North Cyprus Law | Freedom of Thought, Speech and Expression

North Cyprus Law | Freedom of Thought, Speech and ExpressionNorth Cyprus Law – Freedom of Thought, Speech and Expression

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a secular republic based on the principles of democracy, social justice and the supremacy of law. One of the basic essentials of a Law state ruled by democracy is the right to Freedom of Thought, Speech and Expression. This right has been granted by law not only to citizens of the TRNC but to EVERY PERSON.

Once you have read the article of the law in the TRNC below, it would be appreciated if you would read again the article I have written before on defamation (Libel) to see some of the conditions and restrictions put by law onto this very important and wide subject [TRNC Civil Law Definition of Defamation]. As you can see from below there can be restrictions to freedom of speech for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary which is one of the reasons I always say I prefer not to talk about an ongoing case at the judiciary because I must say that I do think it’s wrong unless I only write or talk about the Law. However when the case is over, in other words when the final judgment has been given, I can say that it is my duty to know and talk about it as an Advocate…

‘’ Every person has the right to freedom of thought or opinion. No person shall be compelled to disclose his thoughts and opinion. There can be no crime in view of the thoughts of a person.

Every person has the right to express and publish his thoughts and opinion, by himself or collectively, by word of mouth, in writing, through pictures or other media.

This right includes freedom to express opinion and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by any public authority and regardless of the boundaries of the State.

The exercise of the freedom of speech and of the freedom of expression may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions, or penalties as are necessary and as prescribed by law, only in the interest of national security or the constitutional order or the public safety or the public order or the public health or the public morals or for the protection of the reputation or rights of others or for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.’’

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