# Constitution of Syria (1953)

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Source: "Constitution of the Republic of Syria: Preamble". Middle East Journal 7 (4): 521-538. Autumn 1953.

## PREAMBLE

We, the Arab people of Syria, conscious of the need for a system of government which derives its character from the realities of our life and our objectives which establish to our political sovereignty on a foundation of unity and strength, guarantees our people security and justice and our lives dignity and prosperity and our Nation freedom and sovereignty and, beyond our borders, the opportunity of working for the complete freedom of the Arab peoples and the achievement of their unity and glory, solemnly declare that we have accepted and ordained the following Constitution:

## Part One -Fundamental Principles
### Chapter I - The Republic of Syria
#### Article 1.

i. Syria is a democratic Arab Republic having complete sovereignty. 2. It is an indivisible political unit. No part of its territory may be ceded. 3. The Syrian people are a part of the Arab Nation, and the State shall, within the frame of sovereignty and the republican regime, endeavor to realize the unity of this Nation.

#### Article 2.

i. Sovereignty is vested in the people. No individual or group may claim it. 2. Sovereignty shall be based upon the principle of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. 3. The people shall exercise sovereignty within the forms and the limits determined by the Constitution.

#### Article 3.

i. The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam. 2. Islamic jurisprudence shall be the main source of legislation. 3. Freedom of belief shall be safeguarded, and the State shall respect all divine religions and shall guarantee the free exercise of their rites, provided this does not lead to a breach of public order. 4. Personal status affairs of religious communities shall be safeguarded and recognized.

#### Article 4.

i. The Arabic language is the official language of the State. 2. The Syrian flag shall have a rectangular form, the length being horizontal and equal to double its width. It shall have three horizontal and equal color bands, the upper green, the middle white, and the lower black. The white portion of the flag shall bear, in a horizontal straight line in its middle, three red five-pointed stars, in a horizontal straight line in its middle, three red five-pointed stars, dividing its length into four equal parts and each having a diameter equal to one-half of the width of the portion. 3. The emblem and the National Anthem of the Republic shall be determined by law.

#### Article 5.

The Capital of the Republic is Damascus.

#### Article 6.

The territory of the Republic shall be divided into provinces, the order, number, sub-divisions and boundaries of which shall be fixed by law.

### Chapter II - Democratic Guarantees
#### Article 7.

i. The conditions of Syrian nationality shall be defined by a law in which special facilities shall be accorded to Syrian emigrants, their descendants, and to Arabs of their various countries. 2. The legal status of foreigners shall be defined by a law in which international usage and agree- ments shall be observed.

#### Article 8.

Citizens shall be equal in dignity and social status, and have equal rights and obligations before the law.

#### Article 9.

i. The State shall guarantee freedom, security and equal opportunity to all citizens. 2. The freedom of the individual shall be safe- guarded.

#### Article 10.

i. Every person shall have the right to apply to the courts within the limits of the law. Trials shall be held in public unless the law provides otherwise. 2. Every person shall be considered innocent until convicted by a legal tribunal. 3. No person shall be searched except by an order or warrant issued by the judicial authorities, unless he is arrested in the actual commission of a crime, or for the purpose of bringing him before the judicial authorities on a charge of having committed a crime or a misdemeanor. 4. Every person who is arrested must within twenty-four hours, be informed in writing of the reasons for his arrest and the legal text under which he was arrested. He shall be delivered to the judicial authorities within a period not exceed- ing forty-eight hours after his arrest. 5. Every detainee has this right to present in person or through a lawyer, friend, or relative an application to the judge concerned contesting the legality of the arrest. The judge shall consider this application immediately, and may summon the official who ordered the arrest and question him about the case. If he finds that the arrest is unlawful, he shall order the immediate release of the person detained. 6. Torture or humiliating treatment of any per- son is not permissible. The penalties for anyone doing so will be determined by law. 7. The right of defense is safeguarded at all stages of investigation and trial, and before all courts, in accordance with the provisions of the law. 8. The creation of exceptional criminal courts is not permissible but special trial procedure shall be prescribed for a state of emergency. 9. None shall be tried except before army per- sonnel. Exceptions to this rule shall be determined by law. io. No person shall be convicted for an act or an omission not punishable by the laws in force at the time of its occurrence, and no penalty more severe than that prescribed by law at the time of the commission or omission shall be imposed. iI. It is not permissible to transfer the penalty of a convicted person and his rights to any other person. 12. Every person against whom a final sentence has been passed and the penalty executed, if it is proved that it was a miscarriage of justice, shall be entitled to demand compensation from the State for the harm that has been done to him. 13. The administrative authorities have not the right to arrest a person provisionally, except in accordance with law, and during a state of emergency. 14. Prison is a place of punishment, and is a means of reforming the criminal, and giving him a useful education. The law shall guarantee the implementation of this objective.

#### Article 11.

The home shall be inviolable. It is not permissible to enter or search them except in the case of a flagrante delicto or by permission of their owner or in accordance with a judicial warrant, or in a state of emergency in accordance with provisions of the law.

#### Article 12.

Messages conveyed by post or telegraph and tele- phone and conversations of others are secret. Their delay, censoring or confiscating is not permissible except in such cases as are defined by law.

#### Article 13.

I. The freedom of opinion is respected and is guaranteed by the State. Every Syrian shall be entitled to express his opinion freely in speech, in writing, in drawing and other means of expression. 2. No person shall be punished for the advoca- tion of his opinions unless he is exceeding the limits defined by law. 3. Public opinion is sacred and the law shall protect it from elements that divert it from truth and the common good, or encourage dissension among citizens of the country or advocate a change of the system of government by force.

#### Article 14.

i. Press and publications are free within the limits of the law and their social task to society. 2. It is not permitted to suspend or close down newspapers except in accordance with the pro- visions of the law. 3. The law may impose a limited censorship on newspapers, publications, and books, in matters connected with public safety and national defense, and this only during a state of emergency. 4. Procedures of control over the resources of newspapers shall be defined by law. 5. The State and individuals concerned shall have the right to demand the publication of cor- rection and denials or in accordance with provisions of the law.

#### Article 15.

Syrians shall have the right of assembly and demonstration in a peaceful manner and without weapons within the limits of the law.

#### Article 16.

i. Syrians shall have the right to form societies and to join them provided that their objectives are not prohibited by law. 2. The law shall regulate the procedure to be followed in informing the administrative authori- ties of the formation of societies and the system of control over their finances.

#### Article 17.

i. Syrians have the right to form and join political parties provided their objectives are legitimate, their methods peaceful, and their rules democratic. 2. The law shall regulate the procedure to be followed in informing the administrative authorities of the formation of political parties, and the system of control over their finances. The law shall also require members of such parties to elect their higher authorities at least once every year. 3. The law aims to consider political parties as institutes working for the creation of a choice group of enlightened and loyal citizens in a demo- cratic way to carry public responsibility as well as preparing for the people ways and means of national education and facilitate for them the ful- fillment of their aspirations in public life leading them towards the realization of their interest in it.

#### Article 18.

i. The deportation of Syrians from the home- land is not permissible. 2. Every Syrian has the right of residence and movement within the territory of Syria unless for- bidden to do so by a judicial order or by legal provisions relating to health or public safety.

