they preceded
-ont précédé
Past they conjugation of precede.

precede

Moreover, fundamental rights and liberties do not cease to exist in the face of a de facto government, because they preceded the state and the constitution which recognizes and guarantees--but does not create--them.
De même, les droits et libertés fondamentaux ne cessent pas en présence d'un gouvernement de facto, parce qu'ils sont antérieurs à l'Etat et à la Constitution qui les reconnaissent et les garantissent, mais ne les créent pas.
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