Inalienable rights
We, the people of Turkmenistan, based on our inalienable right to determine our destiny;
We, the people of Turkmenistan, based on our inalienable right to determine our destiny;
Proceeding from the responsibility for present and future of the Motherland;
Expressing loyalty to the covenant of ancestors to live in unity, peace and harmony;
With the aim of protecting the national values and interests, strengthening the independence, sovereignty, the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan;
Guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of each person and citizen, and seeking to ensure civil peace and national accord in the society, to substantiate the foundations of democracy and democratic, legal, secular state, we adopt the present Constitution - the Basic Law of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is a democratic, legal and secular state in which the government takes the form of presidential republic.
Turkmenistan exercises the complete power and complete authority on its territory, and independently conducts the internal and foreign policy. The state sovereignty and territory of Turkmenistan are homogeneous and indivisible.
The State protects the independence, territorial integrity of Turkmenistan, and constitutional system, and provides law and order.
Turkmenistan, by law, has the status of permanent neutrality. The United Nations General Assembly resolution "Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan" dated 12 December 1995: "1. Recognizes and supports the declared status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan; 2. Calls upon the member states of the United Nations to respect and support this status of Turkmenistan and also to respect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity." The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, recognized by the world community, is the basis of its domestic and foreign policy.
The people are the bearer of and the sole source of the state power in Turkmenistan. The people of Turkmenistan exercise their power directly or through representative bodies.
No part (group) of the people, organization or individuals, have the right to abrogate the state power.
In Turkmenistan, the people are the highest value of the society and the state.
The state is responsible for every citizen and creates conditions for free development of the individual, protects the life, honour, dignity and freedom, personal integrity, natural and inalienable rights of the citizen.
Every citizen is responsible before the State for the responsibilities entrusted to him by the Constitution and laws.
State power is based on the principle of separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches, which operate independently, balancing each other.
The state and all of its organs and officials are linked by law and constitutional order.
The Constitution of Turkmenistan is the Basic Law of the State. Rules and regulations laid down in it are unswervingly applicable. The laws and other legal acts that contradict the Constitution are null and void.
The normative-legal acts of the government and administration, and the local self-government, are published for general information or made available through other means, except when they contain state or other secrets protected by law. The normative-legal Acts affecting the rights and freedom of the individual and citizen, if not brought to the general information of the public, are invalid from the time of their adoption.
Turkmenistan, being a full subject of the global community, has the foreign policy of permanent neutrality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, refrains from the use of force and participation in military blocs and alliances, promotes peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations with countries in the region and states of the whole world.
Turkmenistan recognizes the priority of the universally accepted norms of international law. If an international treaty (contract) of Turkmenistan establishes rules other than those stipulated by the laws of Turkmenistan, the rules of international treaty will apply.
Turkmenistan has its own citizenship. The citizenship is acquired, retained and lost in accordance with the law.
Citizenship of another state is not recognized for the citizens of Turkmenistan.
No one can be deprived of citizenship or the right to change citizenship. A citizen of Turkmenistan cannot be extradited to another state or expelled from the limits of Turkmenistan, or restricted in the right to return to the homeland.
The citizens of Turkmenistan are guaranteed the protection and patronage of the state in the territory of Turkmenistan and beyond its borders.
Foreign nationals and stateless persons enjoy the rights and freedoms, and bear the responsibilities, of citizens of Turkmenistan in accordance with law and international treaties of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan, in accordance with universally recognized norms of international right and in the order established by the law, gives refuge to foreign citizens and stateless persons.
The property is inviolable. Turkmenistan approves the right to private ownership of the means of production, land and other material and intellectual values. They can also belong to the associations of citizens and the state. The law establishes objects that are exclusive property of the state. The state guarantees equal protection and creation of equal conditions for development of all forms of ownership.
Confiscation of property is prohibited, except for the property acquired by means prohibited by law.
Forced confiscation of property is permissible only in cases stipulated by law.
The economy of Turkmenistan is based on the principles of market relations. The state encourages and supports entrepreneurship, promotes development of small and medium enterprises.
The state is responsible for safeguarding the national historical and cultural heritage, natural environment, ensuring equality between social and ethnic communities. The state encourages scientific and artistic creativity and distribution of its positive results, promotes development of international relations in the fields of science, culture, education and training, sports and tourism.
The state guarantees freedom of religion and worship, and equality before the law. Religious organizations are separate from the state, cannot interfere in the state affairs and carry out state functions. The public education system is separate from religious organizations and is secular.
