õiguspärasuses

Õiguspärasus, in Estonian, refers to the principle of legality or lawfulness. It signifies that all actions, particularly those undertaken by public authorities and institutions, must be in accordance with the law. This means that a government body or official can only act if they have a legal basis for their actions, and their actions must not exceed the powers granted to them by law.

The concept of õiguspärasus is fundamental to the rule of law. It ensures that power is not exercised arbitrarily, but rather within a framework of established legal norms. Individuals and entities have the right to expect that state actions will be predictable and based on pre-existing rules, rather than on the whims of those in power.

In practice, õiguspärasus requires that laws themselves are clear, accessible, and generally applicable. It also implies that there are mechanisms for holding public authorities accountable if they act without legal authority or in violation of the law. This principle underpins the relationship between the state and its citizens, aiming to protect individual rights and freedoms from potential overreach of governmental power. It is a cornerstone of democratic governance and a prerequisite for a just society.