This is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of. Ethiopian constitution pdf amharic version 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. Ethnicity serves as the foundation for ethiopia s political parties and is what motivates the constitution s twotiered federal system. It was the fourth ethiopian constitution promulgated for the last 65 years. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. 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. Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. 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. Ethiopia is a nation with a long, venerable and complex history. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia is a unitary,tate in which all nalionalilies ii. Given in our imperial capital, on this the 24th day of tekemt, 1948 ethiopian calandar, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation. A study of the secession clause in the constitution. One feature of great import throughout the constitution, and one that places this constitution on a pedestal of its own, mo. If you dont see any interesting for you, use our search form on bottom v.
An assessment on the law and practice of w omens rights they were confined to household activities such as rearing children, cooking foo d. In 1994 the eprdf adopted ethiopia s third constitution in 40 years. Interim constitution ethiopia 19911995 constitutionnet. With the rise of the dictator benito mussolini, italian designs toward ethiopia were revived, and in october 1935 italy invaded the country see italy. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. Ethiopian constitution ethiopian embassy in brussels. All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. Pdf media, participation and constitutionmaking in.
The sate of amhara is located in the north western and north central part of ethiopia. In addition to the central government, there are nine regional. Media and freedom of information proclamation in july 2008. Abstract leaving constitutional space to sub national units so as to frame their own constitutions is an invariable practice across most federations. The 1931, 1987 and 1995 constitutions of ethiopia delelegn, wubalem on. Modern constitutional history ethiopias 1994 constitution is a direct result of the government pursuing a policy of ethnic democracy. 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. 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. Ethiopia s ton, history of independence has been the history of ih. This constitution establishes a federal and democratic state. Their right is founded solely and exclusively on the sweeping constitutional guarantees they enjoy under articles 29 and of the ethiopian constitution. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. Constitution of teh regional state of oromia revised.
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 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. Education system ethiopia 1 9 mb ethiopian school leaving certificate ethiopian higher education entrance. Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and progress of our beloved people.
Ethiopian constitution africa center, university of. Constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. While, because of fallible but capable of learning from experience, human nature. Library of congress federal research division country profile.
Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. The comment focuses on the liberal preamble and its contradictory restrictive provisions. Ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of. 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. Ethiopian somali region, in defence of the multinational. Another was drafted in 1974 in the early stages of the revolution, but it. Doc amendment of state constitution in ethiopia in.
The article as it was prepared for a special occasion where detailed analysis was due time and other inconveniences. Download pdf interim constitution ethiopia 1991 1995 download pdf transitional period charter of ethiopia 19911995 retrieved from. About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. 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. Constitution of the regional state of harari ethiopian. Article 29 reproduced also in the official amharic text below2 states. 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. I am looking for the most recent criminal cases in ethiopia. Ethiopia ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since 1995. 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. This constitution enshrined the principles of regionalism and ethnic autonomy, devolving power to regional states, several of them coalitions of smaller. 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. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia proclamation no. As it is shown below, the ethiopian legislation is still in need of relevant amendment to comply with the convention.
Topics derg, mengistu collection opensource language english. Ethiopian constitution, the flag, map, and federalism. 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. 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. This proclamation may be cited as the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet. An attempt by the league of nations to halt the conquest failed.
What are the basic principles of the fdre constitution in. A key constitutional provision in this regard is the first paragraph of the. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional. Here are six major features or principles of the current fdre ethiopian constitution. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. 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. After seventeen years of civil war, the people of ethiopia saw the dawn of a new era. The senate remained appointive, but the chamber of deputies was, at least nominally, elected. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional process in ethiopia. The 1931, 1987 and 1995 constitution in the history of the country,and revised in 1955 with in the same 1955 constitution of ethiopia. We, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia.
Ethiopians for the first time in history were members of one community with the same destiny. 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 the forefront of these oppositions have been the political parties and the ethiopian diaspora, who have. Eightyone percent of the electorate endorsed the constitution, while 18 percent opposed it 1 percent of the ballots were invalid. 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. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to. Preamble to the ethiopian constitution which states, among other reasons for. 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. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia ilo. On this page you can read or download 1931 ethiopian constitution document pdf in pdf format.
How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. 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. Ethiopia s 1994 constitution is a direct result of the government pursuing a policy of ethnic democracy. 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. The language of these two articles is simple, plain, straightforward, unambiguous and requires no interpretation. The territory of ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of his majesty the emperor. Constitution constitution in may 1991, the military derg regime was overthrown. 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. For a textual discussion solely devoted to the ethiopian constitution, see fasil. 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. Oxford university press 10 the federal democratic republic of ethiopian constitution, 1994 11 andrei kreptul. Ethnicity serves as the foundation for ethiopias political parties and is what motivates the constitutions twotiered federal system. Although located in the tropics its high altitudes give much of it a temperate climate. In 1931 he granted ethiopia its first constitution.
150 1380 983 479 1190 424 1510 827 1367 1516 310 926 264 172 400 1010 652 1422 741 194 662 8 425 581 1061 1237 1338 262 961 213 10