Each person independently determines his attitude toward religion, has the right to, individually or jointly with others, profess any religion or none, to express and disseminate beliefs related to attitude toward religion, to participate in religious observances, rituals, and ceremonies.
In order to protect the state sovereignty and security, Turkmenistan has its own armed forces.
Turkmen is the state [official] language of Turkmenistan. The use of their native language is guaranteed to all citizens of Turkmenistan.
The State Flag, the State Emblem, and the National Anthem are the Symbols of Turkmenistan.
The flag, national emblem and national anthem are established and protected by law.
The administrative-territorial structure of Turkmenistan consists of: Velayats (provinces), cities with right of Velayat, Etraps (districts), cities with right of district, cities (towns) in district, settlements, Gengeshlyk.
The territory of one or more villages forms a Gengeshlyk.
Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan.
The rights and freedoms of the individual are inviolable and inalienable.
No one can be deprived of their rights and freedoms, or restrictions on their rights and freedoms, except in accordance with the Constitution and laws.
The enumeration in the Constitution and laws of certain rights and freedoms can not be used to deny or diminish the rights and freedoms of others.
Turkmenistan guarantees the equality of rights and freedoms of individual and citizen, and also the equality of the individual and citizen before the law regardless of their nationality, race, gender, origin, property and official status, place of residence, language, religion, political beliefs, party affiliation or lack of affiliation to any party.
Men and Women in Turkmenistan have equal civil rights. Violation of equality on the basis of gender is punishable by law.
The exercise of rights and freedoms must not violate the rights and freedoms of others, as well as the requirements of morality, law, public order, [or] cause damage to national security.
Each individual has the right to life and liberty and the exercise (of this right). No one can be deprived of the right to life. The right of each person to free life is protected by the state on the basis of law.
The death penalty has been abolished in Turkmenistan.
A person cannot be restrict in or deprived of rights, convicted or punished, except in strict accordance with the law.
No one can be subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, or punishment, and without his consent to medical (medicinal or medical) or other experiments. A person can be arrested by the court or with the approval of the prosecutor only on the grounds precisely specified by the law. In urgent cases, precisely specified by the law, the state authorities have the right to detain the citizens temporarily.
Every citizen has the right to support of state in obtaining or acquiring a comfortable living accommodation, and construction of individual housing. The home is inviolable. No one has the right to enter a home or otherwise violate the sanctity of the home against the wishes of people living there without any legal grounds. Protecting the home against unlawful assault (encroachment) is the right of the individual and citizen.
No one can be deprived of their living accommodation except on the grounds established by law.
Everyone has the right to protection from arbitrary interference in their privacy, as well as infringement of the rules of secrecy of correspondence, telephone and other (means of) communication, attacks on their honour and reputation.
Every citizen has the right to move freely and choose their place of residence in Turkmenistan.
Restrictions on entry into separate territories, and movement in those territories, can only be set by law.
Men and women having reached the marriageable age have the right, by mutual consent, to marry and create families. Spouses have equal rights in family relations.
Parents and substitute parents have the right and obligation to raise the children, care for their health, development, education, prepare them for work, and impart to them the culture of respect for the law, historical and national traditions. Adult children are obliged to take care of their parents and to extend help (support) to them.
Citizens of Turkmenistan have the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as to receive information if it is not a state or other secret protected by law.
Citizens are guaranteed freedom of assembly, rallies and demonstrations in the manner prescribed by law.
Citizens have the right to form political parties and other public associations operating within the framework of the Constitution and laws.
Prohibited is the establishment and activity of political parties, other public, paramilitary associations, aimed at bringing violent change to the constitutional order, introducing violence in their activity, opposing the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, advocating war, racial, national or religious hatred, encroaching on the health and morals of the people, as well as the political parties with ethnic or religious attributes.
Every citizen has the right to participate in managing the affairs of the society and state, either directly or through freely elected representatives.
Citizens have the right to elect and be elected to the bodies of state authority.
Citizens of Turkmenistan, in accordance with their abilities and professional training, have equal right to access to public service.
Citizens have the right to work, choice of profession at their own discretion, sort of employment and place of work, to safe and healthy working conditions.
Wage earners are entitled to compensation, appropriate to amount and quality of work. This compensation cannot be less than the subsistence minimum established by the state.
Citizens have the right to rest, as expressed in establishment of limits of work week, grant of annual paid holidays, and days of weekly rest.
The State creates favourable conditions for recreation and use of leisure time.
Citizens have the right to healthcare, including free use of the network of public health institutions. Paid medical and non-traditional healthcare is permitted under, and in accordance with, the procedure established by law.
Everyone has the right to favourable environment.
