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Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, Maldives
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Latest Version in WIPO Lex
Year of Version
2008
Dates
Entry into force:
August 7, 2008
Adopted:
August 7, 2008
Type of Text
Constitution/Basic Law
Subject Matter
Other
Notes
The current Constitution of the Republic of Maldives came into force on 7 August 2008. The Maldives is a sovereign, independent, democratic Republic based on the principles of Islam (Art. 2).
The Maldives is a presidential Republic; the executive power is vested in the President, which is the head of the State, of the Government and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces (Art. 106). The President appoints the Cabinet which is made up of the President, the Vice President, Attorney General and ministers. The legislative power is vested in a unicameral parliament (People’s Majlis). The parliament has the authority to enact, amend and revise laws (Art. 70). The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, the High Court, and such Trial Courts as established by law (Art. 141).
According to Article 10 (a) Islam shall be the one of the basis of all the laws. Maldives has an Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters.
The Constitution does not contain provisions concerning the protection of intellectual property rights; however, Article 40 guarantees the protection of private property. Furthermore the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression in a manner that is not contrary to any tenet of Islam (Art.27), freedom of the media (Art. 28) and the freedom of acquiring and imparting knowledge (Art.29)
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Constitution of the Republic of Maldives
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Maldivian
Constitution of the Republic of Maldives
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WIPO Lex No.
MV001