This afternoon, the President of the Republic, Dr Patrick Herminie, received the commemorative edition of the Constitution of Seychelles from the Seychelles Law Commission to mark the 50th Anniversary of Seychelles’ Independence.
This commemorative edition showcases the Constitution’s evolution through all amendments enacted since 1993, presented in a consolidated and accessible format that highlights key constitutional milestones.
As Seychelles prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary of Independence, various institutions are playing their part in commemorating this important national milestone. The Seychelles Law Commission came forward with this initiative after four weeks of dedicated work on the document, which serves as the foundation of the nation’s governance, democracy, and the rule of law.
During a brief discussion following the official handover, Chief Justice Judge Rony Govinden, Chairperson of the Commission, noted that the document presents a refined layout and updated legal text. He described it as a symbol of the nation’s constitutional heritage as Seychelles prepares to celebrate five decades of independence. He explained that the work carried out over the years has been consolidated to facilitate future research and support those who regularly use legal instruments.
He further stated that this version is annotated wherever amendments have been made to the Constitution, with each relevant article referencing the date and legislation responsible for the change. This, he noted, will greatly assist historians, academics, researchers, and legal practitioners who rely on these instruments.
President Herminie described the document as highly significant. Speaking from his experience as former Speaker and Leader of Government Business, having worked on numerous constitutional amendments, he noted that the Constitution is a living document that continues to evolve with changing times, new realities, and emerging proposals. He expressed satisfaction with the publication of this consolidated edition, describing it as a positive step in the right direction.
The President further noted that it was his first meeting with the Seychelles Law Commission and commended the Commission for its initiative.
He emphasized that the rule of law will continue to prevail in Seychelles, especially as the country faces various social challenges that require urgent attention as a small island state.
“With the various laws and provisions of our Constitution, we should be able to tackle these problems,” he said.
President Herminie noted that one of the country’s main challenges remains enforcement, particularly the lack of willingness to enforce laws, as well as integrity, which he described as one of the biggest concerns facing the country today.
Chief Justice Judge Rony Govinden agreed and shared the view that many social issues in the country need to be addressed more effectively in the best interest of the people of Seychelles.
This consolidated edition is now available online on the Seychelles Law Commission website http://slc.sc
Also present during the handover were President of the Court of Appeal Anthony Fernando, Attorney General Vinsent Perera, Lawyer Mr Kieran Shah, Director Mr Yohan Liyanage, Ms Julia Jean, Senior Legal Counsel, and Ms Mary Anne Servina, staff member of the Commission.