Constitution of Estonia

 

Article 1 [Sovereignty]

(1) Estonia is an independent and sovereign democratic republic wherein the supreme power of the state is held by the people.
(2) Estonian independence and sovereignty is interminable and inalienable.

Article 6 [Language]
The official language of Estonia is Estonian.

Article 8 [Citizenship]

(1) Every child with one parent who is an Estonian citizen shall
have the right, by birth, to Estonian citizenship.
(2) Everyone who as a minor lost his or her Estonian citizenship shall have the right to have his or her citizenship restored.
(3) No person who has acquired Estonian citizenship by birth may be deprived of it.
(4) No person may be deprived of Estonian citizenship because of his or her persuasion.
(5) Conditions and procedures for the acquisition, loss and restoration of Estonian citizenship shall be determined by the Law on Citizenship.

Article 37 [Education]

(1) Everyone shall have the right to an education. Education shall be compulsory for school-age children to the extent specified by law, and free of school fees in state and local government general education schools.
(2) In order to make education available, state and local governments shall maintain the necessary number of educational institutions. As determined by law, other educational institutions may be established, including private schools.
(3) Parents shall have the final decision in choosing education for their children.
(4) Everyone shall have the right to instruction in Estonian. Educational institutions established for minorities shall choose their own language of instruction.
(5) The provision of education shall be supervised by the state.

Article 50 [Minority Rights]
Ethnic minorities shall have the right, in the interests of their national culture, to establish institutions of self-government in accordance with conditions and procedures determined by the Law on Cultural Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities.

Article 52 [Official Language]

(1) The official language of state and local government authorities shall be Estonian.
(2) In localities where the language of the majority of the population is other than Estonian, local government authorities may use the language of the majority of the permanent residents of that locality for internal communication to the extent and in accordance with procedures determined by law.
(3) The use of foreign languages, including the languages of ethnic minorities, by state authorities and in court and pre-trial proceedings shall be determined by law.