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The Constitution of the East Turkestan Republic

Section One

(Last Amended on March 22, 2020)

The present Constitution has been written according to the common national volition of East Turkistani emigrants who have been living in exile since the occupation of East Turkistan by Communist China in October 1949. The Constitution aims to provide a measure to ensure that the people of East Turkistan and their children live in liberty and show the right path of what the people of East Turkistan must go through after they restore the state.

The Constitution was approved by members of parliament at the convened Congress from November 20 to 22, 2004. The Uyghur version will be based.

The first amendment:

The Constitution was updated and ratified by the Parliament at a Special Session in Washington, DC on April 20, 2019.

The second amendment:

Exiled Parliament amended the main section of the constitution on March 22, 2020, in virtual Parliament at a Special Meeting. The prime minister system of the Exiled Government was abolished, and the model of the United States government system was adopted with the approval of the majority of Exiled parliament members and President Erkin Ablimit. The terms of Prime minister, Vice prime minister and Chairman of Parliament are no longer exist.

We express our thanks to the following brothers and sisters of the parliament who have spent precious time and provided important materials for the second amendment.

Adiljan Masimov	Neyimjan Karwan
Erkin Ablimit	Dr. Melike Abliz
Erkin Rozi	Syit Taranchi
Gheni Ghupur	Dr. Talip Atajan
Mahira Gopur	Yadikar Gheniov

Names are listed in the alphabetical order

Part One

NAME OF STATE, STATE’S CHARACTERISTICS, NATIONAL FLAG, NATIONAL EMBLEM, INDEPENDENCE ANTHEM, NATIONAL ANTHEM, NATIONAL LANGUAGE, NATIONAL RELIGION, AND NATIONAL CAPITAL

Article 1. The name of the State is the East Turkistan Republic. The name of our State is not open for debate. Our State’s name was paid for by our forebears’ blood and lives; therefore, proposing a different name or referring to our State by a different name is a direct violation of the law. The name of our State will remain as is until we regain our Independence.

Article 2. The characteristics of the State: The characteristics of the State is a democratic, unified, and law-based state that respects all human rights. It shall not be permitted to divide or undermine the territorial integrity of East Turkistan, nor the unity of our nation and its peoples.

Article 3. The National Flag is a Blue Flag with a White Crescent and White Star.

Article 4. The National Emblem has nine beads on both the right and left of the crescent moon, with the Bismillah Calligraphy inscribed in the middle of the crescent. Three stars above the crescent’s mouth with a cord tying the beads together with a knot at the bottom flowing into six branches. The eighteen points represent the Turk tribes living in East Turkistan, while the three stars symbolize the Köktürk, Uyghur, and Qarakhanid States that were previously founded in East Turkistan.

Article 5. The Independence Anthem of our State, Qurtulush Yolida [On the Path to Salvation], was a poem written by Memet Ali Tewfiq in 1933 and sung by the East Turkistani people as the official Independence Anthem. The National Anthem of Our State, Tarixtin Ewwel Biz Iduq, Tarixtin Kiyin Yene Biz [We Existed Before History, and We Will Exist After History], was a poem written by Memet Ali Tewfiq.

Article 6. The official national language of the East Turkistan Republic is Uyghur. Kazakh and Kyrgyz are also among the recognized national languages. The official national religion is Islam. The State respects and protects other religions and shall fully guarantee their rights to religious practice. The national capital of our State is Urumchi.

Article 7. The preceding Articles—Article 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, and 6 may not be changed by any means, nor can any proposal be set forth or attempt to make the amendment.

Part Two

THE EAST TURKISTAN GOVERNMENT IN EXILE

Article 8. The Government-in-Exile of East Turkistan Republic, which was founded on September 14, 2004, in Washington, the capital of the United States of America, is the sole organ of the East Turkistan Republic permitted to exercise legal authority over and to represent the people of East Turkistan until our country has been liberated from China’s rapacious occupation.

Article 9. The essential tasks of the Government-in-Exile of the East Turkistan Republic are to gain the support of those nations amongst the Free World who adhere to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, peace, and respect for human rights, as well as all international Constitution of the East Turkistan Republic 5 organizations under the leadership of United Nations, and all international human rights organizations that cooperate therewith, in order to oppose China’s state terrorism against the people of East Turkistan, and in order to achieve the Independence of our country, East Turkistan.