#### Article 19.

i. Refugees shall not be extradited because of their political beliefs or their defense of freedom. 2. International agreements and laws shall define the procedure for extradition of ordinary criminals.

#### Article 20.

I. The family is the cornerstone of society, and is under the protection of the State. The State shall protect and encourage marriage and shall remove material and social obstacles which hinder it. 2. Every mother is entitled to the protection and assistance of society. 3. Childhood is under the protection of society. The education of children is a natural right and a social duty of parents and the State shall watch them carry out this task.

#### Article 21.

I. Education and learning are rights of every citizen. 2. Education must aim at the creation of a gen- eration strong in body and mind, and in per- sonality, believing in God, possessing a virtuous character, proud of its Arab heritage, equipped with knowledge, aware of its duties, watchful of its rights and freedom, working for the national interest and the general Arab interest, and imbued with the spirit of unity and brotherhood among all citizens. All education inconsistent with the objective mentioned in this Paragraph shall be prohibited. 3. In order to realize the objectives of education and teaching and to implement a stable educational policy, Council of Education shall be formed in the State, whose task shall be to propose to the government the plans and programs making edu- cation in its various degrees and forms achieve its objectives in view. The law shall define the number of members of the Council of Education, their qualifications and the manner of their ap- pointment. 4. The State shall have the right to supervise all educational institutions in the country. Such supervision shall be regulated by law. The State alone shall have the right to grant school cer- tificates and to classify them. 5. Elementary education is compulsory and shall have unified programs. It shall be free in State schools. Private elementary schools are obliged to apply the programs adopted by the State. They may teach additional subjects as may be defined by law. Secondary, vocational and rural education is free in State schools. The State shall give priority in budgets for the expansion of elementary and vocational and rural education, in order to achieve equality among citizens and to base the national revival on sound foundations facilitating the uti- lization of the country's land and industrial wealth. The law shall define the subjects which private secondary schools shall be required to teach in accordance with the programs of the State. Re- ligious teaching for each religion in all the afore- mentioned stages shall be in accordance with its own creed. The State shall work to make higher education accessible. Its institutions shall enjoy financial and administrative independence. 6. The State shall adopt athletic, scouting and youth movements in schools, societies and clubs, and shall work for their protection, strengthening and propagation, and encourage scientific research. 7. The State shall protect arts and sciences, pro- mote their progress and propagation, and encourage scientific research. 8. The State shall place the means of general education within the reach of the people. 9. The State shall protect antiquities and ancient sites and all objects of artistic or historical value. io. The State shall protect and preserve the national cultural heritage and encourage its dis- semination.

#### Article 22.

i. Every citizen, together with his family, has the right to be guaranteed either by the State directly or by organizations set up for the purpose in cases of emergency, sickness, disability, orphan- hood, old age, and involuntary unemployment. 2. In the accomplishment of this objective, a social security system shall be set up in which the State, organizations and individuals shall cooperate to secure the necessary funds.

#### Article 23.

The State shall protect the health of citizens and shall establish hospitals, sanatoria, maternity homes, nurseries, and child homes for their benefit. It shall also facilitate for them means of medical treatment and shall attend to pregnant women, foster mothers and babies.

#### Article 24.

It shall not be permissible to impose compulsory work on anybody, except by law in the following cases: (a) The performance of cultural, construc- tional and health services. (b) The combatting of public calamities. (c) In a state of emergency.

#### Article 25.

i. Every Syrian shall have the right to hold public posts in accordance with conditions fixed by law. 2. Appointment to public posts, whether tem- porary or permanent, in the State, in departments attached to it and in municipalities, shall be effected by the system of general competition, except in cases where the law provides otherwise. 3. Acquired rights of public officials shall be guaranteed and may be claimed in a court of law. A public official shall have the right to be re- installed in his post after performing military service. 4. The law shall define conditions for the punish- ment of an official, his dismissal from service, and his retirement on pension. 5. The officials are appointed for the benefit of all the people. The law shall guarantee the pro- tection of the interest of the people by removing political interests from the work of officials and by the safeguarding of their right to dignity, security, a sufficient salary, and promotion accord- ing to seniority and competence.

#### Article 26.

i. Military service is compulsory and shall be regulated by law. 2. A Council for National Defense shall be es- tablished. Its jurisdiction and the number of its members shall be determined by law.

#### Article 27.

High Treason, in the strict sense, is taking up arms against the homeland, joining the enemies, or granting them help or assistance.

#### Article 28.

i. This Constitution does not contain any pro- vision specifically enumerating the rights of citizens. They have all the rights which are not clearly stated as pertaining to the State. The law shall safeguard and confirm these rights so long as they do not conflict with the rights of others or with the interest of society. 2. Every law related to a fundamental right of citizens or limiting such right in reliance on pro visions of the Constitution shall refer to the spe- cific right and the relative Article. In no circum- stance shall a law include a provision which in effect cancels any of these rights. 3. The judiciary shall protect the citizen against the public authority's encroachment upon his rights.

#### Article 29.

I. Proprietorship, capital, and work are the fun- damental elements of national wealth. They are all individual rights of social importance. They must be regulated and directed in order to insure strength for the homeland, and dignity, coopera- tion, and an appropriate standard of living of citizens. 2. The elements of national wealth shall be organ- ized in such a way as to realize social justice. 3. Economic life shall be directed in accordance with the interest of the people as a whole. 4. Within the sphere of these objectives, the law shall guarantee economic freedom for every citizen.

#### Article 30.

I. A Council for National Wealth shall be es- tablished in the State. Its task will be to propose plans and programs for the purpose of increasing the country's agriculture, industrial, and commercial potentialities, and to provide work for all citizens. 2. The law shall determine the number of this Council's members and the manner of their selection..

#### Article 31.

I. The State may nationalize by law any organi- zation or project connected with the public interest in return for just compensation. 2. Organizations enjoying financial and adminis- trative independence may be created for the execu- tion and administration of specific projects. This shall be done by a law defining the number of the members of their administrative bodies, the man- ner of their selection, and the manner of their supervision.

#### Article 32.

The funds which the State shall spend on irriga- gation and land improvement projects shall be recovered from those benefiting from them within a period commensurate with their ability, to be fixed by law.

#### Article 33.

I. Taxes will be imposed for the public good. 2. Taxes shall be fixed in money. The law may not provide for the imposition of a tax in kind except in exceptional cases. 3. No tax may be imposed, amended, or abolished except by law. 4. No person shall be exempted from the payment of the tax or part thereof except in the cases laid down by law. 5. No person shall be required to pay the tax except in the manner prescribed by law. 6. Taxes shall be imposed on a just and progres- sive basis, ensuring the principles of equality and social justice and taking into consideration the number of members of the family of the taxpayer for whose support he is responsible.

