- From your right to catch your breath to forcing you to own two pets, here are some strange constitutional quirks.
A country’s constitution is a powerful document. It lays down the basic governmental and legal principles along which the authorities are supposed to operate.
Sometimes, those principles are a bit silly.
Constitutions from around the world often feature clauses dictating some strange provisions. This could be because the constitution is very old, it was written hastily under uncertain circumstances, or the country’s residents genuinely believe you should or shouldn’t be allowed to do something.
Here are eight examples of unusual constitutional provisions from various countries.
1. Finland: You Can Camp Anywhere
Going camping on someone else’s land seems like a ludicrous idea. To the Finns, however, not doing that is an equally mind-boggling concept.
Section of the Constitution of Finland lays out what are called “Everyman’s Rights.” According to the clause, you are free to hike, camp, pick berries or mushrooms, or even fish and hunt (in accordance with other laws) on any land, whether owned by the state or private citizens.
All you have to do is not fell trees, not harm the environment, and stay a respectable distance from any private homes. It shows how much the Finnish value unrestricted outdoor living that they actually obey those rules.
2. Brazil: Constitutional Right to Take a Break
In most democratic countries, the constitution guarantees your right to work, healthcare, housing, education… You know, the usual.
The Brazilian constitution goes a bit further — it dictates all citizens’ fundamental right to leisure. It doesn’t mean there’s a government-sanctioned break every two hours (that we know of), but it does mean authorities must make public areas available, while also laying down strict overwork laws.
Know what, that sounds pretty great. Can we get a constitutional amendment going to introduce this in the U.S. as well?
3. Mexico: No-no on Nobles
After the Mexicans kicked their Spanish colonizers out of the country, they weren’t big on the whole “the nobility is better than the rest of you” business. So, the Mexican constitution expressly prohibits any semblance of nobility in the country.
Article 12 of the Constitution of Mexico states that no noble titles may be granted within Mexico. But that wasn’t good enough, so Article 37 goes one step further.
Any Mexican citizen who accepts a foreign noble title stands to lose their citizenship. They really don’t like nobles south of the border.
4. Switzerland: You Must Own Two Guinea Pigs
Want to get a guinea pig as a pet? Well, if you live in Switzerland, you can’t just get one — you must get two.
The Animal Protection Ordinance of Switzerland’s constitution dictates that guinea pigs must always be kept in pairs. They are highly social animals, after all, and the law aims to ensure their welfare.
But what if you have two guinea pigs and one kicks the bucket? You’re expected to buy a new one, but in the meanwhile, most pet stores offer rental guinea pigs so that people don’t run afoul of animal protection laws.
5. Uganda: Relatives Can’t Run Against Each Other
Family loyalties are a big deal in Uganda. So big, in fact, that two relatives are generally not allowed to run against each other in elections.
The Local Governments Act, incorporated into the African country’s constitutio,n doesn’t exactly ban relatives from competing politically. However, the strong emphasis it places on transparency and fair competition for political offices usually gets interpreted as relatives running for the same position is a big no-no.
After all, family get-togethers are awkward enough when you have many differing viewpoints around the table. You don’t need familial rivalries spiraling into contests to control local government seats — or at least the Ugandans think so.
6. U.S.: Government -sanctioned Piracy
The U.S. Constitution has many quirks and clauses that are products of their time. But nowhere is the passage of time since the document’s drafting more apparent than in Article I, Section 8.
This constitutional clause allows the U.S. government to grant its citizens “a letter of marque and reprisal.” In other words, the government can hire you to become a pirate.
Oh, we’re sorry — you should call them privateers.
Should the government hire you as a privateer, you’d be free to raid, plunder, and pillage ships from the agreed-upon countries. You just have to leave American ships alone.
This clause is a remnant from the time the U.S. didn’t have a functional navy yet. The last letter of marque was handed out in 1815, but the government could still technically do it at any time.
7. Liechtenstein: Prince Can Veto Any Law (or Be Deposed)
Monarchs holding ultimate power is a thing of the past. These days, even if a country has a monarch, they’re most likely to be little more than a figurehead.
Unless you live in Liechtenstein.
In this Central European microstate, the Prince of Liechtenstein still rules supreme. He has the power to appoint judges, dismiss ministers, dissolve the parliament, and veto any law if it doesn’t please him.
There’s only one thing holding his whims in check. The constitution gives the people the right to hold a referendum to abolish the monarchy altogether.
So, the Prince plays nice, because if he doesn’t, he won’t be Prince for very long.
8. Netherlands: Laws Are Constitutional Because the Constitution Says So
In America, if the constitutionality of a law is in question, it will inevitably land in front of the Supreme Court. But not in the Netherlands.
That’s because the Constitution says that judges can’t rule whether a law is constitutional.
It sounds a bit backwards, but the only authority that can decide whether a law is constitutional is the Dutch Parliament. So, if the Parliament passes a law, they obviously think it’s constitutional.
This system is the cause of no little debate in the Netherlands. That said, it does show the amount faith the Dutch put in their elected representatives.