Constitution of Bhutan

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan was enacted on 18 July 2008 after nearly seven years of preparation, establishing Bhutan as a democratic constitutional monarchy belonging to its people and defining legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Rooted in Buddhist philosophy and international human rights conventions, and significantly influenced by South Africa's constitution for its human rights protections, it designates Dzongkha the national language and December 17 as National Day, and it completed Bhutan's transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. The document sets mandatory retirement at age 65 for most officials and includes provisions allowing the monarch to be involuntarily removed through a parliamentary procedure followed by national referendum in the event of constitutional violations.