#### Article 34: Property is public and private

I. The State, legal persons, and individuals may own property within the limits of the law. 2. The law shall regulate the ownership by foreigners, its limits and conditions. 3. Private property shall be respected, within the limits of compatibility with public interest and social justice. The law shall define the methods of its acquisition and disposition in a manner ensuring its social function and contributing to the national production. 4. No person shall be permitted to use private property in a manner conflicting with public interest. 5. The law shall guarantee the rights of individ- uals to protect their material and immaterial in- terests accruing to them as a result of their material and mental production. 6. Expropriation for the public good is per- missible and shall be effected by law providing for the payment of just compensation. 7. Mines, solid, fluid and radioactive minerals, and the like, the hidden resources beneath the surface, mineral and sea waters, waterfalls, public forests, public roads, and all national resources and public utilities are the property of the State. So also is the strata of the atmosphere as from a height to be fixed by law. The law shall specify the conditions for granting licenses for prospecting for minerals and the like. The right to exploit minerals and the like shall be granted by law in which priority shall be given to defense considerations and the maintenance of the country's freedom. No preferential or monopoly concession for the exploitation of any of the coun- try's natural resources or of a public service may be granted except by law and for a limited period.

#### Article 35.

i. To ensure the proper utilization of the land, legislation based upon the following principles shall be enacted: (a) An obligation to utilize the land shall be laid down and, if land is neglected for a period to be fixed by law, the right to its posses- sion shall be forfeited. (b) The encouragement of small and medium holdings. (c) The fixing of a maximum area of lands to be owned, utilized, or disposed of according to districts; such provisions shall not have a retroactive effect. (d) The improvement of production and the methods thereof. 2. The State shall distribute from its lands to landless peasants state lands sufficient to ensure their living, either free or for a small payment. 3. The State shall establish model villages and centers for agricultural experimentation.

#### Article 36.

i. General confiscation of property is prohibited. 2. Special confiscation of property shall not be imposed except by a judicial order. 3. Special confiscation may be imposed by law for war necessities and public calamities.

#### Article 37.

i. Capital shall serve the national economy and its various forms of investment shall not conflict with the interest of the people as a whole. 2. The law shall prohibit monopoly.

#### Article 38.

I. The State may not contract a public or private loan except by a law which shall define the con- ditions, the rate of interest, and the method of repayment. 2. The State is not permitted to grant or guaran- tee a loan except by law. 3. The law shall define the procedure relating to contracts and tenders which involve expenditure from the State Treasury.

#### Article 39.

x. Work is the right of all citizens and a duty dictated by common social life in the same home- land. It is the most important basic element in the economic and social structure of the country. The State shall guarantee employment for its citizens. 2. Every Syrian shall be free to choose his profession. 3. The State shall protect work and shall super- vise the establishment of just social relations among the citizens, for which purpose it shall enact legislation which shall be based upon the following principles: (a) Workers shall be given wages commen- surate with the quantity and quality of their work. (b) Weekly hours of work shall be limited and weekly and annual days of rest with pay shall be granted. (c) The provision of special compensation for workers with families and in cases of discharge, sickness, disability, and emergencies resulting from the work. (d) Specification of special conditions for the work of women and juveniles providing them with adequate protection. (e) Wages of women, when circumstances are the same, shall be made equal to the wages of men. (f) Prohibition of profiteering, exploitation and bribes of all types. (g) Encouragement of the method of collective contracts and encouragement of giving the worker a share in the production of the profits. (h) Factories must comply with health and sanitary conditions. (i) The provision of sanitary housing for workers. The law shall define the methods thereof. (j) Encouragement of the formation of co- operative societies which shall be supervised by the State. 4. Workers shall have the right to defend their trade and professional interests and to organize in trade unions to facilitate the exercise of this right. (a) Trade unions have a legal status. They are purely professional and national organiza- tions. (b) The State shall encourage labor union organizations and shall guarantee their freedom within the limits of the law. The State shall protect them from political influence and shall assist in developing the influence of labor unions for the increase of the national economy and the raising of the standard of living of the pro- ductive classes. (c) The State shall promote labor union federations, shall dissuade them from harmful competition, and shall direct them towards cooperation. 5. "Workers" in this Article means laborers, farmers, and agricultural workers. The principles of legislation mentioned in the Article shall be applied to each category according to circumstances.

## Part Two -Sovereign Powers
#### Article 40.

The people shall exercise their sovereignty through the Chamber of Deputies, the President of the Republic, and the Judiciary.

### Chapter I - Legislative Power
#### Article 41.

i. The legislative power shall be undertaken by the Chamber of Deputies elected by the people in a general, secret, direct and uniform ballot in accordance with the provision of the Electoral Law. 2. A Deputy represents the entire people. His mandate may not be limited by any restriction or condition. He shall perform his mandate, guided by his honor and experience.

#### Article 42.

i. The term of the Chamber is four full years beginning from the date of the decree announcing the results of the elections. The term may not be extended except in time of war by a law which shall be proposed by the President of the Republic and approved by the vote of the absolute majority of the Deputies. 2. The Chamber may decide to dissolve itself by the vote of the absolute majority of its members.

#### Article 43.

Electors, males and females, are citizens who have completed their Ix8th year on January I of the year in which the election takes place, who are registered in the Civil Status Register and comply with the conditions laid down in the Electoral Law.

#### Article 44.

Every person possessing the right to elect may stand as candidate for membership of the Chamber if he is educated, has completed twenty-five years of age and if he fulfills the conditions prescribed in the Electoral Law.

#### Article 45.

z. The law shall define the electoral constituen- cies. The number of Deputies shall be in the pro- portion of one Deputy to at least every 50,000 Syrian inhabitants of the constituency, or a part thereof exceeding one-half of this number. 2. Elections shall be held in one stage, and the candidate who obtains the largest number of votes of the electors shall be considered successful. 3. The Electoral Law shall include provisions guaranteeing: (a) The correctness of the elections and the punishment of those falsifying them. (b) The equal right of the candidates to super- vise the electoral operations. (c) The punishment of those confusing the will of the electors.

#### Article 46.

I. The elections shall be held within the 6o days preceding the expiration of the term of the Chamber. 2. If the Chamber of Deputies dissolves itself the elections for the new Chamber shall be held within 6o days of the date of the dissolution. 3. If the holding of the elections is delayed, the Chamber shall investigate the causes and determine the responsibility for the delay. 4. The decree announcing the results of the elections shall be issued within a period not exceeding ten days from the day of the election. If for some reason or other elections are not held or the results of the election not known in some constituencies, the seats assigned to these con- stituencies shall be considered temporarily vacant until the results of their elections are announced in a supplementary decree. To be issued, the decree announcing the results of the elections has to cover more than two-thirds of the seats. 5. In all cases the Chamber shall retain its authority until the decree announcing the results of the elections is issued.

#### Article 47.

i. The Chamber of Deputies shall be convened by a decree within 2o days following the day of election. It shall definitely meet on the 2Ist day if no decree is issued, or the day following the day on which the term of the old Chamber expires, if this Chamber has not completed its terms by the end of the 2o days referred to above. 2. At its first meeting the Chamber shall elect its President and the members of its Office.

#### Article 48.

I. The Chamber shall meet in ordinary session from the beginning of October to the end of February. 2. Outside this session the President of the Chamber shall summon extraordinary sessions by order of the Chamber's Office or at the written request of one-fourth of its members, or of its Permanent Committee, or of the President of the Republic, provided that the summons shall specify items on the agenda.