Article 10. The President nominates someone for a six-year term for a vacancy on the Court, and the parliament votes to confirm the nominee, which requires a simple majority. The duties of the Supreme Court Justices (1) decides whether the law passed by Parliament is constitutional and in the interest of the people and the State. (2) Decides whether the law is interpreted by the Executive correctly and fairly or not.

Article 11. The Supreme Court Justices shall meet once a year at any location. Issues involving the Government, government resolutions, government members, and the Government’s official statements shall be discussed, and a majority vote shall issue directives resulting from there. Supreme Court shall publish the decisions.

Article 12. The Ministers of the East Turkistan Republic Government in Exile shall be organized into a Ministerial Cabinet under the President’s auspices. Anyone in the Government must receive written permission from the relevant minister before taking any action. Otherwise, based on the violation’s severity, the President shall use dismissal, suspension, or notification measures. In the ministers’ Cabinet, the ministers’ opposition’s seriousness or violate the programs (policies) of the government notice, suspension, and fire measures will be taken by the President.

Article 13. The Cabinet shall meet at least once a month under the President’s chairmanship, in which they shall submit reports on the implementation of Government programs (policies) to the President. The current issue will be discussed and taken necessary measures or decisions with the approval of the President.

Part Three

EAST TURKISTAN’S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND CITIZENSHIP

Article 14. The President nominates two people from among the parliament members, and the parliament votes to confirm the nominee as the speaker of the exiled Parliament, which requires a simple majority. The elected parliament speaker will appoint one deputy speaker, one secretary-general, and two assistant secretary generals (note: The President nomination is valid only for exiled Parliament, after restoring of the nation, the Parliament shall elect a speaker from among the Members of the Parliament by a majority of the vote without President nomination). The Parliament is composed of Members of Parliament elected following the Parliament’s rules and democratically elected from any region. The Parliament opens – apart from extraordinary cases – at the end of every four years on November 10 and closes on November 11. The Members of Parliament are elected according to ARTICLEs 17, 18, and 19 of this Constitution, and thus the Parliament is formed. Newly elected Members of Parliament shall assume office with an oath on November 12.

Article 15. Those who have related to the occupation of the land helped enemy or occupier or made it easier to occupy East Turkistan are not allowed to be elected as Members of Parliament. Those who were members of organizations outside of the Homeland (East Turkistan) who are engaged in any political activities or hold views other than Independence shall be required to end their membership of said organizations and undergo a waiting period. During this period, they must rectify their political views towards Independence to become Member of Parliament. If acts were committed or statements were issued by such organizations that contradicted or undermined our national interest, those persons who worked for such organizations will not be allowed to become Members of Parliament, even if they later resigned from such organizations.

Article 16. Any persons who are not Chinese and have nothing to do with the invasion and occupation of the State, have not collaborated with the enemies or the occupation forces, have not protected them, and who were born in East Turkistan or have a family history in East Turkistan, are regarded as citizens of East Turkistan. Those emigrants who live outside of East Turkistan but feel themselves from East Turkistan, take East Turkistan as their Homeland, are considered naturalized citizens of East Turkistan.

Part Fore

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Article 17. Members of Parliament shall be elected by those citizens of East Turkistan, who have completed their 18th year, who support Independence for the Homeland, who have participated and been involved in all types of political and patriotic events and activities supportive of our Homeland’s Independence, irrespective of their gender, by voting through democratic means. In every host nation where East Turkistanis are residing, at most 10 Members of Parliament can be elected.

Article 18. Members of foreign Armed Forces and foreign Police forces may not be elected Members of Parliament for the duration of their service. However, provided that they resign at least three months before the election, such persons shall have the right to vote and be elected.

Article 19. One Member of Parliament is elected for every 60 thousand citizens within the boundaries of the country. In the case of the Parliament in Exile, the number of Members of the Parliament is determined according to the number of the East Turkistanis in that country where the Members of Parliament live based on the Parliament’s principles of law.

Article 20. In instances where the Parliament members have died (or have left or been dismissed from office for other reasons.) Based on articles 17, 18, and 19, new Members of Parliament shall be elected within a period determined by the Parliament’s Decree, through an election to be held where their predecessors were elected. In all cases, Parliamentarians in Exile are replaced by East Turkistan citizens in the host country where they reside.

