Constitution of the FDRE (PDF)

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,.\ " ~~ ~~ fh.:"r-kf 4..J?.t-I\'e JllfPht-f\.f'e ~Tflt\.h &..Yo &.IA ",;J ~ T ,;JIt fI) FEDERAL NEGARIT GAZET A OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA h'1.~ 'lID"" 4c'l'C Ii 1'1Year No.1 hJlia hnq - ~m(a. Hi +, liifn Oh.""f-A'.f ~1v~"f£ Jl'fPh~l1..ff£ ~TllA.h ADDIS ABABA - 21 sl August, 1995 f ih1l1l "'fDt]f-:f ,..he 0."" II1q fmll) l'tCP~ INTO EFFECT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE fh.:"r-kf flth.C':f. flth.~{tP:f1j" ihllP:f OOCmm- FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA : Ol\\\:fm-.,.mi]r-;F:fm- l't",i]f,~:"..,~C flit.,., Iitfft ,.9". WHEREAS, the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of fh.:"r-kf 4..J?.t-I\'e Jl 'fDht-f\.f'e ~Tflt\.h :11100'","":'" Ethiopia have, through their elected Representatives, ratified f~"~ OOOtl'). f"th"'"m- '+m-~A II the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of i1. l't6f.1'CC6it Ethiopia, on the 8th day of December, 1994; it is hereby f,tJ l't'P~ "fh.:"r-kf proclaimed as follows: 4..J?.t-I\'e JllfPht-f\.f'e ~Tflt\.h ih., 00'","":" l't'P~ 'h1"C Ii/Iiifit1" 1. Short Title.,.flt\- t\.m.,.it f,:fl\A II This Proclamation may be cited as the' 'Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 2. ih1 00'",,,..-1: O"..t- I\f, it"ooCPI\- Proclamation No. 1/1995". fh.:"r-kf 4..1.t-I\'e JllfPht-f\.f'e ~Tflt\.h ih., 2. Coming into Effect of the Constitution 00'","":" h~"''''' I~.,., Iiifit1 ,.9"'1.9"C' 00-1\-000-1\- The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of 0".. t- I\f, m-~A I: Ethiopia has come into full force and effect as of the 21 sl 3. l't'P:( f"'J~Ij"O:" 1.H. day of August, 1995. f,tJ l't'P~ h~"''''' I~.,., Iiifif1 ,.9". 1.9"C' f~1j" 3. Effective Date f,tI'lj" All This Proclamation shall enter into force as of the 21sl day of August, 1995. l'tJlit l't01) ~"'lI. I~.,., Iiifif1 ,.9". Done at Addis Ababa, this 21 st day of August, 1995. p./C ~;J(t 1.~~. fh.:"r-kf 4..1.t-I\'e JllfPht-f\.f'e ~Tflt\.h NEGASO GIDADA (DR.) T~H.~':" PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA , n~., ;J... Dmt Pnce }9'00 t..1..t-A ~;Jt"', ;JH.1fJ T'''''+'' Federal Negarit a.p.G.Box 80,001 ii'a:;i 1Jt I 1..1.~A ~;M"" ;JII."., cfc-rCIi ~"'(\ I~ +') IIJ"'~- "Federal Negarit Gazeta - No.1 2111August 1995 - Page 2 OP"Iflf PREAMBLE We, the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia: ,,~ fkTf"kl -oth.C"~f -oth.~"'P~ f th1fP~ ,- OV1&-~1kTf"kl m-h1' Ul\t M,. f "iaT'i lAm- Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to l.'fPh&-f\ "'.&L"'t;:' f ki''r''tlC£'i "7~R&-C£"I:1;J-~1 self-detennination, to building a political community foun- "'.&L4.m' f f&-it~11 /)1:/.