Armenian National Constitution

The Armenian National Constitution (Armenian: Հայ ազգային սահմանադրութիւն Hay azkayin sahmanatroutioun) or Regulation of the Armenian Nation (Turkish: Nizâmnâme-i Millet-i Ermeniyân, نظامنامهٔ ملّت ارمنیان) was the 1863 Ottoman Empire-approved form of the "Code of Regulations" composed of 150 articles drafted by the Armenian intelligentsia (Dr. Nahabet Rusinian, Dr. Servichen, Nigoğayos Balyan, Krikor Odian and Krikor Margosian), which define the powers of Patriarch (position in Ottoman Millet) and newly formed "Armenian National Assembly".[1] This code is still active among Armenian Church in diaspora.[1]

Hatt-ı Hümayun's (1856) organisation to bring equality among millets also brought the discontent of the Armenian Patriarchate.[2] Before the Hatt-ı Hümayun, the Armenian Patriarch was not only the spiritual leader of the community, but its secular leader (of all Armenians - the Armenian nation) as well. The Patriarch could at will dismiss the Bishops and his jurisdiction extended to 50 areas. The revolutionary Armenians wanted to abolish what they saw as oppression by the nobility, drawing up a new `National Regulation'.[2] The "Code of Regulations" (1860) was drafted by members of the Armenian intelligentsia (Dr. Nahabet Rusinian, Dr. Servichen, Nigoghos Balian, Krikor Odian and Krikor Margosian). They primarily sought to define the powers of Patriarch.

Finally the Council accepted the draft regulation on May 24, 1860, and presented it to the Bâb-ı Âli. The Babiali ratified it (with some minor changes), by a firman on March 17, 1863, and made it effective. The Armenian National Constitution (Ottoman Turkish:"Nizâmnâme-i Millet-i Ermeniyân") was Ottoman Empire approved form of the "Code of Regulations" composed of 150 articles which defined the powers of Patriarch (his position in Ottoman Millet) and newly formed "Armenian National Assembly".[1]

The Armenian Patriarch began to share his powers with the Armenian National Assembly and limited by the Armenian National Constitution. He perceived the changes as erosion of his community.[2]

It defined the condition of Armenians within the state, but also it had regulations defining the authority of the Patriarch. The constitution of Armenian National Assembly seen as a milestone by progressive Armenians. It attempted to define Armenia as a modern nation. The reforms which resulted in the Armenian National Assembly came about as individual Armenians and pressure group complained frequently for assistance against injustices perpetuated by the Kurds (seen as feudal) and corrupt officialdom. At the beginning the relations were positive but in the 1860s, the Ottomans, having crushed Kurdish resistance, no longer needed Armenian support, and the Empire became less responsive to Armenian claims.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Richard G. (EDT) Hovannisian "The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times", page 198
  2. 1 2 3 Dadian (Migirditch), "La society armenienne contemporaine" revue des deus Mondes, June 1867. pp803-827
  3. ↑ Edmund Herzig "Armenians Past And Present In The Making Of National Identity A Handbook" page.75
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