THE CONSTITUTION OF TURKMENISTAN
(Approved by Khalk Maslahaty on 26 September 2008)
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.
Section I: Fundamentals of the Constitutional System of Turkmenistan
Article 1
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.
Article2
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.
Article 3
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.
Article 4
State power is based on the principle of separation of powers between the
legislative, executive and judicial branches, which operate independently, balancing each
other.
Article 5
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 selfgovernment,
are published for general information or made available through other
means, except when they contain state or other secrets protected by law. The normativelegal
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.
Article 6
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.
Article 7
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.
Article 8
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.
Article 9
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.
Article 10
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.
Article 11
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.
Article 12
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.
Article 13
In order to protect the state sovereignty and security, Turkmenistan has its
own armed forces.
Article 14
Turkmen is the state [official] language of Turkmenistan. The use of their
native language is guaranteed to all citizens of Turkmenistan.
Article 15
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.
Article 16
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.
Article 17
Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan.
Section II: Rights, Freedoms and Duties of the citizens of Turkmenistan
Article 18
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.
Article 19
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.
Article 20
Men and Women in Turkmenistan have equal civil rights. Violation of
equality on the basis of gender is punishable by law.
Article 21
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.
Article 22
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.
Article 23
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
Article 24
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.
Article 25
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.
Article 26
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.
Article 27
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.
Article 28
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.
Article 29
Citizens are guaranteed freedom of assembly, rallies and demonstrations in
the manner prescribed by law.
Article 30
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.
Article 31
Every citizen has the right to participate in managing the affairs of the society
and state, either directly or through freely elected representatives.
Article 32
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.
Article 33
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.
Article 34
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.
Article 35
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.
Article 36
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.
Article 37
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.
Article 38
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.
Article 39
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.
Article 40
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.
Article 41
Protection of Turkmenistan is the sacred duty of every citizen. General
conscription is compulsory for the male citizens of Turkmenistan.
Article 42
Everyone is required to pay state taxes and other payments in the manner and
extent established by law.
Article 43
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.
Article 44
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.
Article 45
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.
Article 46
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.
Article 47
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.
Section III: The System of Government and Administration in Turkmenistan
Chapter I: General Provisions
Article 48
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.
Article 49
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.
Chapter II: President of Turkmenistan
Article 50
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.
Article 51
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.
Article 52
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.
Article 53
The President of Turkmenistan:
1) Implements the Constitution and laws;
2) Supervises the execution of foreign policy, represents Turkmenistan in relations with
other nations, appoints and dismisses ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives
of Turkmenistan to foreign countries, with interstate and international organizations,
accepts the credentials and letters of recall of diplomatic representatives of foreign
countries;
3) Is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, orders general or
partial mobilization, use of armed forces and their military [readiness] status, appoints the
top command of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan.
4) Forms and presides over the National Security Council of Turkmenistan, the status of
which is determined by law;
5) Approves the programme and basic directions of the political, economic and social
development of the country;
6) Sends for consideration and approval of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan the state budget
and reports on performance of the budget;
7) Signs the laws, is entitled to, no later than two weeks, using the right of suspensive
veto, return the law with his objections to the parliament for a second hearing and vote. If
the parliament, with at least two-thirds of the established number of deputies, confirms
the decision earlier expected of him, the President of Turkmenistan signs the law. The
President of Turkmenistan does not have the right of suspensive veto concerning the laws
on amendments and additions to the Constitution;
7) Forms the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan,
makes changes in its composition;
9) Designates the date of the referendum, has the right to convene an early session of the
Mejlis;
10) Decides questions related to grant of citizenship and removal from citizenship, grant
of asylum;
11) Awards honours and other state awards of Turkmenistan and grants military and
other special state titles and distinctions;
12) With the consent of the Mejlis, appoints and dismisses the Chairman of the Supreme
Court, the Prosecutor General, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Justice;
13) Grants pardon and amnesty;
14) In order to ensure the safety of citizens, orders the state of emergency throughout the
national territory or in certain areas of Turkmenistan. Use of the state of emergency is
governed by the law of Turkmenistan.
15) Decides other questions, referred to his competence by the Constitution and the laws.
Article 54
The President of Turkmenistan issues decrees, decisions and orders, binding
on the entire territory of Turkmenistan.
Article 55
The President of Turkmenistan cannot be the deputy [member] of the Mejlis
[Parliament].
Article 56
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.
Article 57
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 noconfidence
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.
Article 58
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.
Chapter III: Mejlis of Turkmenistan
Article 59
Turkmenistan’s Mejlis (parliament) is the highest representative body,
exercising the legislative authority.
Article 60
the Parliament consists of 125 deputies, elected from geographical
constituencies with approximately equal number of voters, for five years.
Article 61
Parliament can be dissolved prematurely in the following cases:
1) On the basis of a decision through national referendum;
2) On the basis of a resolution of the Mejlis, accepted by no less than two-third of the
votes of established number of deputies of the Mejlis (self dissolution).
3) By the President of Turkmenistan in case the formation of Mejlis office bearers
[chairman, deputy chairmen etc.] is not done within six months.
Article 62
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.
Article 63
Mejlis:
1) Enacts laws, makes amendments and additions to the Constitution and laws,
monitors their performance and their interpretation;
2) Considers for approval the programme activities of the Cabinet of Ministers;
3) Examines questions related to approval of the state budget of Turkmenistan and
reports on its implementation;
4) Considers the basic directions and programmes of political, economic and social
development of the country;
5) Determines whether to hold national referendums;
6) Appoints [decides for] the election of the President of Turkmenistan, deputies of
the Mejlis, members of the velayat, district, municipal representative bodies and
the Gengeshes.
