Page:Ottoman constitution of 1876.pdf/3

Rh One or several persons belonging to the Ottoman nationality have the right of presenting petitions to the competent authority on the subject of infractions of the laws or regulations committed either to their personal prejudice or the prejudice of the public welfare and may in the same way address in the form of a complaint signed petitions to the Ottoman General Assembly to complain of the conduct of the State functionaries or employes.

Instruction is free. Each Ottoman can give public or private courses of instruction on condition of conforming to the laws.

All schools are placed under the supervision of the State. Proper measures shall be taken for unifying and regularizing the instruction given to all Ottomans but no interference shall be made with the religious instruction of the various communities.

All Ottomans are equal before the law. They have the same rights and the same duties towards the country, without prejudice to religion.

Admission to public office has a condition — the knowledge of Turkish which is the official language of the State.

All Ottomans are admitted to public office according to their aptitudes, their merit and capacity.

The assessment and distribution of taxes shall be established conformably with special laws and regulations in proportion to the fortune of each tax-payer.

Real and personal property regularly proved is guaranteed. No expropriation can take place except for reasons of public utility duly proved and without previous payment conformably with the law and the value of the property to be expropriated.