The State supervises the management of natural resources in order to protect and improve living conditions, as well as environmental protection and regeneration.
Citizens have the right to social security in old age, sickness, disability, loss of ability to work, loss of breadwinner, unemployment.
Families with large number of children, orphans, veterans, people who lost their health while protecting the state or public interests, are provided additional support and privileges from state and public funds.
Every citizen has the right to education.
Secondary education is compulsory; everyone is entitled to receive it in public schools free of charge.
The state ensures availability of vocational education for each person according to their abilities.
On the basis and in the manner prescribed by the legislation of Turkmenistan, governmental and non-governmental organizations, citizens have the right to engage in paid work activity.
The State sets educational standards, mandatory for all educational institutions.
Citizens of Turkmenistan have the right to freedom of artistic, scientific and technical creativity. All rights (copyrights) and interests of citizens in the area of scientific, technical, creative, artistic, literary and cultural activities are protected by law.
The State contributes to the development of science, culture, arts, folk arts, sports and tourism.
The exercise of the rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance by the individual and citizen their responsibilities toward the society and the state.
Everyone, living or staying temporarily in the territory of Turkmenistan, is obliged to abide by the Constitution, the laws, and respect the national traditions.
Protection of Turkmenistan is the sacred duty of every citizen. General conscription is compulsory for the male citizens of Turkmenistan.
Everyone is required to pay state taxes and other payments in the manner and extent established by law.
Citizens are guaranteed judicial protection of honour and dignity, personal and political rights and freedoms of individual and citizen [as stipulated] by the Constitution and laws.
Citizens have the right to appeal in the court against the decisions and actions of the state bodies, public associations and officials.
Citizens have the right to seek redress in courts for material and moral damage caused to them by unlawful actions of state bodies, other organizations and their employees, as well as private individuals.
A person cannot be compelled to testify and give evidence against self and close relatives.
Evidence obtained as a result of mental or physical influence, as well as through other illegal methods, has no legal force.
A law, aggravating the situation of citizens, shall not be retroactive. No one can be held responsible for actions that, at the time of their commission, were not recognized by law as offence.
The implementation of the rights and freedoms of citizens may be suspended only in a state of emergency or martial law in a manner and within the limits established by the Constitution and laws.
The highest state authority and government in Turkmenistan is exercised by the President of Turkmenistan, the Mejlis (parliament) of Turkmenistan, the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, and the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan.
Local district representatives and executives bodies are the local authority in Velayats, cities with the right of Velayat, districts, and districts with rights of city, and in towns of Etraps, settlements, and the Gengeshlyks the local authority are Gengeshes.
The President of Turkmenistan is the head of the state and executive power, the highest official of Turkmenistan, acting as guarantor of the state independence and the status of neutrality of Turkmenistan, its territorial integrity, respect for the Constitution and fulfillment of international obligations.
A citizen of Turkmenistan, born in Turkmenistan, not younger than 45 years and not older than 70 years, who speaks the national language, has been living constantly in Turkmenistan and working in the state bodies, public associations, enterprise, institutions, organizations, for the past 15 years, can be elected as President of Turkmenistan.
The President of Turkmenistan is elected directly by the people for a period of five years, and enters office on taking the oath.
The procedures for electing the President of Turkmenistan and his assumption of office are established by law.
The President of Turkmenistan:
The President of Turkmenistan issues decrees, decisions and orders, binding on the entire territory of Turkmenistan.
The President of Turkmenistan cannot be the deputy [member] of the Mejlis [Parliament].
The President of Turkmenistan has the right to immunity. His honour and dignity are protected by law.
Maintenance and security of the President of Turkmenistan and his family are carried out by the state.
The President of Turkmenistan may be prematurely released from his duty in case of his inability to fulfill his duties because of illness. The Mejlis, on the recommendation of an independent medical board created by it, may decide to release the President from the office. Such decision is taken by at least two-third vote of the established members of the Mejlis.
In case of violation of the Constitution and laws of Turkmenistan by the President of Turkmenistan, the parliament may express no confidence in him. The issue of no-confidence can be considered at the request of no less than two-thirds of the established members of the Mejlis. The decision of no confidence is adopted by at least three-fourth of the established members of the Mejlis. The question for removal of President of Turkmenistan from the office is put on national referendum.
The President of Turkmenistan is not entitled to transfer his authority to other public authorities or officials except for powers stipulated by paragraphs 2, 11, 13 of the article 53 of the Constitution.