\ O&-it'f1 fODID"" OD-o;J- ded on the rule of law and capable of ensuring a lasting peace, ~11 -tm~OD1 f 0" t;:1\1;J-~1 f Oth., fOI\"~T "'i guaranteeing a democratic order, and advancing our 0&-it~1 ~:1»1: 1\" f+OD"'~-t 1\11: f?"A"t11 "7~O~"'-o economic and social development; O;J&- 1t"""T "Cm1 OOD~itT ! Firmly convincedthat the fulfilment of this objective requires. "U1 '1\"7 h.,-o A"71:~ia f f.,,, o'i f-oth.C/ full respect of individual and people'_sfundamental freedoms lIth.~(a-o OD"'~;J-C£ OD.f1+~ -ho&-=fm- f f1;to and rights, ~olive together the basis of equality' and without o~ "h-/.\ ~T OD~;J1m- f I1thA-~ """7''r+~' I1A1\1JC~ any sexual, religious or cultUral discrimination; /.\'~T ~1.&L&-ODJJ. f"71:~-" 1\ia~I\1.~TW)' "9"~;J-~1 OOD")' J Further con vinced that by continuing to live with our rich ,and proud cultural legacies in territories we have long inhabited, kTf"kl V1&-~1 ff&-it~1 1\h-~ l1ihA lA1 f have, through continuous interaction on various levels and ff/,.4T1 OD/.\h, 9"1:C 1\(a';'~C'~f1~1'i lA1' -om.c forms of life,. built up common interests and have also -o","~(afl~'i th"p~ O+Al' ODiai'~ f"'~~T contributed to the emergence of a common outlook; 1.~1{"~ -titia~1 1\-o~1 f'rC1I1T'i fM'iCI1:" V1C OOD."" ! lA.&-'1m- ';J~1'~,fD'i l\ODAl1h:"1\A1 oftA1 Fully cognizant that our common destiny can best be served hA~M; by rectifing historically unjust reltionships and by further promoting our shared interests; ODtJ.1.m-';J&- /)~I\ ~1 ODODia~""lAOT h~~11~1 flD~h'1m-1 ,-t,,11 ",)~'1T I1"7t9"';,f;J&-/1'tc'7~11 ' Convinced that to live as one economic community is O"7it,.., ",. (10"),1 OOD+O~ I necessary in order to create sustainable and mutually suppor- tive conditions for ensuring respect for our rights and 1'''''''''~1't. ODlI;J-~1'i' ~if~;JwT11 O;J&- "Ij freedoms and for the collective promotion of our interests; 0-t1.,:1.;J.f,'~+ ,,-,it~..,.. 1\11::fl\.i''t''t "'I~Ot(allfOD11 11..J:1"hA.I\1.'1"" 0",-, ; Determined to consolidate, as a lasting legacy, the peace and the prospect of a democratic order which our struggles and n~"1\~1«; Ob~/.\ '1m-0014'1'/):",'1:"'-t1T(Df-11.'fP sacrifices have brought about; h&-f\'i itl\9" Ul\t~i:1 A"'I~;J11' ! Have therefore adopted, on 8 December 1994 this Cons- "U ~1(ID1""'T 'hff.UO",. A1A"'i:r:".. '1\"7 titutionthrough representativeswe have duly elected for this ,,~ "9"~+~ ~Ml ~1.&L"'~'''').&LlDhI\-1ODCm1 purpose as an instrument that,binds us in a mutual commit-' ""711"~:" flat1 -1.,,.,:,, -,.11" ment to fulfill the obj~tives and the principl~s set forth Ol\tJ'i:fm- -t1D11f";J=~') Ill. ~;&:CID+1 liUn"* t"+~,,/.\ II above. 1Jt r A..1.~.A ~;J&.1'.7fL") 1lilfn ,.,... Federal Negarit Gazeta - No. I 21 st August 1995 - Page 3 9" iJ (,..C': 1\ ') ~" CHAPTER ONE ~,,'};J1.9'T m:""" GENERAL PROVISIONS 1\,}"'1\ ~ Article 1 f h..:"f- k f oo'}..,/"':,. ilfll7. Nomenclature of the State.e.U ih 1 oo'}.., /"':,. t..Y..