Blueprint for a New Constitution
by DHKP/C
FOR AN INDEPENDENT AND DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY WHERE ALL NATIONALITIES AND PEOPLES ARE FREE; WHERE A PREMIUM IS PLACED ON LABOUR, JUSTICE AND HONOUR; WHERE THE PEOPLE GOVERN
THE BLUEPRINT FOR A PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTION
BY
THE PLATFORM FOR
RIGHTS AND FREEDOM
INDEX
PROLOGUE.........................................................3
THE BLUEPRINT OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR A DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
THE ESSENCE AND THE MEANING OF IT................................7
SECTION 1:
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STATE AND THE GOVERNMENT .............9
SECTION 2:
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND INDEPENDENCE.........................10
SECTION 3:
DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION OF THE PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT......12
SECTION 4:
RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE NATIONALITIES
AND THE SOLUTION OF THE KURDISH PROBLEM..........................14
SECTION 5:
RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES.............................................16
- Right to live
- Torture is a crime against humanity
- Immunity for individuals even if suspected of a crime
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of thought and freedom of the press
- Racism is a crime against humanity
- Freedom of movement
- Women, family and children
- All workers have the right to work, to make a living and to be part of an
organization
- Education and science are for people
- Health ,accommodation and transportation
- Culture and art
- Environment
- Sport
- The right to migrate
- Martyrs and relatives of martyrs
- The main duties of the citizens of the Democratic People's Republic
SECTION 6:
ECONOMY...........................................................25
The domination by imperialism and the monopolies cannot be permitted -
In rural areas the domination by the clan leaders will be terminated -
SECTION 7:
LEGISLATION.......................................................27
SECTION 8:
ADMINISTRATION....................................................29
SECTION 9:
LOCAL COUNCILS....................................................31
SECTION 10:
JUSTICE AND JUDGEMENT.............................................33
SECTION 11:
NATIONAL DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY;
PEOPLE'S ARMY AND POLICE..........................................35
SECTION 12:
TEMPORARY DECREES.................................................37
PROLOGUE
We submit the blueprint of the PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTION for
consideration by the people, which is designed as the constitution
of a Democratic People's Republic, and which we consider to be a
great step forward in the centuries long struggle of our peoples fo r
independence and democracy, and our way of taking part in uniting
the people who consist of different nationalities, beliefs and
occupations.
WORKERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, PEASANTS, TRADESMEN,
STUDENTS, THE UNEMPLOYED, RETIRED PERSONS,
DOCTORS, ENGINEERS, PRACTITIONERS OF LAW; Our
people from all occupations who use their brainpower and labour to
develop this country; WOMEN, MEN,YOUTH, PENSIONERS,
CHILDREN; Our people, no matter what their age and sex is;
TURKISH, KURDISH, LAZ, ARAB, GEORGIAN, CIRCASSIAN,
BOSNIAN; Our people, no matter what their origin; SUNNI,
SHI'A, NON-ISLAMIC; Our people, no matter what their beliefs
are, We are living in a country where; the rulers measure the
success of their rule by the number of youths they have murdered;
achieving notoriety abroad through drug smuggling, and at home
through engaging in counter-guerrilla activities; the rulers, from top
to bottom, are corrupt; record-breaking violations of human rights
in shape and form; villages are burned down; our national and
human honour is trampled upon; our languages, thoughts, papers
and books are banned; millions of our people are left unemployed;
our homes are destroyed; vicious exploitation takes place;
differences in income increase with every day that passes.
Everyone realised after the Susurluk scandal that those who ruled
this country for years are bosses, clan leaders, mafia mobsters, drug
smugglers and fascist murderers who are established in parliament,
the military and the police force. Everyone realised that the ones
who want the people to make sacrifices in the name of "peace and
stability!" and to increase the cost of living, are the mobsters
exposed by Susurluk, who are carrying out massacres for their so-
called "homeland and nation". All this is being done for their
benefit and the maintenance of this immoral regime.
And again, everyone realised that the strings of the mobsters
exposed by Susurluk lead to the MGK (National Security Council),
the parliament and all sorts of places. The state is Susurluk. It is
being realised that we live in a country which is led by mob sters.
WE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO A SITUATION WHERE THE
PEOPLE OF A COUNTRY ARE GOVERNED BY COUNTER-
GUERRILLA MOBS BUT NOT PARLIAMENT.
However, this is not our wish or choice. We want to be the people
of an independent, democratic, free and honourable country. Not
this.
IF,THIS IS ALSO WHAT YOU WANT, YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO OUR CALL.
OUR CALL is for an independent country.
OUR CALL is for a democratic country.
OUR CALL is for a free country.
OUR CALL is for the rights of people from all nationalities,
minorities and beliefs.
We announce our call by concretizing it with this blueprint of the
constitution. This constitution is a constitution which is based on
INDEPENDENCE, DEMOCRACY, RIGHTS FOR THE
NATIONALITIES and FREEDOM FOR ALL PEOPLES.
To have this constitution and to struggle for this constitution means
to struggle for an independent and democratic country.
WHY A NEW AND DIFFERENT CONSTITUTION?
We find it necessary to mention the hundreds or even thousands of
problems that we live with daily or witness in our streets, in our
workplaces, on our televisions. In fact, we know all these. Because
we confront them ourselves. The main ones being that;
we live with the difficulties of making a living and suffering from
poverty;
we live with unemployment;
health, education, accommodation are our problems, not those of
the monopolist bourgeoisie or the bosses. The education of our
children is a problem for us and we have to face the economic
obligations it imposes. No matter how hard we work, we cannot
solve these problems. We face forced migration. In the public
squares we are beaten by police. Our sons and daughters are
massacred on the mountains and in the streets or put in jail. Our
villages are burned down. We lose our homes. Our songs are
banned. Our la nguages are banned. Our political and religious
beliefs are being looked down on or slandered. Inflation and
excessive price rises are making us suffer. Our small tradesmen
suffer, not the monopolies or supermarkets. We are all being
cheated, and promises made to us are being reneged on.
The present regime and the previous governments, have not found a
solution to our problems over the past 75 years. Today is the same.
Neither the present government nor the opposition parties can be
the solution. They will not be the solution. They cannot be the
solution.
They have been ruling the country for decades. What they have
done so far is obvious. There are only blood, teardrops and poverty
in the picture they have drawn.
The rulers of the country are, at the same time, the creators of all
our problems. It is obvious now and from this point in time, we
cannot hope to obtain any solution for our problems from the
parties in the parliament or parliament itself. THESE CANNOT
SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS.
None of our problems can be solved by the parties that were set up
in line with the 1982 constitution, which was prepared by the
September 12th military junta. Neither the mechanisms for
legislation, and the administration which were put in place by the
sa me constitution is a solution. The state set up by the 1982
constitution cannot be a solution.
WHO CAN PREPARE THE CONSTITUTION TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AND HOW?
LET US, THIS TIME, PREPARE OUR OWN CONSTITUTION.
Since the beginning of the Republic of Turkey, four constitutions
have been in force to rule the country. Dozens of times, parts of
these constitutions were changed. None of them were prepared by
us - the pe ople. The ruling class, the bourgeoisie, prepared them
all. Together we live within this doctrine. We are the ones who bear
witness and suffer because of the things they have done.
Our problems were deepened with every new constitution. The
oppression upon us got worse. They said the constitution is too
loose for the people and so they made it tighter. Then they said it is
too tight and ripped it up. As a result, we could not have a
constitution which suited us. Because we were not the ones who
designed these constitutions. None of the alterations were made in
accordance with our demands. Let us prepare the constitution
ourselves, to rule ourselves.
Of course, it is important just to write a suitable constitution but as
it is, this will not be good enough. A constitution only on paper
cannot be a solution. We have to struggle for our constitution. With
our struggle, we have to create suitable conditio ns to enforce the
constitution.
The rulers of our country will, of course, not accept the blueprint
for a people's constitution which is being offered to the people to
be examined. Because in this constitution we foresee the rule by
the people, not by the rulers.
This constitution is in the interests of the majority. All guarantees
in it are for the people. That is why the organizations of this regime
which is based on exploitation will not establish a constitution like
this. They will not give it to us. We have to know how to take it for
ourselves.
In the parliament or by elections we cannot make them accept a
constitution like this. None of the parties will accept it. Look at the
world and remember history. People only took what they needed
through struggle. In the uprisings, extending from the time of Seyh
Bedreddin to today, the blood of the Anatolian people was spilled
in the fight for rights, justice and to end the reign of tyrants. We
gained our independence by fighting against imperialist occupation.
But later, we could not keep our independenc e and freedom safe.
Our blood is spilled in warfare and with every new legislation, they
put our lives in jeopardy. Neither the sultans, nor the single-party
system of CHP ( Republican People's Party) , nor DP ( Democrat
Party) and others gave anything to the people voluntarily. The
people resisted, rebelled, conquered the streets and got what they
wanted by being organized and brave.
OUR CALL IS FOR OUR PEOPLE!
