| ICELAND Republic of Iceland Lydveldid Island Joined United Nations: 16 November 1946 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Updated 11 July 2012 |
CHAPTER VI.
Article 62
The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the State Church in Iceland and, as such, it shall be supported and protected by the State.
This may be altered by law.
Article 63
The people are entitled to establish communities for the worship of God in conformity with their individual convictions; however, nothing
may be preached or practiced which is prejudicial to good morality and public order.
Article 64
No person may lose his civil or national rights because of his religion, nor may he refuse to perform any civic duty because of it.
No person is obliged to contribute personal dues to any religious worship other than his own.
If a person is not a member of the State Church or any other recognized religious group in the country, he shall pay to the University of
Iceland or benefit fund of that university, as may be determined, dues otherwise payable to the State Church.
This may be altered by law.
VII.
Article 65
Any person who is arrested shall be brought before a judge without delay. If not released at once, the judge shall give a reasoned ruling
within 24 hours as to whether he shall be remanded to custody. If the person may be released on bail, the ruling shall contain provisions
as to its nature and amount.
An appeal to a higher Court may immediately be made against the ruling of the judge, the procedure of notification and appeal against such
ruling being the same as in criminal cases.
No person may be subjected to custody on remand for an offence merely punishable by fines or punitive detention.
Article 66
The home shall be inviolate. Houses may not be searched, nor may any letters or other documents be detained and examined, except by
judicial ruling or by a special provision of law.
Article 67
The right of ownership is inviolate. No one shall be obliged to surrender his property unless required by the common good; such
surrender must be based on law and full compensation paid.
Article 68
No foreign national may acquire nationality except by law.
The entitlement of foreign nationals to hold rights to real estate in the country shall be determined by law.
Article 69
No restriction may be imposed upon individual freedom of enterprise, unless required by the common good. Such restriction must be
based on law.
Article 70
Whoever is unable to provide for himself or his dependents shall, subject to obligations prescribed by law, be entitled to support from
public funds, unless his maintenance rests upon others.
Article 71
If parents cannot afford to educate their children, or if the children are orphaned or destitute, their education and maintenance must be
defrayed from public funds.
Article 72
Every person has the right to express his thoughts in print; nevertheless, he shall be responsible for them before the Courts. Censorship
and other restrictions on the freedom of expression in print must never be enacted.
Article 73
People are entitled to form associations for any lawful purpose without having to seek authorization. No association may be dissolved by
an executive measure. It may, however, be banned temporarily, in which case an action must immediately be brought for dissolution of
the association.
Article 74
People are entitled to assemble unarmed. The police have the right to be present at public gatherings. Open-air meetings may be forbidden
when it is feared that they may cause riots.
Article 75
Every person able to carry arms shall be obliged to take part in the defense of the country, as may be further provided by law.
Article 76
The right of autonomy of local communities under the supervision of the Government shall be determined by law.
Article 77
Taxation shall be determined by law.
Article 78
Privileges tied to nobility, titles and rank may not be enacted.
Article 79
Proposals to amend or supplement this Constitution may be introduced at regular as well as extraordinary sessions of Althingi. If the
proposal is adopted, Althingi shall immediately be dissolved and a general election held. If Althingi then passes the resolution unchanged, it
shall be confirmed by the President of the Republic and come into force as constitutional law.
If Althingi passes an amendment to the status of the Church under Article 62, it shall be submitted to a vote for approval or rejection by
secret ballot of all those eligible to vote.
Temporary Provisions
Foreign nationals who, prior to the date of application of this constitutional law, have obtained the right to vote and have become eligible
to be elected to Althingi or have obtained the right to hold public office, shall retain the said rights. Danish nationals who under Article 75
of the Constitution of 18 March 1920 would have obtained such rights had the law not been amended shall, from the date of entry into
force of this constitutional law until six months after negotiations regarding the rights of Danish nationals in Iceland can start, also acquire
the said rights and retain them.
Article 62
The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the State Church in Iceland and, as such, it shall be supported and protected by the State.
This may be altered by law.
Article 63
The people are entitled to establish communities for the worship of God in conformity with their individual convictions; however, nothing
may be preached or practiced which is prejudicial to good morality and public order.
Article 64
No person may lose his civil or national rights because of his religion, nor may he refuse to perform any civic duty because of it.
