Article 2
The political foundation of the U.S.S.R. is the Soviets of Working
People's Deputies, which grew and became strong as a result of the overthrow
of the power of the landlords and capitalists and the conquest of the dictatorship
of the proletariat.
Article 3
All power in the U.S.S.R. belongs to the working people of town and
country as represented by the Soviets of Working People's Deputies.
Article 4
The economic foundation of the U.S.S.R. is the socialist system of
economy and the socialist ownership of the instruments and means of production,
firmly established as a result of the liquidation of the capitalist system
of economy, the abolition of private ownership of the instruments and means
of production, and the elimination of the exploitation of man by man.
Article 5
Socialist property in the U.S.S.R. exists either in the form of state
property (belonging to the whole people) or in the form of co-operative
and collective-farm property (property of collective farms, property of
co-operative societies)
Article 6
The land, its mineral wealth, waters, forests, mills, factories, mines,
rail, water and air transport, banks, communications, large state-organized
agricultural enterprises (state farms, machine and tractor stations and
the like), as well as municipal enterprises and the bulk of the dwelling-houses
in the cities and industrial localities, are state property, that is, belong
to the whole people.
Article 7
The common enterprises of collective farms and co-operative organizations,
with their live-stock and implements, the products of the collective farms
and co-operative organizations, as well as their common buildings, constitute
the common, socialist property of the collective farms and co-operative
organizations.
Every household in a collective farm, in addition to its basic income
from the common, collective-farm enterprise, has for its personal use a
small plot of household land and, as its personal property, a subsidiary
husbandry on the plot, a dwelling-house, live-stock, poultry and minor
agricultural implements--in accordance with the rules of the agricultural
artel.
Article 8
The land occupied by collective farms is secured to them for their
use free of charge an for an unlimited time, that is, in perpetuity.
Article 9
Alongside the socialist system of economy, which is the predominant
form of economy in the U.S.S.R., the law permits the small private economy
of individual peasants and handicraftsmen based on their own labour and
precluding the exploitation of the labour of others.
Article 10
The personal property right of citizens in their incomes and savings
from work, in their dwelling-houses and subsidiary home enterprises, in
articles of domestic economy and use and articles of personal use and convenience,
as well as the right of citizens to inherit personal property, is protected
by law.
Article 11
The economic life of the U.S.S.R. is determined and directed by the
state national-economic plan, with the aim of increasing the public wealth,
of steadily raising the material and cultural standards of the working
people, of consolidating the independence of the U.S.S.R. and strengthening
its defensive capacity.
Article 12
Work in the U.S.S.R. is a duty and a matter of honour for every able-bodied
citizen, in accordance with the principle: "He who does not work, neither
shall he eat." The principle applied in the U.S.S.R. is that of socialism:
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his work."
Article 15
The sovereignty of the Union Republics is limited only in the spheres
defined in Article 14 of the Constitution of the U.S.S.R. Outside of these
spheres each Union Republic exercises state authority independently.
The U.S.S.R. protects the sovereign rights of the Union Republics.
Article 16
Each Union Republic has its own Constitution, which takes account of
the specific features of the Republic and is drawn up in full conformity
with the Constitution of the U.S.S.R.
Article 17
The right freely to secede from the U.S.S.R. is reserved to every Union
Republic.
Article 18
The territory of a Union Republic may not be altered without its consent.
Article 20
In the event of divergence between a law of a Union Republic and a
law of the Union, the Union law prevails.
Article 21
Uniform Union citizenship is established for citizens of the U.S.S.R.
Every citizen of a Union Republic is a citizen of the U.S.S.R.
Article 22
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic includes the Bashkir,
Buryat, Daghestan, Kabardinian-Balkar, Kalmyk, Karelian, Komi, Mari, Mordovian,
North Ossetian, Tatar, Tuva, Udmurt, Chechen-Ingush, Chuvash and Yakut
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics; and the Adygei, Gorno-Altai, Jewish,
Karachayevo-Cherkess, and Khakass Autonomous Provinces.
