CONSTITUTION (BASIC LAW) of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia

Chapter I

The organization of the society

Article 1.  The Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia is a socialist state of workers and peasants.

Chapter II

The organization of the state

Article 13. For the purpose of mutual assistance in economic, political and defence sphere, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia voluntary associated with the equal Soviet Socialist Republics... – in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia guarantees the rights specified for in Article 14 of the Constitution of the USSR.

Outside of the scope of Article 14 the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia shall exercise its jurisdiction independently and fully maintain its sovereign rights.

Article 14.  The jurisdiction of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia, as represented by its highest organs of state authority and organs of government, covers:

a) adoption the Constitution of the Georgian SSR, introduction the changes and amendments to it, control the observance of the Constitution;

b) Confirmation of the Constitutions of the Abkhaz and Adjarian Autonomous SSR;

c) Determination of boundaries of the Abkhaz and Adjarian SSR and of the South-Ossetian Autonomous oblast;

d) Submission of proposals for confirmation to the Supreme Soviets of the USSR on forming the new autonomous Republics and autonomous oblasts within the Georgian SSR;

e) Determination of boundaries and district division of the Georgian SSR;

f) Adoption of the laws, legal Codes and the Acts of the Georgian SSR;

g) Safeguarding the public order and civil rights;

h) Approval of the public-economic plans of the Georgian SSR;

i) Approval of the state budget of the Georgian SSR;

j) Management of implementation of the budgets of the Abkhaz Autonomous SSR, Adjarian Autonomous SSR and of the South-Ossetian Autonomous oblast, as well as of city’s and local budgets;

k) Introduction of state and local taxes, dues and non-tax income in accordance of the law of the USSR;

l) Administration of the Banks of state subordination, industrial and agricultural establishments and enterprises and  local trading enterprises and industry;

m) Control over the situation and management of the enterprises and institutions of all-Union importance;

n) Establishment of the rules for the use of land, its bowels, water and forest;

o) Administration of municipal improvements, housing and public utilities;

p) Administration of road-construction, local transport and communications;

q) Administration of labour legislation;

r) Administration of the public health;

s) Administration of insurance and savings’

t) Administration of primary, secondary and high educational establishments;

u) Administration of cultural-educational and scientific institutions and organizations of the Georgian SSR and management of cultural and scientific organizations of the all-state importance;

u) Arrangement of the judicial organs;

v) Granting the citizenship of the Georgian SSR;

x) Issuing the act of amnesty and pardon for the citizens convicted by the judiciary organs of the Georgian SSR.

Article 15.  The Georgian SSR reserves the right to secede freely from the USSR.

Article 16. Alteration of the territory of Georgia is inadmissible without its consent.

Article 17.  The laws of the USSR are valid on the territory of the Georgian SSR.

Article 18.  The citizen of the Georgian SSR is the citizen of the USSR.

Any citizen of other union republic shall enjoy the equal rights on the territory of the Georgian SSR as for citizen of the Georgian SSR;

Article 19. The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic includes: the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia, the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Adjara and the Autonomous Oblast of South-Ossetia; ... – districts and cities: Tbilisi and Poti, which are not included in the districts.

Article 20. The Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia includes: Gagra, Gali, Gudauta, Sukhumi, Ochamchire districts and city Sukhumi, which is not included in the district.

Article 21. The Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Adjara includes: Batumi, keda, Kobuleti and Khulo districts, and city Batumi, which is not included in the district.

Article 22. The South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast includes: Znauri, Leningori, Staliniri and Java districts and city Tskhinvali, which is not included in the district.

Article 23. The laws of the Georgian SSR have the same force within the territory of the whole Georgian SSR.

In the event of discrepancy between a law of the Abkhaz and Adjarian autonomous SSR and the Georgian SSR, the Law of the Georgian SSR prevails.

24. The Autonomous SSR of Abkhazia and the Autonomous SSR of Adjara shall have their own Constitutions which take account of the specific features of these autonomous republics and are drawn up in full conformity with the Constitution of the Georgian SSR and of the Constitution of the USSR.

The South-Ossetian Autonomous oblast has the Regulations of the autonomous oblast, which shall be approved by the Supreme Soviets of the Georgian SSR.

Chapter III

The highest organs of the state authority ofthe Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia

Article 26.  Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR shall exercise all the rights under the jurisdiction of the Georgian SSR in conformity to the Article 13 and Article 14 of the Constitution of the Georgian SSR as they are, on the basis of this Constitution, outside of the competence of the organs that are accountable to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, Council of People’s Commissars of the Georgian SSR and of the People’s Commissariats of the Georgian SSR.