7) Considers the recommendations of the President of Turkmenistan on the issues
related to the appointment and dismissal of the Chairman of the Supreme Court,
the Prosecutor General, the minister for Internal Affairs, the minister for Justice;
8) Establishes state awards, awards state decorations to the President of
Turkmenistan, assigns him the military ranks and distinctions;
9) Determines conformity to or divergence from the Constitution and the normativelegal
Acts by the state authorities and administration (government);
10) Ratifies and denounces international treaties;
11) Considers questions related to change of state borders and administrative and
territorial division of Turkmenistan;
12) Examines the issues related to peace and security;
13) Decides other questions in the competence of the Mejlis under the Constitution
and laws.
Article 64
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:
1) Changes in the Constitution;
2) Criminal and administrative law;
3) Legal proceedings.
Article 65
The right of legislative initiative belongs to the President of Turkmenistan,
the deputies of the Mejlis, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Supreme Court.
Article 66
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.
Article 67
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.
Article 68
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.
Article 69
A deputy of the Mejlis cannot concurrently hold the post of a cabinet
member, Hyakim (governor), Archyn (village leader), judge, and prosecutor.
Article 70
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 twothird
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.
Article 71
The order of activity of the Mejlis and its committees and commissions,
deputies, their function and powers, are established by law.
Chapter IV: The Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan
Article 72
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.
Article 73
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.
Article 74
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.
Article 75
The Cabinet of Ministers:
1) Arranges execution of the laws of Turkmenistan, Acts of the President and the Mejlis
of Turkmenistan;
2) Carries out measures to ensure and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens,
protection of property rights and public order, national security;
3) Develops and sends for the consideration of the Mejlis proposals on basic directions of
the internal and foreign policy, economic and social development;
4) Carries out management of economic and social development; organizes management
of public enterprises, institutions and organizations; ensures rational use and conservation
of natural resources;
5) Takes measures to strengthen monetary and credit system;
6) Forms, where necessary, committees, senior management and other departments under
the Cabinet of Ministers;
7) Carries out foreign economic activities, ensures development of cultural and other
relations with foreign countries;
8) Directs the activities of government agencies, state enterprise and organizations; has
the right to revoke the legal acts of ministries and departments and the bodies of local
executive authority;
9) Decides on other issues falling under its competence by the Constitution, laws and
other normative-legal Acts of Turkmenistan.
Article 76
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.
Chapter V: Local Authorities
Article 77
The local authority consists of the representatives and executive bodies that
operate within their jurisdiction.
Article 78
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.
Article 79
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.
Article 80
Executive power is exercises in places: in Velayat – Hyakim (governor), in
cities – Hyakim city (city governor), in districts – Hyakim etrap (district governor).
Article 81
Hyakims are representatives of the President of Turkmenistan in their areas,
appointed and dismissed by the President, and accountable to him.
Article 82
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.
Article 83
Functions and powers of Hyakims, their activities and relationship with other
bodies of authority and government, are determined by law.
Section IV: Local Self-Government
Article 84
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.
Article: 85
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.
Article 86
Gengeshes:
1) Determine the basic directions of economic, social and cultural development of their
territories;
2) Create and approve the budget and report on its performance;
3) Establish local taxes and the manner of their charging;
4) Define measures for rational use of natural resources and environmental protection;
5) Deal with other issues assigned by law to them.
The decisions taken by Gengeshes within the limits of their competence are binding in
their territory.
Article 87
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.
Article 88
The order of the activity of Gengesh, and other bodies of local selfgovernment,
is defined by law.
Section V: Election System, Referendum
Article 89
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.
Article 90
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.
Article 91
Elections are direct; the elected persons are elected directly by the citizens.
Article 92
Voting in elections is by secret ballot, manipulation of the will of the voters
during voting is not permitted.
Article 93
The right to nominate candidates belongs to political parties, public
associations and citizens’ groups, exercised in accordance with laws of Turkmenistan.
Article 94
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.
Article 95
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.
Article 96
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.
Article 97
Referendums are held through universal, equal, direct and secret vote.
Citizens of Turkmenistan with electoral rights can participate in referendums.
Article 98
Conduct of elections, national and local referendums, is determined by law.
The elections and referendums are not held during a state of emergency.
Section VI: Judiciary
Article 99
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.
Article 100
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.
Article 101
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.
Article 102
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.
Article 103
Judges cannot hold any other paid post, except for teaching and research.
Article 104
Cases in the court are dealt with collectively [bench], and in cases stipulated
by law, by a single judge.
Article 105
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.
Article 106
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.
Article 107
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.
Article 108
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.
Article 109
The competence, formation and procedures of the court are defined by law.
Section VII: The Prosecutor’s Office
Article 110
The supervision of precise and uniform enforcement of the laws of
Turkmenistan, 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.
Article 111
The Prosecutor General’s office oversees the legality of operational and
investigative activities, and investigation of criminal cases.
Article 112
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.
Article 113
The Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan and his subordinate prosecutors, in
exercising their powers, are guided by law only.
Article 114
The competence, order of formation, and activity of the bodies of the offices
of the prosecutors are defined by law.
Section VIII: Final Provisions
Article 115
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.
Article 116
The constitutional provisions on the form of governance as a presidential
republic cannot be changed.
Article 117
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.
Source: www.wipo.int
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