The Deputy Speaker, secretary-general, or two assistant secretary generals should submit a written resignation letter to the speaker at least seven days (a week) in advance if they want to resign (left from their positions); otherwise, it shall be considered as a Violation of public service. Speaker should submit a written resignation letter to the President and Parliament at least 15 days in advance if he/she wants to resign (left from his/her position); otherwise, it shall be considered a Violation of public service. Based on the seriousness, revoke his/her rights to elect and be elected for one or two terms.

Part Five

LAWS AND DECREES

Article 21. The Parliament shall introduce all laws. A majority vote may approve the introduced laws. The President must then approve laws. Adopted laws shall be implemented by the Government.

Article 22. The Government shall issue all directives following the guiding principles of the Constitution and the laws of the State.

Part Six

PARLIAMENT AND THE NATIONAL ARMED FORCES

Article 23. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Article 24. In times of peace, the Armed Forces shall be commanded, administered by a high-ranking officer who has been appointed by the President. Who is experienced, respected, loved, and trusted by the Armed Forces.

Article 25. The Parliament authorizes the Government to prepare for war, protect the State’s interests and our National Independence, wage war, and enter into agreements with other countries, with a majority of Parliament’s votes.

Part Seven

THE ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRESIDENT’S RIGHTS

Article 26. The President of the exiled Government shall be chosen through election by Parliament. (note the President of the nation shall be chosen through election by citizens after restoring the State.) Candidates must be of Turkic ethnic background, who have devoted themselves to Independence, self-sacrificing for the people’s interests, respected and loved by the East Turkistani people. At least 35, at most the age of 70, healthy, educated, and who espouse the national interest. Who eligible to be elected Members of Parliament (note, it is not necessary to be a parliament member for the nation’s President after restoring the State.) The President may only be elected to two (4-year) terms. The President-elect shall assume office with an oath.

Article 27. The President shall appoint a parliament member as a vice president and nominate two people for the parliament speaker’s position and shall put them forth to Parliament, who shall elect one by the majority. The President is the symbol of the Unity of the State. The President shall undersign or reject to sign the laws, regulations, statements, and decrees endorsed by the Parliament majority. However, the President shall have an obligation to sign the bill endorsed by the two-thirds (note, roundup if the two-thirds is not an integer) of Parliament within two weeks.

President shall appoint ambassadors abroad and shall receive the ambassadors of foreign countries. Upon the Minister of Justice’s proposal, he may pardon those who have committed major crimes or lessen their penalty.

Article 28. During the President’s periods, he is prevented from executing his/her official duties because of illness, travel, or other reasons. The Vice President, a Member of Parliament, shall serve as acting President and shall be vested with all the Presidency’s powers until the President returns to the office. In the President’s death, the Vice President shall serve as a President until the end of the Presidency term, and the Parliament elects a new President in the assembly. The present ARTICLE is also valid for the President of East Turkistan Republic-in-Exile.

Article 29. Should the President violate the Constitution and its principles by acting unilaterally and refusing to respect the Parliament’s and the Supreme Court’s directives, he/she shall be warned three times. Should the President fail to heed these warnings, the President shall be impeached from the office with the parliament speaker’s proposal and approval of the Supreme Court and two-thirds of Parliament. In these cases, the Vice President shall serve as a President until the end of the Presidency term, and the Parliament elects a new President in the next assembly.

If damaging the national security, national prestige, and the interests of the State (such as cooperating with the Chinese Government, selling the interests of the State), then the President shall be impeached from the office, convicted of Treason, and expelled from the Government with the proposal of the parliament speaker and approval of the Supreme Court and two-third of Parliament. In these cases, the Vice President shall serve as a President until the end of the Presidency term, and the Parliament elects a new President in the next assembly.

Part Eight

THE ELECTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE PRIME MINISTER’S RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Article 30. President shall appoint a parliament member (note, it is not necessary for being a parliament member after restoring the State.) as a vice president who must be of Turkic ethnic background. Who have devoted themselves to the Independence, self-sacrificing for East Turkistan people’s interests, respected and loved by the East Turkistani people, at least 35, at most the age of 70, healthy, educated, and who espouse the national interest.