The people is everyone;- workers, poor and middle-class peasants,
small urban/rural producers, the civil servants, tradesmen, students,
artists, intellectuals, pensioners, the unemployed - who respects the
national values; who wants an independent country and free
people; who is against the present regime, imperialism, monopolies,
exploitation and tyranny. An independent and democratic country
can only be established by the people. Because only an
independent and democratic country can serve them. We have t o be
in power to make our wishes come true and to solve our problems
with the abilities of our people and the opportunities of our
country. If the bosses are in power, of course, the state and
legislation will work for them. But if the people is in power,
everything will be for the people. That is why our whole struggle
must be for our sovereignty. This must be the priority target we aim
at. If we cannot reach it, our problems will not be completely
solved and one way or other, we shall not be free of the r egime of
exploitation and tyranny.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE.
IF WE WISH FOR SOMETHING WE WILL GET IT, IF WE
WISH FOR IT WE WILL ACHIEVE IT!
We are the real owners of this country. The values of this country
are ours. The producer and the creator is the people. The power of
people is based on struggle and organization in unity. There is
nothing more powerful than organized people who can make d
ecisions in every area and join the debates to produce ideas and
solutions. This power can do anything if it so wishes and can take
anything if it so wishes.
INTELLECTUALS; ARTISTS, UNIVERSITIES AND
TEACHERS; BODY OF LAWYERS; THE PROFESSIONAL
BOARDS; UNIONS OF THE WORKERS AND CIVIL
SERVANTS; DEMOCRATIC MASS ORGANIZATIONS;
PROGRESSIVE AND DEMOCRATIC ALL POLITICAL
MOVEMENTS; ORGANIZED/NON-ORGANIZED FORCES OF
THIS COUNTRY !
In particular, it is your responsibility to discuss this constitution, to
form and to make it the property of the people as a priority. If, the
meaning of being intellectual, professional and political is to feel
responsibility and insist upon bringing pro gress to the people; this
constitution is one of the tools to make progress possible.
This blueprint of the constitution, described as the People's
Constitution, does not claim to be excellent. It can be reshaped
again and again for the needs of the different sections of the
people. The main thing is to accept the demands in it. When it is
accepted, for the first time, a constitution will be discussed by the
people.
Let us discuss and make people discuss the constitution in the
district parliaments, trade unions, boards, organizations, body of
lawyers, workplaces, cafes and all associations and foundations - to
provide a way for people to decide their future.
This country is for the people who live in it. To live in peace is
only possible when everyone - all nations, nationalities or people
who have different beliefs - have the right to exist. By discussing
and struggling together for the rightful demands of al l sections of
the people, we can make living in freedom and brotherhood into a
reality.
We never thought and we do not think of this constitution as an
academic work or an article which will stay on paper. We aim to
give this constitution the mission to unite and move the masses of
people towards the aims of independence, democracy and libera
tion in the struggle for rights and freedom. We invite you to
discuss, to own this blueprint and to provide the unity of the
democratic forces around it and together to take the aims and the
demands of independence, democracy and the power of the people
to the masses of the people.
THE PLATFORM FOR RIGHTS AND FREEDOM
THE BLUEPRINT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
THE ESSENCE AND THE MEANING OF THE CONSTITUTION:
This constitution is a means of;
ensuring that all people who belong to different nationalities and
minorities sharing their lands for centuries shall live in
brotherhood;
Enabling them to live together decently and freely;
Giving value to labour and the proletariat. Seeing the interests,
independence and freedom of the people as the reason for its own
existence;
Originating from the people, people's demands and interests,
historical facts and people's struggle continuing over centuries
since the time of the Ottoman Empire.
The foundation stone of this constitution is liberation, democracy
and sovereignty for the people.
None of the changes in the constitution, laws or decrees made
according to the constitution can be against the independence of
the country and the free will of the people.
Constitutions and laws are not immutable. The main principle is
the interests of the people, not the laws. To make changes in both
the constitution and the laws, in the direction of;
- the interests and the changing necessities of the people,
- improving independence and democracy,
- ensuring the laws remain compatible with economic, political and
social progress,
- reducing to a minimum the differences between the classes of
society,
eventually, attaining a more equal, freer system is the prerequisite
of this constitution.
Our people have paid heavily and still do, in order to have the
independence and democracy which is what this constitution
means. This constitution is being drawn up because of these
deprivations. Any kind of interference with the power,
independence, demo cracy and the common interests of the people
will be a violation of this constitution. The people have gained
them by bearing a heavy price, they have the right to defend it with
the same determination.
It will be the people's duty, for their children who will inherit the
country, for the martyrs who struggled for independence and
democracy and for the future of the people and humanity.
The constitution of popular sovereignty is not like the bourgeois
regime which consists only of promises.
The sovereignty of the people legalizes the aims that can be reached
and applied.
That is why the duty of the people and the sovereignty of the
people is to create the legal, economic, political and social
conditions to make the laws of the constitution applicable.
The only constitutions that are good and useful are those that allow
the rights and liberties to be more than a dead letter.
This is the essence and the aim of this constitution.
SECTION 1 : THE STATE AND THE POWER ARE FOR PEOPLE
- The characteristics of the state and power
Decree 1- The state is a multi-national Democratic People's
Republic (DPR).
The Democratic People's Republic is a people-oriented state being
free, independent and democratic.
The DPR consists of the voluntary unity of the different minorities
and nationalities of Turkish and Kurdish background, and also
Arab, Laz, Georgian, Circassian, Bosnian etc.
WHY? Because our country is like a mosaic of different
nationalities and origins. These peoples were never enemies with
each other, they lived in brotherhood - except for a couple of
incidents - in spite of "the divide-and- rule" policies and attempts
of t he ruling classes for centuries to incite hatred between the
nationalities.
The rulers in our country, on the other hand, enforced a chauvinist
identity with the assimilation policies over the people consisting of
several nationalities for decades, and tried to prevent the identity,
honour and freedom struggle of the people by for ce and by
prosecute an unjust war.
The DPR aims to stop the assimilation and all kinds of oppression
and convert the historic brotherhood and togetherness of our
peoples into a free, voluntary union. When union is not voluntary,
there is always oppression and tyranny. Free and voluntary uni on
is the energy and the richness of the DPR.
Decree 2- The government of the DPR is the democratic
government of entire classes and sections of the people, except
imperialism and the collaborationist colonialist classes.
These classes and sections of the people from Turkish, Kurdish and
other nationalities are mainly: working class; poor and middle-class
peasants; rural/urban small-scale producers; tradesmen; artisans;
civil servants; students; intellectuals and everyone w ho - respects
the national values, wants an independent country and free people
and is against exploitation, tyranny, imperialism and the
monopolies.
WHY? Because, imperialism and the oligarchic regime of our
country which consists of the monopolist bourgeoisie, leaders of
the clans and usury merchants are the causes of the current
oppression and exploitation. Imperialism and the monopolies are
colonial ist, and this is the characteristic of their class. People
cannot give a colonialist power the opportunity to rule. The
government consists of classes and sections except for imperialism
and oligarchy.
An opportunity cannot be given to those who cheated people for
decades in every election, and turned the elections into a carnival of
liars. It is against the reason of the foundation and essence of the
DPR to change democracy into a game and elections to carnivals or
platforms for liars.
SECTION 2: THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE AND THE
BROTHERHOOD OF THE WORLD'S PEOPLES ARE THE
INDISPENSABLE PRINCIPLES OF THE REPUBLIC
- International Relations and Independence -
Decree 3- All kind of political, economic and social dependency
relations with imperialism will be ended and the independence of
our country will cover every area.
The real and only owner of the riches and resources on and under
the soil of our country is the people. Liberties cannot be given to
imperialists in our country.
Decree 4- In the international relations and foreign affairs, the DPR
is in solidarity with the countries ruled by the anti-imperialist
governments, the national liberation movements and the progressive
movements in capitalist countries and an implacable d efender of
the brotherhood of peoples.
Decree 5- International economic relations serve the development
of our country. No international agreements can be made which
will harm independence.
It is the principle of the DPR to be open in the policies of foreign
affairs. All the economic, political and military agreements signed
with other countries will be open to the public.
Decree 6- Dependency on and membership in imperialist
foundations like the IMF, World Bank and OECD will be
cancelled and further indebtedness and dependency on imperialism
will cease.
Decree 7- Membership of treaties and agreements whose purpose is
aggression - this mainly applies to NATO - will be terminated, and
the imperialist military bases on our land will be closed down.
Decree 8- All kinds of aggressive policies threatening peace at
home and abroad and making people enemies of each other will be
abandoned. A policy to develop the brotherhood, friendship and
solidarity of the peoples will be set in motion.
Relations with all countries, especially neighbouring countries, will
be based firstly on respect and friendship, and improved on the
basis of national interests and equality.
Decree 9- Hostile approaches inciting hatred between the people of
Turkey and Greece will be halted, and living in peace and
friendship will be the foundation stone of our policy.