#### Article 49.

x. The Deputies shall not be answerable in a criminal or a civil action for the facts they state, the views they express, or for their voting in public or secret meetings, or in the meetings of the committees. 2. A Deputy shall be entitled to refuse to testify against persons who have confided to him certain facts in his capacity as a Deputy, or to testify on these facts themselves. 3. Deputies shall enjoy immunity during the ordinary and extraordinry sessions of the Chamber, and shall not without permission from the Chamber be liable to criminal prosecution or to the execution of a criminal sentence. The Chamber, however, shall give its decision within ten days of the receipt of the request for such permission and its failure to do so shall be tantamount to the granting of permission. A Deputy may be detained only in the case of flagrante delicto, and in such a case, the Chamber shall be promptly informed. 4. In case a Deputy is prosecuted or arrested when the Chamber is not in session the President of the Chamber shall be immediately informed. In order to restore immunity to the prosecuted or arrested Deputy, the Chamber shall give a decision to this effect during the first io days of the follow- ing session and this only in cases other than those of flagrante delicto. 5. The immunity of the members of the Perma- nent Committee of the Chamber shall be considered as extending beyond the times of the Chamber's meetings. 6. A Deputy shall lose his seat as a result of a legal verdict or other emergency making him fail to possess the conditions of nomination provided by the Electoral Law.

#### Article 50.

Before a Deputy assumes his duties he shall take the following oath publicly before the Chamber: I swear by God and by my honor to be loyal to the Constitution and the laws of the country, to respect and to defend them and defend the freedoms, interests, property, and dignity of the people, and the independence of the homeland and its republican regime and to perform the task of Deputy with honor, truthfulness and devotion, and to work for the perfection of the freedom of the Arab Nation and the achievement of its unity.

#### Article 51.

The Deputies shall be given by law an appro- priate compensation enabling them to devote them- selves to their duties and guaranteeing their in- dependence of opinion.

#### Article 52.

The resignation of a Deputy shall be considered as effective from the time of its registration in the Office of the Chamber.

#### Article 53.

I. A Deputy may not exploit his parliamentary position in any business. 2. The law shall define the practices which shall not be performed during his parliamentary position.

#### Article 54.

If a parliamentary seat becomes vacant for some reason or other a decree shall be issued fixing a date for the election of a Deputy for that seat within two months of the vacation of the seat, provided that the remaining period of the Chamber is not less than six months. The term of the new member shall expire with the termination of the mandate of the Chamber.

#### Article 55.

i. Internal Rules for the Chamber shall deter- mine the procedure of debates, discussions, ques- tions, voting, the special duties of the Office and the committees, and its other work. 2. The Internal Rules shall have the force of law. They may not be amended except in accord- ance with their own provisions.

#### Article 56.

i. Every year at the beginning of the October session the Chamber shall be presided by its eldest members with the two youngest members acting as secretaries. The President of the Chamber shall be elected immediately and also the members of the Chamber's Office in accordance with the In- ternal Rules. 2. The President of the Chamber shall be eleted by the absolute majority of the total number of Deputies. The majority of Deputies present shall be sufficient at a second ballot and a relative majority at a third.

#### Article 57.

I. The President of the Chamber shall maintain order inside the Chamber. 2. The Chamber shall have a special guard receiving orders from its President. No other armed force shall enter the Chamber or be posted in its neighborhood except at the request of its President.

#### Article 58.

i. The sessions of the Chamber cannot be held unless the absolute majority of the Deputies are present. 2. The Internal Rules shall determine the re- sponsibility of the Deputy who absents himself without a legitimate excuse.

#### Article 59.

I. The sessions of the Chamber shall be public. 2. At the request of the President of the Republic or at least one-fourth of the Deputies present, the Chamber may decide on holding secret sessions to discuss certain matters. Such decision shall be reached by secret ballot. 3. The minutes of the open sessions shall be published in the Official Gazette. 4. The provisions of the above Article shall also apply to the sessions of the Permanent Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.

#### Article 60.

I. The voting in the Chamber shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure prescribed in its Internal Rules. 2. Only Deputies present shall have the right to vote. 3. The elections shall be held by secret ballot. 4. The Chamber shall make its decisions by the majority of those present unless the Constitution or the Internal Rules provide otherwise. Should the votes be equal, the proposal under discussion shall be rejected.

#### Article 61.

I. The Chamber of Deputies shall examine the objections lodged against the validity of the elec- tions of the members. An objection shall not be accepted if submitted 30 days after the issuing of the decree announcing the results of the elections. The Chamber shall decide on the objections within three months after the last day where on they may be acepted. The Chamber's recess shall not be counted in these three months. The Chamber's de- cisions in connection with the validity of the elec- tion shall for two weeks be liable to appeal before the Supreme Court, provided that such an appeal is signed by at least one-fourth of the Deputies. 2. The Chamber of Deputies shall also be en- titled to decide by a two-thirds majority of all its members to deprive a Deputy of his parlia- mentary position because of his acts or publicly declared opinions against the country's independ- ence or because of his advocating the change of government by force, if this was proposed by at least a fourth of the Deputies.

#### Article 62.

I. The Chamber of Deputies shall have the right to delegate some of its members or to form Parlia- mentary Committees to investigate certain matters. In this connection, the Executive Power shall fa- cilitate the task of the Chamber's representatives and supply them with documents, statements, and information required. 2. Every member of the Chamber is entitled to direct in the appropriate Committee and through the Presidency of the Chamber an interpellation to the Executive Power, which shall reply orally or in writing within the period prescribed by the Internal Rules of the Chamber.

#### Article 63.

i. The Executive Power may delegate Ministers and officials representing it to attend the meetings of the Parliamentary Committees to give its point of view on matters under study by these com- mittees. 2. The Parliamentary Committees shall be en- titled to ask the Executive Power to delegate Min- isters and officials representing it to give its point of view on matters under study, or to give ex- planations regarding matters within its competence.

#### Article 64.

i. Treaties affecting the safety or finances of the State, or the status of persons, or the rights of property of Syrians abroad, peace treaties, com- mercial treaties, and any other treaty valid for more than one year, and every treaty involving the amendment of some effective International Laws, shall not be confirmed by the President of the Republic except after approval by the Chamber of Deputies by a law. 2. Treaties approved by the Chamber of Depu- ties, and confirmed and published by the President of the Republic, shall, upon coming into force, be regarded as enacting an amendment to previously existing Internal Laws conflicting with them. 3. Treaties which are in force and which have been approved by the Chamber of Deputies shall have preference over Internal Laws. Their pro- visions may not be amended, cancelled or suspended except after a notification in the manner prescribed therein or in accordance with international usage.

#### Article 65.

The Chamber of Deputies has the right by the absolute majority of its members to grant general amnesty for offenses committed before the proposal for the amnesty.

#### Article 66.

I. Introducing bills shall be equally the right of the President of the Republic and of every Deputy. 2. Financial laws, however, which aim at the abolition or reduction of a tax, or exemption from some of it, or which aim at the allocation of a part of the State funds for a project, or at borrow- ing, or guaranteeing or repayment of loans, may only be proposed by the President of the Republic or by at least one-fourth of the Deputies.