Article 27. The supreme soviet of the Georgian SSR is the sole legislative organ of the Georgian SSR.

Article 28. The Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR shall be elected by the citizens of the republic according the electoral district upon the following norm: one deputy for 15 000 inhabitants.

Article 29. The Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR shall be elected for a term of four years.

Article 34. The Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR shall elect the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, consisting of: chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, two Vice-Chairmen according the number of autonomous republics, a secretary of the Presidium and 13 members.

Article 36.  The presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR:

d) revokes the resolutions and decrees issued by the Council of People’s Commissars of the Georgian SSR and of the Councils of People’s Commissars of the autonomous republics, as well as the Decisions adopted by the Council of Workers’ Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast if they do not comply to the legislation;

(...)

Chapter V

The organs of Government of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia

Article 44. The highest executive and administrative organ of the state authority of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia is the Council of People’s Commissars of the Georgian SSR.

Article 47.  Decision and Orders of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Georgian SSR are binding throughout the territory of the Georgian SSR.

Article 48. The Council of People’s Commissars of the Georgian SSR:

d) Coordinates and takes control over the activity of the councils of the people’s commissars of the autonomous republics and autonomous oblast; exercises guidance and takes control over the executive committees of the district and city soviets of worker’s deputies.

(...) 49. The Council of People’s Commissars of the Georgian SSR has the right to suspend the decisions and orders of the executive committee of the autonomous oblast and the resolutions and decrees of the councils of the People’s Commissars of the autonomous republics, and the decisions and orders of the Soviets of Worker’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast.

Chapter V

The highest organs of state authority of the Autonomous

Republic of Abkhazia and of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara

Article 59.  The highest organs of state authority of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia and of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Adjara are the Supreme Soviets of the respective autonomous republic.

Article 60. The Supreme Soviet of an Autonomous Republic is elected by the citizens of the Republic for a term of four years on the basis of representation established by the Constitution of the Autonomous Republic.

Article 61. The Supreme Soviet of an Autonomous Republic is the sole legislative organ of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

Article 62.  The Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic:

a) Adopts the constitution of the Autonomous Republic and submits it to the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR for approval pursuant to Article 24 of the Constitution of the Georgian SSR;

b) Submits proposals to the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR on forming the new districts an cities for approval, and determines their boundaries;

c) Approves the public-economic plan and budget of the autonomous republic.

d) Grants the award and honorary titles to the citizens of the autonomous Republic.

Article 63. The Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic elects the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic consisting of: chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic, Vice-chairmen, a secretary of the members of the Presidium.

Article 64.  The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic is accountable to the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic.

Article 65.  The jurisdiction of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic shall be determined by the Constitution of the Autonomous SSR.

Article 66. Elects the chairman and the vice-chairmen for the session of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic.

Article 67.  The Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic forms the Government of the Autonomous Republic – Council of People’s Commissars of the Autonomous Republic.

Chapter VI

The organs of government of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

 of Abkhazia and of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Adjara

Article 68.  The highest executive and administrative organ of the autonomous SSR of Abkhazia and Adjara is the Council of People’s Commissars of the respective autonomous republic.

Article 69. The Council of People’s Commissars of the Autonomous Republic is responsible and accountable to the Supreme Soviet of the respective autonomous Republic; and in the intervals between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic it is responsible and accountable to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic.

Article 70. The Council of People’s Commissars of the Autonomous Republic adopts decisions and orders on the basis and in pursuant of the laws in operation of the USSR, the Georgian SSR and the Autonomous Republic, and orders and decrees of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Georgian SSR, and supervises their execution.

Article 71. The Council of People’s Commissars of the Autonomous SSR has the right to revoke the orders and instructions of the People’s Commissars of the Autonomous SSR, and the decisions and orders of the District and City executive committees on the territory of it the autonomous republic, as well as to suspend the decisions and orders of the District Soviets of Worker’s Deputies.

Article 72.  The Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic shall form the Council of people’s Commissars of the Autonomous Republic consisting of:

Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars;

Vice-Chairmen of the Council of People’s Commissars;

Chairman of the State Planning Commission;

Peoples Commissars of

Agriculture;

Finance;

Internal Trade;

Internal Affairs;

Justice;

Public Health;

Education;

Local Industry;

Municipal Economy;

Social Maintenance;

Head of Road Department;

Representative of Food-processing Committee;

Head of Art Affairs’ Department

In addition to the aforementioned, with respect of specifics of the economy and upon the approval of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, the following People’s Commissars can be nominated:

Food Industry;

Light Industry;

Forest Industry.

Article 73. The People’s Commissars of the Autonomous Republics direct the branches of state administration under their competence in accordance with the Constitutions of the Georgian SSR and the Autonomous SSR.

