76; note - subsequent revisions of the
Constitution placed the military under strict civilian control,
trimmed the powers of the president, and laid the groundwork for a
stable, pluralistic liberal democracy; as well, they allowed for the
privatization of nationalized firms and the government-owned
communications media

Puerto Rico
ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July
1952; effective 25 July 1952

Qatar
ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by
the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

Romania
8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003

Russia
adopted 12 December 1993

Rwanda
new constitution passed by referendum 26 May 2003

Saint Barthelemy
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Saint Helena
1 January 1989

Saint Kitts and Nevis
19 September 1983

Saint Lucia
22 February 1979

Saint Martin
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
27 October 1979

Samoa
1 January 1962

San Marino
8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the
functions of a constitution

Sao Tome and Principe
approved March 1990, effective 10 September
1990

Saudi Arabia
governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that
articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was
promulgated by royal decree in 1992

Senegal
adopted 7 January 2001

Serbia
adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006

Seychelles
18 June 1993

Sierra Leone
1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times

Singapore
3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on preindependence State
of Singapore Constitution)

Slovakia
ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993;
changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president;
amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU
membership

Slovenia
adopted 23 December 1991

Solomon Islands
7 July 1978

Somalia
25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as
the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing

South Africa
10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified
by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then
President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 4
Feb