Decree 10- An independent and democratic Cyprus, where Turkish
and Greek people live together in brotherhood, will be supported.
The Cyprus problem will be resolved on the basis of self-
determination of the island's people.
Decree 11- The DPR will oppose all aggressive policies threatening
the peace of the world's nations, and will be in solidarity with
oppressed people against their aggressor.
WHY? Because, for the last 50 years Turkish foreign policy has
been based upon degradation and a lack of respect. Our country has
been brought to a position of dependency on imperialism
economically, militarily and politically. The political parties of thi
s regime need the blessing of the US president to stay in power. As
a result of the dependency upon imperialism, our agricultural and
mineral/fuel resources were plundered by imperialist monopolies,
our land was occupied by military bases, our sons killed in the
Korean War in the interests of imperialism. The representatives of
the Turkish Republic at the UN voted against the independence of
other peoples.
The unequal and undeviating relationship with imperialism is a
one-way route to economic, social and political exploitation and
tyranny.
Democracy cannot be thought of as being separate from
independence. The independence of the country forms the basis of
democracy.
It is essential to take the actions stated above, to situate democracy
at its base, to be independent and protect the national dignity.
SECTION 3: THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH AND DECISION-
MAKING BELONG TO THE PEOPLE
- Democracy and the participation of people in government -
Decree 12- The people rule in the DPR. The participation of people
in government cannot be restricted to elections taking place every
four years. People can use the right and the authority to participate
in government continuously at every level. All legal and
administrative regulations are based on this.
Decree 13- The main form and institution of the participation of
people in government is through the parliaments. In the DPR,
people will use the rights of free speech and decision-making
directly through the parliaments. People elect, control and remove t
heir representatives, this is the principle of the people's
parliaments. People participate in the processes of decision-
making, applying and controlling administrative, economic and
political matters by being organized in local, territorial and
occupation al parliaments.
Decree 14- The participation of people in government will be
through;
the general people's parliament, territorial parliament, the
parliaments of cities, boroughs, towns, villages, districts,
the parliaments of workers , peasants, youths, tradesmen, state
officials, soldiers, intellectuals-artists, law practitioners, architects,
engineers etc.
and other classes and sections of the people will be able to use
their rights of free speech and decision-making by participating in
social, occupational, trade unionist organizations and political
parties.
Decree 15- The political parties can be founded without any
permission, and begin to operate freely by declaring their
manifestos to the official institutions and popular opinion. In order
to participate in determining policies in a democratic way, every c
itizen has the right to found a political party, be a member of the
existing parties and terminate his/her membership. The regulations,
manifesto and activities of the political parties should not violate
democracy, the national independence and the princi ples of the
constitution of the DPR.
Decree 16- People have the right to remove elected representatives
at every level of organizations in cases of: failing the perform their
duties effectively, failing to represent the sections of the electorate
who voted the person into power, commiting pol itical and moral
crimes against the people and the power of the people. The ability
to remove representatives is an unrelenting provision of a
democratic government. The necessary conditions to withdraw the
representative, in cases of the above-mentioned c rimes, is the
decision of the majority of the voters whose percentage will be
defined by the law.
WHY? Because for decades the power of bourgeois parties turned
the elections into the races to make promises. Had they been
successful and fulfilled half or even one-tenth of their promises
made during the election campaigns, and implemented rights and
lib erties implemented properly, people would not have any
problems at all. Poverty would be demolished. But, unfortunately,
the last 50 years of our history, under the rule of various parties, are
full of deception and mockery, and in spite of the assurances given
in the elections, people faced nothing but bloodbaths and poverty.
The proof and application of democracy cannot be the votes once in
every 4-5 years. Democracy is defined in the science of politics as
the participation of people in power. The applications in our
country, for decades, have not been democratic. They were b ut a
game to cover up the dictatorship of a minority over the people. The
DPR will end this game and will be the practitioner of real
democracy. The main and only form of this is the direct
participation of the people in power. Within these boundaries, wit
hout the rights of free speech and free political affiliation, there can
be no mention of democracy.
The DPR makes it possible for people to use their right of
decision-making by encouraging and guaranteeing the rights of free
speech and participation in organisations through various ways.
Our people know very well that, the representatives ( MPs) forget
their voters as soon as they are elected, forget promises given and
obey the leader of their party without regret and accountability. In
the People's Republic, as a way to complete democracy , the
electors will have the right to control, sack and remove the MPs on
a continuous basis. The greatest guarantor of democracy and
independence is through the discussion and participation of the
people in decision-making at every level.
Decree 17- The DPR aims to minimize bureaucracy, enabling the
people to use their right of participation in power directly. All
existing bureaucratic institutions will be open to the control of
people's organisations.
WHY? Because bureaucracy is nothing but a body formed as a
result of the distance and alienation between the people and the
power (government). This bulky and oppressive body is borne by
the people. The only way to be rid of it is, by the people having the
ability to elect, control and remove the personnel regardless of
being a judge, councillor or anybody within the mechanisms of
state. This will prevent the corruption, indolence and the arbitrary
(discretionary) and oppressive application of power against the
people.
SECTION 4: EVERY NATION HAS THE RIGHT OF SELF-
DETERMINATION AND ITS USE CANNOT BE PREVENTED
- The right of self-determination of nations and solution for the
Kurdish question -
Decree 18- The DPR is the unconditional defender of the right of
self-determination of nations and obligate itself to create the
conditions needed to use this right. The sources of national
oppression are imperialists and local (domestic, indigenous) colla
borationist classes. The state's essence was laid bare by Susurluk.
The power of people will destroy the source of national oppression
by the taking of power from imperialists and collaborationists.
Decree 19- The DPR guarantees the right of self-determination,
including the right of separation of the Kurdish people, according
to the principles of self-determination of nations.
The DPR will abolish all institutions and practices such as: "states
of emergency", government's armed village guards, annexation and
assimilation of Kurdistan by Turkey, and take the necessary action
for the economic, social and cultural development of th e Kurdish
people. The development of Kurdistan will be a priority to
eliminate the inequality which has arisen out of the previous
system.
Decree 20- The DPR prefers the unity of the nations under a single
state, bearing in mind the right of self-determination of nations,
rather than separate independent states. To share natural resources
and to be a united economic, politic and military powe r against
imperialism is in the common interests of both nations.
Decree 21- The nations and national minorities comprising the
DPR share the power and management of the republic. None of the
nations is "primary" or "secondary". The union of peoples cannot be
secured by just giving them some of the rights or leaving the
decision or initiative to a nation to decide about the rights of other
nations.
The nations or national minorities comprising the republic share
the management in every area such as; economic, political, military,
social, cultural etc. and this is the principle of the DPR.
Decree 22- The DPR guarantees the national, social and cultural
rights of nations and national minorities comprising the republic,
and in order to protect and develop their languages and cultures,
creates the appropriate conditions and opportunities.
WHY? Because,the governments- who created the "Kurdish
question" ,did not find a solution. For years they massacred the
people who wanted a solution, and as a consequence, made our
country and people suffer. The resources of our country were used
to contin ue these massacres for decades. The benefits of this
policy were shared by monopolies, bourgeois and also clan leaders,
while the people suffered massacres and poverty. The DPR will
solve this problem absolutely. The freedom of the people is one of
the vit al conditions of independence and democracy.
Real independence and democracy are possible under the
conditions of freedom and self-determination of people. The right
of separation should not frighten anybody. The ones who converted
our country to a "bloodbath" used 'separatism' as an excuse for
years , but on the other hand, they were the real 'separatists'.
When the rights of indigenous language and self-determination are
not given to the nations, rebellion is unavoidable and it becomes
their right. There should be recognition of a nation's needs. This is
the only way to live in brotherhood. "Right of separat ion" does not
mean a definite separation. Free peoples will prefer to live together.
If they do not wish to do this, they would be using their natural
rights.
There is a reality which is proven by history; "nations oppressing
other nations cannot themselves be free!"
For the sake of their own liberties, the nations of the DPR
recognise the rights and liberties of all nations.
During the governments of colonialists and despots ( i.e. the
governments of the DYP, ANAP, CHP, MHP, RP and others), our
people lost thousands of their sons and daughters. It is not possible
to bring them back. The only consolation for their loss is the f
reedom of all nations comprising the DPR. To recognise the rights
of nations is a moral and political duty for all nations.
SECTION 5: BASIC RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES ARE
IMPERATIVE CONDITIONS OF REAL DEMOCRACY
- Rights and Liberties -
Decree 23- All individuals - each a personality in their own right -
have untouchable and untransferable basic human rights and
liberties.
Decree 24- The state abolishes all political, economic and social
obstructions that limit the basic rights and liberties of individuals
and as such, are not compatible with the principles of social justice
and law, and it creates the necessary conditions t o develop
individuals both physically and mentally.