Article 23
[Deleted, February 11, 1957]
Article 24
The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Nakhichevan Autonomous
Soviet Socialist Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Province.
Article 25
The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Abkhazian Autonomous
Soviet Socialist Republic, the Adjar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
and the South Ossetian Autonomous Province.
Article 26
The Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Kara-Kalpak Autonomous
Soviet Socialist Republic.
Article 27
The Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous
Province.
Article 28
Decision of questions relating to the provincial and territorial administrative
structure of Union Republics is within the competence of Union Republics.
Article 29
[Deleted February 11, 1957]
Article 31
The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. exercises all rights vested in the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in accordance with Article 14 of the
Constitution, in so far as they do not, by virtue of the Constitution,
come within the jurisdiction of organs of the U.S.S.R. that are accountable
to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., that is, the Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the U.S.S.R., the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., and the
Ministries of the U.S.S.R.
Article 32
The legislative power of the U.S.S.R. is exercised exclusively by the
Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
Article 33
The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. consists of two Chambers: the Soviet
of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities.
Article 34
The Soviet of the Union is elected by the citizens of the U.S.S.R.
voting by election districts on the basis of one deputy for every 300,000
of the population.
Article 35
The Soviet of Nationalities is elected by the citizens of the U.S.S.R.
voting by Union Republics, Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Provinces and
National Districts on the basis of 25 deputies from each Union Republic,
11 deputies from each Autonomous Republic, 5 deputies from each Autonomous
Province and one deputy from each National District.
Article 36
The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. is elected for a term of four years.
Article 37
The two Chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., the Soviet
of the Union and the Soviet of the Nationalities, have equal rights.
Article 38
The Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities have equal
powers to initiate legislation.
Article 39
A law is considered adopted if passed by both Chambers of the Supreme
Soviet of the USSR by a simple majority vote in each.
Article 40
Laws passed by the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. are published in
the languages of the Union Republics over the signatures of the President
and Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
Article 41
Sessions of the Soviet of the Union and of the Soviet of Nationalities
begin and terminate simultaneously.
Article 42
The Soviet of the Union elects a Chairman of the Soviet of the Union
and four Vice-Chairmen.
Article 43
The Soviet of Nationalities elects a Chairman of the Soviet of Nationalities
and four Vice-Chairmen.
Article 44
The Chairmen of the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities
preside at the sittings of the respective Chambers and have charge of the
conduct of their business and proceedings.
Article 45
Joint sittings of the two Chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
are presided over alternately by the Chairman of the Soviet of the Union
and the Chairman of the Soviet of Nationalities
Article 46
Sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. are convened by the
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. twice a year. Extraordinary
sessions are convened by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
at its discretion or on the demand of one of the Union Republics.
Article 47
In the event of disagreement between the Soviet of the Union and the
Soviet of Nationalities, the question is referred for settlement to a conciliation
commission formed by the Chambers on a party basis. If the conciliation
commission fails to arrive at an agreement, or if its decision fails to
satisfy one of the Chambers, the question is considered for a second time
by the Chambers. Failing agreement between the two Chambers, the Presidium
of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. dissolves the Supreme Soviet of the
U.S.S.R. and orders new elections.
Article 48
The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. at a joint sitting of the two Chambers
elects the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., consisting
of a President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.,
fifteen Vice-Presidents--one for each of the Union Republics--a Secretary
of the Presidium and sixteen members of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
of the U.S.S.R.
The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. is accountable
to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. for all its activities.
