CONSTITUTION (BASIC LAW) of the Autonomous
I. The organization of the society and the
principles of the policy of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of
Abkhazia
Chapter I
Political system
Article 1. The Autonomous Soviet Socialist
Republic of Abkhazia is a socialist state of the whole people…
Article 2. All power in the Abkhaz ASSR belongs
to the people.
The people exercise state power through Soviets
of People’s Deputies, which constitute the political foundation of the Abkhaz
ASSR.
Article 5. Major matters of state life shall be
submitted to nationwide discussion and put to a popular vote (referendum)
Article 11. State property, i.e. the common
property of the Soviet people, is the principal form of socialist property
The land, its minerals, waters, and forests are
the exclusive property of the state. The state owns the basic means of
production in industry, construction, and agriculture; means of transport and
communication; the banks; the property of state-run trade organizations and
public utilities, and other state-run undertakings; most urban housing; and
other property necessary for state purposes.
Article 16. The economy of the Autonomous
Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia is an integral part of the economy of the
Georgian SSR, i.e. of the united public-economic complex that includes every
sector of production, distribution and exchange on the territory of the
Chapter 4
Citizenship and equality of individuals in the
Abkhaz SSR
Article 28.
According to the uniform federal citizenship established in the
The grounds and procedure for acquiring or
forfeiting Soviet citizenship are defined by the Law on Citizenship of the
The citizens of the Georgian SSR and other
When abroad, citizens of the Abkhaz ASSR enjoy
the protection and assistance of the Soviet state.
Article 31. Citizens of the Abkhaz ASSR enjoy
the equal rights without distinction of race or nationality.
Exercise of these rights is ensured by a policy
of all-round development and drawing together of all the nations and
nationalities of the
Any direct or indirect restriction of the
rights of citizens or establishment of direct or indirect privileges on grounds
of race or nationality, and any advocacy of racial or national exclusiveness,
hostility, or contempt, are punishable by law.
III. Administrative-territorial arrangement of
the
Autonomous
Chapter 6.
Article 64. The Autonomous Soviet Socialist
Republic of Abkhazia is a Soviet Socialist state which is a constituent part of
the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia.
Outside the spheres of the Constitutions of the
Article 65. The Territory of the Autonomous
Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia may not be altered without its consent.
Article 66.
The Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia shall exercise its jurisdiction
through its highest bodies of state authority and administration, which covers:
1) Adoption
and amendment of the Constitution of the Abkhaz ASSR and control its
observance;
2)
Legislation of the Abkhaz ASSR;
3)
Securing of state order, protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms;
4) Introduction of the rules for administration
and activity of the organs of the state authority and government in pursuance
of the legislations of the
5) Securing the implementation of the uniformed
social-economic policy; administration of the economy of the Abkhaz ASSR;
development of the scientific-technical progress and securing the rational use
of the natural resources, and implementation of measures for environment
protection;
6) Elaboration and approval of the state plans
on economic and social development of the Abkhaz ASSR; draw-up and approval of
the state budget of the Abkhaz ASSR, districts of republican subordination and
cities; directing the implementation of the mentioned budgets.
7) Determination of the revenues used for
forming the budget of the Abkhaz ASSR in accordance of the legislations of the
8) Administration of the field of public
economy under the jurisdiction of the Republic; direct the work of the
organizations and enterprises under the republican or local subordination;
9) Control the use of land, its vowels, water
and forest; environment protection according with the rules established by the
legislations of the
10) Administration of municipal improvement,
housing, trade, public services in the cities and other settlements; direct the
road construction and transport matters.
11) Administration of the educational, cultural
and scientific organizations and establishments of the Abkhaz ASSR; direct the
health-care, physical training and sport affairs; protection of history and
cultural monuments;
12) Deciding the other important matters of the
republican significance.
Article 67.
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia takes part in decision-making
through the highest bodies of state authority and administration of the
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia shall
ensure comprehensive economic and social development on its territory,
facilitate exercise of the powers of the
In matters within its jurisdiction, the Soviet
Socialist Republic of Abkhazia shall coordinate and control the activity of
enterprises, institutions, and organizations subordinate to the
Article 70. The state languages of the
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia are: Abkhaz, Georgian and
Russian.
