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Politics of Yemen |
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The Constitution of Yemen was ratified by popular referendum on 16 May 1991. [1] It defines the republic as an independent and sovereign Arab and Islamic country and establishes sharia, or Islamic law, as the basis of all laws. [1] In February 2001, several amendments were passed by national referendum extending the presidential term to seven years and the parliamentary term to six years and increasing the size and authority of the Shura Council.
Due to the 2011–2012 Yemeni revolution, President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi was expected to draft a new constitution from 2012 to 2014. [2] In January 2015, a committee had drafted a new constitution; however, both the GPC and Houthi members of the National Authority for Monitoring the Implementation of NDC Outcomes have refused to vote on this draft. [3] This will most likely delay a planned referendum on the new constitution, and therefore the next presidential and parliamentary elections, which have been delayed until the referendum can go ahead. [4]
The most current form of the Constitution of Yemen is the version amended in February 2001.This is an overview of the most current Constitution posted by the United Nations.
The Constitution of The Republic of Yemen defines a number of duties and rights belonging to citizens of Yemen. The right to education, health, social services, [20] freedom of speech and expression, [21] prohibition of unreasonable search and seizure, [22] right to an attorney, [22] prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments, [22] right to due process, [23] right to petition the government, [24] freedom of movement, [25] right to assembly. [26] Women were defined as “sisters of men”, receiving rights and unique protections outlined by stipulated law and Shari’ah. [27]
The Federal Government is divided up between The House of Representatives, The Consultative Council, The President of the Republic and The Council of Ministers. The Constitution also defines a separate Judicial System.
The House of Representatives is the main body of Legislative authority in the Republic of Yemen. According to the Constitution, the House of Representatives consists of 301 members elected in a secret, free and equal vote directly by the people. [28] These 301 members will be voted on by regions labeled as constituencies. The Constitution states that these constituencies shall be equal in number of populations with a variation of not more than 5% plus or minus and that each constituency shall elect a member to the House of Representatives. [28] The standard term for a member of the House of Representatives is 6 years. [29] The House of Representatives internally elects a Speaker of the House alongside three deputies forming the Presiding Board of the House.
The Consultative Council consists of (111) members to be directly appointed by the President of the Republic. Members of the Council shall not be drawn from the House of Representatives or from local councils. [30] The Consultative Council performs advisory service to the President. Duties of the Council consist of:
The President of the Republic of Yemen is a part of the Executive branch of the Yemeni government. Presidential Candidates must be at least 40 years of age, native to Yemen, clear of criminal record and not married to any foreigners. [34] The President of the Republic shall be by means of direct popular voting in competitive elections. [35] The President shall appoint a Vice President granted that they fit the same qualifications as a Presidential Candidate. The President acts as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. [36] Presidential terms span over 7 years with no president being allowed to serve more than two terms. [37] The direct responsibilities of the President are defined in the Constitution as such:
The Council of Ministers is the highest authority of the state under the Constitution. [56] The Council of Ministers consists of the Prime Minister and their selected cabinet in consultation with the President. [57] The Council of Ministers is responsible for the execution of overall state policies in the political, economic, social, cultural, and defense fields, according to the Laws and cabinet's resolutions. [58] Each minister is in charge of the supervision and direction of his ministry and its branches throughout the Republic. [59]
As defined by the Constitution, the land of The Republic of Yemen was to be split and segmented into different administrative sections. [60] It further defines the power of local government by declaring it inseparable from the state, having governors directly under the authority of the President and the Council of Ministers. [61]
The Judicial System as described in the Constitution is an autonomous authority subject only to the law. [62] The Supreme Court of the Republic is the highest judicial authority. [63] The Supreme Court of the Republic also acts as the highest appellate court and can dispute jurisdiction. [64] The Supreme Court also holds the power to the investigate and prosecute the President of the Republic, the Vice President and the Council of Ministers. [65]