| Right | Section | Contents |
|---|
| Freedom of Association | History | The first instance of the right of freedom of association was the second Turkish Constitution(1924 Türk Anayasası), in Section V which detailed multiple rights including the Freedom of Assembly.
Earl, Edward Meade. "The New Constitution of Turkey." Political Science Quarterly 40, no. 1 (March 1925): 96-97. |
| Freedom of Expression | History | The Turkish Constitution of 1924 is the first document that implemented freedom of speech, conscience, and thought into the country’s law. These rights were laid out in Section V, Article 70.
Earle, Edward M. “The New Constitution of Turkey.” Political Science Quarterly. Vol. 40. No. 1 (Mar., 1925), pp-73-100. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2142408 |
| Freedom of Religion | History | In the 1961 Constitution of The Turkish Republic, Freedom of religion is asserted as Freedom of thought and faith, under Section II, Part IV, Article 19. This Article protects citizens from being compelled to worship, and also guarantees them the choice of faith and practices of worship. It also mentions “no person shall be reproached for his religion or faith; and no person shall be allowed to exploit and abuse religion for the purpose of political or personal benefit.”
1961 Constitution of the Turkish Republic. https://www.anayasa.gen.tr/1961constitution-text.pdf |
| Freedom of the Press | History | Article 12 of the Ottoman Constitution of 1876 first protected press freedom in modern-day Turkey: “The press is free, within limits imposed by law" (The Individualisation of War, "The Ottoman Constitution").
Today, Article 26 of Turkey’s 1982 Constitution protects press freedom: “Everyone has the right to express and disseminate his/her thoughts and opinions by speech, in writing or in pictures or through other media, individually or collectively. This freedom includes the liberty of receiving or imparting information or ideas without interference by official authorities. This provision shall not preclude subjecting transmission by radio, television, cinema, or similar means to a system of licensing" (Constitute Project, “Turkey’s Constitution of 1982 with Amendments through 2017” ). |
| Privacy Rights | History | The 1924 Turkish Constitution protects personal liberty except for the provision of law under Article 72 (World Statesmen, “The New Constitution of Turkey”). Article 71 protects the inviolability of the home, life, property, and honor. Article 81 allows for private communications.
https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Turkeyconstitution 1924. pdf |
| Voting Rights and Suffrage | History | Article 67 of Turkey’s Constitution gives its citizens (18 years old or older) the right to vote, run for office, and engage in political activity. Some members of the Armed Forces and individuals convicted of crimes cannot vote. Articles 75 and 101 grant voters the right to elect the members of the Grand National Assembly and the President via universal suffrage. (Constitute Project, “Turkey’s Constitution of 1982 with Amendments through 2017” ). |