Ottoman Human Rights Practice: A Model of Legal Pluralism

Abstract

The Ottoman Empire was founded on a strategic area that conjoins Europe and Asia. Multicultural and multinational folk of Ottoman had ruled by Ottoman dynasty in tranquility for a long time. Tolerance and justice were the main supporting determinants of state under the guidance of Islamic law. This paper explores whether or not the Millet system was a successful idea to cohere different cultures. Millets were instituted by Sultan Mehmet II (Fatih) after he had conquered Istanbul (Constantinople) in 1453 and begin to lose their importance with Tanzimat reforms through 1839. Ottoman citizens who related with different Millets had the rights like freedom of faith and religion. They were free to follow their traditions in their education system, marriage and other areas of indigenous life. Minorities of Ottoman had the chance to have their own minority courts and judges in their cases related to civil law, like heritage and family law, as an early sample of legal pluralism.

Note: Downloadable document is in English and Turkish.

Keywords: Legal Pluralism, Ottoman Administrative Regime, Millet System, Human Rights in Ottoman Empire