This was a very shortlived this was a very shortlived constitution in the countrys history that stayed in force until 1991. Looking ahead to the upcoming 2015 elections and the countrys longerterm stability and development, dr. 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. This constitution establishes a federal and democratic state structure. Ethiopian constitution 1987 pdf free download as pdf file. Constitutional development in ethiopia journal of african. The current ethiopian constitution declared that the state of ethiopia is structured in federal system based on cultural and language proximity ethnic based. This material covers all stages of the constitution building process. Mar 11, 2016 addis standard can you please briefly tell me the context in which ethiopias current constitution was adopted. The 1987 constitution of the republic of the philippines preamble we, the sovereign filipino people, imploring the aid of almighty god, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations.
Kthe rule of law krespect for individual and peoples fundamental freedoms and rights kequalitynondiscrimination kcitizens participation in the political, social, and economic life of. Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in africa and one of the oldest independent. And by that, it has become one of the contentious article. Introduction in 1994, ethiopia enacted its new constitution. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. The new constitution would make the country a oneparty state with the workers party of ethiopia as the sole legal party. 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 structure of the ethiopian government and the new constitutions ability to overcome ethiopias problems t. Topics derg, mengistu collection opensource language english.
Negaso solan focused on the need for a constitution that mirrors ethiopias ethnic. It divides the government into the house of peoples representatives and the house of federation. Ethiopian territorial jurisdiction the territorial jurisdiction of ethiopia shall comprise the territory of the members of. Preamble we, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. A person of either sex born to both or one ethiopian parent is of ethiopian nationality. The peoples democratic republic of elhiopia is a soverei, state whose territory comprisin, the land. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional. It shall be ruled in common by a constitution and governed by an emperor. 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 revised constitution of the afar national regional.
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. The document consisted of seventeen chapters and 119 articles. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia is a unitary,tate in which all nalionalilies ii. This article vehemently claims that carefully designed secession right in constitution can help to effectively prevent secession and. Resources this page allows you to search and download thousands of official documents from selected constitution building processes in the americas, asia and africa.
Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. Ethiopia shall remain united like the members of one family, without divisions. C it is the emperors right to administer all of the inalienable properties of. Ethnicity serves as the foundation for ethiopias political parties and is what motivates the constitutions twotiered federal system. The ethiopian constitution of 1987 205 article 99 without prejudice to article 97 of this constitution, the special powers and duties that the shengos of autonomous regions may assume, shall be deter mined by the national shengo. Ethiopia has a history of over three thousand years and is mentioned in the old testament. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay. The period 1434 1974 the period before 1434 the era of modern codified laws 19311974 written imperial constitutions the civil code of 1960 and other laws ii. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. In march 1986, a 343member constitutional commission was formed to draft a new constitution based on the principles of scientific socialism. Modern constitutional history ethiopias 1994 constitution is a direct result of the government pursuing a policy of ethnic democracy. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the ronsltuction of socialism. Apr 09, 2011 1955 revised constitution of ethiopia.
All sovereign power resides in the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. Micheau introduction emergent and reemergent nationalism seem to have taken center stage in a cast of new worldwide political trends. A constitution for a multinational democratic statenation. The emperors and the republicscucullus non facit monachum, cardozo j. The existence of constitution is paramount important for the development of democracy in a specific country. The constitutional commission had its origins in the institute for the study of ethiopian nationalities, which the derg had established in march 1983 to find. Constitution applies equally for male and female nationals. The constitution officially took effect on february 22, 1987, when the peoples democratic republic of ethiopia was proclaimed, although it was not until september that the new government was fully in place and the pmac formally abolished. Twibell t woe to the nation in which each tribe claims to be a nation.
Adopted in december of 1994 and passed in june of 1995 by the transitional government of ethiopia, the document consists of 106 articles and 11 chapters. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. 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. Their sovereignty shall be expressed through their representatives elected in accordance with this constitution and through their direct democratic participation. The second part of this paper deals with constitutionalism. Negaso in 1991, in the wake of the collapse of the military derg, there were different national liberation movements which were very active all over the country. Nationalism has appeared in many forms across asia, africa, europe, and north america. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. In this manual the constitutional interpretation is presented not as something different from. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. Provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender.
Pdf the procedure for the creation of new regional states under. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the. The main provisions of this constitution which we grant to the ethiopian people are the following. The question of proper implementation of the constitution when it comes to the oromo question is indeed the igniter the question of the addis abeba master plan that goes back to article 495 of the constitution where a law should have been made according to that constitution. Its history, implications and limitations in africa in. Ethiopian constitution the africa center university of pennsylvania. Republic of ethiopia fdre constitution had nine member states and one city. All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic. Comments this is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no. Fundamental principles of the constitution fundamental principles of the constitution. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet.
Language politics among ethiopian political parties. Despite this the mere existence of constitution cannot be a guarantee for constitutionalism. Dec 14, 2012 constitution is a set of fundamental laws that govern and guide the power and function of the government. Fundamental principles of the constitution ethiopia. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex. This article vehemently claims that carefully designed secession right in constitution can help to effectively prevent secession and disintegration of a multinational state. The impact of the inclusion of secession clause in the.
In ethiopias own constitution there are a broad range of first and second generation rights. A constitutional referendum was held in ethiopia on 1 february 1987. Constitutional adjudication in ethiopia ethiopian legal brief. Since,constitutionalism does not mean only having constitution,but it is the practical. If the three functions merge in to one organ, every thing will. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 ethiopian legal brief. This paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia.
Constitution is a set of fundamental laws that govern and guide the power and function of the government. Any person of either sex shall be an ethiopian national where both or either parent is ethiopian. To grant a constitution to all the ethiopian people. This article summarizes human rights under the ethiopian constitution mainly surrounding chapter 3 of constitution and related constitutional provisions on human and democratic rights, and forwards some insights. Draft fdre constitution by abrham yohannes on may 7, 2020 leave a comment draft 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. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the.
Even foreign nationals can apply to get ethiopian nationality through specified legal procedure. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. The imperial constitutions of the empire of ethiopia. In the peoples democratic republic of ethiopia judicial authority. The constitution officially took effect on february 22, 1987, when the peoples democratic republic of ethiopia was proclaimed, although it was not until september that the new government was fully in place and the pmac formally abolished see the peoples democratic republic of ethiopia, ch. The constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia fdre provides for basic principles to which it is committed. The primary task facing the wpe following its formation in 1984 was to devise the new national constitution that would inaugurate the peoples democratic republic of ethiopia pdre. The origin and character of ethiopian central institutions can be understood by reference to at least four main factors. 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. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. It, inter alia, covers various aspects of the application and interpretation of human rights provisions, limitation and derogation from protected rights, the amendment procedure and. Accordingly, the ethiopian state shall be known as the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. The 1987 constitution of ethiopia was the third constitution of ethiopia, and went into effect on 22 february 1987 after a referendum on 1 february of that year. The federal democratic republic shall be comprised of states.