74. The people’s Commissars of the Autonomous Republics, within the scope of their competence, issue the orders and instruction in accordance with the laws of the USSR, the Georgian SSR, the Autonomous Republic, as well as with the decrees and orders issued by the Councils of people’s Commissars of the USSR, Georgian SSR and the Autonomous Republic.

75.  The People’s Commissariats of the Autonomous Republic shall direct the branches of state administration entrusted to them and are subordinate to the Council of people’s Commissariats of the Autonomous Republic, as well as of the respective People’s Commissariat of the Georgian SSR.

Chapter VII

The organs of state authority of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

Article 76.  The organ of state authority in the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia is the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies.

Article 77.  The Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia directs the work of the organs of administration subordinate to them, ensures the maintenance of public order, the observance of the laws and protection of the rights of citizens, directs local economic and cultural development, approves the budget and public-economic plan of the oblast.

Article 79. The Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia adopts decisions and issues orders within the limits of the power vested in it by the laws of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR.

Article 80.  The executive and administrative organ of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia is the executive committee of the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia elected by the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast, consisting of a chairman, two vice-chairmen, secretary and seven members.

Article 81.  For the purpose of general management of the fields under the jurisdiction of the oblast, the executive committee of the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia forms the following Departments:

Agriculture;

Finance;

Internal Trade;

Health-care;

Public Education;

Local Industry;

Municipal Economy;

Forestry;

Social protection;

Roads;

Chancellery;

Art Affairs;

Planning Commission;

Personnel division at the Chairman of the executive committee;

In addition to the aforementioned, the executive committee of the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia forms:

Office of the Commissariat of the Internal Affairs;

Representative of the Food processing agency.

Article 82. The Departments and entities of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia are subordinate to the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia, as well as to the respective People’s Commissariats of the Georgian SSR.

Article 83.  The district organs of state authority of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of South Ossetia shall be formed in accordance of Chapter VIII of this Constitution.

Chapter VIII

The local organs of state authority

Article 84. The organs of state authority in the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia and of the districts, cities, villages and rural settlements of the Georgian SSR are the Soviets of Working People’s Deputies.

Article 85. The Soviets of Working People’s Deputies of districts, cities, villages and rural settlements are elected by the workers of the respective territorial entities for a term of two years.

Article 86. The District Soviets of Working People’s Deputies shall be elected according the norm – one deputy for 300 inhabitants.

Article 87. The City Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies shall be elected according the following norms: the Poti City Soviet – one deputy for 200 inhabitants; the Kutaisi City Soviet – one deputy for 400 inhabitants; the Tbilisi City Soviet – 1 Deputy for 700 inhabitants; for the other cities: a) one deputy for 100 inhabitants where the population is under 10 000; b) one deputy for 150 inhabitants where the population is over 10 000;

Article 88.  The village and community Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies shall be elected according to the number of inhabitants: one deputy for not less than 50 and not more than 150 inhabitants.

The representation for the Soviets of Working People’s Deputies of rural settlements and communities shall be defined within the limits established by this Article.

Article 89.   The Soviets of Working People’s Deputies (District, city, village) direct cultural-political and economic development on their respective territories, introduce the local budget, direct the management of subordinate organs, safeguard the public order, encourage the strengthening of defence capacity and observe the laws and protection of the rights of citizens.

Article 90. The Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies adopt decisions and issue orders within the limits of the powers vested in them by the laws of the USSR, Georgian SSR and of the Autonomous Republic.

Article 93.  The executive and administrative organs of the Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies of districts, cities and villages shall be the executive committees elected by the respective Soviets consisting of Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, a secretary and members.

Article 94. The executive and administrative organs of the Soviets of villages and communities with the inhabitants not more than 500 people are a chairman, a vice-chairman and a secretary elected by the respective Soviets. 

Article 95. Executive Committees of the Soviets of Working People’s Deputies (District, city, village) shall coordinate the cultural-political and economic development in their area in accordance with the decisions made by the respective soviets of the working people’s deputies and of the higher state organs.

Article 96.  The District and City Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies shall elect a chairman and a secretary for holding the session.

Article 97.  The Chairman of the Village Soviet shall convene and lead the session of the village soviet.

Article 98.  The executive organs of the Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies are accountable to the respective Soviets they are elected by, as well as to the executive organs of the higher Soviets.

Article 99. The higher executive committees of the Soviets of Working People’s Deputies are authorized to revoke and suspend the decisions and orders issued by the lower executive committees.

Article 101.  For the purpose of management of certain branches, the district and city Soviets are authorized to form the executive Departments.

