Iranian Constitution of 1906

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Members of the First Majlis (October 7, 1906 — June 23, 1908).

Three National Soldiers of Tehran. A postcard of the period. The text in the heading reads: May the National Consultative Assembly [Majles-e Shoura-ye Melli] be everlasting and long live National Soldiers! The text in the middle of the photograph reads: National Soldiers of Tehran.

The Iran Constitution of 1906^[1] was Iran's first constitution that resulted from the Iranian Constitutional Revolution. It divides into five chapters with many articles that developed over several years. Major revisions went into effect after the ousting of Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] The electoral and fundamental laws of 1906

The electoral and fundamental laws of 1906 established the electoral system and the internal frameworks of the Majlis (Parliament) and the Senate.

By the royal proclamation of August 5, 1906, Mozzafar al-Din Shah created this first constitution "for the peace and tranquility of all the people of Iran." Muhammad Ali Shah Qajar is credited with chapters 4 and 5.

[edit] The electoral law of September 9, 1906

The electoral law of September 9, 1906 defined the regulations for the Elections to the Majlis.

[edit] Disfranchised

Article 3 of this chapter stated that (1) women, (2) foreigners, (3) those under 25, (4) "persons notorious for mischievous opinions," (5) those with a criminal record, (6) active military personnel, and a few other group are not permitted to vote.

[edit] Election qualifications

Article 4 stated that the elected must be (1) fully literate in Persian, (2) "they must be Iranian subjects of Iranian extraction," (3) "be locally known," (4) "not be in government employment," (5) be between 30 and 70 years old, and (6) "have some insight into affairs of State."

Article 7 asserted, "Each elector has one vote and can only vote in one [social] class."

[edit] The fundamental laws of December 30, 1906

The fundamental laws of December 30, 1906 defined the role of the Majlis in the system and its framework. It further defined a bicameral legislature. Article 1 established the National Consultative Assembly^[2] based "on justice." Article 43 stated, "There shall be constituted another Assembly, entitled the Senate."

[edit] The supplementary fundamental laws of October 7, 1907

The supplementary fundamental laws of October 7, 1907 established the charter of rights and overall system of governance.

[edit] Role of clerics

Article 1 and 2 of the laws, established Islam as the official religion of Iran, and specified that all laws of the nation must be approved by a committee of Shi'a clerics. Later, these two articles were mainly ignored by the Pahlavis, which sometimes resulted in anger and uprising of clerics and religious masses: (See: Pahlavis and non-Islamic policies)

[edit] Rights

Article 7 disallowed suspension of the constitution. Article 8 afforded "equal rights before the Law."

Article 9 accorded "All individuals (including foreigners per Article 6) are...safeguarded in respect to their lives, property, homes, and honor, from every kind of interference...." Articles 15-17 provided further security to land-owners.

With regard to the press, Article 20 promulgated, "All publications, except heretical books and matters hurtful to the perspicuous religion [of Islam] are free."

[edit] Tribunals of Justice

Article 71 entrenched "judicial tribunals...for the redress of public grievances, while judgment in all matters falling within the scope of the Ecclesiastical Law is vested in just mujtahids possessing the necessary qualifications."

[edit] See also

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Iranian Constitution of 1906

• Iranian constitutional referendum, 1963
• Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran

[edit] References and notes

[edit] External links

• A version for 1906-1955 without later revisions. This externally linked document may differ from the 1979 Pahlavi constitution.
• Constitutional Revolution from Iran Chamber Society