#### Article 67.

i. The general budget shall be prepared by the Executive Power and the Chamber of Deputies alone shall have the right to pass it. 2. Each fiscal year shall have one general budget comprising the ordinary revenues and expenditures. It will not be permissible to create independent or supplementary budgets except by law. 3. The beginning of the fiscal year shall be fixed by law. 4. The President shall submit to the Chamber of Deputies the plan of the general budget for every fiscal year at least three months before the beginning of such year. 5. The Executive Power may, in case of need, submit a plan for an extraordinary budget for more than one year, comprising extraordinary revenue and expenditure. It shall not come into force except after its approval by the Chamber of Deputies. 6. The budget law may only comprise purely financial provisions. It may not provide for the introduction of new taxes or services requiring new expenditure. The provisions of the budget law shall only be implemented during the period fixed for it. 7. The Chamber of Deputies may not, during the study of the budget, increase the estimates of revenues and expenditures. 8. The Budget Committee of the Chamber of Deputies may amend the draft budget, subject to the provisions of the preceding Paragraph. 9. The Deputies may not propose an increase in an item of expenditure or introduce new expendi- tures after the Budget Committee has drawn up its report on the draft budget. Io. The Deputies shall vote on the general or the extraordinary budget article by article. ii. The Executive Power shall not exceed the maximum of the estimated expenditure for each public department. The budget law shall not in- clude provisions permitting it to do so. Nor may new, additional, or transferable appropriations be made except by law. The final accounts for the fiscal year shall be submitted to the Chamber of Deputies during a period not exceeding two years after the end of that year. These accounts shall be closed by law. 12. Should the Chamber of Deputies be unable to pass the draft budget before the start of the fiscal year for which it has been made, temporary monthly appropriations shall be made by decree, on the basis of the financial appropriations of the preceding year, and the revenue shall be col- lected in accordance with the laws in force at the end of that year. I3. The Chamber of Deputies may, after the passage of the budget, pass laws for the introduc- tion of new expenditures and revenues required to meet them.

#### Article 68.

The law shall determine the procedure for the drawing up, approval, and implementation of local budgets, and the closing of their accounts.

#### Article 69.

The President of the Republic shall, at least once a year, send to the Chamber of Deputies a statement on the country's financial situation.

#### Article 70.

The monetary system shall be regulated and official banks shall be established by law.

#### Article 71.

I. The Bureau of Accountancy shall be attached to the Chamber of Deputies, and shall be con- sidered as its adjunct. 2. The budget of the Bureau of Accountancy shall be part of the budget of the Chamber of Deputies. 3. The cadre, pre-requisite qualifications and the immunity of the members of the Bureau of Ac- countancy as well as the method of control over cases subject to their control shall be defined by a law the draft of which is to be prepared by the Bureau of the Chamber. 4. The Chamber of Deputies shall elect the members of the Bureau of Accountancy by a ma- jority of the votes of those present. If such majority is not obtained, then voting shall be renewed, and a relative majority shall be sufficient. The election shall be made from a list prepared by the Office of the Chamber, containing double the number of members to be elected. The same method shall be followed in the event of one or more vacancies occurring in the membership of the Bureau of Ac- countancy. The Chamber of Deputies shall elect from among the members of the Bureau of Ac- countancy a president for the Bureau for a period of four years, and his re-election is permissible. The election of the president of the Bureau of Accountancy shall be by the majority of the Depu- ties present. If such a majority is not obtained, the voting shall be repeated, and a relative majority shall be sufficient. The Chamber of Deputies may, upon the proposal of the Office of the Chamber and with the approval of the majority of its members present, terminate services of a member of the Bureau of Accountancy. 5. The Bureau of Accountancy shall examine, on behalf of the Chamber of Deputies, the accounts of the State and submit to it general reports con- taining its views, observations and a statement indicating violations committed, and the respon- sibilities therefor. 6. The Chamber of Deputies may charge the Bureau of Accountancy with any investigation or study relative to revenues and expenditures of the administration of the Treasury.

#### Article 72.

If the Chamber of Deputies rejects a bill, it shall not be re-introduced except after the begin- ning of the ordinary session following the session in which it was rejected.

#### Article 73.

If the Chamber of Deputies passes a bill, the President of the Republic shall promulgate it within fifteen days of the day on which it was sent to him. If, however, the Chamber by an absolute majority of its members decides that the bill is of an urgent nature, it shall be promulgated within the period fixed therein. Official holidays shall not be counted in calculating the period allowed for promulgation.

#### Article 74.

I. If the President of the Republic finds it neces- sary that a certain law should be reconsidered, he shall return it to the Chamber within the period fixed for its promulgation, with a message con- taining reasons for his actions. 2. Should the Chamber insist upon the law by a two-thirds majority of its members, the law shall be promulgated immediately. The voting of the Deputies in such a case shall be publicly, and by "yes" or "no," and the names of those voting for or against proposal shall be published in the Official Gazette.

#### Article 75.

i. If at least one-fourth of the members of the Chamber of Deputies, or one-fourth of the members of its Permanent Committee, object to a bill as unconstitutional prior to its promulgation, or the President of the Republic refers it to the Supreme Court on the grounds that it is inconsistent with the Constitution, its publication will be suspended until the Supreme Court gives its decision thereon it. 2. If the Supreme Court decides that the law is inconsistent with the Constitution, it will be re- turned to the Chamber of Deputies or to its Perma- nent Committee for rectification of the constitutional infraction. 3. If the Supreme Court does not give its decision on the bill within ten working days or within five working days in the case of an urgent bill, the President of the Republic shall promulgate the law. 4. If the Supreme Court is of the opinion that the law is constitutional, it shall be considered to have been promulgated from the date of expira- tion of the constitutional interval allowed for its promulgation.

#### Article 76.

If the President of the Republic does not promul- gate the law within its statutory period, does not return it to the Chamber, or does not send it to the Supreme Court within the same period, the President of the Chamber of Deputies shall promul- gate it and it shall become effective.

#### Article 77.

The Chamber of Deputies shall not relinquish to the President of the Republic its power of legislation.

#### Article 78.

The Chamber of Deputies shall elect, before the expiration of each ordinary session, a Permanent Committee whose mission will extend to the begin- ning of the next ordinary session and shall consist of at least one-fourth of the members of the Chamber of Deputies. (a) The election of the members of the Perma- nent Committee shall be by absolute majority of the members. If this is not obtained, the elec- tion shall be repeated and a majority of those present shall be sufficient. At a third ballot a relative majority shall suffice. Care shall be taken that this Committee contains elements from the various ordinary committees of the Chamber. The Deputy elected to this Committee may not decline to serve without giving legitimate justi- fication. (b) The President of the Chamber of Deputies shall be chairman of the Permanent Committee. (c) This Committee shall be, outside the ses- sions of the Chamber, in continuous sessions. (d) The Permanent Committee shall be charged with the duty of representing the Chamber before the Executive Power, when the Chamber is not in session. It shall also have the power of con- ducting investigations. (e) Whenever the Chamber is not in session the Permanent Committee shall be vested with its legislative power and shall take decisions on its behalf by an absolute majority of its members on all matters which the government, either to facilitate its work or owing to the urgent nature of the matter itself deem necessary that laws should be promulgated in relation thereto. Such matters shall neither include the ratification of treaties involving the amendment of some ef- fective Internal Laws, nor the approval of gen- eral or exceptional budget projects, nor bills whose enactment requires at least an absolute majority vote of the members of the Chamber, nor shall the taking of decisions in execution of Paragraphs e, g, and h of Article 92 fall within the competence of this Committee. (f) Should the President of the Republic find it necessary that a certain bill approved by the Permanent Committee should be reconsidered, he shall return it to the Committee within the period specified for its promulgation, accom- panied by a memorandum stating his reasons. The Chamber of Deputies will then reconsider the bill in its next session in accordance with provisions of Paragraph 2 of Article 74. (g) Bills approved by the Permanent Com- mittee shall after promulgation be deposited at the Office of the Chamber. Motions of Deputies to amend or repeal such laws during the succeed- ing ordinary session shall be considered as urgent.