Article 49
The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.:
a) Convenes the sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.;
b) Issues decrees;
c) Gives interpretations of the laws of the U.S.S.R. in operation;
d) Dissolves the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. in conformity with
Article 47 of the Constitution of the U.S.S.R. and orders new elections;
e) Conducts nation-wide polls (referendums) on its own initiative or
on the demand of one of the Union Republics;
f) Annuls decisions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R.
and of the Councils of Ministers of the Union Republics if they do not
conform to law;
g) In the intervals between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.,
releases and appoints Ministers of the U.S.S.R. on the recommendation of
the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., subject to subsequent
confirmation by the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.;
h) Institutes decorations (Orders and Medals) and titles of honour
of the US.S.R.;
i) Awards Orders and Medals and confers titles of honour of the U.S.S.R.;
j) Exercises the right of pardon;
k) Institutes military tides, diplomatic ranks and other special titles
l) Appoints and removes the high command of the Armed Forces of the
USSR;
m) In the intervals between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.,
proclaims a state of war in the event of military attack on the U.S.S.R.,
or when necessary to fulfil international treaty obligations concerning
mutual defence against aggression;
n) Orders general or partial mobilization;
o) Ratifies and denounces international treaties of the U.S.S.R.;
p) Appoints and recalls plenipotentiary representatives of the U.S.S.R.
to foreign states;
q) Receives the letters of credence and recall of diplomatic representatives
accredited to it by foreign states;
r) Proclaims martial law in separate localities or throughout the U.S.S.R.
in the interests of the defence of the U.S.S.R. or of the maintenance of
public order and the security of the state.
Article 50
The Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities elect Credentials
Committees to verify the credentials of the members of the respective Chambers.
On the report of the Credentials Committees, the Chambers decide whether
to recognize the credentials of deputies or to annul their election.
Article 51
The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., when it deems necessary, appoints
commissions of investigation and audit on any matter. It is the duty of
all institutions and officials to comply with the demands of such commissions
and to submit to them all necessary materials and documents.
Article 52
A member of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. may not be prosecuted
or arrested without the consent of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.,
or, when the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. is not in session, without
the consent of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
Article 53
On the expiration of the term of office of the Supreme Soviet of the
U.S.S.R., or on its dissolution prior to the expiration of its term of
office,the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. retains its
powers until the newly-elected Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. shall have
formed a new Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
Article 54
On the expiration of the term of office of the Supreme Soviet of the
U.S.S.R., or in the event of its dissolution prior to the expiration of
its term of office, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
orders new elections to be held within a period not exceeding two months
from the date of expiration of the term of office or dissolution of the
Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
Article 55
The newly-elected Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. is convened by the
outgoing Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. not later than
three months after the elections.
Article 56
The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., at a joint sitting of the two Chambers,
appoints the Government of the U.S.S.R., namely, the Council of Ministers
of the U.S.S.R.
Article 58
The Supreme Soviet of a Union Republic is elected by the citizens of
the Republic for a term of four years. The basis of representation is established
by the Constitution of the Union Republic.
Article 59
The Supreme Soviet of a Union Republic is the sole legislative organ
of the Republic.
Article 60
The Supreme Soviet of a Union Republic:
a) Adopts the Constitution of the Republic and amends it in conformity
with Article 16 of the Constitution of the USSR;
b) Confirms the Constitutions of the Autonomous Republics forming part
of it and defines the boundaries of their territories;
c) Approves the economic plan and the budget of the Republic forms
economic administrative regions of the Republic;
d) Exercises the right of amnesty and pardon of citizens sentenced
by the judicial organs of the Union Republic;
e) Decides questions of representation of the Union Republic in its
international relations;
f) Determines the manner of organizing the Republic's military formations.
Article 61
The Supreme Soviet of a Union Republic elects the Presidium of the
Supreme Soviet of the Union Republic, consisting of a President of the
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union Republic, Vice-Presidents,
a Secretary of the Presidium and members of the Presidium of the Supreme
Soviet of the Union Republic.
The powers of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of a Union Republic
are defined by the Constitution of the Union Republic.
Article 62
The Supreme Soviet of a Union Republic elects a Chairman and Vice-Chairmen
to conduct its sittings.
Article 63
The Supreme Soviet of a Union Republic appoints the Government of the
Union Republic, namely, the Council of Ministers of the Union Republic.
