Advanced Search

All laws, decree-laws, decrees, regulations, orders and other provisions that were in effect at the time this Constitution was promulgated shall continue to be observed insofar as they are not in conflict with it or until they have been legally repealed or amended. (Art. 376)

Honduras supports the principles and practices of international law, that promote the solidarity and self-determination of peoples, nonintervention and the strengthening of universal peace and democracy.
Honduras proclaims as inevitable the validity and obligatory execution of arbitral and judicial awards of an international character. (Art. 15)

In case of conflict between the treaty or convention, and the law, the former shall prevail. (Art. 18)

When an International Treaty affects a constitutional provision, it must be approved by the procedure that governs the reform of the Constitution, simultaneously the constitutional precept affected must be modified in the same sense by the same procedure before the Treaty being ratified by the Executive Power. (Art. 17)

All international treaties must be approved by the National Congress before their ratification by the Executive Power.
International treaties entered into by Honduras with other States form part of the domestic law as soon as they enter into force. (Art. 16)

The Supreme Court of Justice, will be organized in chambers, one of which is the Constitutional [Chamber], …
The Constitutional Chamber has the following attributions:
1) To take cognizance[,] in conformity with this Constitution and the law, of the recourses of Habeas Corpus or Personal Exhibition [Exhibición Personal], Habeas Data, Amparo, Unconstitutionality and Revision, and,
2) To resolve the conflicts among the Powers of the State, including the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, as well as, among the other entities or organs that the law indicates; the decisions [sentencias] in which the unconstitutionality of a norm is declared[,] are of immediate execution and have general effects, and therefore, abrogate [derogan] the unconstitutional norm, [and this] will be communicated to the National Congress, which will have it published in the Diario Oficial La Gaceta [Official Gazette]. The Regulations will establish the organization and functioning of the Chambers. (Art. 316)

…
Whenever the executive returns a bill, it shall again be debated in the National Congress, and if it is ratified by a two-thirds vote, it shall again be sent to the executive branch, with this phrase: “Constitutionally ratified” and the executive branch shall publish it forthwith.
If the grounds for the veto are that the bill is unconstitutional, it may not be submitted to a new debate until the opinion of the Supreme Court of Justice has been obtained; the Court shall issue its opinion within such period as the National Congress shall specify. (Art. 216)

The declaration of unconstitutionality of a law and its abrogation [derogación], may be solicited, by anyone who considers himself injured in his direct, personal, and legitimate interest:
1) By way of action that must be brought [entablar] before the Supreme Court of Justice;
2) By way of exception. which may be opposed in any judicial proceeding; and
3) Also[,] the Jurisdictional Organ that takes cognizance in any Judicial proceeding may solicit[,] of office[,] the declaration of unconstitutionality of a Law and its abrogation before dictating a decision [resolución].
In the cases contemplated in numerals 2) and 3), the activity [actuaciones] must be elevated to the Supreme Court of Justice[,] the procedure following from the moment of summons for decision [sentencia], after which the judicial procedure of the partial question in the sphere of the resolution concerning the unconstitutionality must be suspended. (Art. 185)

Laws may be declared unconstitutional because of their form or content.
The Supreme Court of Justice has original and exclusive jurisdiction over hearing and deciding such matters and must render its decisions in accordance with the requirements governing final judgments. (Art. 184)

The declarations, rights and guarantees enumerated in this Constitution shall not be construed as a denial of other declarations, rights and guarantees not specified that spring from the national sovereignty, from the democratic and representative form of government, and from the dignity of man. (Art. 63)