Azil

Azil is a term used in Turkish to denote removal from office or impeachment of a public official. It refers to the formal process by which an individual is deprived of their official duties before the end of their term, typically in the context of political or judicial positions. In practice, azil is situated between resignation (istifa) and termination for other causes, and the exact procedures and consequences vary by country and constitutional framework.

Etymology and usage

The word is generally linked to Ottoman Turkish and is believed to have roots in the Arabic verb azala, meaning to remove or take away. In contemporary Turkish law and political discourse, azil describes a formal act of dispossession from office, which may result from investigations, votes, or judicial decisions depending on the relevant legal system. The concept emphasizes the deprivation of office rather than the voluntary cessation of duties.

Context and scope

Azil can apply to various officials, including ministers, judges, or other public servants, depending on national laws. The procedural path to azil is not uniform; some systems require parliamentary action, others a judicial ruling, and some permit executive action within a constitutional framework. The implications typically include the loss of authority, eligibility for reappointment is usually restricted, and protective or disciplinary routines may follow.

Other uses

Beyond Turkish usage, azil may appear as a proper name or in unrelated linguistic contexts, but its primary association in encyclopedic references remains the legal concept of removal from office.

See also

Impeachment, deposition, removal from office, resignation.