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Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, 1990 (as amended up to 2010), Namibia
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Year of Version
2010
Dates
Amended up to:
May 7, 2010
Commenced:
March 21, 1990
Published:
March 21, 1990
Adopted:
February 9, 1990
Type of Text
Constitution/Basic Law
Subject Matter
Other
Notes
The current Constitution of Namibia was ratified on February 9, 1990 and entered into force on March 12, 1990, before its independence from apartheid South Africa on March 21, 1990.
The Constitution was amended in 1998 and 2010.
Before its independence, Namibia was named German South-West Africa (Sued-West Afrika).
The Constitution is the supreme law of Namibia (art. 1§6). Namibia has a mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law. The executive branch of government is composed of the President, acting as chief of state, the Prime Minister as head of government and the Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly.
The country has a bicameral legislature consisting of the National Council and the National Assembly.
The judicial branch is topped by the Supreme Court whose judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
Art. 16 of the Constitution consecrates the right to property. In addition, the Namibian Constitution contains provisions concerning intellectual property rights. Art. 2 protects the national symbols and art. 9 establishes the right to culture.
This version contains both amendments of the Constitution.
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Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, 1990 (as amended up to 2010)
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WIPO Lex No.
NA001