دستور قبرص

تتناول المواد الخمس الأولى من الدستور الأحكام العامة. ^{[ 6 ]}

تنص المادة الأولى على أن قبرص جمهورية مستقلة ذات رئيس، وأن الرئيس ونائبه يجب أن يكونا يونانيين وتركيين على التوالي. وتنص المادة الثالثة على أن اللغتين الرسميتين لجمهورية قبرص هما اليونانية والتركية، وأنه يجب نشر جميع الوثائق الرسمية باللغتين. ^{[ 4 ]}

Article four requires that Cyprus "shall have its own flag of neutral design and colour, chosen jointly by the President and the Vice-President of the Republic," while article five states that Greek and Turkish Cypriots have a right to celebrate their holidays.^[4]

Articles 6–35 of the constitution deal with Fundamental Rights and Liberties.^[7]

Article six prohibits the discrimination of either Greek or Turkish Cypriots based on their race, while article seven asserts the right to life and states that an individual may only be deprived of his right to life except for when being sentenced by a "competent court" for an offense which provides the death penalty by law.^[4]

Article eight prohibits inhumane or degrading punishment or treatment, and prevents torture, and Article nine states that "every person has the right to a decent existence and to social security."

Article ten prohibits slavery and forced labour, in all cases other than in cases of compulsory military service or work while being imprisoned lawfully by the state. It also allows for "any service exacted in case of an emergency or calamity threatening the life or well-being of the inhabitants."

Article eleven contains several limits on who can be imprisoned. It states that people may only be imprisoned when they have been convicted by a court, detained to force them to appear before a court, detained to prevent them from committing an offense or detained to avoid the spread of diseases. The article also ensures that "every person who has been the victim of arrest or detention in contravention of the provisions of this Article shall have an enforceable right to compensation."^[4]

Article 12 ensures that habeas corpus is followed, that no person may be charged twice for the same offense, that the punishment is proportional to the crime, and that people have the right to a defence while in court.

Article thirteen says that any person has the right to move freely around Cyprus, and leave when they wish, subject to "reasonable conditions" imposed by law, while article fourteen states that no person shall be forced to leave the country.^[4]

Article fifteen defines the right to privacy, stating that every individual has a right to a private life except when infringing on someone's privacy is in accordance of the law and in the national interest. Article sixteen prohibits entering someone's property without their prior consent, or an arrest warrant, unless you are rescuing the individual from danger. Article seventeen also discusses privacy, with its main focus being an individual's right to privacy in all lawful communication.

Articles 18, 19 and 21 secure freedom of speech, religion and assembly respectively, while articles 20 and 22 deal with the right to free education and marriage.^[4]

Article 23 adds to the rights laid out in article sixteen, by allowing citizens of Cyprus to purchase property and receive compensation for any damage to it.

Article 24 requires citizens to pay taxes. It states that "every person is bound to contribute according to his means towards the public burdens." It also states that no organization may collect a tax without permission in a court.^[4]

Article 25 ensures that every individual in Cyprus has the right to work, subject to conditions that may be in the law. Article 26 states that people may freely enter into contracts, and avoid be exploited by people with "commanding economic power."

Article 27 states that, subject to conditions in the law, citizens have a right to take part in industrial action. It also states that members of the armed forces, police and gendarmerie are not allowed to strike.^[4]