WHY? Because, democracy always became a demagogic tool for
the governments. But in reality, they were the ones obstructing
democracy. This is very normal. Because the system is anti-
democratic anyway. Oppression and terror directly arise from this
regime. This cannot be accepted from a state and governments
trying hard to keep such a state alive, for this is incompatible with a
democratic system. That is why people will make their own
constitution, establish a state to serve the people and secure their
righ ts and liberties through struggle.
It is obvious that there can never be rights and liberties in a country
which is not independent and where the people are not represented.
Only a democratic and independent republic organised to serve the
people can provide these conditions. The historical duty and
mission of the DPR is to succeed in this.
Decree 25- Right to Live
Every individual has the right to live.
The right to live can only be restricted in cases of treason and
crimes against humanity.
Decree 26- Torture is a crime against humanity
No person can be treated with torture or cruelty (ill-treatment) and
punished in an inhuman or humiliating way .
Decree 27- Individuals have the right of immunity regardless of
being a "suspect".
a) The individual who is in custody, is informed immediately of the
reason/s why he/she was arrested.
b) Any person sentenced, has the right to appeal to the Higher
People's Court.
c) A suspect is not a criminal until he or she has been proved
completely guilty.
d) No person can be accused of an action which was not classified
as a crime by law at the time of the action. After the commitment of
crime, if there is a legal reduction in punishment, the criminal can
take advantage of it.
Decree 28- No person's private life, family, home and
communication can interfered arbitrarily or illegally. No
individual's personality and pride can come under attack.
Decree 29- Freedom of belief
a) Religious belief is a personal matter. Everyone has the right to
religious beliefs, and freedom not to believe also.
b) As a guarantee of freedom of belief, sanctuaries and worshippers
will be protected. The necessary number of social security benefits
for the personnel of the sanctuaries will be provided.
c) No person can be oppressed or condemned because of his/her
religious beliefs or lack of them.
d) Using the peoples' religious beliefs to found a theocratic,
reactionary and colonialist state cannot be allowed.
WHY? Because beliefs are the parts of a culture which are kept
alive by people for decades. Being human can only be defined as
thoughts and beliefs and that is why it is necessary to classify the
religious beliefs of people as principally important rights and
liberties, unless they damage the interests of people, serve a
particular imperialist and reactionary country or colonialist classes
and are converted into a physical and moral implement for
exploitation.
On the basis of this understanding, the DPR will solve the artificial
problems raised by the ruling classes , i.e. the "turban "problem, by
protecting the liberties and privacy of people's beliefs and
lifestyle.Conversely, the political and economic usage of religious
beliefs as an implement for reactionary, fascist, colonialist and
despotic systems will not be allowed.
Decree 30- Freedom of Thoughts and Press
a) Unless it is against the constitution and common interests of
people, every citizen has the right to declare and broadcast his/her
thoughts by using any kind of medium, and get information from
public sources without censorship.
b) Everyone has right to learn, teach, declare, publish and do
research in science and art freely. The DPR supports and
encourages scientific research.
c) Every citizen, unless it is against the interests and constitution,
has a right to print, publish and distribute periodic or non-periodic
publications. The communication networks, i.e. press, radio and
television are under the management and control of people and
their organised forces.
d) Media activities, publishers, paper stocks, transportation
vehicles and other financial necessities for organising the people's
forces are provided by the state.
WHY? Because, in the regimes a small minority exploits the
majority of people, and oppresses them in order to continue the
exploitation. The ruling classes ban thoughts and reveal these
thoughts to prevent the people seeing the reality and becoming
aware a nd therefore knowledgable.
These oppressions took place in a variety of ways; applying
censorship, collecting and destroying books, newspapers,
magazines, shutting down publishers, raiding the media bureaus
and thereby violating their own rules, arresting, torturing and
murdering jo urnalists.
Our people consist of different classes and sections, each of them
show differences in their interests, ideology and culture.
Consequently, they will have different thoughts. The DPR
guarantees all principles. The thoughts, interests, demands,
ideology and culture of the classes and sections of people and will
have exposure to these thoughts through the media.
In the interests of people and humanitarian values, the DPR finds it
necessary to stop fascist and chauvinist propaganda which incites
the hatred between peoples, encourages corruption and
degeneration, and for a decade, made people of the world live in wa
r and brutality, proving its character as a public enemy.
The DPR sees it as a duty to struggle against these kind of thoughts
through legal, ideological and cultural ways.
Decree 31- Racism is an offence against humanity
a) No person can be outcast, insulted,oppressed or privileged
because of his/her race and nationality.
b) None of the racist, chavinist, invader institutions and activities
which incite the hatred between peoples and aim to distort national
values through degeneration are allowed.
Decree 32- Freedom to participate in organisations
a) The working class and peasants,the public servants (state
officials), small-scale tradesmen, women, youth have the freedom to
participate in occupational, cultural, political and social
organisations.
The state supports and encourages the people's forces to use their
freedom to participate in organisations.
b) Rights and liberties to participate in organisations covers all
state officials (public servants), including military personnel and
police, in parliaments, unions and every level.
c) Everyone has the right to organise and participate in peaceful
meetings and demonstration marches without any permission.
Financial and other support, i.e. building, area, transportation
vehicles etc are provided for the meetings and demonstration march
es, for the benefit of the people.
WHY? Because freedom on its own has no meaning unless
providing the freedom to participate in organisations and
organising public demonstrations. Disorganised classes and
sections will not be able to use their right of free speech and
decision-making. Tha t is why these liberties are secured by the
DPR as the culmination of freedom of thought. The DPR will not
let these liberties be a dead letter in practice.
If this is not done, as happens today, the police will attack the
legal/illegal public demonstrations, carry out massacres during
mass political protests, raid and shut down the unions and
associations. The political landscape of our country will not chang
e. The DPR exists to change this landscape.
Decree 33- Women, family and children
a) By providing the economic freedom of the individual within
THE family, the material environment for changing the reactionary
and patriarchal relations based upon financial interests will be
ensured in the institution of the family.
b) At every level, economic, political, social, cultural, etc in all
areas, men and women are equal.
c) All efforts are taken to encourage womens' participation in the
organisations and management of state, to gain consciousness and
be active at every level.
d) To use women as a commercial implement or merchandise
because of sexuality is not allowed.
e) Official or not, no brothels can operate. In order to abolish the
cause of prostitution, the necessary economic and social
precautions are taken.
f) By keeping in mind the social importance of motherhood and
child care, it is the state's duty to establish day nurseries and child
care centres.
g) It is not allowed to compel pregnant women to work until full
term. Working women on maternity leave are paid.
h) Children cannot be employed as workers. The use of child
labour is forbidden.Children of school age cannot be employed.
i) By keeping in mind the inheritors of the future, all opportunities
are provided for youths who are the architects of the future's
society, to help them be healthy, productive and patriotic.
Decree 34- Every labourer has security of employment, to make a
living and participate in trade unions; all necessary legislation
concerning working life are made by the workers' parliaments.
a) Employment is the right of every citizen. This right is under the
protection of the state.
b) To provide the economic and social development of labourers, a
salary policy is secured by the state.
c) Every labourer has the right to rest. The conditions are provided
to fund holiday opportunities and minimize working hours
according to the situation of the day and difficulty of the job.
d) To strike is a right. Lockouts are prohibited.
e) In rural and urban areas, necessary help is provided to develop
the social, economic and political organisations of labourers, i.e.
parliaments, trade unions etc. Labourers, peasants, public servants
(state officials) and tradesmen have the right to dec ision-making
and the freedom to express their views on their own or
national/international matters. "A political prohibition" cannot be
used against labourers and their organisations.
f) All legislation regarding ethics are arranged with the
participation of labourers' parliaments.
g) State officials (public servants) have the right of free speech and
decision-making at every level through their parliaments.
h) Disabled and retired persons will not be downgraded in value
and their rights will be secured; In the DPR, disabled persons and
labourers losing the ability to work due to accidents, retirement,
sickness etc. are supported by helping them to lead a norm al life.
Because the previous regime classified the old, disabled and retired
people as "useless", and devalued their efforts by casting them out
because of the greed of bosses to get more profit out of workpower.
The DPR takes it as a duty to create an environment where retired
persons are treated respectfully for their services and are in a
comfortable position financially, and the disabled can participate in
active social life.
i) The provision of jobs and social security for all working forces
will be secured through the foundation of necessary institutions.
j) An unemployed person who wants to work but could not be
successful in finding a job will receive unemployement benefit
according to the social security scheme.
k) Small-scale producers are supported with credits, production
implements and a base-price policy for their yields. They are
encouraged to organise in co-operatives.
l) The DPR makes efforts to solve the problems of the workers
abroad; their dignity is protected against the abusive attacks and
they are supported by all means, i.e. economically, politically,
socially etc.
In order to help them to keep their national and traditional values,
the necessary institutions are founded and an active and widespread
policy is enforced.
