Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran
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The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran<ref>The exact wording of this document are variant in different translations.</ref> abolished the Constitution of 1906. The 1979 Constitution dates 24 October 1979 and is in force since 3 December 1979<ref>Constitutional Background Hauser Global Law School Program</ref>. Significant amendments were adopted on 28 July 1989.<ref>Constitutional Background</ref> It is the only constitution in the world to enshrine the principles of mullahcracy.
[edit] Preamble
The Islamic constitution begins by decrying that the "anti-despotic movement for constitutional government [1906-1911], and anti-colonialist movement for the nationalization of petroleum" in 1950s failed because of lack of religious coloring thereunder. Moreover, the "central axis" of the theocracy shall be Quran and hadith.
The Iranian Constitution contains several preamble-like passages, which ironically are almost as long as the entire Basic Law of Saudi Arabia and half of the U.S. Constitution.
[edit] 'Universal holy government'
"The Assembly of Experts...fram[ed] the Constitution...[after input] by the government...with the hope that this century will witness the establishment of a universal holy government and the downfall of all others."<ref>Framers' agenda</ref>
[edit] Chapter I [Article 1 to 14]: General Principles
[edit] Chapter II [Article 15 to 18]: Official Language, Script, Calendar, & Flag of Country
[edit] Language
Article 15 states that the "lingua franca of [Iran]... is Persian." Per Article 16, "Since the language of the Koran and Islamic texts and teachings is Arabic...it must be taught...in all areas of study."
[edit] Chapter III [Article 19 to 42]: Rights of People
[edit] Article 29 [Welfare benefits]
The constitution promises "financial support for every individual" for health services and unemployment. However, in reality such welfare programs do not exist for every citizen; though, veterans and families of martyrs are given some privileges.
[edit] Bearing arms
The constitution intentionally omits the right of civilians to bear arms even for a private militia, hunting, self-defense, et cetera. Immediately after the ratification of the constitution, firearms and other weapons became illegal for private persons. The Islamic Revolutionary Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction in this area, swiftly hands out the death punishment to those who aren't killed in the course of arrest.
[edit] Chapter IV [Article 43 to 55]: Economy & Financial Affairs
[edit] Chapter V [Article 56 to 61]: Right of National Sovereignty
Pursuant to Article 60, the president fulfills "executive" functions "except in the matters that are directly placed under the jurisdiction of the [Leader]" as enumerated in Article 110. Article 68 allows suspension of elections during wartime.
[edit] Chapter VI [Article 62 to 99]: Legislative Power
[edit] Article 81 [Foreign Business]
This article makes it impossible for a multinational corporation to do business in Iran since "concessions to foreigners or the formation of companies" in Iran is forbidden.
[edit] Chapter VII [Article 100 to 106]: Councils
[edit] Chapter VIII [Article 107 to 112]: Leader
[edit] Article 110 [Leadership Duties and Powers]
While nominally a "republic", the constitution's long list of powers accorded to the Supreme Leader are virtually boundless so long as he does not compromise Islamic principles. In practice, Supreme Leaders have not gone to the United Nations and seldom receive other heads of state. He occasionally meets Muslim leaders like the Ismail Omar Guelleh whom he has met several times.
[edit] Chapter IX [Article 113 to 151]: Presidency, Ministers, Army ,& Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
[edit] Article 146 [No Foreign Military Base]
"...[F]oreign military base in Iran, even for peaceful purposes, is forbidden."
[edit] Chapter X [Article 152 to 155]: Foreign Policy
[edit] Chapter XI [Article 156 to 174]: Judiciary
[edit] Chapter XII [Article 175]: Radio & Television
[edit] Chapter XIII [Article 176]: Supreme Council for National Security
[edit] Chapter XIV [Article 177]: Revision of Constitution
No amendment that conflicts with the "Islamic character of the political system...and...the school [Twelver Ja'fari]" is permissible under any circumstances.
[edit] See also
- Mullahcracy
- Politics of Iran for a discussion of post-Pahlavi politics
- Sharia
- Blasphemy laws of Islamic Republic of Iran
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| Preceding: | Iran Constitution of 1906 |
| Subsequent: |
[edit] References and notes
<references/>
[edit] External links
- Islamic Chamber Society
- Islamic Republic of Iran Constitution
- Constitution of Iran, as an unofficial English translation hosted at University of Berne
- Iran Law Library
