Translated from Portuguese. The Portuguese version prevails. Ler em português
The Constitutional Court is marking 15 years since its institutionalisation, which formally took place on 17 June 2008 with the entry into force of Law No. 2/08 of 17 June.
It is therefore with this in mind that, in order to mark the anniversary in a fitting manner, the Court is holding, from 15 to 30 June 2023, a number of initiatives aimed at fostering public debate on its institutional remit as guardian of the Constitution of the Republic and at contributing to raising citizens' knowledge of legal and constitutional matters, the so-called constitutional literacy.
Among the activities to be held, a Keynote Conference (Conferência Magna) is scheduled for 16 June 2023, at which national and foreign experts will address topics related to the Constitutional Court, from the reasons that led to its institutionalisation to the mechanisms available to it in pursuing its duties as guarantor of the Constitution, with particular note of the participation of Full Professors Luzia Sebastião, from Angola, and Rui Medeiros, from Portugal.
During the second half of June, three times a week and by prior appointment, interested citizens will be able, as part of an effort to bring citizens closer to this Court, to take guided tours of its premises, in order to see at first hand the organisational and functional dynamics of the Constitutional Court and to interact with some of the judges who make up its Plenary.
Also as part of the initiatives marking the date, under the motto “15 Years of the Constitutional Court: From Institutionalisation to its Affirmation as Guardian of the Constitution of the Republic”, a number of recreational, sporting and cultural activities are planned, most notably a photographic exhibition portraying the Court's historical journey.
The Constitutional Court is composed of 11 Justices, 4 (four) of whom are appointed by the President of the Republic, 4 (four) elected by the National Assembly, 2 (two) elected by the Superior Council of the Judiciary and 1 (one) selected through a public competition based on professional record, in accordance with the law.
Article 181 of the Constitution of the Republic of Angola provides that the Constitutional Court has jurisdiction over matters relating to proceedings for prior review, subsequent review and unconstitutionality by omission; ordinary and extraordinary appeals on grounds of unconstitutionality; proceedings concerning candidacies for President of the Republic, Vice-President of the Republic and Members of the National Assembly; proceedings concerning Political Parties and Coalitions of Political Parties; and electoral proceedings, both general and local, among others.
Luanda, 13 June 2023.