~" 1£Cj Y..'l"h ~"-fl£ f oo'}.., /"':,. This Constitution establishes a Federal and Democratic State 1\fD:J>.,.C f,f,~'?;JA :: O'LU oo"l:" fh..:"f-kf oo'}'?/"':,. structure. Accordingly, the Ethiopian state.shall be known as fh..:"f-kf t..Y..~I\1£ Y..'l"h~"-fl£ ~T11t\..h OD7.A il9" The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia..e.m~A :: Article 2 Ethiopian Territorial Jurisdiction 1\,}"'1\ ~ fh..TV"kf f'?':" fD"'} The territorial jurisdiction of Ethiopia shall comprise the territory of the members of the Federation and its boundaries fh,:t-f-kf f"'.':" fD"'} ft..Yo~t\-'} 1\l1f\oT fD"'} fD7.fm shall be as determined by international agreements. ft' A A If Ii 0 ~t\ 9" 1\"'tt: il 9"9"H'" T 00 "l:" f"'fD" ~fD" ~fD":: Article 3 1\,}"'1\ f The Ethiopian Flag f h..:"V"k f ,,'} ~:,. ~"DIJ 1. The Ethiopian flag shall consist of green at the top, yellow in the middle and red at the bottom, and shall have a ~, fh..:"f-A'f "'}~:,. ~"DIJ h"f, 1\l,}~Y.. t hoothA 0. 6IiiJ.t national emblem at the centre. The three colours shall be h.+T "'f, (rli 0 ooth t\" 'Oth.~1£ ~CDIJ f,Cj llfJA :: set horizontally in equal dimension. Y'il1:9".,. t\DIJ:" ~ h- A (r ~fD" 0 1\'? ~9" f,"'oo lIJf\- :: h ,,') ~:,. ~I\DIJfD" 1\f, fDIJ".,. 00 m fD"11th.~1£ ~CDIJ f h.. 2. The national emblem on the flag shall reflect the hope of I' :"f-kf 11th.C'T t 11th.l"flT t ihllflT ~Cj 'If,DlJCj.y.T the Nations, Nationalities, Peoples as well as religious O~ h-A ~''''Cj 01\'} ~,~..,. t\ooliC f"TfD"'}.,.il4. fDIJ.f'}R communities of Ethiopia to live together in equality and I1Ce} f,tfCjA :: unity. [. f t..Y..~"" 1\11f\oT ff ~i}TfD" ,,'} ~:,. ~"DlJCj ~CDIJ t\.. Cj 3. Members of the Federation may have their respective ~TfD" f,T"A :: 1fC1f~,} Of~i}TfD" 9"hC 0.:" flags and emblems and shall determine the details thereof f,fDilCj "":: through their respective legislatures. 1\'}.,. 1\ ii Article 4 - fh..:"f-kf 'Oth.~1£ oollllO"C National Anthem of Ethiopia The national anthem of Ethiopia, to be determined by law, fh.. :"f-k f 11th.~1£ OOllllO"C f ih1 oo'}'?/"'1:,} ~"DlJ9'TCj shall reflect the ideals of the Constitution, the commitment of fh..:"f-kf ihllflT Oy"'l"ht,.."- /"'C~:,. 1\11lfD" t\ooCjC the Peoples of Ethiopia to live together in a democratic ord~r f"TfD"'} ~9"~:" f ~'}Jto-9" ffD~L:" f;J~ iJ~I\TfD"'} and of their common destiny. fDIJ.f'}RI1C:" (rCj Oih'? f,fD"CjA :: Article 5 1\ ').,. 1\ ?; Languages ili\ *'}* 1. All Ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recog- ~, DlJCjTfD"9"fh..:"f-kf *,}*9'T O~h-A~:" foo'},?/",:" nition. ~fD":"Cj f,Cj ~TIfJ A :: 2. Amharic shall be the working language of the Federal ~, 1\DlJC~ ft..Y..~'" oo'},?/",..,. f/"'~ *'}* f,lfCjA :: Government. [, ft..Y..I..7i).. 