What does the principle of legality state regarding laws?

The principle of legality emphasizes that for a law to be enforceable, it must be made public and accessible to those it governs before any enforcement action can take place. This principle is foundational to the rule of law, ensuring that individuals are aware of the laws and can comply with them. The idea is that citizens have the right to know what the laws are so they can avoid actions that could lead to legal repercussions.

This requirement for public announcement counters arbitrary enforcement and promotes fairness and transparency in the legal system. In practice, this means that laws are typically published in official documents, such as statute books or government websites, allowing the general public to access and understand the legal standards they must adhere to.

The other options do not align with this principle. For instance, enforcing laws without public announcement undermines the clarity and accountability of the legal system. Allowing laws to change without notice would create ambiguity and confusion among the populace, while insisting on universal acceptance is not a requirement for the validity of laws but rather a subjective ideal.