If the President of Turkmenistan, for whatever reason, is unable to perform his duties, pending the election of the new interim President the duties of the President of Turkmenistan, by a decision of the Security Council of Turkmenistan, can be assigned to a deputy chairman of the cabinet of ministers. Election of the President of Turkmenistan, in this case, should be held no later than 60 days from the day of transfer of powers temporarily to the Acting President of Turkmenistan. A person, who is temporarily acting as President of Turkmenistan, cannot run for the presidency.
Turkmenistan's Mejlis (parliament) is the highest representative body, exercising the legislative authority.
The Parliament consists of 125 deputies, elected from geographical constituencies with approximately equal number of voters, for five years.
Parliament can be dissolved prematurely in the following cases:
The parliament independently establishes the powers of the deputies, elects from among the deputies, the chairman of the Mejlis, his deputy, forms committees and commissions.
The deputies of the Mejlis of the previous convocation remain in office until the first session of the Mejlis of the new convocation.
Mejlis:
The Mejlis can transfer the right to issue laws on certain matters to the President of Turkmenistan, with subsequent consideration by the parliament for their approval.
The Mejlis cannot transfer to anyone the right to legislate on:
The right of legislative initiative belongs to the President of Turkmenistan, the deputies of the Mejlis, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Supreme Court.
The Mejlis deputies have the right to enquiry, by oral and written questions, to the Cabinet of Ministers, ministers, and chiefs of other state bodies.
The state guarantees to each deputy of the Mejlis the creation of conditions for smooth and effective implementation of their powers, protection of their rights and freedom, life, honour and dignity and personal inviolability.
A deputy can be deprived of his parliamentary powers only by the Mejlis. The decision should be taken by at least two-third vote of the established members of the Mejlis.
A deputy cannot be held criminally liable, detained, or otherwise deprived of liberty, without the consent of the Mejlis.
A deputy of the Mejlis cannot concurrently hold the post of a cabinet member, Hyakim (governor), Archyn (village leader), judge, and prosecutor.
The chairman of the Mejlis shall be elected by secret ballot. He reports to the Mejlis and may be relieved of his post by a decision of the Mejlis, voted by at least two-third majority of the established members of the Mejlis.
Vice chairman of the Mejlis shall be elected by open ballot, performs functions on behalf of the chairman, and acts as chairman of the Mejlis in the absence of the chairman or his inability to exercise his powers.
The order of activity of the Mejlis and its committees and commissions, deputies, their function and powers, are established by law.
The Cabinet of Ministers (Government) is an executive and administrative body. The President of Turkmenistan is the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.
The Cabinet of Ministers is composed of Vice-Chairmen, and ministers. The President of Turkmenistan can introduce other persons into the Cabinet of Ministers who are heads of central bodies of the executive authority.
The Cabinet is formed by the President of Turkmenistan within one month of assuming office and resigns its powers to the newly elected President.
The meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers are held (called/chaired) by the President of Turkmenistan, or on his behalf, one of the vice chairman of the Cabinet.
The Cabinet of Ministers, within its competence, adopts resolutions and issues binding orders.
The Cabinet of Ministers:
The powers of the Cabinet of Ministers, the order of its activity, and the manner of its relations with other state bodies are defined by law.
The local authority consists of the representatives and executive bodies that operate within their jurisdiction.
In Velayats, cities with stats of velayat, etrap, cities with status of etrap, local bodies -Peoples Council- are formed by members elected by the citizens of administrative-territorial units for a period of four years in the manner prescribed by law.
Peoples Council (Khalk Maslahaty), within its powers, participates in the decision of issues related to economic, social and cultural development.
Functions and powers of the Peoples Council and its members, conduct of its activities and its relationship with other government and state bodies is determined by law.
Executive power is exercises in places: in Velayat - Hyakim (governor), in cities - Hyakim city (city governor), in districts - Hyakim etrap (district governor).
Hyakims are representatives of the President of Turkmenistan in their areas, appointed and dismissed by the President, and accountable to him.
Hyakims manage activities of on-ground executive authority, ensure execution of the Constitution and laws of Turkmenistan, Acts of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers, and decisions of Mejlis [in their areas of jurisdiction]. Hyakims, within the limits of their competence, take necessary decisions for management in their subordinated territory.
Functions and powers of Hyakims, their activities and relationship with other bodies of authority and government, are determined by law.
The system of local self-government is formed by the Gengeshes and the bodies of territorial public self-government.
Gengeshes are representative bodies of people's power in etrap, settlement and Gengeshlyk. Members of the Gengesh are elected directly by citizens for a period of three years.
Gengeshes are independent in their activity. Mutual relations with the bodies of authority and government are dealt with in accordance with the laws of Turkmenistan.