President leaves the office for whatever reason, and the Vice President shall serve as a President until the end of the Presidency term. The vice president consistently provides information to the President about Parliament by monitoring it. The vice president serves as acting parliament speaker when the parliament speaker and deputy speaker leave position for whatever reason until the new speaker is elected.

Article 31. The President shall appoint one or two ministers to serve as Official Spokespersons for the Government.

Article 32. The President shall report to Parliament at least once per year regarding the Government’s Policies and the Homeland’s overall situation. President has the right to issue decrees that have the power of laws when the country faces extraordinary circumstances and declares martial law.

Part Nine

THE RIGHTS OF PARLIAMENT

Article 33. The Parliament shall be authorized to introduce all laws and regulations. To introduce related codes of law concerning tax-collection, import and export regulations, to levy taxes on commodities, to seek and issue loans, to serve as fiduciary custodian of the public interests, and to introduce laws so that general taxes and taxes imposed on imported goods should have an equal effect within the boundaries of East Turkistan. Also, the Parliament shall make laws about the following issues:

Article 34: Receiving loans on behalf of the East Turkistan Republic from abroad and controlling internal and external trade;

Article 35. Granting citizenship, revoking citizenship, preventing such banking transactions, bringing about monetary crises, and issuing banking laws.

Article 36. Issuing currency, protecting its value, fixing exchange rates with foreign currencies, and adjusting measures and scales.

Article 37. Punishing those who counterfeit money.

Article 38. Opening post offices, hospitals, and schools, and carrying out the construction, maintenance, and improvement thereof.

Article 39. Determining the intellectual rights of authors, artists, scientists, inventors, and ensuring that they may carry out their studies and research freely.

Article 40. Establishing a Supreme Court and the other courts subordinate to it.

Article 41. Investigate, prevent, and stop the crimes of robbery, corruption, illegal trade, plunder, and forgery, and punishing those who act against the laws within the territory of our State.

Article 42. Waging war, preparing for defense against attacks upon the country in cases when such attacks are probable.

Article 43. Training and supporting the armed forces and introducing laws for the administration of the National Armed Forces.

Article 44. Charging the Armed Forces and other Security Forces with duties in case of rebellion against the State or invasions to protect the State’s unitary structure.

Article 45. Concerning the Armed Forces’ organization and armament, the appointment of the military officers and military training in conformity with the laws introduced by the Parliament.

Article 46. The Parliament of the East Turkistan Republic has ordained that the Government of the East Turkistan Republic is vested with full authority by the present Constitution to issue all other the laws as necessary and appropriate for the execution of the duties mentioned above, to be faithfully executed by any Government office or any Government civil servant.

Part Ten

CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS AND PARLIAMENT RIGHTS

Article 47. The Parliament shall guarantee the rights and religious beliefs of the people of East Turkistan and shall not introduce such laws which might prohibit or hinder the people’s right to practice their own religion freely, nor to restrict their freedom of thought, self-expression, right to assembly, public demonstration, or protest, nor to restrict the freedom of the press and media, nor to hinder their freedom to submit petitions.

Article 48. With the guidance of East Turkistan’s Government, the public has the right to keep and bear arms.

Article 49. Those who have collaborated with the occupation forces and acted as instruments (openly or secretly) in the invasion or occupation of our country, or help the enemy in anyway, are to be prosecuted and punished according to the nature of their crimes.

Article 50. In the time of peace or war, no army officer or public security official is allowed to occupy the residency or confiscate the properties of any citizen without the consent of the owner or the Court’s decree or the public prosecutor’s writ

Article 51. People’s own selves, properties, documents, money, movable and immovable goods shall be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures, and this right of theirs shall not be abridged.

Article 52. Except in the event of war or when there is a risk to public safety, no person shall be arrested nor stand accused without a Court’s decree or the Prosecutor’s writ. No person shall be judged twice for the same offense. No maybe deprived of their freedom or properties, nor may properties be confiscated nor their rights to properties are transferred to the public unless the Court has adjudicated the case.

Article 53. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be judged in an impartial court serving on behalf of the public. The accused shall be advised of the charges against them. Also, the witnesses of the event shall be heard, and the accused shall employ a lawyer for their defense.