WHY? Because production is a social and collective activity. The
creators are labourers.It is the right of productive workers to
participate in the planning, distribution and partition of what is
produced. Every DPR citizen has the right of employment, par
ticipation in organisations in their workplaces and free speech and
decision-making in every stage of the production process. The
production workers and their relations are the majority of our
population and that is why they cannot be out of the management
of our country. Otherwise, the building of democracy cannot be
accomplished. A democratic country and government pays respect
to the efforts of workers.
It is the duty of the DPR to provide these essentials - democratic
regulations in working life - no matter what the conditions are.
Unemployment is not a destiny for millions of people. No-one can
be left alone without job security.
The DPR will change the so-called destiny of all workers who is
forced to work as slaves, is in constant fear of losing a job and
dying or becoming disabled in a workplace accidents. This is one
of the fundamental aims of the DPR.
Decree 35- Education and science are for the people
a) Syllabuses of education will be reconstructed in a way that, the
youth who is alienated from his/her national and traditional values
and culture, will regain these values, and education will serve for
the development of our country and expanding the nat ional
treasury. The DPR understands the system of education, as having
socialist, patriotic, progressive, scientific and in mental, physical
and technical dimensions.
b) The state secures the right of being educated for all citizens.
Primary and secondary level education is compulsory for every
citizen.
c) Education is the duty of the state. All private universities and the
ones which are founded by holdings, companies or foundations will
be shut down and private and priviliged education will not be
allowed.
d) Education is free at every level. There will be no registration fees
or expenditures. The state will provide accomodation (dormitories),
food, educational tools etc and other necessities for students.
e) The DPR facilitates literacy and prevents restrictions on scope in
education by providing people with education at multi-dimensional
levels.
f) The conditions for higher education are provided for everyone.
g) In every school, fascist, reactionary, chauvinist syllabuses in
education will be wiped out and for the benefit of people, they are
rearranged on an independent and democratic basis to develop the
creativity and productivity of people .
h) Universities are organised as democratic institutions to serve the
people.
i) Children of workers and peasants are given priority in education,
by founding People's Universities.
j) YOK (Council of Higher Education) and similar institutions will
be eliminated and universities will be reorganised as democratic
institutions. The personnel and equipment will be supplied for a
better education.
All academic posts granted by YOK will be submitted to scrutiny.
k) Universities are directed by University Councils consisting of
students, academics, personnel and the representatives of people's
parliament. In the democratization of universities, the maximum
participation of students is essential, as well as academic s and
personnel. The security of universities will be provided by
students' parliaments.
WHY? Because it is obvious that, a new generation cannot carry
the country forward where the education is depraved, chauvinist
and reactionary. High schools and universities are transformed into
military barracks. This is exactly what the rulers wanted. Th ese
policies were intensified since the September 12th, 1980 military
junta, when the youth wer described as "distrusted" and "suspects".
Instead of providing scientific development, solving peoples'
problems and wiping out inequalities; the concept of edu cation
was to encourage the growth of qualified personnel for the benefit
of monopolies and to shape an apolitical generation to obey the
regime.The system was made far from being scientific. The
scientific and administrative initiatives of the universitie s were
abolished. They were ruled by oppressive policies and directives of
the governments.
The structure of education - from bottom to top - has to be changed.
The decomposition in education cannot be cured without a radical
operation. Healthy minds cannot be grown. The DPR has to
reorganise science and education, from the beginning, to cover th e
economic, social and cultural requirements of people for an
indefinite period.
Decree 36- Health, Accommodation, Transport
a) Everyone has the right to live a healthy and secure life. The state
provides all kinds of health services free of charge, since human life
is valuable.
b) All hospitals and health centres will be organised under the
management of local administrations, and hospitals will reach the
minimum standards as personnel and instrumentation all over the
country.
c) None of the health centres can be used as a place of trade. The
primary targets of the health policy to achieve, are; extending the
protective health service to the furthest point in our country,
protecting our medical industry against the domination of
imperialist monopolies, reshaping medical education according to
the conditions of our people and country, institutionalizing the
presence of doctors in the workplaces and extending the medical
institutions to all boroughs.
d) Everyone has the right to have a sanitary home. The state will
use all its power to solve the accommodation problem.
It is the priority of the people's government to make the shantytown
houses strong and healthy, to make good the infrastructure
deficiencies in shantytowns, i.e., road, water, electricity, health
centres etc, and build housing estates to replace the houses that
cannot be repaired.
e) No residences can be demolished without providing an
alternative one.
f) No-one can keep an extra empty house. People have the right to
occupy the houses which have been left empty for more than a year.
g) Transportation will be re-organised for the necessity and benefit
of people. Mass transportation is the key solution in the
development and re-organisation of this problem. Railways will be
improved as well as the mass transportation in and out of the c
ities, and the main part of the investments will be divided into these
two sections. The tolls on the bridges and motorways will be
demolished and the private companies in transportation will be
nationalized. The care, restoration and servicing will be und er
control of the state.
WHY? Because, infrastructure problems, like health,
accommodation and transportation are the main problems of
people. Every policy of the rulers did nothing but made the
problems worse. The use by the state of institutions like sinecures
and privatisation policies paralysed the state hospitals and health
problems arose; the plundering, wrong base-price policies in rural
areas and destructions of the villages created migration towards the
cities and together with shantytowns an accommodation problem
arose; o nly investing in motorways and private transportation to
serve monopolies created the transportation problem.
The health and transportation sectors were at the service of the
people who could effort them. The accommodation problem became
like a gangrene, and the demolition of the shantytowns reached
dramatic dimensions.
The DPR exists to solve the problems of people, not of
monopolies. In order to solve the urgent problems of people, the
DPR will direct financial resources to these problems.A life can be
said to be human if it is a healthy one and has a roof over its head .
Decree 37- Culture and art
a) The primary duties of people's government are; to stop the
degeneration in the structure of our culture, develop the historical
traditions and culture of our people and lead to extending the
horizons of our cultural values.
All actions will be taken to abolish the uncaring, degenerate,
individualist and consuming culture of imperialism and to construct
a revolutionary and patriotic culture on the basis of people's values
and traditions.
b) The DPR, aims to implement economic and social regulations to
abolish the moral degeneration, individualist ideology and culture
and the crimes of theft and prostitution. Because cultural
restoration is not possible without destroying the social base of
moral degeneration.
c) The economic and political barriers in front of the development
of thought, art and science are lifted and in the name of art, to
encourage the degeneration, immorality and destruction of people's
traditional values is not allowed.
d) Artists are encouraged to participate in the intellectual-artist's
parliaments and the cultural centres are established with the
support of people's parliaments. The ministry of culture supports
the associations, parliaments and co-operatives of artists .
e) The inheritance, traditional values, architectural and historical
monuments and relics of Anatolia going back thousands of years
are under protection and for the peoples' use of people.The ancient
monuments and valuables stolen by imperialists belong to the
peoples of Anatolia. All efforts are to be spent to bring them back.
WHY? Because every day of our lives is under the influence of the
distorted culture of capitalism. Our lives are under siege by the
madness of consumerism, moral degeneration, prostitution, drug
addiction, gambling, football fanaticism and so-called musici ans,
actors, authors etc who recommend all these. The best values of our
people are under threat from individualism and dreams of becoming
wealthy without toil. The values of our people have been badly
damaged. That is why the DPR aims to form a culture wh ich will
recover the positive side of the traditions and values of our people,
such as sharing, love, respect, co-operation, sacrifice, and restore
the damage done, and lead to the protection of people from the
effects of the degenerate culture of imperial ism and capitalism
through the management and participation of parliaments in
forming institutions and policies.
Decree 38- Environment
a) The industrial investments and projects, contaminating the
natural environment and threatening the people's health are not
allowed. All factories, workshops etc. have to take efficient
precautions to prevent pollution, i.e. filters, purification and sto
rage of the residues.
b) In the production of consumer goods,it is encouraged to use the
proper raw and packaging materials to prevent environmental
pollution.
c) It is the duty of local administrations (councils) to deal with the
problems of rubbish collection and sewage. Under no
circumstances can the local councils leave people to live with
rubbish. This matter is under the control of the relevant
parliaments.
d) Special precautions are taken to protect the habitat.
WHY? Because an healthy life is only possible with an healthy
environment. We all know that it is not possible to protect the
habitat in a country where everything is arranged for the benefit of
monopolies and plunderers' rule. Plundering the coasts, destr oying
the forests, polluting our seas, lakes and rivers, threatening people's
health with the poisonous products and residues of the factories
were allowed and the massacre of environment took place with the
sanction of governments for the benefit of a sma ll group of people.
The DPR feels the responsibility to implement tough precautions
against the environmental crimes. The habitat and territories of
natural beauty belong to people, and no projects or investments can
be a danger to people's health.
Decree 39-SPORTS
The DPR, with the understanding of seeing sports and holidays as a
natural right, builds its facilities to cover the sports, and holiday
necessities of the people and do the necessary legal and
administrative arrangements.
Sport is not a commercial matter. That is why sport will be
provided to serve mental and physical health and the growth of
people with the spirit of brotherhood and collective solidarity. By
supporting the amateur sports, widespread sports units will be fo
unded to give the people easy access to participate in sports. The
conditions are organised for the masses to participate in sports, and
not just the minority.