Gengeshes:
The decisions taken by Gengeshes within the limits of their competence are binding in their territory.
Gengesh elects Archyn (Gengesh Head) from its members, who supervises the work of the Gengesh and is accountable to it.
Archyn enforces the decisions of the Gengesh, Acts of the state and government authorities, and addresses the issues of local importance.
The order of the activity of Gengesh, and other bodies of local self-government, is defined by law.
Elections of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of Mejlis, members of the Peoples Council and Gengesh are universal and equal. The citizens of Turkmenistan, having reached the age of 18, have the right to vote; each voter has one vote.
Citizens recognized by the court as incompetent, persons serving sentence in prisons, do not participate in elections. Limiting the electoral rights of citizens in other cases is not acceptable, and is punishable by law.
A citizen of Turkmenistan who has attained the age of 25 and has lived [continuously] in Turkmenistan for the past ten years, can be elected as deputy of Mejlis. The requirements for candidates for membership of Mejlis, Peoples Council and Gengesh are defined by the laws of Turkmenistan.
Elections are direct; the elected persons are elected directly by the citizens.
Voting in elections is by secret ballot, manipulation of the will of the voters during voting is not permitted.
The right to nominate candidates belongs to political parties, public associations and citizens' groups, exercised in accordance with laws of Turkmenistan.
National and local referendums can be carried out for decision of major questions of state and public life.
Decisions adopted by referendums may be repealed or amended only through referendum.
The right to conduct national referendum belongs to the Mejlis of Turkmenistan on proposal of at least two-third of its established deputies, or on the petition of no less than 250000 eligible voters.
The right to conduct local referendum belongs to Gengesh on its territory, or at the suggestion of no less than one quarter of voters residing in that territory.
Referendums are held through universal, equal, direct and secret vote.
Citizens of Turkmenistan with electoral rights can participate in referendums.
Conduct of elections, national and local referendums, is determined by law. The elections and referendums are not held during a state of emergency.
The judicial authority in Turkmenistan belongs only to the courts.
The judiciary is intended to guard the citizens' rights and freedoms, protected under the state laws and public interests.
The judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan and other courts, established by law.
The establishment of emergency courts and other structures, empowered as court, is not permitted.
Judges are independent; they are subject only to law and are guided by inner belief. Interference in the work of judges, by whichever side, is unacceptable and punishable by law. The immunity of judges is guaranteed by law.
Judges are appointed by the President of Turkmenistan. The order of appointment and dismissal, and the terms of their office, are determined by law.
Judges can be removed from office prior to the expiration of their term only on grounds specified by law.
Judges cannot hold any other paid post, except for teaching and research.
Cases in the court are dealt with collectively [bench], and in cases stipulated by law, by a single judge.
The trials are held in open court. Hearing in closed session is permitted only in cases specified by law, in compliance with all the rules of the procedure.
Judicial proceedings are conducted in the state language. Those involved in the case and not speaking the language of the proceedings, have the right to get familiar with the case material and the judicial proceedings through an interpreter, as well as the right to speak in the court in their native language.
Justice is dispensed on the basis of equality and rights of defence.
The parties have the right to appeal the decisions, sentences and other verdicts of the courts of Turkmenistan.
The right to professional legal assistance is recognized at any stage of the legal proceedings.
The legal aid to citizens and organizations is rendered by lawyers, and other individuals and organizations.
The competence, formation and procedures of the court are defined by law.
The supervision of precise and uniform enforcement of the laws ofTurkmenistan, Acts of the President of Turkmenistan and the Cabinet of Ministers, decisions of the Mejlis, is vested in the Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan, and his subordinate prosecutors.
The public prosecutor participates in the disposal of legal cases in the court on the basis of and in the order established by law.
The Prosecutor General's office oversees the legality of operational and investigative activities, and investigation of criminal cases.
The uniform, centralized, system of prosecutors' offices is headed by the Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan.
The order of appointment to and dismissal from office, the terms of the office of prosecutors, are determined by law.
The Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan and his subordinate prosecutors, in exercising their powers, are guided by law only.
The competence, order of formation, and activity of the bodies of the offices of the prosecutors are defined by law.
The laws and other legal Acts of state bodies and officials are issued on the basis of and in accordance with the Constitution.
In case of divergence between the rules specified in the Constitution and the laws, the provisions of the Constitution will apply.
The constitutional provisions on the form of governance as a presidential republic cannot be changed.
The Acts to amend the Constitution shall be considered adopted if voted for by at least two-third of the established deputies of Mejlis, or in case of a national referendum, if supported by more than half of the participating citizens of Turkmenistan.