### Chapter II -Executive Power
#### Article 79.

The President of the Republic shall exercise the Executive Power on behalf of the people and within the limits prescribed by the Constitution.

#### Article 80.

The President of the Republic is the Chief of State. The law shall prescribe the honors and privileges due to his office.

#### Article 81.

i. The President of the Republic is elected by the people by general, secret, direct and uniform ballot. 2. Terms stipulated in Article 43 of the Con- stitution shall apply to electors. 3. The candidate obtaining the largest number of votes of the electors shall be considered successful.

#### Article 82.

I. A candidate to be eligible for the Presidency of the Republic shall fulfil the following conditions: (a) He must be Syrian by birth. (b) He must possess qualifications for can- didature to the Chamber of Deputies. (c) He must have completed his fortieth year of age. 2. The candidature of a woman shall not be accepted for the Presidency of the Republic. 3. The Electoral Law shall contain special pro- visions for the nomination and election of the President of the Republic. 4. The election of the new President of the Re- public should be effected at most four months and at least two months before the term of office of the holder of the Presidency expires.

#### Article 83.

The term of the President of the Republic is five years. He assumes his office on the day the term of his predecessor expires.

#### Article 84.

i. The offices of the Presidency of the Republic and of a Deputy in the Chamber of Deputies can- not be held simultaneously. 2. The President of the Republic is not permitted to fill any other office or engage in industry or trade, or occupy any administrative post in any institution which operates for profit.

#### Article 85.

Before assuming office the President of the Re- public shall take the following oath before the Chamber of Deputies: I swear by God and my honor to be faithful to the Constitution of the country and its laws, to respect them and defend them, and I will protect the freedoms, interests, property and dignity of the people and I shall spare no means or effort to preserve the independence of the country and its republican regime, and to defend the integrity of its territory, and to work for the perfection of the freedom of the Arab Nation and the achievement of its unity.

#### Article 86.

The resignation of the President shall be effected by a message addressed to the people and published by the President of the Chamber of Deputies.

#### Article 87.

I. The President of the Republic shall be held responsible for violating the Constitution and for High Treason. 2. He shall also be responsible for ordinary crimes.

#### Article 88.

i. The President of the Republic shall not be tried except by the Supreme Court. 2. A motion to refer the President of the Re- public for trial before the Supreme Court may not be discussed unless at least one-fourth of the Deputies present a written request to the President of the Chamber making the motion and giving reasons therefor. The request shall be referred, before its discussion, to the Constitutional and Judicial Committees meeting jointly. The two Com- mittees shall submit their report within three days of the receipt of the request. A special meeting shall then be fixed to discuss the request and no other matter may be discussed therein. 3. The President of the Republic may, in no circumstance be referred for trial before the Su- preme Court except with the approval of two-thirds of the total number of Deputies. 4. When the President of the Republic is re- ferred for trial to the Supreme Court, he shall relinquish his powers until this Court shall have given its decision. The resignation of the President shall not prevent his trial.

#### Article 89.

I. The President of the Chamber of Deputies shall exercise the duties of the President of the Republic in an acting capacity in the following cases: (a) At the request of the President of the Republic in case of his sickness or temporary absence from the country. (b) If the President of the Republic is referred for trial to the Supreme Court. (c) When it is impossible for the President of the Republic to perform the duties of his office owing to justificatory reasons that should be fully set out in a Decision of the Chamber of Deputies taken by a two-thirds majority of its members. 2. The President of the Chamber of Deputies shall also perform the duties of the President of the Republic in an acting capacity if the reasons referred to in Paragraph ic are considered to be of a permanent nature by a decision of the Chamber of Deputies, if the President of the Republic is dismissed from his office by a verdict of the Su- preme Court, and in the case of his death or resignation. In these cases, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, in his capacity as Acting President of the Republic, shall call for the election of a new President, provided that the election shall take place within two months at the latest from the date of the vacancy of the Presidency for one of these reasons. 3. The President of the Chamber of Deputies shall relinquish the Presidency of the Chamber in favor of the Vice President throughout the period during which he is performing the duties of the President of the Republic in an acting capacity.

#### Article 90.

The emoluments of the President of the Republic shall be fixed by law.

#### Article 91.

The President of the Republic is the Supreme Commander of the Army, and the Chairman of the Council of National Defense.

#### Article 92.

In addition to the conduct of the general policy and administration of the State, and to other func- tions specifically mentioned in the other Articles of the Constitution, the office of President of the Republic shall include the following functions: (a) Inauguration of the legislative sessions of the Chamber of Deputies by statements ex- plaining the country's domestic and foreign af- fairs, problems facing it, and plans for dealing with these problems. (b) Communications with the Chamber of Deputies by messages to be addressed to the President of the Chamber. These must be read at the first meeting after the receipt thereof. (c) Appointment of officials according to law must be appointed by decree. (d) Accrediting of Ambassadors and Minis- ters Plenipotentiary to heads of foreign states, and the acceptance of credentials of heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to him, and in general, the various relations with foreign states. (e) Declaration of war after consultation with the Council of National Defense and the ap- proval of the Chamber of Deputies. (f) Adoption of necessary defense measures after consultation with the Council of National Defense. (g) Conclusion of peace after consultation with the Council of National Defense and ap- proval of the Chamber of Deputies. (h) In case of need, however, proclamation of a state of emergency with the approval of the Chamber of Deputies. The President of the Republic shall be entitled to proclaim a state of emergency for a period not exceeding one month, provided the Chamber of Deputies is promptly notified and given the exclusive right to extend it. A general or localized state of emergency may be proclaimed in cases of danger of war, during a state of war, in wartime, in cases of internal disturbances, and public calamities. The proclamation of a state of emergency involves the imposition of restrictions on, or the temporary suspension of guarantees connected with the sanctity of persons, homes, with the freedoms of the press, of communications, of assembly, and of forming societies. This shall in no case amount to interference in judicial affairs. Regulations relating to a state of emergency and its consequences shall be defined by law which shall be passed by an absolute majority of the Deputies. (i) Proclamation of general or partial mo- bilization. (j) Exercising the prerogative of pardon. This prerogative shall not include pardoning persons sentenced by the Supreme Court in accordance with Paragraph ib of Article 117 of the Constitution.