WHY? Because sport has become a wound for the country, rather
than an implement to give dynamism to the masses. Sports, which
have been focused on professional clubs, exist to earn money for
the minority, and have become a tool for depoliticisation, and ha ve
focused on making them unaware of the countries problems,
causing the hostility of the masses towards each other. The number
of lives taken by football fanaticism has proved the seriousness of
the situation. The DPR aims to change the landscape with the ideas
of brotherhood among the people, and physical education which is
the essence of sport.
DECREE 40- RIGHT OF ASYLUM
The DPR, recognises the right of asylum for foreign nationals who
have been oppressed because of participating in political
movements, struggle and scientific activities, or nationals who have
been oppressed because of their art by reactionary regimes, or
revolutionaries, strugglers for national liberation, defenders of
rights, etc.
DECREE 41- MARTYRS AND THE RELATIVES OF
MARTYRS.
The DPR keeps alive the memory of those who became immortal in
the struggle for the freedom of the people, and protects their legacy,
such as determination, self-sacrifice, loyalty to the ideology and
bravery, as values in the minds of the people.
The relatives, children of martyrs and veterans will be under the
protection of the state, and all necessities for their life and
education will be provided.
DECREE 42- THE MAIN DUTIES OF THE CITIZENS OF THE
DPR
The main duty is to protect the interests of the people, the
motherland and its institutions. This is sacred and is the proud duty
of every citizen of the DPR.
SECTION 6: PRODUCTION, SHARING AND CONSUMPTION,
SALARIES AND PRICES CAN BE ORGANISED ACCORDING
TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, NOT OF IMPERIALISM
AND MONOPOLIES
-Economy-
DECREE 43-THE ECONOMIC DOMINATION OF
IMPERIALISM AND MONOPOLIES CANNOT BE ALLOWED.
The DPR applies the economic and political policies which will
develop the production forces and stop the economic domination of
imperialism and oligarchy which are preventing the development of
our country.
DECREE 44-
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE ECONOMIC POLICIES IS THE
NEEDS AND BENEFITS OF OUR PEOPLE.
To achieve this principle , there must be nationalisation of all the
monopolies which are owned by and are under the control of the
oligarchy.
DECREE 45
In the DPR, trade and industry, the wealth from agriculture and
farming, and all production units whether under the ground or on
the surface will be under the common ownership of the people.
DECREE 46
The banks, seaports, airports, institutions of transportation and
communication and electricity will be owned and controlled by the
state.
DECREE 47
Production will be organised according to a planned economic
policy which will provide the peoples' welfare, economic and
social rights.
There is no permission to turn property into a monopoly or a cartel.
The economy is developed on the basis of heavy industry to make
the national economy complete and sufficient, agriculture is
modernised to become part of the industry.The economy is planned
so that it does not allow inflation to affect the living standards of
the people, and that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent
this.
Capitalism is an unplanned economy which is dependent on
inflation, where the equilibrium between production and
consumption is forced. The sources of our country are to be used
carefully and a justified sharing system created, so that the
conditions for i nflation and the necessity to increase prices will be
demolished.
WHY? Because, the economy of our country has never been free
from the directives and plunderers of imperialism since the
beginnings of the republic. After 1950 the whole of the applied
economic policies were planned in imperialist centres and were
dictated to the governments of the country.
Our economy is dictated by the IMF, World Bank, etc. That is why
the peoples' share of this economy was always a tighter belt. a
bitter pill.
Because the whole of the economic packages was devised to solve
the problems of the international monopolies and their
collaborationists like TUSIAD, and not the economic problems of
the people.
Degistirmeliyiz mi? (A peoples' republic which guards its
independence against imperialism will of course not allow the IMF
or the World Bank to interfere or decide the economy, no bad
things can be stopped in a society where ferocious exploitation
takes p lace. That is why the economy of the DPR will be managed
with plans and programmes to abolish exploitation.)
In a society where the exploitation takes place in a very hard wy, it
is impossible to stop the unfair and unjustice practises and
oppression. That is why, the economy of DPR will be planned and
managed to abolish he exploitation.
DECREE 48
A justified tax system according to the revenue level will be formed
and that this revenue will be used for the peoples'
prosperity/welfare.
WHY? Because, the revenues are an income for the owners of the
system of exploitation and theft. All existing tax regulations and
types will be abolished, the rates of the taxes will be shared by
considering the income differences between the employees and the
employers, and there will be no indirect taxation on the basic
essentials of the peoples' needs. It will be targeted to minimise the
taxation and, eventually to abolish the taxation of workers and
replace it with a salary policy, taking into considera tion the
economic, social and cultural necessities of the people.
DECREE 49
The economic and political sovereignty of the clan leaders and land
owners in rural areas will be abolished.
DECREE 50
Widespread land and agriculture reforms will be implimented, the
land will be distributed for the necessities of the peasants by
considering their needs and the national quality of the land. These
distributed lands cannot be bought, sold or transferred to others .
The lands of the landowners of the oligarchie regime will be
nationalised, a wide land reform will be in practise and these lands
will be distributed to the landless or poor peasants according to
their needes and without destroying the national property of these
lands. The distributed lands can not be sold or transferred.
DECREE 51
Agricultural institution and farms established as great agricultural
units will be under the control of the agricultural workers and will
be part of the planned economy. In the DPR, small- and medium-
scale institutions which produce according to the planne d
economy and the necessities of the people, will be able to work
legally.
DECREE 52
In live stockbreeding, the breeders will be supported and their debts
to the previous system will be cleared. They are encouraged to
organise in collective units. If the poor peasants and small
producers don't get enough support, new landlords and usury me
rchants will inevitably arise. The poor people will be obliged to
take necessary actions and organize to stop this.
DECREE 53
It is a principle to pay the producers accordingly to the fixation of
the base prices. The producers determine the base prices, workers
and the People's Institutions also have the right to free speech and
decision-making.
DECREE 54
Peasants are encouraged to organize a collective production units
on economic matters and are encouraged to be organised in peasant
paliaments on political matters. Peasants have the right to use their
free speech and decision-making rights through these i nstitutions.
DECREE 55
All the forests, seas, lakes and rivers belong to the people. The
yields of these resources are shared by the people, and mainly by
the locals. The security and welfare of these resources is the duty of
the organized people.
SECTION 7 - LEGISLATION IN THE DPR IS FOR THE
NECESSITIES, COMFORT AND SECURITY OF THE PEOPLE.
-Legislation-
DECREE 56
The General People's Parliament is the highest office in the DPR.
GPP consists of the representatives whom elected in the local and
different sectional assemblies.
DECREE 57
The fundament of the formation of the legislative and admiistrative
mechanisms in DPR is; To implement the command of people from
bottom to top by using their rights of free speech and decision
making in their assemblies in villages, boroughs, towns, citie s and
regions. It means that, the people-workers, public servants, women,
men, youngstrs, old pensioners-will enforce their commands in
their assemblies which are formed for the benefits of people. A
parliament, which is not under control of people for 4-5 years, can
not be the tool and form of democracy. In DPR, the power of
people takes place in this type of formation of legislative and
administrative mechanism.
The General People's Parliament is comprised of the elected
representatives who are elected every four years in a general
election.
DECREE 58
The half of the members of GPP consists of the representatives
whom elected in regional assemblies according to the population of
electors and the other half consists of the representatives of the
assemblies ofworker, public servant, student, tradesmen, mi litary
personnel, law practitioner, intellectual and artist.
The duty and authority of the General People's Parliament are:
To change the constitution.
To make laws
To confirm the council of ministers, its programme and budget.
To ratify international treaties.
To elect the Council of the People's Parliament.
To arrange the procedures for general partial or special amnesty.
To announce territorial or general "War Situations", a state of
emergency and mobilization in order to defend the country and the
constitutional system.
DECREE 59
The right of making constitutional suggestions belongs to the
following institutions and individuals.
REPUBLIC MANAGEMENT COUNCIL DIRECTORATE,
GOVERNMENT AND THE GENERAL PEOPLE'S
PARLIAMENT MEMBERS.
Democratic mass organisations and parliaments, trade unions,
associations, etc. which have a sufficient number of members, can
elect a representative for the General People's Parliament,
considering a change in the nation. A group of voters which
consists of sufficient people to elect a representative.
DECREE 60
The decision in the General People's Parliament (GPP) can be
taken by one member of half the representatives, all decisions, laws
of the GPP will be debated by the people in the peoples'
organisations, except in emergency situations. The necessary
conditio ns and time will be provided for the people to discuss and
debate and state their opinions.
DECREE 61
None of these institutions can veto or cancel the decree of the GPP.
The decisions of the GPP can only be vetoed once by the
directorate so that they can be debated in the parliament and the
peoples' institutions.
In every level, the participation and confirmation of the
organisations of people is taken as a base of GPP, during and at the
end of the period of debating, decision and law making.