The Abkhaz ASSR administers the state care of
the comprehensive development of the Abkhaz language and secures the
application of Abkhaz and other state languages at the state and public organs,
as well as at the cultural, educational and other establishments.
Application of other languages at the
aforementioned organs and establishments, used by the population, shall be
secured. Any privileges or restriction over the application of any language in
use is inadmissible.
Article 71. The laws of the
Chapter 7
Administrative-territorial arrangement of the
Abkhaz ASSR
Article 72. The district division and the matters
relating to the administrative-territorial arrangement shall be decided by the
Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 73. The Autonomous Soviet Socialist
Republic of Abkhazia includes the following districts: Gali, Gudauta,
Gulripshi, Ochamchire,
V. The Supreme Organs of the state authority
and administration
Chapter 11.
The Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR
Article 93.
The highest organ of state authority of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist
Republic of Abkhazia is the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz SSR.
The Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR is
authorized to decide the issues under its jurisdiction specified for in the
Constitutions of the
Adoption and amendment of the Constitution of
the Abkhaz ASSR; endorsement of the economic and social development plans of
the Abkhaz ASSR; approval of the budget and of the report on budget
implementation.
The organs accountable to the Supreme Soviet of
Abkhazia shall be created solely by the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Adoption of the laws of the Abkhaz ASSR by the
Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia.
Article 94. The Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR
consists of 140 members elected by the constituencies with the equal number of
population. …
Article 96.
The sessions of the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia shall be convoked twice a
year.
The special sessions of the Supreme Soviet of
Abkhazia shall be convened by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet upon its own
initiative or at the request of not less than one-third of the Deputies of the
Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia.
The Sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the
Abkhaz ASSR includes: the sittings of the Supreme Soviets, as well as the
sittings of the standing and other Commissions, which shall be convened between
the sessions of the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia.
Article 98.
The draft-laws and other issues submitted to the Supreme Soviet shall be
discussed at the session of the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia. Where necessary, a
draft-law or other matter may be referred to one or more commissions for
preliminary or additional consideration.
A draft law of the Abkhaz ASSR, the Resolutions
and other acts of the Abkhaz ASSR shall be deemed to be adopted if it is
supported by the majority of the members of the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia.
The draft-laws of the Abkhaz ASSR and the major
matters of state life, upon decision of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR
or its Presidium, shall be submitted to nationwide discussion and put to a
popular vote (referendum).
Article 99.
The laws of the Abkhaz ASSR, the Resolutions and other acts issued by
the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia shall be published in Abkhaz, Georgian and
Russian languages over the signatures of the Chairman and Secretary of the
Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia.
Article 102.
The Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR shall elect the Presidium of the
Abkhaz ASSR, which shall be a standing body of the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia,
accountable to it for all its work and exercising the functions of the highest
body of state authority of the Abkhaz ASSR between sessions of the Supreme
Soviet, within the limits prescribes by the Constitution.
Article 103. The Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR shall be elected from among the Deputies and shall
consist of a Chairman, two Vice-Chairmen, a Secretary, and nine members.
Article 104. The Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the Abkhaz SSR shall:
1) name the date of elections to the Supreme
Soviet of the Abkhaz SSR and to the Local Soviets of People’s Deputies;
2) convene sessions of the Supreme Soviet of
Abkhazia;
3) coordinate the work of the standing
commissions of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz SSR;
4) ensure observance of the Constitution of the
Abkhaz ASSR;
5) interpret the laws of the Abkhaz ASSR;
6) direct the work of the Local Soviets of the
peoples’ Deputies;
7) determine the rule for
administrative-territorial arrangement of the Abkhaz ASSR; name the new towns
and rural settlements; decide the matters of the district division, creation of
cities and districts within cities, change the names of the districts, cities
and districts within cities - subject to approval of the Presidium of the
Supreme Soviet of Georgia.
8) revoke the decrees and ordinances of the
Council of Ministers of Abkhazia, as well as the decision of the district, city
(republican subordination) Soviets of People’s Deputies if they do not conform
to the law.
9) institute honorific titles of the Abkhaz
ASSR; award the Certificate of Appreciation of the Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR.
