Ethiopia s 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. The sovereignty can be determined by selecting representative as per constitutional laws and by actively participating in the democratic process. All ethiopian subjects, whether living within or without the empire, constitute the. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. This act may be called the constitution fifth amendment act, 1955. Ethiopian constitution the africa center university of pennsylvania. The revised constitution of the afar national regional. The imperial constitution mostly emphasised on the following three point specially the 1931 constitution 1. During this period, radical political, economic and social changes have taken place in ethiopia. As a result, the study shows that the 1995 fdre constitution better incorporated the. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of the empire of ethiopia. In this manual the constitutional interpretation is presented not as something different. The constitution during emperor was the first constitution of the country and paved the way for the next coming constitution.
The difference between constitution of ethiopia in derg. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 1 chapter i the ethiopian empire and the succession to the throne art. In the modern history of ethiopia both women and many ethnocultural communities have been victims of. As pointed out in the emperors speech from the throne, the new charter has been intro. The second part of this paper deals with constitutionalism. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of the empire of.
Ethiopian constitutions archives ethiopian legal brief. The constitution fifth amendment act, 1955 national. 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 for the incorporation of eritrea, where an. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university of. Title constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia publisher national legislative bodies country ethiopia publication date 21 august 1995 reference eth010 cite as constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia ethiopia, 21 august 1995.
The imperial constitution mostly emphasised on the following three. 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. To this end, the study made comparison as to the place of those elements in the four constitutions, thereby implying the changes and continuities. Even foreign nationals can apply to get ethiopian nationality through specified legal procedure. The constitution provides sovereign power to all nationals and people of ethiopia. 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. This act may be called the constitution forth amendment act, 1955. Constitutional development in ethiopia journal of african. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex. Federalism and the accommodation of diversity in ethiopia. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the. Artical 31 a the emperor alone confers and withdraws the title of prince and other honours, and institutes new orders.
Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to. 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. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The constitution fourth amendment act, 1955 national. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. Among the major changes are the recognition by the constitution and international agreements. Be it enacted by parliament in the sixth year of the republic of india as follows.
Introduction in 1994, ethiopia enacted its new constitution. Aug 04, 2015 the objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions. All ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition. 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 existence of constitution is paramount important for the development of democracy in a specific country. 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.
Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. A person of either sex born to both or one ethiopian parent is of ethiopian nationality. 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. Its territories and the sovereign rights therein are inalienable. The structure of the ethiopian government and the new constitutions ability to overcome ethiopias problems t.
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 until the adoption of the first of these constitutions, the concepts. During the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, emperor menelik ii created the current ethiopian stat. 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. 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 for the. The empire of ethiopia comprises all the territories, including the islands and the territorial waters, under the sovereignty of the ethiopian crown. Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and progress of our beloved people. 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. The fifth section looks into joint venture control. The place of customary and religious laws and practices in. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. Ethiopian orthodox church was the established church of the empire and was, as such, supported by the state. Haile selassie introduced constitution on this day in 1931.
All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. Ethiopia has a history of over three thousand years and is mentioned in the old testament. In 1557 jesuit missionaries arrived, but their ongoing attempts to convert the ethiopian emperors from coptic christianity to roman catholicism were largely unsuccessful, and provoked social. The 1994 constitution reflected both a backlash against the dergs ethnic violence and ethiopia s multitude of ethnic groups. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. This article examines ethiopia s competition and consumer protection laws, and focuses on merger regulation. The following english translation of the ethiopian draft constitution is an unofficial. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. 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 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. Finally, the article concludes with suggestions to improve ethiopian merger regulation. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in.
Given in our imperial capital, on this the 24th day of tekemt, 1948 ethiopian calandar, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation. Ethiopia to announce a second and revised constitution in 1955 because the. Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995.
What is the difference beteween 1931 and 1955 constitution. We, the peoples of the amhara national regional state. The revised constitution of the afar national regional state. Twibell t woe to the nation in which each tribe claims to be a nation. Constitution applies equally for male and female nationals. C it is the emperors right to administer all of the inalienable properties of. In article 3 of the constitution, for the proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted. Revised constitution of ethiopia, 1955 revised constitution of the republic of kenya, 2010, rural land use fee and agricultural activities income tax proclamation no 77, 1976 re settlement authority establishment proclamation no. Since,constitutionalism does not mean only having constitution. Jan 15, 2018 the 2001revised constitution of the amhara national regional state by abrham yohannes on november 20, 2011 leave a comment the 2001revised constitution of the amhara national regional state download pdf preamble we, the peoples of the amhara national regional state.
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. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. The constitution fourth amendment act, 1955 27th april, 1955. However, these pledges were not translated into practice. Since,constitutionalism does not mean only having constitution,but it is the practical. 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 peoples democratic republic of elhiopia is a soverei, state whose territory comprisin, the land. Despite this the mere existence of constitution cannot be a guarantee for constitutionalism. Chapter 1 the context of the federal system in ethiopia 11 part one 1. History of ethiopian parliament about us house of peoples. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact hindering our overall development which the age old oppressive system had for long imposed upon us by cruelly support essaying our human and democratic rights and thereby exposing us all to the scourge of poverty and backwardness as a result unjustified. Finally, in 1955 he proclaimed a revised constitution. 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. 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.
The criminal code of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia preface it is nearly half a century since the 1957 penal code entered into operation. 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. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. The territory of ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of his majesty the emperor. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law.
Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage. Berhanena selam printing press of his imperial majesty haile selassie i, 1955. The first written constitution was the 1931 constitution, which was revised in 1955. The law shall determine the conditions of acquisition and loss of ethiopian. On the first election held under the revised constitution see ethiopia observer, vol. It compares the merger regulations of the united states of america, european union, united kingdom and south africa, and highlights lessons this comparison has for ethiopia. 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. The objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact hindering. Be it enacted by parliament in the sixth year of the republic of india as follow.
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 for the incorporation of eritrea. History and ideology 57 selfadministration through regional autonomy. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university. Apparently, he sought to provide a formal basis for his efforts at centralization and to attract the loyalty of those who gained their livelihood from relatively modern economic activities or who were better educated than most ethiopians.
Three years ago, in implementation of the provisions of that constitution, free elections were held throughout our empire and our people participated directly in the choice of their representatives in this legislative body. Clapham, ethiopia faculty of law, haile sellassie i university, 1967 history 1021 pages. Regulation of merger under the ethiopian competition law. However, even so the 1955 revised constitution stipulated that members of the chamber of the deputies to. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. This constitution establishes a federal and democratic state structure. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in 1955. Ethiopia and the early islamic period warriors from the islamic state of adal with their leader gragn ahmed invaded ethiopia beginning about 1527. About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. The the pattern followed for state formation is gene rally ethnolinguistic a rticles 46 and 48. 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 revised constitution of 1955 did not introduce constitutional principles like the sovereignty of the people, rule of law, good governance, and principles related to religion and state relationships. The 1955 constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. We, haile selassie i, emperor of ethiopia, do, on the occasion of the twenty.
Its history, implications and limitations in africa in. Thus, the eprdf that assumed power in may 1991 after its protracted 17 year armed insurgency undertaken the reconstruction of the ethiopian state. Constitution is a set of fundamental laws that govern and guide the power and function of the government. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire. Ethiopia adopted a constitution that creates a twotiered federal structure, which, at least in principle, emphasized ethnic groups rights and. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact. This article is within the scope of wikiproject ethiopia, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of ethiopia on wikipedia.
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