Burkina Faso

Constitution of Burkina Faso

Year of current version:	1991
Date of Text (Adopted):	June 2, 1991
Type of Text:	Constitution / Basic Law
Subject Matter:	Copyright and Related Rights (Neighboring Rights), Other, Patents (Inventions), Traditional Cultural Expressions
Notes:	The Constitution of Burkina Faso was adopted by referendum on June 2, 1991 and amended in 1997, 2000 and 2002. The Constitution defines the form of government as democratic, unitary and secular state and established a semi-presidential regime. The Constitution specifies that the system of government is based on the separation of powers. The executive power is exercised by the President, who is both the head of State and head of government. The President is elected for a five-year term. The legislative power is vested in the Government and the (unicameral) Parliament, which has 111 deputies elected to five-year terms. The judicial system consists of the Supreme Court and two courts of appeal in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. The legal system comprises civil and customary law. Article 28 of the Constitution protects the intellectual property, which reads: 'The law guarantees intellectual property. The freedom of creation and artistic, scientific and technical works are protected by the law. The manifestation of cultural, intellectual, artistic and scientific activity is free and is exercised in conformity with the laws in force.'
Available Texts:
French	Constitution du Burkina Faso
WIPO Lex No.:	BF011