Article 65
The Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. is responsible and accountable
to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., or, in the intervals between sessions
of the Supreme Soviet, to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
Article 66 The Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. issues decisions and orders on the basis and in pursuance of the laws in operation, and verifies their execution.
Article 67
Decisions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. are
binding throughout the territory of the U.S.S.R.
Article 68
The Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R.:
a) Co-ordinates and directs the work of the Supreme Council of National
Economy U.S.S.R. of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. and of the
all-Union and Union-Republican Ministries of the U.S.S.R. and of the State
Committees of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. and of other institutions
under its jurisdiction;
b) Adopts measures to carry out the national-economic plan and the
state budget, and to strengthen the credit and monetary system;
c) Adopts measures for the maintenance of public order, for the protection
of the interests of the state, and for the safeguarding of the rights of
citizens;
d) Exercises general guidance in the sphere of relations with foreign
states;
e) Fixes the annual contingent of citizens to be called up for military
service and directs the general organization of the Armed Forces of the
country;
f) Sets up State Committees of the U.S.S.R. and also whenever necessary,
special Committees and Central Administrations under the Council of Ministers
of the U.S.S.R. for economic and cultural affairs and defence.
Article 69
The Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. has the right, in respect
of those branches of administration and economy which come within the jurisdiction
of the U.S.S.R., to suspend decisions and orders of the Councils of Ministers
of the Union Republic, to annul orders and instructions of Ministers of
the U.S.S.R. and also administrative acts of other institutions subject
to their jurisdiction.
Article 70
The Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. is appointed by the Supreme
Soviet of the U.S.S.R. and consists of:
Article 72
The Ministers of the U.S.S.R. direct the branches of state administration
which come within the jurisdiction of the U.S.S.R.
Article 73
The Ministers of the U.S.S.R., within the limits of the jurisdiction
of their respective Ministries, issue orders and instructions on the basis
and in pursuance of the laws in operation, and also of decisions and orders
of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., and verify their execution.
Article 74
The Ministries of the U.S.S.R. are either all-Union or Union-Republican
Ministries.
Article 75
Each all-Union Ministry directs the branch of state administration
entrusted to it throughout the territory of the U.S.S.R. either directly
or through bodies appointed by it.
Article 76
The Union-Republican Ministries, as a rule, direct the branches of
state administration entrusted to them through corresponding Ministries
of the Union Republics; they administer directly only a definite and limited
number of enterprises according to a list confirmed by the Presidium of
the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
Article 77
The following Ministries are all-Union Ministries:
Article 80
The Council of Ministers of a Union Republic is responsible and accountable
to the Supreme Soviet of the Union Republic, or, in the intervals between
sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the Union Republic, to the Presidium
of the Supreme Soviet of the Union Republic.
Article 81
The Council of Ministers of a Union Republic issues decisions and orders
on the basis and in pursuance of the laws in operation of the U.S.S.R.
and of the Union Republic, and of the decisions and orders of the Council
of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., and verifies their execution.
Article 82
The Council of Ministers of a Union Republic has the right to suspend
decisions and orders of the Councils of Ministers of its Autonomous Republics,
annul decisions and orders of the Executive Committees of the Soviets of
Working People's Deputies of its Territories, Provinces and Autonomous
Provinces, and also decisions and orders of the Republic Council of National
Economy and of the Councils of National Economy of the economic administrative
regions of the Republic.
Article 83
The Council of Ministers of a Union Republic is appointed by the Supreme
Soviet of the Union Republic and consists of:
Article 85
The Ministers of a Union Republic, within the limits of the jurisdiction
of their respective Ministries, issue orders and instructions on the basis
and in pursuance of the laws of the U.S.S.R. and of the Union Republic,
of the decisions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R.
and the Council of Ministers of the Union Republic, and of the orders and
instructions of the Union-Republican Ministries of the U.S.S.R.
Article 86
The Ministries of a Union Republic are either Union-Republican or Republican
Ministries.
