1931 ethiopian constitution pdf

Ethiopian constitution 1931 pdf free download as pdf file. The 1994 constitution reflected both a backlash against the dergs ethnic violence and ethiopias multitude of ethnic groups. 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. On this page you can read or download 1931 ethiopian constitution document pdf in pdf format.

Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. Kthe rule of law krespect for individual and peoples fundamental freedoms and rights kequalitynondiscrimination kcitizens participation in the political, social, and economic life of. The first written imperial constitution in 1931 the text of the constitution did not include anything concerning human rights regarding the ethiopian diverse customary norms, traditional institutions such as the traditional dispute resolutions systems which are practised even today by the ethnically based community elders and religious norms. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive the. Limited vision of the 1931 constitution in 1931, as part of his drive to reform and modernize ethiopia, emperor haile selassie endowed his people with the countrys first constitution. 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. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. Ethiopian constitution pdf amharic version ethiopia. For centuries, customary and religious laws served as the constitution of the ancient monarchy.

The difference between 1931 and 1955 ethiopian constitution pdf. Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. 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. The existence of constitution is paramount important for the development of democracy in a specific country. We, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex. Education system ethiopia 1 9 mb ethiopian school leaving certificate ethiopian higher education entrance. Nationalism has appeared in many forms across asia, africa, europe, and north america.

At last italians defeated ethiopian army at the end of. The 1931 constitution of ethiopia was the first modern constitution for ethiopia, intended to. Ethiopian constitutions and their explanatory note. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 ethiopian legal brief. The fitha negest justice of kings was avolume that dealt with the function of the various parts of. Ethiopian constitutionhaile sellassie i1931 emperor haile selassie of ethiopia download bok. Micheau introduction emergent and reemergent nationalism seem to have taken center stage in a cast of new worldwide political trends. Since,constitutionalism does not mean only having constitution,but it is the practical. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia is a unitary,tate in which all nalionalilies ii. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. On this page you can read or download 1931 ethiopian constitution pdf in pdf format. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia.

The participants discussed and approved a transitional charter which laid down the principals for the transition period. The ethiopian prospect red sea press at 21 see generally chapter 2. 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. It was only in 1931 that ethiopia promulgated its first written form of constitution. The objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions. This is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no.

Ethiopian constitution of 1931 established in the reign of. After the fall of derg in in may 1991, the democratic groups of ethiopia convened a. Ethiopian constitutionhaile sellassie i1931 emperor haile. 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.

The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic. Constitution is a set of fundamental laws that govern and guide the power and function of the government. Comments this is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia proclamation no. Ethiopian constitution haile sellassie i 1931 emperor haile selassie 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. In july 1931, emperor haile selassie granted a constitution that asserted his own status, reserved imperial succession to the line of haile selassie, and declared that the person of the emperor is sacred, his dignity inviolable, and his power indisputable.

The pre 1931 and the 1931 ethiopian constitution 53 in spite of its long history of state survival ethiopia has a very little experience with a written constitution. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. The peoples democratic republic of elhiopia is a soverei, state whose territory comprisin, the land. Ethiopian constitution pdf amharic version free download as pdf file.

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 imperial constitutions of the empire of ethiopia. Pdf the place of customary and religious laws and practices. What is the difference and similarity between the 1931 and 1995 of ethiopian constitution. All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. Ethiopian constitution 1931 pdf ethiopia constitution. Any person of either sex shall be an ethiopian national where both or either parent is ethiopian. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in. The 1955 constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. The second part of this paper deals with constitutionalism. Ethiopian constitutionhaile sellassie i1931 emperor.

Micheau introduction emergent and reemergent nationalism seem to have taken center stage in. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. 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 current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. The first misunderstanding came from the reading of the first article of the 1931 ethiopian constitution. Nov 23, 2015 on this page you can read or download 1931 ethiopian constitution document pdf in pdf format.

At last italians defeated ethiopian army at the end of 1936 and claimed all ethiopia under their control. The constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia fdre provides for basic principles to which it is committed. Ethiopia adopted a constitution that creates a two. The absence of written constitutions before 1931 does not however mean that there were no unwritten constitutions. If you dont see any interesting for you, use our search form on bottom v. The 1931 constitution, which was ethiopias first written constitution in its three thousand year history, had been introduced by haile selassie as a contract between himself and the ethiopian people. Despite this the mere existence of constitution cannot be a guarantee for constitutionalism. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters.

As a result, the study shows that the 1995 fdre constitution better. The place of customary and religious laws and practices in. The 1931 constitution of ethiopia served as the nations first modern document of its sort, which was crafted to replace the ancient christian legal code known as the fetha negest. 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 of 1931 was superseded at the time of emperor haile selassies silver jubilee in 1955, when a new constitution was promulgated. 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. Constitutional history ethiopia is the oldest independent country in africa and one of the oldest independent countries in the world. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. Haile selassie introduced constitution on this day in 1931. What is the difference and similarity between the 1931 and. What is the difference beteween 1931 and 1955 constitution.

The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the ronsltuction of socialism. All ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition. 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 territory of ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of his majesty the emperor. Ethiopian constitution 1931 pdf ethiopia constitution scribd. 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. Speech of his majesty the emperor, decree, constitution. Apr 04, 2014 the first misunderstanding came from the reading of the first article of the 1931 ethiopian constitution. C it is the emperors right to administer all of the inalienable properties of. This constitution was based on the meiji constitution of japan, a country educated ethiopians considered a model because of japans.

The constitution of the empire of ethiopia, 1931 in. Provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the. 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. During the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, emperor menelik ii created the current ethiopian state through expansion and conquest. All ethiopian subjects, whether living within or without the empire, constitute the ethiopian people. The derg pursued a policy of ethiopian nationalism, which often led to human rights abuses against ethnic groups who did not support the dergs centralization of power. The contract, in essence, was an attempt to define areas of mutual interest. To this end, the study made comparison as to the place of those. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. The purpose of 1931 constitution remained unserved due to italian invasion. Unlike its japanese model, the ethiopian constitution was a simple document of 55 articles. The 1931 constitution1 does not have significant relevance for the human rights discourse as it was primarily designed to reaffirm. What is the difference beteween 1931 and 1955 constitution of. The imperial constitution mostly emphasised on the following three point specially the 1931 constitution 1.