10) exercise other powers vested in it by the
Constitution and laws of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 105. The Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR, between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz
ASSR and subject to submission for its confirmation at the next session, shall:
1) amend existing legislative acts of the
Abkhaz ASSR when necessary;
2) create districts and cities of republican
jurisdiction, name and re-name the places in pursuance of the rules established
by law;
3) form and abolish the Ministries, state
committees and other organs of state administration established by the Council
of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR on the recommendation of the Council of
Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR;
4) relieve individual members of the Council of
Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR of their responsibilities and appoint persons to
the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Council
of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 106. The Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR promulgates decrees and adopts decisions.
Article 109. The Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz
ASSR shall supervise the work of all state bodies accountable to it.
The Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR shall
form a Committee of People’s Control of the Abkhaz ASSR to head the system of
people’s control.
Chapter 12.
Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR
Article 111. The Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz
ASSR, i.e. the Government of the Abkhaz ASSR is the supreme executive and
administrative body of the state authority of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 112. The Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz
ASSR shall be formed by the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR and shall consist
of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR, First Vice
Chairman and Vice-Chairmen, Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR, and Chairmen of State
Committees of the Abkhaz ASSR and the heads of other state authorities
established by the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR.
The Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR, on the
recommendation of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR,
may include in the Government of the Abkhaz ASSR the heads of other bodies and
organizations of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 113. The Council of Minister of the
Abkhaz ASSR shall be responsible and accountable to the Supreme Soviet of the
Abkhaz ASSR and, between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR, to
the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR.
The Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR
shall report regularly on its work of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 114. The Council of Ministers of the
Abkhaz ASSR is empowered to deal with all matters of state administration
within the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics insofar as, under the Constitution, they on
not come within the competence of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR or the
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Within its powers the Council of Ministers of
the Abkhaz ASSR shall:
1) ensure direction of economic, social and
cultural development; draft and implement measures to promote the well-being
and cultural development of the people, to develop science and engineering, to
ensure rational exploitation and conservation of natural resources, to
consolidate the monetary and credit system, to implement the measures for
administration of state insurance and a uniform system of accounting and
statistics; and organize the management of industrial, constructional, and
agricultural enterprises and amalgamations, transport and communications
undertakings, and other organizations and institutions of the Republican and
local subordination;
2) draft current and long-term state plans for
the economic and social development of the Abkhaz ASSR and the Budget of the
Abkhaz ASSR, and submit them to the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR; take
measures to execute the state plans and Budget; and report to the Supreme
Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR on the implementation of the plans and Budgets; for
the purpose of economic and social development of the districts and cities of
the republican subordination coordinate and control the enterprises,
organizations and agencies of the Union and Republican (Georgian SSR)
subordination on the issues under the jurisdiction of the Abkhaz ASSR; submit
the plans and reports on the budget implementation to the Supreme Soviet of the
Abkhaz ASSR;
3) implement measures to defend the interests
of the state, protect socialist property and maintain public order, and
guarantee and protect citizens’ rights and freedoms;
4) when necessary, form committees, boards and
other departments under the Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR to deal
with matters of economic, social and cultural development;
5) take measures to ensure state security and
defence within the competence established by the constitution.
6) direct the work of the executive committees
of the Local Soviets of People’s Deputies.
Article 116. The Council of Ministers of the
Abkhaz ASSR, on the basis of, and in pursuance of, the laws of the
Article 117. The Council of Ministers of the
Abkhaz ASSR has the right, in matters within its jurisdiction, and to revoke
decisions of the executive committees of the district and city (republican
subordination) Soviets of People’s Deputies.
The Council of Ministries of the Abkhaz ASSR
has the right to revoke the acts of the Ministries and State Committees or
other subordinate organs of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 118. The Council of Ministers of the
Abkhaz ASSR shall coordinate and direct the work of ministries, state
committees and other bodies subordinate to it.
The ministries and state committees of the
Abkhaz ASSR shall direct the work of the branches of administration entrusted
to them, or exercise inter-branch administration and they are subordinate to
the Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR, as well as to the relevant
ministry or state committee of the Georgian SSR.
