Ethiopian constitution of 1931 1 chapter i the ethiopian empire and the succession to the throne art. Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. Haile selassie introduced constitution on this day in 1931. Ethiopia 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. What is the difference beteween 1931 and 1955 constitution of. Proposed new ethiopian government administrative boundary system for unified nation building presented for national debate by engidashet bunare water engineer and. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. 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. 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. As pointed out in the emperors speech from the throne, the new charter has been intro. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire. All sovereign power resides in the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. The influence of the udhr on the revised 1955 constitution is clearly visible in the.
The objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions. 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. Constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy. 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 emperor sought to gain some control over local government by placing it in the hands of the central administration in addis ababa. In the modern history of ethiopia both women and many ethnocultural. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in. However, the 1931 constitution laid some foundations for modern practices of government in ethiopia. The 22nd amendment was added after fdr died to allow only 2 terms of 4.
Apr 09, 2011 1955 revised constitution of ethiopia. On the first election held under the revised constitution see ethiopia observer, vol. 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. Constitutional development in ethiopia journal of african. 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.
Finally, in 1955 he proclaimed a revised constitution. 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. Ethiopia freedom of expression was for the first time given juridical recognition in modern ethiopia by the revised 1955 constitution. Given in our imperial capital, on this the 4th day of november, 1955, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation. Ethiopian constitutions archives ethiopian legal brief. Articles 120 and 121 of the revised constitution of 1955 established a separate and independent audit entity accountable to the emperor and to parliament. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the ronsltuction of socialism.
These articles required the auditor general to report regularly to the emperor and parliament on the financial operations of the government. Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and progress of our beloved people. In the nineteenth century ethiopia was marked by the era of. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. 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. 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. All ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition. Issues of minority rights in the ethiopian federation.
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. 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. The right to selfdetermination under the ethiopian federation. 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 22nd amendment was added after fdr died to allow only 2. 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. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor.
In pursuit of reform, haile selassie faced the recalcitrance of the provincial the 1955 constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern withethiopian constitution of 1931. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of the empire of ethiopia. About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. What is the difference between the 1931 and 1955 ethiopian constitution. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact hindering. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. The place of customary and religious laws and practices in. 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. 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. 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. What is the difference betewin 1955 and 1987 constitution of. 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.
The difference between constitution of ethiopia in derg. 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. 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. However the parliament was not given powers and functions by the. When the revised constitution was given in 1955, in part it was meant to reconstitute ethiopia and its state in the light of the newly reunited eritrea and in part to fully integrate the other peoples of ethiopia especially those in the peripheries into the empire. The 1955 constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. Amharic shall be the working language of the federal government. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in 1955. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional process in ethiopia.
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. Proposed new ethiopian government administrative boundary. Chapter two fundamental principles of the constitution article 8 sovereignty of the people. Jan 27, 2019 if youre searching for 1955 revised constitution of ethiopia, youve come to the right video. The constitution also represents a major breakthrough in terms of human rights. Prior to 1931, ethiopia had a complex traditional, unwritten constitution nested in the ideal of the monarchy. 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. To this end, the study made comparison as to the place of those elements in the four constitutions, thereby implying the changes and continuities. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. 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. Pdf the right to selfdetermination under the ethiopian. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex.
Pdf the place of customary and religious laws and practices. The difference between 1931 and 1955 ethiopian constitution pdf. The place of customary and religious laws and practices in ethiopia. The imperial constitution mostly emphasised on the following three. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. The constitution during emperor was the first constitution of the country and paved the way for the next coming constitution.
Provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. What is the difference beteween 1931 and 1955 constitution. More significantly than the above purpose the constitution. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. As a result, the study shows that the 1995 fdre constitution better incorporated the. This paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. The 1950s and 1960s witnessed notable developments in the ethiopian political, legal, and economic fields. We, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia.
Whereas the overthrow of the military dictatorship that has ruled ethiopia for seventeen years presents a historical moment, providing the peoples of ethiopia with the opportunity to rebuild the 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 incorporation of eritrea. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. The present revised constitution, together with those international treaties. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. Given in our imperial capital, on this the 24th day of tekemt, 1948 ethiopian calandar, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation. Ethiopias 1955 revised constitution, article 6 question. If youre searching for 1955 revised constitution of ethiopia, youve come to the right video. Haile sellassie i emperor tsahafe tezaz tafarra worq minister of the pen chapter i. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia is a unitary,tate in which all nalionalilies ii. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. The territory of ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of his majesty the emperor. During his reign, the constitution of 1931 and the revised constitution of ethiopia of 1955 were enacted.
Benton and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Sep, 2012 the 1955 constitution do not allw the rightes of nations and nationalities where us the 1987 does so. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact. It was crafted to respond to the underlying causes that triggered the widespread 4 revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia, proclamation no.
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