#### Article 93.

I. A Bureau of Inspection shall be established and attached to the Presidency of the Republic. 2. The cadre, jurisdiction, and the immunities of members of this Bureau shall be defined by law.

#### Article 94.

x. In the exercise of his executive powers, the President of the Republic shall be assisted by the Ministers of the State. 2. He shall nominate them, dismiss them, and accept resignations by a decree which he shall communicate to the Chamber of Deputies.

#### Article 95.

i. A Minister must fulfil the same conditions prescribed for candidacy for the Chamber and must have completed his 3oth year. 2. On assuming office a Minister may not directly or indirectly buy or rent any State property, not even at public auction. He may not participate in contracts and tenders entered into by the ad- ministration, or institutions under State adminis- tration or subject to its control. He shall also be prohibited from being a member of the board of directors of any company, or from being an agent thereof, and from taking part in commercial activities. 3. It shall not be permissible to hold the offices of Minister and Deputy simultaneously. A Minister may not stand as a candidate for the Chamber except after having resigned from his office by a period to be fixed by law. 4. Emoluments for Ministers shall be fixed by law. 5. A Minister shall lose his office if a judicial verdict or an emergency disqualifies him under Paragraph I of this Article.

#### Article 96.

The law shall determine the number of Ministries and the public departments, their functions, and the duties of each Minister.

#### Article 97.

i. Each Minister shall sign Regulative Decrees and Decrees issued by the President of the Republic pertaining to matters within his jurisdiction. 2. Each Minister is responsible to the President of the Republic for his acts in his Ministry. A Minister shall issue his decisions in implementation of laws, regulations and decrees. He may not, in- dependently of the President of the Republic, take in his Ministry decisions bearing upon the general policy of the State. 3. The Ministers shall submit to the President reports on the progress of work in their Ministries.

#### Article 98.

i. Ministers shall be held responsible for viola- tion of the Constitution, High Treason, and ordinary crimes. a. A Minister may not be detained except in cases of flagrante delicto or in execution of a ju- dicial verdict.

#### Article 99.

I. Ministers shall be tried for violation of the Constitution and High Treason before the Supreme Court. In prosecuting them, in referring them for trial, and in the trial before the said Court, the same procedure as for the trial of the President of the Republic shall be followed. The President of the Republic or one-fourth of the members of the Chamber of Deputies may present the letter of impeachment and the application for reference to the Court. A Minister referred to the Supreme Court shall be suspended from duty until the Court shall have decided on the charges brought against him. His resignation shall not prevent his trial. 2. Ministers shall be tried for ordinary offenses before the civil courts in accordance with the pro- visions of the law. In such cases, the case against him shall not be heard by the competent court until permission is obtained from the Supreme Court, except in cases of flagrante delicto.

#### Article 100.

Laws shall be inspired by the principle of ex- tending the jurisdiction of chiefs of a adminis- trative units and chiefs of departments at head- quarters and in the provinces.

#### Article 101.

i. In every province a council shall be estab- lished; three-fourths of its members shall be elected and one-fourth appointed. 2. The law shall fix the term of the council, the number of its members, the procedure for election, and the conditions of appointment. 3. The council of a province shall elect its presi- dent and the members of its executive office. The law shall fix their term of office, their powers, and the procedure of exercising their function.

#### Article 102.

The principal duties of the council of a province is participation in the following matters: i. Combatting disease by the expansion of free health services and maternity and infant care. 2. Combatting ignorance by the establishment of nurseries and primary, elementary, and vocational schools, by educating illiterates and participation in disseminating education. 3. Providing safe drinking water in villages and towns, building of networks of local roads and extending the use of electricity. 4. Defining boundaries of municipal areas in the provinces. 5. Holding and organizing exhibitions. 6. Promotions of tourism and summer vacation- ing, and supervision of hotels. 7. Organization of local means of communica- tions. 8. Utilization of mineral waters. 9. Promoting afforestation and tree planting. io. Encouraging and participating in charity activities. iI. Organization and utilization of sea and river fishing, and game hunting.

#### Article 103.

i. The special revenue of the province for the performance of its task shall consist of: (a) A percentage share, to be fixed by law, taken from the general taxes collected in the province or added thereto. (b) Local duties which the council of the province shall impose within the limits of the law. These duties shall not affect the movement of persons and the transit of goods between provinces, nor shall it restrict the right of citizens to practice their professions and trades within the national territory. 2. The law shall regulate the accounting pro- cedure of the councils of provinces.

#### Article 104.

The council of the province shall determine the manner of expenditure in matters within its jurisdiction.

#### Article 105.

The procedure for discussions and decisions in the councils of the provinces, the manner of im- plementation, and supervision of their work, shall be determined by law.

### Chapter III -The Judiciary Power
#### Article 106.

The judiciary power shall be independent.

#### Article 107.

i. Judges shall be independent, and in exercising their judicial function they shall not be subject to any authority other than the law. 2. The honor, conscience, and integrity of judges are a guarantee of the rights and freedoms of the people. 3. Before assuming office, a judge shall swear that he shall administer justice to the people with equity and shall respect the law. 4. Judgments shall be given in the name of the Syrian people, and they shall state the grounds on which they were based.

#### Article 108.

Judicial power in the State shall be exercised by: (a) The Supreme Court. (b) The Court of Cassation. (c) Other courts.

#### Article 109.

i. Judges shall be appointed by decree in ac- cordance with the provisions of the law, based on a decision of the Sppreme Judiciary Council. 2. The promotion, transfer, dismissal of, and the taking of disciplinary proceedings against judges shall be in accordance with the provision of the law, based on a decision of the Supreme Judiciary Council.

#### Article 110.

I. The Public Prosecutions Institution shall be one organization presided over by the Minister of Justice. 2. The Public Prosecutions Institution shall safe- guard justice, insure the implementation of laws, prosecute violators of the law, and execute penal sentences against them. 3. The cadre of Public Prosecutions shall be fixed by law. The appointment, promotion, and transfer of, and the taking of disciplinary proceedings against public prosecutors shall be within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.

#### Article 111.

The cadre and grade of civilian and military courts, and the salaries of judges shall be fixed by law.

#### Article 112.

The cadre of judicial assistants shall be fixed by law. Their appointment, promotion, transfer, dismissal, and the taking of disciplinary proceed- ings against them, shall be within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.

#### Article 113.

i. The Supreme Court shall be composed of seven members, one of whom shall be named its President. 2. A member of the Court shall fulfil the follow- ing conditions: (a) Possess the qualifications of a candidate for the Chamber. (b) Be the holder of the Law Degree of the Syrian University or its equivalent. (c) Must have completed his 4oth year. (d) Must have practiced as a judge, as a lawyer, and taught in a university, or any of these, for not less than ten years.

#### Article 114.

i. The President of the Republic shall nominate the President and members of the Supreme Court upon the approval of the Chamber of Deputies. 2. If the office of one of the members of the Supreme Court becomes vacant for any reason when the Chamber of Deputies is not in session, the President of the Republic may nominate a successor with the approval of the Chamber's Permanent Committee. 3. A member of the Supreme Court shall remain in his post for five years. He may be renominated. 4. The resignation of a member of the Supreme Court from his office shall be submitted to the President of the Republic. His resignation becomes effective immediately and shall be communicated to the Chamber of Deputies. 5. A member of the Supreme Court may not be dismissed except by a decision approved by the absolute majority of its members, and communicated to the President of the Republic and the Chamber of Deputies.

