Today is Constitution Day in Azerbaijan

Today is the day when the basic law of the Republic of Azerbaijan - the Constitution - was adopted.

The Constitution of the country was adopted 30 years ago - on 12 November, 1995, through a nationwide referendum.

This was the first Constitution of Azerbaijan after its restoration of independence.

After Azerbaijan regained its independence, serious and strict work began on a new draft Constitution. In 1994, the Constitutional Commission, chaired by President Heydar Aliyev, began its activities, and the draft was submitted to nationwide discussion in 1995. On 12 November, 1995, the first Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted by a nationwide referendum.

The new Constitution of Azerbaijan consists of 5 sections, 12 chapters and 158 articles.

Amendments and additions were made to the Constitution by referendum on 24 August, 2002, March 18, 2009, and September 26, 2016.

On 6 February, 1996, by decree of President Heydar Aliyev, November 12 was declared Constitution Day.