Constitutions


Country: Estonia

Estonia – Constitution
(Adopted on: 28 June 1992
Chapter II Fundamental Rights, Liberties, and Duties

Article 21 [Custody, Arrest] (1) Anyone deprived of his or her liberty shall be informed promptly, and in such a language and manner which he or she understands, of the reason for the arrest, and his or her rights, and shall be given the opportunity to notify his or her family about the arrest. A suspected offender shall also be promptly given the opportunity to choose a legal adviser and to confer with him or her. The right of a suspected offender to notify his or her family of the arrest may only be restricted in such cases and procedures as determined by law, for the purpose of preventing a criminal act or in the interest of establishing facts in a criminal investigation.

(3) No one may be compelled to give testimony against themselves, or against close family.

Article 24 [Right to Fair Trial]
(1) No one may be transferred against his or her will from the jurisdiction of a court, which has been determined by law, to the jurisdiction of another court. (2) Everyone shall have the right to be present during his or her trial. (3) Court hearings shall be public. The court may, in such cases and procedures as determined by law, decide to hold its hearings, wholly or in part, in closed session, for the protection of state or business secrets, public morals or the family life or privacy of persons, or where the interests of juveniles, the victim or justice so require.

Article 26 [Family, Privacy] Everyone shall have the right to inviolability of family life and privacy. State and local government authorities and their officials may not interfere with any person's family life or privacy, except in such cases and procedures as determined by law for the protection of health or public morals, public order, the rights and liberties of other persons, the prevention of a crime or the apprehension of a criminal.
Article 27 [Protection of Family] (1) The family being fundamental for the preservation and growth of the nation, and as the basis for society, shall be protected by the state. (2) Spouses shall have equal rights. (3) Parents shall have the right and the responsibility for the raising and care of their children. (4) The protection of parents and children shall be determined by law. (5) The family shall be responsible for the care of dependent members.

Article 28 [Welfare Rights]
(3) Families with many children and the disabled shall be entitled to special care by state and local authorities.

Article 45 [Freedom of Speech] (1) Everyone shall have the right to freely circulate ideas, opinions, persuasions, and other information by word, print, picture and other means. This right may be restricted by law for the purpose of protecting public order or morals, or the rights and liberties, health, honor and reputation of others. The law may likewise restrict this right for state and local government officials, for the purpose of protecting state or business secrets or confidential communication, which due to their service the officials have access to, as well as of protecting the family life and privacy of other persons, and in the interests of justice.

 

 



 
 

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