On 21 April 1980 the Revolutionary Council ratified the Basic Principles of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. These were superseded by a new Constitution ratified in April 1985. This Constitution was amended in May 1990. The following is a summary of the Constitution as it stood in May 1990. The fundamental duty of the State is to defend the independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Afghanistan.
National sovereignty belongs to the people.
The people exercise national sovereignty through the Loya Jirgah and the Meli Shura. Friendship and co-operation are to be strengthened with all countries, particularly neighboring and Islamic ones. Afghanistan abides by the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supports the struggle against colonialism, imperialism, Zionism, racism and fascism. Afghanistan favors disarmament and the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons. War propaganda is prohibited.