Article 102.  The District Soviets shall form the following Departments:

Agriculture;

Public Education;

Finance;

Internal Trade;

Health-care;

Social Protection;

Chancellery;

Road;

Planning commission;

Personnel management sector at the Chairman of the Committee.

In addition to the aforementioned and proceeding from the specifics of the district’s economy and subject to approval of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR. Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republic and of the Soviet of the Working People’s Deputies of the autonomous Oblast, the District Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies is authorized to form the Divisions: municipal economy and local industry.

Article 103. According to the district specifics, the Commissariat of the Internal Affairs shall form the offices at the District Soviets of the Working people’s Deputies in accordance of the laws of the USSR and the Georgian SSR subject to approval of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous SSR and of the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of the Autonomous oblast.

Article 105.  The Departments of the District Soviets of the Working Peoples Deputies are subordinate to the District Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies and their executive committees, as well as to the relevant People’s Commissariats of the Georgian SSR, and in the Autonomous Republics and Autonomous Oblasts – to the relevant People’s Commissariats of the Autonomous Republic or the Autonomous oblast respectively.

Article 106. The Departments of the City Soviets of the Working People’s Deputies are subordinate to the City Soviet, as well as to the respective executive committee and the relevant People’s Commissariat of the Georgian SSR; and in the Autonomous Republics and Autonomous oblasts they are subordinate to the relevant people’s Commissariat of the Autonomous Republic or of the relevant Division of the Executive Committee of the Autonomous Oblast.

Article 108. The Departments of the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of Sukhumi are subordinate to the City Soviet and its executive committee, as well as to the relevant People’s Commissariat of the Autonomous SSR of Abkhazia.

The Departments of the Soviet of Working People’s Deputies of Staliniri are subordinate to the City Soviet and its executive committee, as well as to the relevant Division of the Executive Committee of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia.

(…)

Chapter IX

The Budget of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia

Article 112.  The Council of people’s Commissars of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia shall draw-up the state budget of the Georgian SSR and submit it to the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR for approval.

(…)

Article 116. The income from the local economy, as well as the revenues from local taxes and dues of the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Adjara, Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia, as well as of districts, cities, villages and rural settlements shall be allotted to the budget of respective territorial entity according to the quantity determined by the legislation of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR.

Chapter X

Courts and Procurator’s Office

Article 117.  In the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia justice is administered by the Supreme Court of Georgia, Supreme Courts of the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Adjara, the Court of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia, the Special Courts of the USSR established under the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and the people’s courts.

Article 119.  The Supreme Court of the Georgian SSR is the highest judicial body in the Georgian SSR.  It is entitled to supervise the administration of justice at the courts of the Georgian SSR, Abkhaz and Adjarian Autonomous SSR and of the South-Ossetian Autonomous oblast.

Article 120. The Supreme Court of the Georgian SSR shall be elected by the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR for a term of five years.

Article 121. The Supreme Courts of the Autonomous Republics shall be elected by the respective Supreme Soviets for a term of five years.

Article 124. Judicial proceedings on the territory of the Georgia SSR shall be conducted in Georgian or in the language of Autonomous Republic, or Autonomous oblast.  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.

127. Supreme power of supervision over the strict and uniform observance of laws by all people’s Commissariats and subordinate agencies, officials and citizens is vested in the Procurator of the USSR, as well as in the Procurator of the Georgian SSR.

Article 128. The Procurators of the Georgian SSR, as well as the procurators of the Abkhaz and Adjarian Autonomous SSR are appointed by the Procurator of the USSR for a term of five years.

Article 129.  The District and City procurators are appointed by the Procurator of the Georgian SSR for a term of five years subject to approval of the Procurator of the USSR.

Article 130. 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 USSR.

Chapter XIII

Language, Flag and Capital-City

Article 156. Georgian is the state language of the Georgian SSR.

The national minorities residing on the territory of the Georgian SSR shall have the right to the free development and application of their mother tongues in cultural, as well as in state institutions.

Article 157.  The laws, as well as the Decrees and Resolutions of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, the Decisions and orders of the Council of people’s Commissariats of the Georgian SSR shall be published in Georgian language, and for the Autonomous Republics and Autonomous oblasts – in Georgian and in the language of autonomous Republic or oblast.

Article 158. The laws, as well as decrees and ordinances of the Presidiums of the Supreme Soviet of the Autonomous Republics, orders and decisions of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Autonomous Republics, decisions of the executive committees of the autonomous oblast shall be published in the language of respective autonomous republic or autonomous oblast and in Georgian.

(…)

13 February 1937

(The Collection of the Constitutional Acts of the Georgian SSR. (1921-1978). Tbilisi, 1983, p. 133-160)