How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive the ethiopians by getachew haile this short article addresses the issue of how ethiopia s social and. Ethiopian constitution pdf amharic version free download as pdf file. Until the adoption of the first of these constitutions, the concepts of ethiopian government had been codified in the kebra nagast which presented the concept that the legitimacy of the emperor of ethiopia was based on its asserted descent from king solomon of ancient israel, and the fetha negest a legal code used in ethiopia at least as early as 1450 to define the rights. In the forefront of these oppositions have been the political parties and the ethiopian diaspora, who have. Part ii of the comment analyzes the effects the press law will likely have on the media and citizens of ethiopia. About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. A study of the secession clause in the constitution.
Preamble to the ethiopian constitution which states, among other reasons for. Article 29 reproduced also in the official amharic text below2 states. An assessment on the law and practice of w omens rights they were confined to household activities such as rearing children, cooking foo d. An attempt by the league of nations to halt the conquest failed. Ethnicity serves as the foundation for ethiopias political parties and is what motivates the constitutions twotiered federal system. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of. This constitution enshrined the principles of regionalism and ethnic autonomy, devolving power to regional states, several of them coalitions of smaller. The comment focuses on the liberal preamble and its contradictory restrictive provisions. What are the basic principles of the fdre constitution in.
Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and progress of our beloved people. Ethiopia s ton, history of independence has been the history of ih. 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 flag, map, and federalism by mastewal there have been contentions to the ethiopian present constitution and even the flag and its administrative arrangement in the way it is governed federally. The language of these two articles is simple, plain, straightforward, unambiguous and requires no interpretation. Education system ethiopia 1 9 mb ethiopian school leaving certificate ethiopian higher education entrance. Ethnicity serves as the foundation for ethiopia s political parties and is what motivates the constitution s twotiered federal system. Ethiopia is a nation with a long, venerable and complex history. This constitution establishes a federal and democratic state. Download pdf interim constitution ethiopia 1991 1995 download pdf transitional period charter of ethiopia 19911995 retrieved from. Topics derg, mengistu collection opensource language english. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia proclamation no. Constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty.
For a textual discussion solely devoted to the ethiopian constitution, see fasil. It was the fourth ethiopian constitution promulgated for the last 65 years. Here are six major features or principles of the current fdre ethiopian constitution. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia ilo. This proclamation may be cited as the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. The 1931 constitution of ethiopia was the first modern constitution for ethiopia, intended to officially replace the fetha nagast, which had been the supreme law since the middle ages.
With the rise of the dictator benito mussolini, italian designs toward ethiopia were revived, and in october 1935 italy invaded the country see italy. Modern constitutional history ethiopias 1994 constitution is a direct result of the government pursuing a policy of ethnic democracy. The sate of amhara is located in the north western and north central part of ethiopia. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. Constitutional development in ethiopia volume 10 issue 2 bereket habte selassie skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites.
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. One feature of great import throughout the constitution, and one that places this constitution on a pedestal of its own, mo. 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. In 1994 the eprdf adopted ethiopia s third constitution in 40 years. Constitution of the regional state of harari ethiopian. While, because of fallible but capable of learning from experience, human nature.
Given in our imperial capital, on this the 24th day of tekemt, 1948 ethiopian calandar, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation. Ethiopian constitution ethiopian embassy in brussels. 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. Their right is founded solely and exclusively on the sweeping constitutional guarantees they enjoy under articles 29 and of the ethiopian constitution. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. It was promulgated in an impressive ceremony held 16 july 1931 in the presence of emperor haile selassie, who had long desired to proclaim one for his country.
Constitution of teh regional state of oromia revised. Ethiopian somali region, in defence of the multinational. Ethiopian constitution africa center, university of. In addition to the central government, there are nine regional. The state shares common borders with the state of tigray in the north, afar in the east, oromiya in the south, benishangulgumuz in the south west, and the republic of sudan in the west. Media and freedom of information proclamation in july 2008. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. The role of communications in facilitating public participation in constitution making is often neglected and misunderstood, particularly in postwar statebuilding when mass media may be weak. The senate remained appointive, but the chamber of deputies was, at least nominally, elected. A key constitutional provision in this regard is the first paragraph of the. Ethiopians for the first time in history were members of one community with the same destiny. The 1931, 1987 and 1995 constitution in the history of the country,and revised in 1955 with in the same 1955 constitution of ethiopia.