Article 54. No excessive bail may be demanded of the accused, nor excessive fines are levied, nor cruel and unusual penalties are given. The guilty may only be punished with such codes as befitting their crime, pursuant to the Penal Code.

Article 55. The rights of citizens indicated in this Constitution may not be ignored; in addition, those rights that have already been granted cannot be trespassed against; furthermore, the equal rights guaranteed by this Constitution may not be denied.

Article 56. The Court may not impose punishments other than those proscribed in the Penal Code. The Court may not ridicule or sentence a criminal to forced labor or discriminate against a criminal based on their financial status. All East Turkistani citizens are equal before the law.

Part Eleven

RESTRICTIONS ON GOVERNMENT’S AUTHORITY

Article 57. With the exclusion of the allocations determined by law, no illegal expense shall be incurred by the East Turkistan Government. With the endorsement of the Parliament, the President is authorized to keep with him and spend funds required for the security and public business of the State. The Parliament shall endorse the State’s annual financial budget, which shall be submitted by the Government with a simple majority of the parliament votes. The President shall have the budget expenses of the concerned Ministries and Institutes inspected every six months by the Parliament’s Commission of Inspection and Control. The Commission shall be composed of Members of Parliament, and the number of which is 5, 7, or odd.

Article 58. The East Turkistan Government may grant no titles of nobility to anyone. Public officials and Members of Parliament are not allowed to accept or receive gifts or ranks without the Parliament’s leave. Nevertheless, such titles, gifts and warrants as are deemed concordant to the State’s national interests and as such bear the character of honorarium which might be received by public officials, Members of Parliament and other accomplished persons, and in this regard they have the right not only receive but also give such as an acknowledgment.

Part Twelve

JUSTICE SYSTEM

Article 59. The justice system of East Turkistan functions through the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and subordinate courts that are established by laws through Parliament. The Ministry of Justice shall appoint judges and prosecutors from among jurists who have completed their legal graduate education, who are of good conduct and are respected by the public. Judges and prosecutors shall execute their office with impartiality and justice.

Article 60. Persons shall retain the right to appeal the decisions and decrees taken by a subordinate Court to the Supreme Court of Appeal

Article 61. The East Turkistan Government shall be responsible for the impartial execution of laws adopted according to the Constitution, the fulfillment of international judicial agreements, and shall represent East Turkistan in international legal cases wherein the East Turkistan Republic is a party. The East Turkistan Government shall be responsible for ensuring that the Justice Ministry adheres impartially to the Constitution, all international agreements, to all international treaties acceded to by the East Turkistan government.

Article 62. All [criminal] cases shall be adjudicated in impartial courts upon indictment by the Prosecutor.

Article 63. Inciting war or conflict in the State of East Turkistan and assisting, helping, or abetting the State and Homeland enemies are determined to be acts of Treason. Treason is the most heinous, serious crime against the Homeland; thus, traitors shall be punished severely. Unless such offenses are attested to by two witnesses, or unless the accused person confesses to their offense before an impartial court, no person may be convicted of Treason.

Article 64. Approval of two-thirds of Parliament and the Supreme Court to endorse the punishment of Treason.

Part Thirteen

AMENDMENTS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Article 65. Any Article (s) of this very Constitution that will be deemed inappropriate by two-thirds of the Parliament could be amended. Nevertheless, the guiding principle ARTICLEs of this Constitution, viz. ARTICLEs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 may not be changed nor even proposed to be changed. Those ARTICLEs amended are presented in the AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.

Article 66. The laws of East Turkistan shall consider those changes that shall be concluded under the authority of the State as the supreme laws of the country, and judges shall endeavor to uphold these laws. The Members of Parliament and Administrative and Judicial Functionaries shall swear their loyalty with an oath before taking office.

Article 67. The East Turkistani people must elect members of the East Turkistan Parliament in Exile through a democratic process, six months before the General Assembly opening, which shall be held every four years. After East Turkistan’s Independence is restored, Parliamentary elections shall take place every four years during the first week of November. On November 12, the new Parliament will be in session after it has sworn oath. The Highest-ranking member of the Parliament shall officiate over this oath ceremony. After the oath ceremony, Parliament shall be in session according to the guidelines in ARTICLE 14.