Article 87
Each Union-Republican Ministry directs the branch of state administration
entrusted to it, and is subordinate both to the Council of Ministers of
the Union Republic and to the corresponding Union-Republican Ministry of
the U.S.S.R.
Article 88
Each Republican Ministry directs the branch of state administration
entrusted to it and is directly subordinate to the Council of Ministers
of the Union Republic.
Article 90
The Supreme Soviet of an Autonomous Republic is elected by the citizens
of the Republic for a term of four years on a basis of representation established
by the Constitution of the Autonomous Republic.
Article 91
The Supreme Soviet of an Autonomous Republic is the sole legislative
organ of the Autonomous Republic.
Article 92
Each Autonomous Republic has its own Constitution, which takes account
of the specific features of the Autonomous Republic and is drawn up in
full conformity with the Constitution of the Union Republic.
Article 93
The Supreme Soviet of an Autonomous Republic elects the Presidium of
the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic and appoints the Council
of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic, in accordance with its Constitution.
Article 95
The Soviets of Working People's Deputies of Territories, Provinces,
Autonomous Provinces, Areas, Counties, Cities and rural localities (Stanitsas,
Villages, Hamlets, Kishlaks, Auls) are elected by the working people of
the respective Territories, Provinces, Autonomous Provinces, Areas, Counties,
Cities or rural localities for a term of two years.
Article 96
The basis of representation for Soviets of Working People's Deputies
is determined by the Constitutions of the Union Republics.
Article 97
The Soviets of Working People's Deputies direct the work of the organs
of administration subordinate to them, ensure the maintenance of public
order, the observance of the laws and the protection of the rights of citizens,
direct local economic and cultural affairs and draw up the local budgets.
Article 98
The Soviets of Working People's Deputies adopt decisions and issue
orders within the limits of the powers vested in them by the laws of the
U.S.S.R. and of the Union Republic.
Article 99
The executive and administrative organ of the Soviet of Working People's
Deputies of a Territory, Province, Autonomous Province, Area, County, City
or rural locality is the Executive Committee elected by it, consisting
of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, a Secretary and members.
Article 100
The executive and administrative organ of the Soviet of Working People's
Deputies in a small locality, in accordance with the Constitution of the
Union Republic, is the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the Secretary elected
by the Soviet of Working People's Deputies.
Article 101
The executive organs of the Soviets of Working People's Deputies are
directly accountable both to the Soviets of Working People's Deputies which
elected them and to the executive organ of the superior Soviet of Working
People's Deputies.
Article 103
In all Courts cases are tried with the participation of lay judges,
except in cases specially provided for by law.
Article 104
The Supreme Court of the U.S.S.R. is the highest judicial organ. The
Supreme Court of the U.S.S.R. is charged with the supervision of the judicial
activities of all the judicial organs of the U.S.S.R. as well as of the
judicial organs of the Union Republics within the ]imitations established
by law.
Article 105
The Supreme Court of the U.S.S.R. is elected by the Supreme Soviet
of the U.S.S.R. for a term of five years. The presidents of the Supreme
Courts of the Union Republics are members ex officio of the Supreme Court
of the U.S.S.R.
Article 106
The Supreme Courts of the Union Republics are elected by the Supreme
Soviets of the Union Republics for a term of five years.
Article 107
The Supreme Courts of the Autonomous Republics are elected by the Supreme
Soviets of the Autonomous Republics for a term of five years.
Article 108
The Courts of Territories, Provinces, Autonomous Provinces and Areas
are elected by the Soviets of Working People's Deputies of the respective
Territories, Provinces, Autonomous Provinces or Areas for a term of five
years.
Article 109
People's judges of county (city) People's Courts are elected by citizens
of the county (city) on the basis of universal, equal, and direct suffrage
by secret ballot for a term of five years. People's lay judges of county
(city) People's Courts are elected at general meetings of workers, clerks,
and peasants at their place of work or residence and of soldiers at their
military unit for a term of two years.