#### Article 115.

The President and members of the Supreme Court shall take the following oath before the Chamber of Deputies: I swear by God and my honor to respect the Constitution of laws of the country and to dis- charge my duty with impartiality and honesty.

#### Article 116.

A law, approved by the absolute majority of the Deputies, shall be enacted to define: (a) The prerogatives and immunities of mem- bers of the Supreme Court and the manner of their trial and officies which they may not hold simultaneously with membership of the Court. (b) The crimes of violating the Constitution, High Treason, and the penalties therefor. (c) The procedure for prosecution, objection, defense, trial, hearing, and adjudication in the Supreme Court on matters falling within its jurisdiction.

#### Article 117.

I. The Supreme Court shall basically consider and take final decisions in the following matters: (a) Constitutionality of laws referred to it in accordance with Article 75. (b) The trial of the President of the Republic and the Ministers. (c) Applications for the annulment of Decrees appointing Ministers, on grounds of inconsistency with the provisions of the law or the Consti- tution. Such applications shall be considered only if submitted by at least one-fourth of the Deputies or of members of the Chamber's Permanent Committee and within one week of their com- munication to the Chamber, and shall be finally decided by the Supreme Court within one week of their submission. (d) Decisions of the Chamber of Deputies to objections raised against the elections and which have been submitted to the Supreme Court under Paragraph i of Article 6i. (e) Applications for the repeal of Regulative Decrees inconsistent with the Constitution or the Law if submitted by one-fourth of the mem- bers of the Chamber of Deputies, or by at least one-fourth of the members of its Permanent Committee. 2. The Supreme Court shall also deal with ap- plications for the trial of Ministers before the civil courts for ordinary offenses. A decision on such an application shall be taken within a maximum period of one week. 3. The Supreme Court shall also consider as part of its original jurisdiction, and shall give final decisions on applications for the annulment of administrative acts and decisions as well as of Decrees inconsistent with the law or the Consti- tution or with Regulative Decrees, if such appli- cations are contained in petitions submitted by persons suffering injury therefrom or are sub- mitted by at least one-fourth of members of the Chamber of Deputies or of its Permanent Com- mittee.

#### Article 118.

I. The Supreme Judicial Council shall be com- posed of seven members. (a) The President of the Supreme Court shall act as chairman. (b) Two members of the Supreme Court, chosen by the said Court. (c) The four senior judges of the Court of Cassation. 2. The Council shall supervise the affairs of judges relating to functions of their office.

#### Article 119.

The President of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Minister of Justice may submit proposals regarding the appointment of judges, their pro- motion, their transfer, disciplinary action against them, and their dismissal, in accordance with the provisions of the law. The Supreme Judicial Coun- cil shall decide on these proposals by an absolute majority and communicate it to the Ministry of Justice for implementation by a decree or order in accordance with the provisions of the law.

#### Article 120.

The Supreme Judicial Council may propose to the President of the Republic bills relating to judges, their immunity, the procedure for their appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary meas- ures against them, and their dismissal.

## Part Three - Amendment of the Constitution
#### Article 121.

i. The President of the Republic and the Depu- ties shall be entitled to request the amendment of one or more Articles of the Constitution, provided the following conditions are fulfilled: (a) The request for amendment shall cite the Articles which it is desired to amend, the new proposed form, and the reasons of the petitioner for it. (b) If the request is submitted by the Depu- ties, it should be signed by one-fourth or more of their total number. (c) The Chamber shall discuss the request for the amendment which shall be adopted only by a vote of the absolute majority of its mem- bers. If the request is rejected, it shall be con- sidered final. A renewed request for the amend- ment of the same Articles shall not be possible before the beginning of the ordinary session following that in which the amendment was rejected. (d) If the request for the amendment is ap- proved by an absolute majority of the Deputies, this shall be considered a motion in favor of the amendment. (e) In the ordinary session of the Chamber which follows the session in which the motion in favor of amendment is adopted, the Chamber shall discuss the Articles whose amendment is proposed. If two-thirds of members of the Chamber adopt the amendment, it shall become effective and shall be integrated into the Con- stitution. 2. The President of the Republic, Deputies, and members of the Supreme Court must renew the oath upon the amended Constitution within two weeks after its approval. Part Four -Transitional Provisions

#### Article 122.

The consideration of an application for the amendment of the Constitution shall not be per- mitted before the lapse of two years from the date the Constitution becomes effective.

#### Article 123.

I. The adoption of this Constitution shall be effected by a public referendum to be held on the same day when the President of the Republic shall be elected for the first time, in accordance with the legislation in force on that day. 2. The executive powers invested in the Council of Ministers and the President of this Council, in accordance with legislation in force on the day of the approval of the Constitution, shall auto- matically pass to the President of the Republic. 3. The President of the Republic, elected in ac- cordance with Paragraph i of this Article, shall exercise his power immediately after the announce- ment of the results of the election.

#### Article 124.

I. Until the pending election of members for the Chamber of Deputies for the first time is completed, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the President of the Republic shall have the power to promulgate the legislative decrees necessary for the conduct of affairs in the country. These legislative decrees shall be deposited in the Office of the Chamber of Deputies at the time of its election. Proposals for the amendment or cancellation of these decrees submitted by Deputies during the first ordinary session of the Chamber shall have the character of urgency. 2. The President of the Republic shall promulgate a legislative decree containing the Electoral Law in accordance with the provisions of the Con- stitution. This Law shall contain a provision which shall be enforced for ten years at least, defining the educational degree a candidate for the Chamber must possess. The first parliamentary elections shall be held under provisions of the Law within three months at the latest after the enactment of the Constitution. 3. The President of the Republic elected in ac- cordance with the provisions of the previous Article shall take the Constitutional Oath before the first Chamber of Deputies after this Chamber shall have elected its own President and members of its Office during its first session.

#### Article 125.

i. The State shall put an end to the nomadic state of the beduins by settling the tribes and granting their members land and the necessary assistance for their settlement. 2. The Electoral Law may include special tem- porary provisions regarding the conduct of elections among the tribes. These provisions shall take into account the position of the tribes regarding the Civil Register prerequisites of candidature and method of voting. The provisions of this Article shall apply only to the first Parliamentary elections.

#### Article 126.

The Law of the Supreme Court provided for in this Constitution shall be promulgated and the Court established, and the Supreme Judicial Coun- cil formed, before the end of the first ordinary session of the first Chamber of Deputies.

#### Article 127.

Existing legislation in conflict with this Consti- tution shall remain in force until amended in accordance with provisions of this Constitution.

#### Article 128.

The Constitution proclaimed on September 5, 1950, shall be considered annulled as from Novem- ber 29, 195I. All the authoritative measures adopted since that date shall be considered as acts of authority.

#### Article 129.

This Constitution shall become effective im. mediately after the announcement of its adoption by the referendum of the people provided for in Article 123. Results of the referendum and the text of the Constitution shall then be published in the Official Gazette.