《德国宪法》.doc

Germany - Constitution
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{ Adopted on: 23 May 1949 }
{ ICL Document Status: 16 July 1998 }
{ Editor's Note
The ICL-edition was originally based on an older translation provided by the embassy press and information office. That raw text has been extensively changed and adapted to ICL format and language standards. All amendments up to and including the 46th Amendment on 16 July 1998 have been translated and included by ICL into this consolidated edition.
To prepare the text for the search engine, we have translated 'Länder' as 'States', 'Bundestag' as 'House of Representatives', 'Bundesrat' as 'Senate', 'Bundesbank' as 'Federal Bank'. This does in no way imply any similarity of those institutions with the respective . organs. The German terms have been added in square brackets to clarify the matter.
Warning: There are a number of colorful editions in the which are based on outdated text without mentioning it. The German Constitution is being changed frequently and substantially (., Article 13 in 1998). Therefore, knowing the document status is of utmost importance to legal scholars. }
Preamble
Conscious of their responsibility before God and men, animated by the purpose to serve world peace as an equal part in a unified Europe, the German People have adopted, by virtue of their constituent power, this Constitution.
The Germans in the States [Länder] of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia have achieved the unity and freedom of Germany in free self-determination. This Constitution is thus valid for the entire German People.
Chapter I Basic Rights
Article 1 [Human Dignity]
(1) Human dignity is inviolable. To respect and protect it is the duty of all state authority.
(2) The G