One Hundred Years of the Constitution: How were Syrian constitutions written?

Al-Dustour language is a term derived from Persian, meaning: what is permitted. In this original context, it defines the rules under which any action is permitted.

The word appeared in its legal meaning as part of the Ottoman Empire’s endeavors to organize its affairs in the second half of the nineteenth century, and was not associated with the supreme law of the country at first, but rather by setting clear legal rules, making them known to become known, and regulating the work of the government and administrations on the one hand, and the behavior of citizens on the one hand. On the other hand.

Despite an attempt to write a basic law for the country in 1867, it did not immediately receive the name: a constitution.

The first experience lasted two years before Sultan Abdul Hamid II repealed the law that limited and restricted his movement.

In other words, the word “constitution” remained within the limits permitted by the authority, and did not restrict its authority. It is not necessary for the ruler’s decisions to be justified.

Most of the princes and kings were forced, in the context of competition to attract capital and trade and keep them in their emirates and kingdoms, to promulgate a set of rules confirming that their emirates are governed by clear laws, and that the prince will not arbitrarily change the rules of the game.