The General Principles
of the Constitution
THE UNCHANGEABLE BASIC PROVISIONS
According to the fourth article of the Constitution, the provisions
in the first, second and third articles related to the form
of State, the attributes of the Republic, the indivisibility
of the State, the official language, the flag, the national
anthem and the capital city are unchangeable and it cannot
be proposed that they be changed.
These basic provisions which are definitely guaranteed
in the Constitution are listed as follows:
Article 1. The Turkish State is a Republic.
Article 2. The Republic of Turkey is a democratic,
secular and social state governed by the rule of
law; bearing in mind the concepts of public peace, national
solidarity and justice; respecting human rights; loyal to
the nationalism of Atatürk, and based on the fundamental
tenets set forth in the Preamble.
Article 3. The Turkish State, with its territory and
nation, is an indivisible entity. Its language is
Turkish. Its flag, the form of which is prescribed by the
relevant law, is composed of a white crescent and star on
a red background. Its national anthem is the "Independence
March". Its capital is Ankara.
Turkish Grand National Assembly: The TGNA, opened on January
6, 1961, is one of the biggest parliament buildings in the
world
THE DUTIES OF THE STATE
According to the Constitution, the State is charged with the
duties "to protect the wholeness and independence of
the Turkish nation, the indivisibility of the country, the
Republic and democracy, to provide happiness, peace and affluence
for people and the society, to abolish political, economic
and social obstacles that limit by not being compatible with
the principles of justice and a social legal state and the
basic rights and freedoms of people, and to try to prepare
the required conditions for the development of the material
and spiritual existence of people".
THE USE OF SOVEREIGNTY
Sovereignty is vested in the nation without
reservation or condition. The Turkish Nation shall exercise
its sovereignty through the authorised organs as prescribed
by the principles laid down in the Constitution.
The right to exercise sovereignty shall not be delegated to
any individual, group or class. No person or agency shall
exercise any state authority, which does not emanate from
the Constitution (Article 6).
Legislative power is vested in the Turkish
Grand National assembly on behalf of the Turkish Nation. This
power cannot be delegated (Article 7).
Executive power and function shall be exercised
and carried out by the President of the Republic and the Council
of Ministers in conformity with the Constitution and the laws
(Article 8).
Judicial power shall be exercised by independent
courts on behalf of the Turkish Nation (Article 9).
EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW
All
individuals are equal without any discrimination before
the law, irrespective of language, race, color, sex,
political opinion, philosophical belief, religion and
sect, or any such considerations. |
No privilege shall be granted to any individual, family,
group or class.
State organs and the administrative authorities shall act
in compliance with the principle of equality before the law
in all their proceedings (Article 10)
FULL
TEXT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY >
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