Ministries, state committees and other bodies
of administration of the Abkhaz ASSR shall be responsible for the condition and
development of the spheres of administration entrusted to them; within their
competence, they issue orders and other acts on the basis of, and in execution
of, the legal acts of the USSR, the Georgian SSR and the Abkhaz ASSR, and
decisions and ordinances of the relevant ministries or state committees of the
Georgian SSR, and organize and verify their implementation.
VII. State Plan of the Economic and Social
Development of the Abkhaz ASSR and the State Budget of the Abkhaz ASSR
Article 138.
The budget of the Abkhaz ASSR is constituent part of the budget of the
Georgian SSR.
The budget of the Abkhaz ASSR consolidates the
state budget of the Abkhaz ASSR and the local budget.
Separation of the Revenue and Expenditure
components of the Republican budget of the Abkhaz SSR shall be determined by
the law of the Abkhaz ASSR on Budgetary Rights of the Abkhaz ASSR and the Local
Soviets of People’s Deputies.
Article 139. The Council of Ministers of the
Abkhaz ASSR shall draw-up the state budget of the Abkhaz ASSR on the basis of
the Economic and Social Development Plans, and of the budget of the Abkhaz
ASSR. The budget shall be approved by
the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 162. The report on implementation of
the budget of the Georgian SSR shall be endorsed by the Supreme Soviet of the
Georgian SSR…
Article 141. The reports on implementation of
the Economic and Social Development plans, as well as of the budget of the
Abkhaz ASSR, shall be reviewed and endorsed by the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz
ASSR. The general indicators of
implementation of the plans and budget shall be published.
VIII. Administration of justice, Arbitration
and Procurator
Article 141. In the Abkhaz ASSR justice is
administered only by the courts.
Article 163. In the Soviet Socialist Republic
of Georgia justice is administered solely by the Courts.
The Supreme Court of the Georgian SSR, Supreme
Courts of the Abkhaz and Adjarian Autonomous Republics, Tbilisi City Court, the
Court of Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia and district (city) people’s courts
are the Courts of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia.
(…)
Article 144. The Supreme Court of the Abkhaz
ASSR is the highest judicial body in the Abkhaz ASSR. It is entitled to supervise the
administration of justice at the courts of the Abkhaz ASSR.
The Supreme Court of the Abkhaz ASSR shall be
elected by the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR for a term of five years
consisting of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and People’s Assessors.
Article 150. Judicial proceedings in the Abkhaz
ASSR shall be conducted in Abkhaz, or Georgian or in Russian language, or in
the language of majority of the local population of given localities. Persons participating in the court
proceedings, who do not know the language in which they are being conducted,
shall be ensured the right to become fully acquainted with the materials in the
case through the interpreter, and the rights to address the court in their own
language
Chapter 16
Procurator’s Office
Article 155. Supreme power of supervision over
the strict and uniform observance of laws. . . is vested in the
Procurator-General of the USSR, the Procurator of the Georgian SSR subordinate
to him and other inferior procurators and the procurator of the Abkhaz ASSR and
his subordinate procurators..
Article 177. The Procurator of the Abkhaz ASSR
is appointed by the Procurator-General of the
The District and City Procurators are appointed
by the Procurator of the Georgian SSR subject to approval by the
Procurator-General of the
Article 157. The term of office of the
Procurator of the Abkhaz ASSR and of other inferior Procurators is 5 years.
Article 158. The agencies of the Procurator’s
Office exercise their powers independently of any local bodies whatsoever, and
are subordinate solely to the Procurator of the
IX. Emblem, Flag and Capital of the Abkhaz ASSR
Article 159. The state Emblem of the Georgian
SSR is the Emblem of the Georgian SSR.
Article 160.
The state flag of the Georgian SSR is the flag of the Autonomous Soviet
Socialist Republic of Abkhazia.
(…)
X. Operation of the Constitution of the Abkhaz
ASSR and the rule for its amendment
Article 162. All of the laws of the Abkhaz ASSR
and other acts of the state organs shall be based on and in pursuance to the
Constitution of the Abkhaz ASSR.
Article 163. The Constitution of the Abkhaz
ASSR may be amended only by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR
adopted by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the vote’s casts of the
Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR.
(The Constitution of the Soviet Socialist
Republic of Abkhazia (Basic Law), Sukhumi, 1978, p. 3-41)