Abstract leaving constitutional space to sub national units so as to frame their own constitutions is an invariable practice across most federations. Ethiopia s ancient system of feudal government experienced significant changes under haile selassie i reigned 193074, who carefully grafted onto the traditional governing institutions a weak parliament of appointed and elected legislators, a judiciary with modernized civil and criminal codes and a hierarchy of courts, and an executive. Ethiopia ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since 1995. Ethiopia s 1994 constitution is a direct result of the government pursuing a policy of ethnic democracy. The 1931, 1987 and 1995 constitutions of ethiopia delelegn, wubalem on. If you dont see any interesting for you, use our search form on bottom v. I am looking for the most recent criminal cases in ethiopia. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex. Ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional process in ethiopia.
As it is shown below, the ethiopian legislation is still in need of relevant amendment to comply with the convention. After seventeen years of civil war, the people of ethiopia saw the dawn of a new era. The article as it was prepared for a special occasion where detailed analysis was due time and other inconveniences. Another was drafted in 1974 in the early stages of the revolution, but it. The impact of the inclusion of secession clause in the. All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. Doc amendment of state constitution in ethiopia in.
Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. National anthem of ethiopia the national anthem of ethiopia, to be determined by law, shall reflect the ideals of the constitution, the commitment of the peoples of ethiopia to live together in a democratic order and of their common destiny. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia is a unitary,tate in which all nalionalilies ii. In 1931 he granted ethiopia its first constitution. Ethiopian constitution, the flag, map, and federalism. Although the ancient, aboriginal population of what is now ethiopia were cushitic language speakers, the culture that came to be identified with ethiopia came from arabia, probably as early as. Constitution constitution in may 1991, the military derg regime was overthrown. The oromo moved north through the southern highlands, bypasssing the sidama on the west, and into the central highlands, where they settled in the center and west on land, some. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general information the house of peoples representatives the house of the federation current developments preamble we, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. On this page you can read or download 1931 ethiopian constitution document pdf in pdf format. The territory of ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of his majesty the emperor.
We, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of. Oxford university press 10 the federal democratic republic of ethiopian constitution, 1994 11 andrei kreptul. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. Although located in the tropics its high altitudes give much of it a temperate climate. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 1 chapter i the ethiopian empire and the succession to the throne art.
This paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. Ethiopian somali region, in defence of the multinational federalism ahmed deeq hussein 112216 ethiopian somali region is either 1st or 2nd largest region, constitutes of the country, and 3rd largest ethnic group with an estimated total population of 5 million. Seleshi zeyohannes, constitutional law ii page 2 of 372 acknowledgments my acknowledgment goes to all those who assisted me in preparing this course on law of constitution i and ii, which i believe would be of vital value to ethiopian students and instructors of law. In tigray state, northern ethiopia, where the detailed research on which this paper is based has been centered, and in the literature concerning land rights and our less indepth research in. Although this was the first election in ethiopia s history based on universal suffrage, the presence of communist cadres throughout the country ensured that the constitution would be adopted. Pdf media, participation and constitutionmaking in.
Library of congress federal research division country profile. Interim constitution ethiopia 19911995 constitutionnet. Eightyone percent of the electorate endorsed the constitution, while 18 percent opposed it 1 percent of the ballots were invalid. Little is known about this period the ethiopia empire had no written constitution and no codified law that can be applied nation wide however, the ethiopian people have always been administered by and lived according to the law. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to. Ethiopian constitution pdf amharic version ethiopia.
1208 1132 1371 1465 303 1606 631 1291 121 1146 260 319 721 1047 31 988 723 627 1462 441 857 1029 952 1460 246 569 1495 280 1186 890 92 325 308 1306 915 1069 420 244