DECREE 62
The government can make the laws and regulations with the co-
operation of the directorate. The regulations have to be presented in
the first working day of the parliament. If the parliament refuses the
law, the regulation is cancelled.
DECREE 63
All institutions like political parties, mass organisations, trade
unions etc. which are founded according to the constitution can
support or put up candidates at all levels in elections.
DECREE 64
Every citizen can elect and be elected. The minimum age to elect is
18 and to be elected is 20. The right to elect and be elected can be
restricted in the cases of political activities such as founding a
fascist regime and causing or allowing our country t o become
dependent on imperialism again.
DECREE 65
The members of the GPP, according to the principles of the
election, can be removed from their post if the majority of the
electors object.
DECREE 66
The local people's parliaments are the local governmental
institutions which represent the people and have been elected as
members.
DECREE 67
The GPP members representing any of the cities are at the same
time natural members of the people's parliament who are of the
same city, they possess the equal right to vote.
WHY? Because democracy does not only state that citizens should
only elect their representatives and transfer their rights of free
speech and decision-making to their representatives, because the
real managers are the people and the people should have the ability
to use their authority and duty at every level, so the whole
mechanism for legislation must be arranged for these purposes. It is
only possible to make the laws suitable for peoples' benefit and
prevent the corruption of legislative bodies through the
participation of people in the mechanisms and make them debate,
suggest and make decisions if only legislation is arranged for this
purpose so that the country becomes a country under the
management of the people.
It is suggested that the age to vote should be 16, because it should
be noted that the youth of this age have shown great courage and
have struggled for their rights and country. One example of this is
the Gazi Uprising, another reason being that with the age of
technology our youth can see the reality of the world sooner. The
people's state wants to create a youth outside the bourgeoisie's
educational system and make the youth have responsibilities.
SECTION 8: THE MANAGEMENT IN THE DPR IS NOT OVER
THE PEOPLE BUT IS THERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE
-Management-
DECREE 68
The members of general, regional and local assemblies have no
different immunities or privileges than people before the law. The
legal laws and regulations of the republic are applied for all
citizens.
The Republic's President is choosen by the GPP
DECREE 69
In the DPR, the duty of management is done by the Republic's
Presidential Committee (RPC), The Committee of Ministers and
related institutions.
DECREE 70
The Republic's Presidential Committee (RPC), consists of the
president, who is elected by the people in general elections, and
two members of each of the parliaments of labour, state official,
peasant, trader, student, occupational, intellectual - artist, militia
and personnel.
DECREE 71
The Committee of Ministers is formed of the prime minister who is
commissioned to form the government by the Republic's
Presidential Committee (RPC) and starts the duty with the approval
of the GPP. The people's government is responsible to the GPP.
DECREE 72
The duty and the authority of the RPC
a) To represent the state is the president's duty.
b) To commission the Prime Minister to form the government.
c) When the legislation could not do its duties, to solve the
problems and make decisions, the people are consulted and can call
the GPP whenever it is necessary and call a meeting.
d) This authority can only once veto the laws made by the GPP.
This authority can halt the regulations when they are against the
government's rules and constitution. This authority provides an
arena to debate the rules in parliament.
DECREE 73
The duties and authority of the people's government
a) The government forms its institutions and organs according to
the legislation, controls and directs them through the ministries.
b) The ministers work in coordination with the local, territorial
people's parliaments and the parliaments of labour, peasant, youth
and tradesmen which are under their responsibility. The activities
of the ministries are accessible to the control of the l ocal people's
parliament and various parliaments. These parliaments have the
right and authority to demand a vote of confidence from the GPP.
c) The committee of ministers, looks after the economy and
production, regulates the budget and directs the affairs of the state
in coordination with the related institutions.
d) Takes the necessary actions to maintain order in the system and
secure constitutional rights for the benefits of the people.
e) In conformity with the DPR constitution, to determine the policy
of foreign affairs and international relations.
f) Directs the People's Army, Navy and Air Force and organises the
regulations for military service.
g) Apart from the duties and authorities mentioned above, it uses
the authority given by the GPP for its duties.
WHY? Because it is always possible for rule to be discretionary
when it is not under the control of the legislation and people. All
rights and liberties and democracy come under threat. Since the
1961 constitution, the ruling classes arranged the system in a way
that the rulers were not liable for their activities, and on 12th
September 1980 a military coup came into force as a result of this.
The administration is also under the control of the people and local
and general parliaments in the DPR. The people will participate in
the application of laws and control them. They will also have the
ability to make laws.
SECTION 9
DEMOCRACY IN THE DPR IS FORMED WITH THE
CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LOCAL ASEMBLIES
(VILLAGES, BOROUGHS) TO THE AUTHORITIES.
-Local Assemblies-
Decree-75-
Local people's assemblies are the administrative powers in the
towns, cities, provinces, villages, boroughs and all areas inhabited
by people.
Decree-76-
Even in the small population centres, the members of the local
people's assembly (LPA) are elected in a democratic manner, the
election will be general, fair, and will involve a secret ballot.
Decree-77-
The half of the members of regional peoples assemblies consists of
the representatives of the borough, village, town and city
assemblies according to the population and the other half consists
of the representatives of the local assemblies of professional
assemblies, again, according to the volume of their members.
The boundaries of the regions are decided by GPP according to the
economic, geographical, national and local situations.
The LPA takes decisions on social, politcal, economic and cultural
matters which concern the local people, form the necessary
political, economic and security institutions to implement the
decisions and establish order. All these institutions are accountab
le to the LPA.
Decree-78-
The regional and local people's assemblies make decisions about
the social, political, economic and cultural matters within the
boundaries of their authority. They form the necessary political,
economic and security organisations to practise their decision and
implement their authority. All of these sub-organs are accountable
to RPA and LPA.
The decisions and activities of the LPA cannot violate the
constitution of the DPR. In decision-making and implementation,
the LPA is in coordination with other related administrative
institutions.
Decree-79-
The LPA's duties and authority are: making laws and making
regulations valid locally, controlling and confirming local
economic plans and budget, commissioning the authority of the
people's government and protecting the rights of the local citizens.
The ad ministration of these duties is carried out by the
management of the LPA.
Decree-80-
A certain number of representatives in the LPA are elected to the
management of the LPA. These managers are accountable to the
LPA, and their activities are accessible to control by the people's
government. These members can be removed from office by the e
lectors.
Decree-81- THE DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGAN OF THE LPA ARE:
a) Forming committees in rural areas, border areas and inland
provinces, and choosing representatives for the economy,
substructure, security and art and culture, these representatives are
responsible to each of the institutions mentioned above. Solving lo
cal problems in coordination with the government.
b) Guaranteeing that the decisions made in the LPA are
implemented.
c) It represents the local people and the LPA whenever it needs to
do so.
d) The LPA can call meetings.
Decree-82-
The administration of the LPA consists of a chairman and a
required number of members concerning the institutions in the
different areas.
WHY? Because the only way to make the people use their
creativity and productivity and own their countries' independence
and democracy is to let the people participate in the management,
make decisions and have the right to free speech. These lands
belong to the people, one of the best ways to make people
participate in the management is to make the local administration
more effective and authoritative. The DPR institutionalizes the
decision-making process and give the people the right to self-
determination by spreading the authority of the government into the
cities, subcities, boroughs and villages. The rulers who are afraid of
giving the authority to the local administration are afraid of the
people.
In the DPR, the power of the people will be stronger and with the
distribution of the authority to the people, the benefits, future and
the power of the people will be secure.
SECTION 10
THE JUSTICE OF THE DPR IS THE PEOPLE'S JUSTICE, IT IS
NOT THE JUSTICE OF THE BOURGEOISIE
-Justice and Judgement-
Decree-83-
The judicial institutions in the DPR are: The People's High Court
(PHC) , The Special People's Courts (SPC) and the People's
Courts ( PC). The PHC is formed by the DPR and the PC is formed
by means of elections.
Decree-84-
The judiciary in the DPR, is based on an understanding of justice
founded upon the participation of the people. According to this
understanding, the offences against peoples' power and their
society and the problems arisen between individuals are solved by
the laws, by people's power and social values.
Decree-85-
The PHC, is the highest court institution in the DPR, the PHC
consists of members elected by the GPP, these candidates are from
the government, an assemblyof legal experts which include a
prosecutor, judge and solicitors.
Decree-86-
Appeals and civil matters are heard in the PHC of the republic.
Decree-87-
Trials which require expertise in the military, economic and
political fields are heard in the SPC.
Children under the age of 18 will be tried at courts specially
established for minors.
Decree-88-
The local judicial institutions are the PCs. The PC consists of a
prosecutor from the prosecution services and a judge from the PHC,
there are also other members who are elected. These elected
members can be removed by the people by a secret ballot.
Decree-89-
Trials held in court are open to the public, the court costs are
provided by the state, everyone has the right to a defence and this
secured in the laws of the state.
Decree-90-
In trials the suspect has the right to be tried in the language he/she
speaks and the necessary arragements are carried out by the courts.
