first paragraph, the individual’s right to life, the integrity of his/her corporeal and spiritual
existence shall be inviolable except where death occurs through acts in conformity with law of
war; no one shall be compelled to reveal his/her religion, conscience, thought or opinion, nor
be accused on account of them; offences and penalties shall not be made retroactive; nor shall
anyone be held guilty until so proven by a court ruling.
III. Extraordinary administration procedures
A. States of emergency
1. Declaration of state of emergency because of natural disaster or serious economic crisis
ARTICLE 119- In the event of natural disaster, dangerous epidemic diseases or a serious
economic crisis, the Council of Ministers meeting under the chairpersonship of the President of
the Republic may declare a state of emergency in one or more regions or throughout the country
for a period not exceeding six months.
2. Declaration of state of emergency because of widespread acts of violence and serious
deterioration of public order
ARTICLE 120- In the event of serious indications of widespread acts of violence aimed at the
destruction of the free democratic order established by the Constitution or of fundamental rights
and freedoms, or serious deterioration of public order because of acts of violence, the Council
of Ministers, meeting under the chairpersonship of the President of the Republic, after
consultation with the National Security Council, may declare a state of emergency in one or
more regions or throughout the country for a period not exceeding six months.
3. Rules regarding the states of emergency
ARTICLE 121- In the event of a declaration of a state of emergency under the provisions of
Articles 119 and 120 of the Constitution, this decision shall be published in the Official Gazette
and shall be immediately submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for approval. If
the Grand National Assembly of Turkey is in recess, it shall be immediately assembled. The
Assembly may alter the duration of the state of emergency, may extend the period for a
maximum of four months each time at the request of the Council of Ministers, or may lift the
state of emergency.
The financial, material and labour obligations which are to be imposed on citizens in the event
of the declaration of state of emergency under Article 119 and the manner how fundamental
rights and freedoms shall be restricted or suspended in line with the principles of Article 15,
how and by what means the measures necessitated by the situation shall be taken, what sorts of
powers shall be conferred on public servants, what kinds of changes shall be made in the status
of officials as long as they are applicable to each kinds of states of emergency separately, and
the extraordinary administration procedures, shall be regulated by the Act on State of
Emergency.
During the state of emergency, the Council of Ministers, meeting under the chairpersonship of
the President of the Republic, may issue decrees having the force of law on matters necessitated
by the state of emergency. These decrees shall be published in the Official Gazette, and shall