POLITICAL STRUCTURE

Constitutions comprise the legal rules which define the powers and duties, shortly the structure, of the organs of government in a state. Like in all countries governed by the rule of law, such binding rules are set forth in the, Turkish Constitution, some of which will give an idea about the general political structure of Turkey:
"The Turkish State is a Republic. "
With the proclamation of the Turkish Republic on October 29, 1923, this first provision of the constitution was enacted,- and Turkey has been a democracy governed country by a republican regime since then. This fundamental provision is strengthened and protected by another, prohibiting its amendment, or proposal of amendment.
"The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law; bearing in mind the concepts of public peace, national solidarity and justice; respecting human rights and loyal to the nationalism of Ataturk. "
After the system of self-government was put into action with the foundation of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took further steps in modernizing the country, the first being the formation of secularism. Social reforms followed this one, which made the country a modern state in complete sense, with its laws ensuring justice, and its nation on the level of the contemporary societies.
"The Turkish State, with its territory and nation, is an indivisible entity."
Turkey, pursues the goal of "peace at home, peace in the world" formulated by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The country, with its land within its present boundaries; with its citizens each being a Turk by the bond of citizenship; with its capital Ankara and official language Turkish; together with its history and culture, constitutes a whole. It makes every effort to safeguard this whole while it seeks to have cooperative relations with all countries to attain peace in the world. Being a founding member of the OECD and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Community; a member of NATO, the Council of Europe and the CSCE; and an associate member of the EC, Turkey contributes to the dialogue and confidence building process between nations, and further promotes these relations while preserving the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, equity and equality.
"Sovereignty is vested in the nation without reservation or condition and the nation exercises its sovereignty through the authorized organs as prescribed by the principles laid down in the Constitution".
Turkish State is a parliamentary democratic country employing a self-governing system. The representative parliament exercises sovereignty on behalf of the Turkish nation. The separation of powers, which is the consequence of such a democratic system is implemented through the authorized organs. The legislative power, which cannot be delegated, is vested in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), whereas the executive power is used by the President as the Head of State, together with the Council of Ministers. The power of the judiciary on the other hand, Is exercised by totally independent courts, surely within the bounds of the Constitution.
"All individuals are equal without any discrimination before the law, irrespective of language, race, color, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion and sect, or any such considerations. Everyone possesses inherent fundamental rights and freedoms which are inviolable and inalienable. "
Turkey is a country that respects basic human rights and freedoms, with no discrimination among groupings of race, color or sex. Under the superiority of law, every individual is treated equally in the application of the rules of law, including the members of minorities. Political opinion, philosophical belief, religion and sect are no exceptions to such considerations of equality before the law. Freedom of religion and conscience, freedom of expressing thoughts and opinions, freedom of communication, freedom of residence and movement, besides the other basic rights and freedoms of individuals, are all respected under the guarantee of the Constitution. Any kind of force, that acts to the contrary and fails to treat one with the proper respect, will be confronted with the sanctions of this law which says:
"No one can be subjected to torture or ill-treatment; no one can be subjected to penalty or treatment incompatible with human dignity. "