -- for illegal entry at state borders or in cases of deportation or extradition.

3. No one may be deprived of liberty just because he is not in a condition to fulfill a contractual obligation.

1. Everyone whose liberty has been taken away has the right to be notified immediately, in a language that he understands, of the reasons for this measure, as well as the accusation made against him. The person whose liberty has been taken away shall be informed that he has no obligation to make a declaration and has the right to communicate immediately with a lawyer, and he shall also be given the possibility to realize his rights.

2. The person whose liberty has been taken away, according to article 27, paragraph 2, subparagraph c), must be sent within 48 hours before a judge, who shall decide upon his pre-trial detention or release not later than 48 hours from the moment he receives the documents for review.

3. A person in pre-trial detention has the right to appeal the judge's decision. He has the right to be tried within a reasonable period of time or to be released on bail pursuant to law.

4. In all other cases, the person whose liberty is taken away extra-judicially may address a judge at anytime, who shall decide within 48 hours regarding the legality of this action.

5. Every person whose liberty was taken away pursuant to article 27, has the right to humane treatment and respect for his dignity.

1. No one may be accused or declared guilty of a criminal act that was not considered as such by law at the time of its commission, with the exception of cases, which at the time of their commission, according to international law, constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.

2. No punishment may be given that is more severe than that which was contemplated by law at the time of commission of the criminal act.

3. A favorable criminal law has retroactive effect.

Everyone is considered innocent so long as his guilt is not proven by a final judicial decision.

During a criminal proceeding, everyone has the right:

a. -- to be notified immediately and in detail of the accusation made against him, of his rights, as well as to have the possibility created to notify his family or those close to him;

b. -- to have the time and sufficient facilities to prepare his defense;

c. -- to have the assistance without payment of a translator, when he does not speak or understand the Albanian language;

d. -- to be defended by himself or with the assistance of a legal defender chosen by him; to communicate freely and privately with him, as well as to be assured of free defense when he does not have sufficient means;

e. -- to question witnesses who are present and to seek the presentation of witnesses, experts and other persons who can clarify the facts.

1. No one may be obliged to testify against himself or his family or to confess his guilt.

2. No one may be declared guilty on the basis of data collected in an unlawful manner.

1. No one may be denied the right to be heard before being judged.

2. A person who is hiding from justice may not take advantage of this right.

No one may be punished more than one time for the same criminal act nor be tried again, except for cases when the re-adjudication of the case is decided on by a higher court, in the manner specified by law.

1. No one may be obliged, except when the law requires it, to make public data connected with his person.

2. The collection, use and making public of data about a person is done with his consent, except for the cases provided by law.

3. Everyone has the right to become acquainted with data collected about him, except for the cases provided by law.

4. Everyone has the right to request the correction or expunging of untrue or incomplete data or data collected in violation of law.

The freedom and secrecy of correspondence or any other means of communication are guaranteed.

1. The inviolability of the residence is guaranteed.

2. Searches of a residence, as well as the premises that are equivalent to it, may be done only in the cases and manner provided by law.

3. No one may be subjected to a personal search outside a criminal proceeding, with the exception of the cases of entry into the territory of the state and the leaving of it, or to avoid a risk that threatens public security.

1. Everyone has the right to choose his place of residence and to move freely to any part of the territory of the state.

2. No one may be hindered to go freely out of the state.

1. No Albanian citizen may be expelled from the territory of the state.

2. Extradition may be permitted only when it is expressly provided in international agreements, to which the Republic of Albania is a party, and only by judicial decision.

3. The collective expulsion of foreigners is prohibited. The expulsion of individuals is permitted under the conditions specified by law.

Foreigners have the right of refuge in the Republic of Albania according to law.

1. The right of private property is guaranteed.

2. Property may be gained by gift, inheritance, purchase, or any other classical means provided by the Civil Code.

3. The law may provide for expropriations or limitations in the exercise of a property right only for public interests.

4. The expropriations or limitations of a property right that are equivalent to expropriation are permitted only against fair compensation. 

5. For disagreements connected with the extent of the compensation, a complaint may be filed in court.

1. The freedom, property, and rights recognized in the Constitution and by law may not be infringed without due process.

2. Everyone, to protect his constitutional and legal rights, freedoms, and interests, or in the case of an accusation raised against him, has the right to a fair and public trial, within a reasonable time, by an independent and impartial court specified by law.

Everyone has the right to appeal a judicial decision to a higher court, except when the Constitution provides otherwise.