'Persia. No 1 (1909). Correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia, December 1906 to November 1908' [‎50v] (84/236)

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Articles. Granting equality before the-civil law. (See the interesting arid
ingenious speeches of Taki Zade and Imam Jumeh of Khoi on this question, which,
purposely raised by the late Atabeg, almost wrecked the Assembly last May.)
Article 11. Ilestraining the arbitrary choice of Tribunals by suitors.
Article 13. Inviolability of domicile.
Article 18. Freedom of education.
Article 20. Freedom of press.
Article 21. Eights of association.
Articles 26 and 27. Definition of the powers of the realm £: which spring from the
people.”
Article 35. The conception of sovereignt}".
Article 39. The solemn oath of fidelity to the Constitution to be sworn by each new
Sovereign.
Article 45. Eesponsibility of Ministers for Imperial Kescripts.
Articles 71 to 89. Defining the powers of the Tribunals as indicated above.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHAFLES M. MARLING.
Inclosuro in No. 59.
The Constitutional Law, as passed by the National Assembly and siqned by the Shah on
October 8, 1907.
(Translation.)
Preamble.
In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate.
THE following are the Articles which, in order to complete the fundamental laws
of the Constitution of Persia, have been added to the Constitutional Law signed by His
Imperial Majesty the late Muzaffer-ed-Din Shah Kajar on the 14th of Zihaade-ul-Haram,
1324 (30th December, 1906) :—
- - j
General.
Article J. The official religion of Persia is the branch of the Twelve Imams of the
Shia Sect of Islam. The Sovereign of Persia must be of, and contribute to the spread
of, this religion.
Art. 2. The National Assembly has been founded by the help of the Twelfth Imam,
the bounty of His Islamic Majesty, the watchfulness of the Mujteheds and the common
people. The laws passed by it must never to all ages be contrary to the sacred
precepts of Islam, and the laws laid down by the Prophet. It is obvious that the
decision as to whether the laws passed by the Assembly are in opposition io the
precepts of Islam rests with the Ulema. It is therefore officially decreed that for all
ages a Committee composed of five persons, who shall be Mujteheds and religious
doctors, and who also must be acquainted with the requirements of the times, shall be
elected in the following manner: The Ulema and doctors of Islam who are recognized
by the Shias as the centre of imitation shall make known to the National Assembly the
names of twenty of the Ulema possessing the above-mentioned qualities. The National
Assembly shall, by agreement on casting of lots, elect five of them or more, according
to the requirements of the age, and admit them as members. This Committee shall
discuss and thoroughly investigate the Bills brought in by the National Assembly, and
reject every one of these Bills which is contrary to the sacred precepts of Islam, in
order that it may not become law. The decision of this Committee is final.
Tnis Article will not be liable to change until the advent of the Twelfth Imam.
Art. 3. The boundaries of the Kingdom of Persia, of its provinces, departments,
and communes, cannot be modified except by law.
Art. 4. The capital of Persia is Tehran.
Art. 5. The official colours of the Persian flag are green, white, and red, with the
sign of the lion and the sun.
Art. 6. The life and property of foreigners resident in Persia are secured and
guaranteed except in those cases in which the laws of the realm make exceptions.
Art. 7. I he Constitution, in part or in entirety, is not liable to interruption.
Art. 8. The people of Persia enjoy equality of rights before the civil law.
Art. 9. The life, property, domicile, and honour of every individual is secured and