Decree-91-
The prosecution service elects its own committee to observe the
legality of the GPP, all ministries, all institutions, officials and
individuals.
Decree-92-
The executive committee of the attorney general and proscecution
service elect the prosecutor for the SPC and the PC.
Decree-93
The prosecutors are independent and are accountable to the
attorney general.
WHY? Because, we are left to live in a country where the strong
crush the weak, where the big fish eat the little fish, where the rich
look down on the poor and where justice and conscience can be
bought. The system is based on injustice, the courts are pl aces
where trials could be heard over a period of years and end with the
verdict being traded. The thieves who stole millions from the
people are all released at court, but those who stole a piece of bread
so that they may live are imprisoned: the death sq uads are
acquitted, but those who were struggling for the people's
independence and liberation are sentenced to capital punishment,
judges and prosecutors who were loyal to the laws were sent to
exile, but those who are corrupt and feed off the wealth of t he
people, approve of torture and severe punishment are promoted.
This justice system only benefits the monopolies and not the
people. It is for the reasons given that people should participate and
be active in the justice system so that a fair and democra tic justice
system can be created. This is the policy of the DPR.
Decree-94- PRISONS WILL BE EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS.
a) In the DPR the mechanisms of judgement and justice and
institutions the prisons will be converted from places of oppression
and punishment into institutions where individuals will be
educated, encouraged to produce and think and be reclaimed by
society.
b) Torture and similar practices are not permitted or tolerated in the
prisons, the officials who are suspected of ttese crimes are to be
taken to court and sentenced: These officials then will never be
allowed to work in prison institutions again.
c) In the management of the prisons, the prisoners and their
relatives are represented.
SECTION 11
THE BEST FORCE TO DEFEND THE PEOPLE IS
THEMSELVES, THE BASIS OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMED
FORCES AND DEFENCE IS TO ARM THE PEOPLE
-National defence and internal security: the people's armed forces
and the police-
Decree-95-
The Armed Forces of the Republic (AFR), gains its power and
source from the people, it defends the people against imperialist
attacks.
Decree-96-
Defence and the AFR consist of the national militia forces and has
modern and technologically equipped professional armed units.
Decree-97-
The AFR can never be used for the aim of imperialism, they cannot
be used against the national and social liberation struggles of other
people.
Decree-98-
The AFR is a producer not a consumer, it participates in production
in our country without interfering with military duties and
commissions within the people.
Decree-99-
The AFR is under the control of the political institutions of the
people's democracy.
Decree-100-
There is a hierarchy within the AFR, which is natural an scientific,
but this does not give the right to a higher rank to oppress the lower
ranks. In military service the beating of soldiers is forbidden and
any soldier who makes a complaint is entitled to do so, the military
assembly will then take the necessary actions against the officer
who has committed the offence.
Decree-101-
Within the AFR a democratic system is formed. the military
assembly including all the military personnel are the guarantors of
this system. The military assembly is organised down to the
smallest units and the delegates consist of the central military asse
mbly, all decisions and regulations concerning the AFR are made
and controlled in this assembly.
Decree-102-
Military service is compulsory for every citizen of the DPR,
including both men and women. Military service within the AFR is
an honoured duty for the citizens of the DPR. The period, age and
conditions regarding the military service is regulated by law.
WHY? Because, there is no connection between benefit to the
people and the military defence understanding of the system of the
ruling classes, The rulers did not once ask the peoples' opinion
when the sons/daughters were sent to Korea for the benefit of im
perialism, or when they invaded Northern Iraq, or when they
occupied Cyprus or even when the people's liberation was taken
away from them on 12th September 1980. The people did not
commission their own children to protect the banks, holdings and
prisons. Our people want to remember the words "military service"
and "armed forces" along with "motherland", like in the day when
they fought against the imperialist invaders and their
collaborationist forces.
That is why the armed forces must belong to the people, their main
duty is to defend the country and the people, they have to side with
oppressed people and not with the imperialists, they will not be
used against their own or other people.
The people's armed forces must be under the control of the people
and their children, this armed force would never be used against the
people.
Decree-103- THE ORGANISATION OF THE SECURITY
FORCE.
a) The Militia will provide the security for the people, a security
force is organised to prevent the actions of counter-revolutionaries,
public enemies and other criminals, they are there to reveal the
activities of the above mentioned groups and capture them.
b) The activities of the security forces will be accessible to the
central people's parliament locally. All stations and units will be
open to the central judicial institutions and the people's parliament.
c) The security forces regulate the duties of observing and capturing
suspects. All custodial processes of the security forces depend on
the attorney general's permission, control and directive.
d) The personnel in the security forces have the right to participate
in organisations and form unions to defend their economic and
professional rights.
SECTION 12
TEMPORARY DECREES
Decree 1:
The military junta chiefs, prime ministers, ministers and officials of
the junta regime who:
ordered and implemented the practices of massacre, torture,
disappearance, exile, murder, village and forest destruction;
applied the imperialist policies;
formed counter-guerrillas;
plundered revenues;
led the oppression and despotic policies against people, will be
arrested and in an open court will be judged before people and the
world.
Decree 2:
The necessary actions will be taken during the people's power and
the criminals will be prevented from leaving the country and taking
the treasures of the people with them.
Decree 3:
The fascist parties and parties defending the benefits of imperialism
which commit offences against the people will be shut down and
the leaders, representatives and official personnel will be judged in
open courts.
Decree 4:
The acts, like the Anti-Terror Act, which were used to violate
human rights and oppress people and the legal, managerial and
other consequences of these acts will be abolished.
All prisoners, except the torturers and public enemies,will be
released unconditionally.
Decree 5:
All special and cell-type prisons will be shut down and the
directors, prosecutors, gendarme commanders and other personnel
of these prisons who are proven to be torturers, will be judged.
Decree 6:
The torturers and persons who made torture possible, human right
violators, the persons who were responsible for massacres, extra-
judicial executions and disappearances will be arrested on sight.
They will be judged in a platform where the victims and thei r
relatives are present and those who suffered will receive
compensation.
Special commissions will be formed, consisting of the relatives of
disappeared and martyrs and law practitioners, to research the
,disappearances", extra-judicial executions and the murders by
,unknown perpetriators" which will have the authority to do every
kind of research.
Decree 7:
All instruments used for torturing in the police stations and
buildings of special branches, MIT (Turkish National Intelligence
Service),counter-guerrillas and gendarmes will be destroyed in
public, and all these institutions will be shut down.
Decree 8:
All the debts of poor peasants to the state institutions and/or usury
merchants and mortgages on their properties will be cancelled.
Decree 9:
All agreements with imperialism and imperialist institutions will be
cancelled. Imperialist military bases will be shut down and all
imperialist military personnel will be removed.
Decree 10:
All files prepared by MIT and the police about the revolutionaries,
democrats, progressives, patriots and some of the institutions will
be given back to these people and the copies found in different
institutions will be destroyed in front of a committee f rom
assemblies and democratic institutions.
Decree 11:
People who are exiled and migrated from their villages or cities will
be able to return to their lands and the damage they suffered will be
compensated.
Decree 12:
DGMs (State Security Courts) will be shut down and the trials will
be cancelled. All files about people will be destroyed.
Decree 13:
All students who were dismissed because of their revolutionary and
patriotic activities against YOK ( Council of Higher Education),and
for having difficulties paying the fees will have the right to
continue their education. The teachers and academics exile d by
YOK will be able to return to their posts.
Decree 14:
Trade Unions Act (2821), Work Law, Commission of High
Referees, Discipline Commissions, State Officials Act(657), Acted
Regulation(399) which are limiting or banning the activities of
unions, encouraging lockouts will be cancelled and the necessary
regulat ions will be prepared and implemented by labourer/state
official assemblies.
Decree 15:
The debts of small-scale tradesmen to the banks and usury
merchants will be cancelled; the conditions causing stockpiling and
black market will be changed and the practices forcing small traders
into bankruptcy will be ended.
Decree 16:
The public economic institutions which were privatised for the
benefits of the monopolies will be renationalised and their
management will be given to the labourers.
Decree 17:
The mafia mobs who deal with dirty businesses i.e. drug and goods
smuggling, illegal cheque/bond businesses, usury and black market
dealings, etc will be dissolved, and members of these mobs will be
judged in people's courts.
The necessary economic, military and social actions will be taken
to prevent these mobs from reforming.
Decree 18:
All exiled citizens and persons who lost their citizenship because
of the oppression of the reactionary regime will be able to return to
the country and regain their citizenship.
ABBREVIATIONS
CHP Republican People's Party
DP Democrat Party
DPR Democratic People's Republic
YOK Council Of Higher Education
TUSIAD Association of Turkish Businessmen
GPP General People's Parliament
RPD Republic's Presidency Directorate
APA Area People's Assembly
LPA Local People's Assembly
PHC People's High Court
SPC Special People's Court
PC People's Court
AFR Armed Forces of Republic
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