Part Fourteen

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

Article 68. The Constitutional Court is founded following a special law introduced by the East Turkistan Parliament. This Court supervises whether the laws and decrees introduced by the Government and the Parliament’s regulations conform with the Constitution in both form and character. The Constitutional Court shall consist of 11 official members and four candidate members. The members of the Constitutional Court shall elect one person from among themselves to be the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, along with another person as the Deputy Chief Justice.

Article 69. The Constitutional Court – in its position as the Supreme Court of Justice – shall decide whether the political parties’ activities conform with the Constitution by studying the Public Prosecutor’s written report and application. Before rendering a verdict, it shall hear arguments from the President and Deputy President of the concerned political party.

Article 70. The Constitutional Court – with the Public Prosecutor’s indictment and the Parliament’s approval – shall try at the Supreme Court cases when the President, Prime Minister or other Ministers have caused severe loss to the State’s national interests. The Supreme Court’s decision is final and may not be appealed.

Article 71. The present Constitution is composed of 14 Sections, and 71 Articles were accepted and announced unanimously by the Members of Parliament, which convened in Washington from November 20. The text that will be taken as authoritative is the one authored in Uyghur.

PRESIDENTIAL OATH

As the President (of the East Turkistan Republic), I swear an oath in front of the Great God and the East Turkistan people. To uphold and defend the interests, Independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and unity of our Homeland. To uphold and respect the Constitution, the principles of human rights. Strive to glorify and bring prosperity to our State and people with all my strength.

PARLIAMENT MEMBERS OATH

As a Parliament member (of the East Turkistan Republic), I swear an oath in front of the Great God and the East Turkistan people. To uphold and defend the interests, Independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and unity of our Homeland. To uphold and respect the Constitution, the principles of human rights. Strive to glorify and bring prosperity to our State and people with all my strength.

The following are comparisons of the new and old articles (which are in red and crossed out.) The new articles were updated and ratified by the Parliament at the Special Virtual Session on March 22, 2020.

ARTCILE 10. The High Commission shall be a 7-member group composed of the President, Vice President, Speaker of the Parliament, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister. The High Commission constitutes the supreme leadership of the government that has been given the authority to oversee and guide the East Turkistan Republic’s Government-in-Exile events, meetings, and to issue important directives.

ARTICLE 11. The High Commission shall meet once a year (and more often if necessary) at any location, at the invitation of the President. Issues involving East Turkistan, the Government, the members of the Government, and the Government’s official statements shall be discussed, and directives resulting therefrom shall be issued by a majority vote. The decisions shall be recorded into law (made official) by the Prime Minister

ARTICLE 12. The Ministers of the East Turkistan Republic’s Government-in-Exile shall be organized into a Ministerial Cabinet under the auspices of the Prime Minister. Based on the severity of the violation, three reprimands shall be issued to Ministers in the Ministerial Cabinet who undermine or violate the programs (policies) of the Government (some extreme violations will receive no warning and violators will be punished immediately). Those who do not heed these reprimands(s) shall be dismissed from the Cabinet by the Prime Minister once the decision has been made by the Ministerial Cabinet and affirmed by the President.

ARTICLE 13. The Cabinet shall meet once or twice a year, in which they shall submit reports on the implementation of Government programs (policies) and discuss and act on how to implement the High Committee’s directives and the Government’s policies.

ARTICLE 14. The Parliament shall elect a Speaker, a Deputy Speaker, a Secretary General and two Assistant Secretaries General (all these positions must have at least two candidates) from among the Members of the Parliament, for a term of 4 years, by a two-thirds majority of the vote. The Parliament is composed of Members of Parliament elected in accordance with the rules of the Parliament and elected from any region in a democratic manner. The Parliament opens – apart from extraordinary cases – at the end of every four years on November 10 and closes on November 11. The Members of Parliament are elected according to ARTICLEs 17, 18, and 19 of this Constitution, and thus the Parliament is formed. Newly elected Members of Parliament shall assume office with an oath on November 12.

