
Constitution Day is celebrated in different ways in different countries of the world. But everywhere it is celebrated solemnly and with a high degree of respect.
In Norway, on this day children dressed in national clothes march with national flags. Festive celebrations are organized everywhere.
In Japan, the doors of the parliament are opened to all visitors and lectures are given on the importance of a democratic and pacifist constitution for the country.
In Denmark, on this day, the country’s flag is hoisted in places established by law, which is done only on the most important holidays for the state.
Well, in the United States is celebrated not the Day, but the whole week of the Constitution. During seven days in schools and colleges there are classes on the history of the creation and signing of the Basic Law, students read and quote passages from it.
And how was Constitution Day celebrated in Moldova on July 29? Many people did not even remember about it, and even more people did not know. What to demand from ordinary citizens, if there is not even a mention of this holiday on the websites of neither the country’s President Maya Sandu, nor the Parliament and the Government. The head of state was preoccupied with preparations for the next day’s meeting of the Supreme Security Council, the chairman of parliament was imitating protests abroad, and Prime Minister Dorin Recean was in the Drochia neighborhood talking excitedly about the government’s achievements before the parliamentary elections.
True, we must give credit to the president of the Constitutional Court, Domnica Manole. She remembered. And even published a small message on the CC website. “The celebration of Constitution Adoption Day on July 29 is an opportunity to pay tribute to the constitutional values that have strengthened the Republic of Moldova as a sovereign state and to reaffirm the commitment to the rule of law and fundamental human rights. The respect for the Constitution is directly proportional to the level of protection of the fundamental principles enshrined therein, while the devotion to the letter and spirit of the Basic Law reflects the level of responsibility and democratic maturity of our society,” she said.
And you can’t argue with that. “Respect for the Constitution is directly proportional to the level of defense of the fundamental principles enshrined in it…”. The “level of respect” for the country’s Basic Law and Constitution Adoption Day in the presidential administration, parliament, government and the state as a whole best reflects “the level of responsibility and democratic maturity of our society.”
In a country with a forgotten Constitution, it is hardly appropriate to talk about democracy, freedoms and rights of citizens. That is what we live with.