The objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions. Comments this is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no. Ethiopian constitution the following english translation of the ethiopian draft constitution is an unofficial draft that has been released to enable members of the international community follow the discussions and forthcoming elections, pending publication of the official translation. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the ronsltuction of socialism. As pointed out in the emperors speech from the throne, the new charter has been intro. This document was drawn up by three american advisorsa. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. After each session the two ethiopian officials would. Artical 126 the ethiopian orthodox church, founded in the fourth century, on the doctrines of saint mark, is the established church of the empire and is, as such, supported by the senate. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. The author has written four plays in his early years before publishing the following books in amharic on ethiopian history. The official language of the federal government shall be amharic.
Members of the federation may by law determine their respective working languages. Muthbhed a planned encounter 4 full movie dubbed in hindi free download torrent. Ethiopias 1955 revised constitution, article 6 question. Oct 18, 2010 their right is founded solely and exclusively on the sweeping constitutional guarantees they enjoy under articles 29 and of the ethiopian constitution.
The new constitution consisted of eight chapters and 1 articles. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. Ethiopian constitution 1995 amharic version pdf by. The eprdf won 484 out of 547 seats in the assembly. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. Conquering lion of the tribe of judah haile selassie i elect of god, emperor of ethiopia. The second part of this paper deals with constitutionalism.
Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. The bicameral ethiopian parliament played no part in drawing up the 1955 constitution, which, far from limiting the emperors control, emphasized the religious origins of imperial power and extended the centralization process. Ethiopia has a history of over three thousand years and is mentioned in the old testament. We, haile selassie i, emperor of ethiopia, do, on the occasion of the twentyfifth. C it is the emperors right to administer all of the inalienable properties of. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to building a political community founded on the rule of law and capable of ensuring a lasting peace, guaranteeing a democratic order, and advancing our economic and social development. Interestingly, freedom of religion, in the context of ethiopias large muslim population and the discrimination with. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia is a unitary,tate in which all nalionalilies ii. Their right is founded solely and exclusively on the sweeping constitutional guarantees they enjoy under articles 29 and of the ethiopian constitution. Garretson, john spencer, and edgar burlingtonwho worked with two leading figures of the restored monarchy, wolde giyorgis wolde yohannes and aklilu habtewold. Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage and ethiopia was pressing its claims internationally. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. Their sovereignty shall be expressed through their representatives elected in accordance with this constitution and through their direct democratic participation.
Constitution, the 1955 ethiopian constitution held the population captive under the divine approval of the emperor. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of the empire of ethiopia. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. The origin and character of ethiopian central institutions can be understood by reference to at least four main factors. Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. To this end, the study made comparison as to the place of those. Given in our imperial capital, on this the 24th day of tekemt, 1948 ethiopian calandar, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation. Kthe rule of law krespect for individual and peoples fundamental freedoms and rights kequalitynondiscrimination kcitizens participation in the political, social, and economic life of.
The government of the emperor haile selassie, part i 1930 1955. All ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition. This set the stage for future dictatorial regimes to interpret human rights law as they so wished. The inadequacy of the 1955 constitution five short years after the 1931 constitution was. Amhara have dominated the ethiopian political scene for several. Article is false however, provisions in the constitution that guaranteed personal freedoms and liberties, including freedom of assembly, movement, and speech, and the due process of law, were so far removed from the realities of ethiopian life that no group or individual sought to act upon them publicly. We, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. The language of these two articles is simple, plain, straightforward, unambiguous and requires no interpretation. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in.
About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. This is the standard english translation found in sourcebook of ethiopian constitutional law p. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender.
Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and progress of our beloved people. In fact, the 1955 constitution revises the article this way. The government of emperor haile selassie i 19301955. Berhanena selam printing press of his imperial majesty haile selassie i, 1955. Any person of either sex shall be an ethiopian national where both or either parent is ethiopian. The government of the emperor haile selassie, part i 19301955. Apr 09, 2011 1955 revised constitution of ethiopia. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor. Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and progress of our beloved. Amharic constitution of ethiopia 1931 amharic constitution of ethiopia 1923 about 1931 ethiopian constitution 1931 ethiopian constitution pdf about ethiopia constitution 1955 constitution of ethiopia 1995 constitution of ethiopia pdf what is the name of first amharic poem in ethiopia. The difference between 1931 and 1955 ethiopian constitution pdf. The constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia fdre provides for basic principles to which it is committed. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic.
The emperor shall always profess the ethiopian orthodox faith. Ethiopian constitution 1995 amharic version pdf issuu. Oct 01, 2019 the constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. All ethiopian subjects, whether living within or without the empire, constitute the ethiopian people. Ethiopian constitution of 1955 6 b from the date of the proclamation of the present constitution, all realty registered in the name of the crown bete mengist are held in trust for the crown under the guardianship of the emperor and are inalienable. Pdf the place of customary and religious laws and practices. The peoples democratic republic of elhiopia is a soverei, state whose territory comprisin, the land. In june 1994 ethiopian voters elected representatives to a constituent assembly, charged with writing a new democratic constitution. Under the constitution, the federal arrangement guaranteed the rights of the federal states to determine their own affairs.
Ethiopian orthodox church was the established church of the empire and was, as such, supported by the state. Problems and prospects for democracy by alemante g. Pdf this paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and. Jun 01, 2012 the author has written four plays in his early years before publishing the following books in amharic on ethiopian history. Here you can read the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia in three different languages. Fundamental principles of the constitution ethiopia. Article 29 reproduced also in the official amharic text below2 states. The senate remained appointive, but the chamber of deputies was, at least nominally, elected. Oct 24, 2018 ethiopian constitution 1995 amharic version pdf. A new constitution granting special rights to different ethnic groups in ethiopia was ratified in december, and became effective in august 1995. Proclamation promulgating the revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia conquering lion of the tribe of judah haile sellassie i elect of god, emperor of ethiopia whereas, twentyfour years ago, at the beginning of our reign, we. The eritrean affair during the period of emperor haile sellasie 19411963. Their sovereignty shall be expressed through their representatives elected in accordance with this constitution and through their direct democratic participation article 9 supremacy of the constitution. The revised ethiopian constitution promulgated by emperor haile selassie on november 4, 1955, marks a further advance of the ethiopian government toward the center stage of the modern world.
Amharic shall be the working language of the federal government. The 1991 transitional period charter of ethiopian english and amharic version. Whatever his intentions as a reformer, haile selassie was a political realist and recognized that, lacking a strong military, he had to compromise with the amhara. Provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the. Constitution of ethiopia november 4, 1955 on the twentyfourth tekemnt one thousand nine hundred and forty eight 4th november, 1955 on the occasion of the twentyfifth anniversary of his coronation.
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