Article 110
Judicial proceedings are conducted in the language of the Union Republic,
Autonomous Republic or Autonomous Province, persons not knowing this language
being guaranteed the opportunity of fully acquainting themselves with the
material of the case through an interpreter and likewise the right to use
their own language in court.
Article 111
In all Courts of the U.S.S.R. cases are heard in pub]ic, unless otherwise
provided for by law, and the accused is guaranteed the right to defence.
Article 112
Judges are independent and subject only to the law.
Article 113
Supreme supervisory power to ensure the strict observance of the law
by all Ministries and institutions subordinated to them, as well as by
officials and citizens of the U.S.S.R. generally, is vested in the Prosecutor-General
of the U.S.S.R.
Article 114
The Prosecutor-General of the U.S.S.R. is appointed by the Supreme
Soviet of the U.S.S.R. for a term of seven years.
Article 115
Prosecutors of Republics, Territories, Provinces, Autonomous Republics
and Autonomous Provinces are appointed by the Prosecutor-General of the
U.S.S.R. for a term of five years.
Article 116
Area, County and City prosecutors are appointed by the Prosecutors
of the Union Republics, subject to the approval of the Prosecutor-General
of the U.S.S.R., for a term of five years.
Article 117
The organs of the Prosecutor's Office perform their functions independently
of any local organs whatsoever, being subordinate solely to the Prosecutor-General
of the U.S.S.R.
Article 119
Citizens of the U.S.S.R. have the right to rest and leisure. The right
to rest and leisure is ensured by the establishment of a seven-hour day
for industrial, office, and professional workers, the reduction of the
working day to six hours for a number of arduous trades and to four hours
in shops where conditions of work are particularly arduous, by the institution
of annual vacations with full pay for industrial, office, and professional
workers, and by the provision of a wide network of sanatoria, rest homes
and clubs for the accommodation of the working people.
Article 120
Citizens of the U.S.S.R. have the right to maintenance in old age and
also in case of sickness or disability.
This right is ensured by the extensive development of social insurance
of industrial, office, and professional workers at state expense, free
medical service for the working people, and the provision of a wide network
of health resorts for the use of the working people.
Article 121
Citizens of the U.S.S.R. have the right to education.
This right is guaranteed by universal compulsory eight-year education,
by extensively developed general secondary polytechnical education, professional
technical education, secondary special and higher education on the basis
of maintaining a link between education and life and production, by extensively
developed evening and correspondence schools, by free education of all
kinds, by a system of state living allowances, by education in schools
in a native language, by organization in factories, in state farms, and
in collective farms of production, technological, and agronomic study for
toilers without charge.
Article 122
Women in the U.S.S.R. are accorded equal rights with men in all spheres
of economic, government, cultural, political and other public activity.
The possibility of exercising these rights is ensured by women being
accorded an equal right with men to work, payment for work, rest and leisure,
social insurance and education, and by state protection of the interests
of mother and child, state aid to mothers of large families and unmarried
mothers, maternity leave with full pay, and the provision of a wide network
of maternity homes, nurseries and kindergartens.
Article 123
Equality of rights of citizens of the U.S.S.R., irrespective of their
nationality or race, in all spheres of economic, government, cultural,
political and other public activity, is an indefeasible law.
Any direct or indirect restriction of the rights of, or, conversely,
the establishment of any direct or indirect privileges for, citizens on
account of their race or nationality, as well as any advocacy of racial
or national exclusiveness or hatred and contempt, is punishable by law.
Article 124
In order to ensure to citizens freedom of conscience, the church in
the U.S.S.R. is separated from the state, and the school from the church.
Freedom of religious worship and freedom of anti-religious propaganda is
recognized for all citizens.
Article 125
In conformity with the interests of the working people, and in order
to strengthen the socialist system, the citizens of the U.S.S.R. are guaranteed
a) freedom of speech;
b) freedom of the press;
c) freedom of assembly, including the holding of mass meetings;
d) freedom of street processions and demonstrations.