ARTICLE 26. The President shall be chosen through election by Parliament. Candidates must be citizens of East Turkistan who have devoted themselves to the cause of Independence for East Turkistan, who are self-sacrificing for the interests of the people of East Turkistan, who are respected and loved by the East Turkistani people, who have reached at least the age of 25, who are educated, who are of Turkic ethnic background, who eligible to be elected Members of Parliament, and who espouse the national interest. The President may only be elected to two (4-year) terms. The President-elect shall assume office with an oath.

ARTICLE 27. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT The President shall nominate two people for the position of the Prime Minister and shall put them forth to Parliament, who shall elect one. The President has the right to approve or eject candidates for the Prime Minister’s Cabinet. Should the Prime Minister commit serious wrongdoings, he/she shall be reprimanded, and if he/she does not heed the reprimand, then Parliament shall be obligated to propose their dismissal. The President shall retain the right to write a proposal, with evidence, to either dismiss, replace, or extend a candidate’s position in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet. The President is the symbol of the Unity of the State. The President shall undersign the laws, regulations, statements and decrees endorsed by the Parliament; in addition, he/she shall appoint ambassadors abroad and shall receive the ambassadors of foreign countries. Upon the proposal of the Minister of Justice, he may pardon those who have committed major crimes or lessen their penalty.

ARTICLE 28. During periods when the President is prevented from executing the duties of his/her office, because of illness, travel, or other reasons, the Vice President, who is a Member of Parliament, shall serve as acting President, and shall be vested with all the powers of the Presidency, until the President has recovered from his/her illness, returned from his/her journey, etc. In the event of the death of the President, the Vice President shall fill his/her office until a new President has been elected by the Parliament. The present ARTICLE is also valid for the President of East Turkistan Republic-in-Exile.

ARTICLE 29. Should the President violate the Constitution and its principles by acting unilaterally and refusing to respect the Parliament’s and the High Committee’s directives, he/she shall be warned three times. Should the President fail to heed these warnings, with the proposal of the High Committee, at the behest of Parliament, the President shall be impeached from office. In these cases, the Vice President shall assume the office of the Presidency until a new President has been elected by the Parliament.

ARTICLE 30. The Prime Minister shall be chosen through election by Parliament. Candidates must be citizens of East Turkistan, who have devoted themselves to the cause of Independence for East Turkistan, who are self-sacrificing for the interests of the people of East Turkistan, who are respected and loved by the East Turkistani people, who have reached at least the age of 25, who are educated, who are of Turkic ethnic background, who are eligible to be elected Member of Parliament, and who espouse the national interest. The Prime Minister may only be elected to two (4-year) terms. The Prime Minister shall form a Cabinet of Ministers and submits them to the Parliament after the approval of the President. After the Parliament has approved the formation of a Government, it approves the Cabinet of Ministers with majority of the votes. During this process, the pre-existing Cabinet of Ministers shall continue to fulfill their duties

ARTICLE 31. The Prime Minister shall appoint one or two ministers to serve as Official Spokespersons for the Government.

Article 31. The President shall appoint one or two ministers to serve as Official Spokespersons for the Government.

ARTICLE 32. The Prime Minister shall report to Parliament at least once per year regarding the Government’s Policies and the overall situation in the Homeland. The Prime Minister shall have the right to maintain readiness of the armed forces during the times of war and peace, to supervise the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers, to warn three times those Ministers that act against the decrees adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers and to expel them out of the Cabinet if they do not take these warnings into account, to ensure that the laws are executed justly, to issue decrees that have the power of laws when the country faces extraordinary circumstances, and to declare martial law with the Parliament’s approval.

ARTICLE 57. With the exclusion of the allocations determined by law, no illegal expense shall beincurred by the East Turkistan Government. The Prime Minister is authorized, with the endorsement of the Parliament, to keep with him and spend funds required for the security and public business of the State. The Parliament shall endorse the annual financial budget of the State which shall be submitted by the Government with a simple majority of the votes. The Prime Minister shall have the budget expenses of the concerned Ministries and Institutes inspected every year by the Parliament’s Commission of Inspection and Control. The aforementioned Commission shall be composed of Members of Parliament, the number whereof is 3, 5, 7, 9 or an odd number.

ARTICLE 64. The Parliament is vested with the authority to endorse the punishment of Treason.

Article 64. Approval of two-thirds of Parliament and the Supreme Court to endorse the punishment of Treason.

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