There is not any one ethnic group that claims to be in a majority position at the federal national level. Even foreign nationals can apply to get ethiopian nationality through specified legal procedure. Constitutional development in ethiopia journal of african. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. The language of these two articles is simple, plain, straightforward, unambiguous and requires no interpretation. Definitions unless the context otherwise requires, in this proclamation. Artical 31 a the emperor alone confers and withdraws the title of prince and other honours, and institutes new orders. Fdre constitution in recent history, the ethiopian people have lived under a feudal regime followed by a military dictatorship both of which disregarded the rights and freedoms of its citizens. The precarious future of the ethiopian constitution. In todays atmosphere of change, strathink would like to remind its readers that ethiopia is a nation governed by the rule of lawits legal framework spelled out in the 1994 constitution. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality.
Their right is founded solely and exclusively on the sweeping constitutional guarantees they enjoy under articles 29 and of the ethiopian constitution. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional. The ethiopian flag shall consist of green at the top, yellow in. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. Its history, implications and limitations in africa in. Issues of minority rights in the ethiopian federation by taking the objective, subjective and the combination of both criteria of defining minorities, ethiopia is a land of minorities. Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage. Doc amendment of state constitution in ethiopia in. Berhanena selam printing press of his imperial majesty haile selassie i, 1955. Ethiopia ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since 1995.
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. Article 29 reproduced also in the official amharic text below2 states. Whatever his intentions as a reformer, haile selassie. Revised constitution of ethiopia as promulgated by his imperial majesty his majesty hail e sellassi e i on twentyfourth tekemt one thousand nine hindred and forty eight 4th november, 1955 on the occasion of the twentyfifth anniversary of his coronation negarit gazeta 15th year no. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor.
How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive the ethiopians by getachew haile this short article addresses the issue of how ethiopias social and political problems are sometimes. Ethiopian orthodox church was the established church of the empire and was, as such, supported by the state. Amharic shall be the working language of the federal government. All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to building a. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. With the collapse of the derg regime in 1991, the charter of the transitional government of ethiopia tge incorporated.
In 1994 the eprdf adopted ethiopias third constitution in 40 years. 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. They also claim the constitution enjoys little support from the ethiopian people and maintain that a constitution, while above all other laws, is beneath the people who made it. Haile selassie introduced constitution on this day in 1931. 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 difference between 1931 and 1955 ethiopian constitution pdf, repondre en citant.
Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia preamble we, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. The place of customary and religious laws and practices in. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of the empire of ethiopia. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. The revised constitution of ethiopia, november, 1955. Ethiopias 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. The 1995 ethiopian constitution english and amharic version. The 1955 revised constitution having the reason stated above the 1931 constitution was revised in 1955. A person of either sex born to both or one ethiopian parent is of ethiopian nationality. While, because of fallible but capable of learning from experience, human nature. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive the. The freedom to public manifestation of faith nothing is more dreaded than the national government meddling with religion. He left for germany in october 1974 and lived there until july 1991. Ethiopias revised constitution introduction 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.
Constitution of ethiopia wikisource, the free online library. We, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. Moreover, some provincial nobility opposed the emperor because of their own longheld claims to the throne. Comments this is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no. The federal democratic republic of ethiopian constitution is among very few constitutions in the world that included secession right in their constitution. 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. As pointed out in the emperors speech from the throne, the new charter has been intro.
Constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy. 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. The state of the tigray people constitution amendment 1998 tigrigna and amharic version the 1995 ethiopian constitution explanatory note amharic version the 1995 fdre constitution minutes part one. If you dont see any interesting for you, use our search form on bottom v. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. The 1931, 1987 and 1995 constitutions of ethiopia delelegn, wubalem on. Nationalism, selfdetermination, article 39, the eyes of. On this page you can read or download weakness of ethiopian constitution pdf in pdf format. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in. Accordingly, the constitution contained 27 articles about human rights which were adopted from the developed. Abstract leaving constitutional space to sub national units so as to frame their own constitutions is an invariable practice across most federations.