These civil rights are ensured by placing at the disposal of the working
people and their organizations printing presses, stocks of paper, public
buildings, the streets, communications facilities and other material requisites
for the exercise of these rights.
Article 126
In conformity with the interests of the working people, and in order
to develop the organizational initiative and political activity of the
masses of the people, citizens of the U.S.S.R. are guaranteed the right
to unite in public organizations: trade unions, co-operative societies,
youth organizations, sport and defence organizations, cultural, technical
and scientific societies; and the most active and politically-conscious
citizens in the ranks of the working class, working peasants and working
intelligentsia voluntarily unite in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union,
which is the vanguard of the working people in their struggle to build
communist society and is the leading core of all organizations of the working
people, both public and state.
Article 127
Citizens of the U.S.S.R. are guaranteed inviolability of the person.
No person may be placed under arrest except by decision of a court or with
the sanction of a prosecutor.
Article 128
The inviolability of the homes of citizens and privacy of correspondence
are protected by law.
Article 129
The U.S.S.R. affords the right of asylum to foreign citizens persecuted
for defending the interests of the working people, or for scientific activities,
or for struggling for national liberation.
Article 130
It is the duty of every citizen of the U.S.S.R. to abide by the Constitution
of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to observe the laws, to maintain
labour discipline, honestly to perform public duties, and to respect the
rules of socialist intercourse.
Article 131
It is the duty of every citizen of the U.S.S.R. to safeguard and fortify
public, socialist property as the sacred and inviolable foundation of the
Soviet system, as the source of the wealth and might of the country, as
the source of the prosperity and culture of all the working people. Persons
committing offences against public, socialist property are enemies of the
people.
Article 132
Universal military service is law. Military service in the Armed Forces
of the U.S.S.R. is an honourable duty of the citizens of the U.S.S.R.
Article 133
To defend the country is the sacred duty of every citizen of the U.S.S.R.
Treason to the Motherland--violation of the oath of allegiance, desertion
to the enemy, impairing the military power of the state, espionage--is
punishable with all the severity of the law as the most heinous of crimes.
Article 135
Elections of deputies are universal: all citizens of the U.S.S.R. who
have reached the age of eighteen, irrespective of race or nationality,
sex, religion, education, domicile, social origin, property status or past
activities, have the right to vote in the election of deputies, with the
exception of persons recognized as insane in accordance with the procedure
established by law.
Every citizen of the U.S.S.R. who has reached the age of twenty-three
is eligible for the election to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. irrespective
of race or nationality, sex, religion, education, domicile, social origin,
property status or past activities.
Article 136
Elections of deputies are equal; each citizen has one vote; all citizens
participate in elections on an equal footing.
Article 137
Women have the right to elect and be elected on equal terms with men.
Article 138
Citizens serving in the Armed Forces of the U.S.S.R. have the right
to elect and be elected on equal terms with all other citizens.
Article 139
Elections of deputies are direct: all Soviets of Working People's Deputies,
from rural and City Soviets of Working People's Deputies to the Supreme
Soviet of the U.S.S.R., are elected by the citizens by direct vote.
Article 140
Voting at elections of deputies is secret.
Article 141
Candidates are nominated by election districts. The right to nominate
candidates is secured to public organizations and societies of the working
people: Communist Party organizations, trade unions, co-operatives, youth
organizations and cultural societies.
Article 142
It is the duty of every deputy to report to his electors on his work
and on the work of his Soviet of Working People's Deputies, and he may
be recalled at any time upon decision of a majority of the electors in
the manner established by law.
Article 144
The state flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is of red
cloth with the sickle and hammer depicted in gold in the upper corner near
the staff and above them a five-pointed red star bordered in gold. The
ratio of the width to the length is 1:2.
Article 145
The Capital of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is the City
of Moscow.
HTML version by Richard Kimber.