No person is obliged to contribute personal dues to any religious worship other than his own.
If a person is not a member of the State Church or any other recognized religious group in the country, he shall pay to the University of
Iceland or benefit fund of that university, as may be determined, dues otherwise payable to the State Church.
This may be altered by law.
VII.
Article 65
Any person who is arrested shall be brought before a judge without delay. If not released at once, the judge shall give a reasoned ruling
within 24 hours as to whether he shall be remanded to custody. If the person may be released on bail, the ruling shall contain provisions
as to its nature and amount.
An appeal to a higher Court may immediately be made against the ruling of the judge, the procedure of notification and appeal against such
ruling being the same as in criminal cases.
No person may be subjected to custody on remand for an offence merely punishable by fines or punitive detention.
Article 66
The home shall be inviolate. Houses may not be searched, nor may any letters or other documents be detained and examined, except by
judicial ruling or by a special provision of law.
Article 67
The right of ownership is inviolate. No one shall be obliged to surrender his property unless required by the common good; such
surrender must be based on law and full compensation paid.
Article 68
No foreign national may acquire nationality except by law.
The entitlement of foreign nationals to hold rights to real estate in the country shall be determined by law.
Article 69
No restriction may be imposed upon individual freedom of enterprise, unless required by the common good. Such restriction must be
based on law.
Article 70
Whoever is unable to provide for himself or his dependents shall, subject to obligations prescribed by law, be entitled to support from
public funds, unless his maintenance rests upon others.
Article 71
If parents cannot afford to educate their children, or if the children are orphaned or destitute, their education and maintenance must be
defrayed from public funds.
Article 72
Every person has the right to express his thoughts in print; nevertheless, he shall be responsible for them before the Courts. Censorship
and other restrictions on the freedom of expression in print must never be enacted.
Article 73
People are entitled to form associations for any lawful purpose without having to seek authorization. No association may be dissolved by
an executive measure. It may, however, be banned temporarily, in which case an action must immediately be brought for dissolution of
the association.
Article 74
People are entitled to assemble unarmed. The police have the right to be present at public gatherings. Open-air meetings may be forbidden
when it is feared that they may cause riots.
Article 75
Every person able to carry arms shall be obliged to take part in the defense of the country, as may be further provided by law.
Article 76
The right of autonomy of local communities under the supervision of the Government shall be determined by law.
Article 77
Taxation shall be determined by law.
Article 78
Privileges tied to nobility, titles and rank may not be enacted.
Article 79
Proposals to amend or supplement this Constitution may be introduced at regular as well as extraordinary sessions of Althingi. If the
proposal is adopted, Althingi shall immediately be dissolved and a general election held. If Althingi then passes the resolution unchanged, it
shall be confirmed by the President of the Republic and come into force as constitutional law.
If Althingi passes an amendment to the status of the Church under Article 62, it shall be submitted to a vote for approval or rejection by
secret ballot of all those eligible to vote.
Temporary Provisions
Foreign nationals who, prior to the date of application of this constitutional law, have obtained the right to vote and have become eligible
to be elected to Althingi or have obtained the right to hold public office, shall retain the said rights. Danish nationals who under Article 75
of the Constitution of 18 March 1920 would have obtained such rights had the law not been amended shall, from the date of entry into
force of this constitutional law until six months after negotiations regarding the rights of Danish nationals in Iceland can start, also acquire
the said rights and retain them.
On 17 June 1944, the unicameral Parliament or Althing, passed the Constitution of Iceland. The rights
and liberties of the citizenry are detailed in Section VI, with executive, legislative and judicial powers
detailed in the previous sections. The Constitution has been amended several times, most recently on 31
May 1991. Proposals for a fifth series of amendments are currently (mid-year 2006) being drafted by a
special commission. Changes being discussed include the possible withdrawal of the presidential veto.
For a full English translation of Iceland's constitution, click here.
and liberties of the citizenry are detailed in Section VI, with executive, legislative and judicial powers
detailed in the previous sections. The Constitution has been amended several times, most recently on 31
May 1991. Proposals for a fifth series of amendments are currently (mid-year 2006) being drafted by a
special commission. Changes being discussed include the possible withdrawal of the presidential veto.
For a full English translation of Iceland's constitution, click here.