Ethiopian constitution the africa center university of pennsylvania. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 ethiopian legal brief. Nationalism has appeared in many forms across asia, africa, europe, and north america. 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. During the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, emperor menelik ii created the current ethiopian state through expansion and conquest. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic.
This is the standard english translation found in sourcebook of ethiopian constitutional law p. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. Negaso gidada studied history at the haile sellasie 1st university now the addis abeba university from 1966 to 1971. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. To this end, the study made comparison as to the place of those elements in the four constitutions, thereby implying the changes and continuities.
The senate remained appointive, but the chamber of deputies was, at least nominally, elected. Micheau introduction emergent and reemergent nationalism seem to have taken center stage in a cast of new worldwide political trends. Ethiopian constitution africa center, university of. The structure of the ethiopian government and the new constitutions ability to overcome ethiopias problems t. Constitutional history ethiopia is the oldest independent country in africa and one of the oldest independent countries in the world. 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. Download weakness of ethiopian constitution pdf document. Accordingly, the ethiopian state shall be called the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. The present revised constitution, together with those international treaties. Consolidated version of the election laws of fdr ethiopia1. All ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition. The peoples democratic republic of elhiopia is a soverei, state whose territory comprisin, the land. What is the difference between 1931 and 1955 constitution. This paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia.
Accordingly, the ethiopian state shall be known as the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. 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. Any ethiopian whose electoral rights are not legally restricted shall be eligible to elect or to be elected. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia preamble we the nations, nationalities and people of ethiopia.
The ethiopian constitution lays out the legal rights of citizens to hold opinions, thoughts, and free expressions. Haile sellassie i emperor tsahafe tezaz tafarra worq minister of the pen chapter i. They argue that it is thus appropriate to rescind the ethiopian constitution altogether, even extraconstitutionally, and replace it with a new one. Early on in hailie selassies pictured seated time as ruler of ethiopia, he introduced the countrys first constitution, which allowed for a bicameral, or twohouse, ruling body on this day. Pdf this paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. What is the difference between the 1931 and 1955 ethiopian constitution. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. And by that, it has become one of the contentious article.
This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. Menilek i, the son of makeda, queen of ethiopia, and. Incorporation of human rights into legal frameworks of the. The revised constitution of the afar national regional state. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. The impact of the inclusion of secession clause in the. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to. The 22nd amendment was added after fdr died to allow only 2 terms of 4. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 3 may be appointed o cers in the army or civil o cials, or to any other posts or o ces in the service of the state.
Ethiopian territorial jurisdiction the territorial jurisdiction of ethiopia shall comprise the territory of the members of. This constitution establishes a federal and democratic state structure. This revision of the 1931 constitution implied a change in the organisation of the system of governance, limiting the power of the emperor to a certain extent and a relatively better recognition of rights and freedoms. From 71 to 74 he served as school director and history teacher in aira, in western wallaga. 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. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the. 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.
Constitution applies equally for male and female nationals. This article vehemently claims that carefully designed secession right in constitution can help to effectively prevent secession and disintegration of a multinational state. Introduction ethiopia is one of the religiously diverse countries in the world that hosts all major world. What is the difference beteween 1931 and 1955 constitution. The strathink editorial team presents here part 1 of its series this week on the 1994 ethiopian constitution. A proposed revision of the 1955 constitution was released in 1974, but it had no legal effect, and was soon forgotten in the events of the ethiopian revolution. This constitution enshrined the principles of regionalism and ethnic autonomy, devolving power to regional states, several of them coalitions of smaller ethnic groups. Given in our imperial capital, on this the 4th day of november, 1955, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation.
Chapter three of this revised constitution from article 3765 deals with right and duties of the people. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex. Ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since. Aug 04, 2015 the objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions.
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