1\l1f\oT ff(,..i}TfD"'} f/"'~ *'}* Oih'? f,fD 3. Members of the Federation may by law determine their il Cj :: "" respective working languages. 1\1.,. R" 7: Article 6 iI i\ ,L'? ~ :,. Nationality 1. Any person of either sex shall be an Ethiopian national ~, fD"~:t:/fD"~:e fDf,9" hfD"~:t:/hfD"~:e 1\1~~TfD" where both or either parent is Ethiopian. h..:"f-k!I£/h..:"f-k!l£:" flf~/flf~T fh..:"f-k! tL;J ~fD"/Cj:" :: 2. Foreign nationals may acquire Ethiopian nationality. ~, ffD"6J!' U1C tL1T fh..:"f-k! tI.'?~:" t\..f11- f,TI\f\- :: 3. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by [, 't'?~:"1 ODIJ"ooi\h:" lfClf~ Oih'? f,fD(aCjA :: law. 1~!! t.,Y.,t..t\ ~;JI.-r ;Jlf.ffJ~'I'C: li ~(hl'l.I?i 4>1Ii!fit% '}.9". Federal Negarit Gazeta -No.1 21 st August 1995 - Page 4 h 1.,.", 'k Article 7 ff;J- h11\t\'" Gender Reference OtttJ ih1 001..,P':" CD-il'l' oon ~ f;J- fi'1. "11 CD-'1(1.:"19" Provisions of this Constitution set out in the masculine gender f;J- !iI:";J-A :: shall also apply to the feminine gender. CHAPTER TWO :,. 9" iJ/r.lf. ll' t\ oo(}~;J-ce ooClfsP"f FUNDAMENTALPIDNCWLESOFTHE 'I ih1 001"'P'i: CONSTITUTION h 1.,. '" :!; Article 8 'Iihll11 trql\CC":" Sovereignty of the People Ii- fh.:,.r-k! 11m.~"f : 11m.~(}P"f : ihllP"f fh.:,.r-k! 1. All sovereign power resides in the Nations, Nationalities trql\CC P'A1l)1 flt\o..y."f 'i"TCD-:: and Peoples of Ethiopia. ~- ,etJ ih 1 001.., P':" 'Itrql\ CC.,;J-TCD-00'" t\ 6liJ..,CD-:: 2. This Constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. r- trql\CC";J-TW-9" f0l/.1t\RCD- OtttJ ih1 001..,P':" oo(}~:" OOl/.ooC{{l.TW-i'roiIr-;FTCD-'i" O"''I';J- OOl/.!1.C.,.:" YolJP 3. Their sovereignty shall be expressed through their represen- h/r.l1.!CC i''':''';: hDl/iI,e.,:,. ,e1f'i"A :: tatives elected in accordance with this Constituion and through their direct democratic participation. h 1.,.", j1 Article 9 'Iih1 OO1..,P':" fOl\,e.,:,. Supremacy of the Constitution Ii- ih1 001°1P'i: fU1~i: fOl\,e ih.., "CD- :: 0'/1?fCD-9" ih.., : 1. The Constitution is the supreme law ofthe land. Any law, AO'/'&;CChlP/r.C : h1Jtll'9" f001..,P':" hiIA ro,e9" customary practice or a decision of an organ of state or a flt\P'AIl)1 CD-"~ htttJ ih1 001..,P':" ;JC fOl/.:J>~1 hlf., public official which contravenes this Constitution shall i'&.1t0l/.":" h,eif~CD-9" :: be of no effect. ~- 0'/1?fCD-9" tI.;J : f001..,P':" hiII\:" : f7't\i:iI ~C~.y."f: 2. All citizens, organs of state, political organizations, other f\.f\"f0'/'" 0 /r.:" h 1 Jt ll'9" fIt\P' A Il)if ;FTW- : ih 1 001.., associations as well as their officials have the duty to P'i:1 fO'/ilhOC'i" t\ih1 001"'P'i: i'11( fOOlf1 ;}I\k":" ensure observance of the Constitution and to obey it. ht\flTCD- :: r- OtttJ ih1 001..,P':" hi'Y."11CD- W-6f!> OO'/'i"TW-9" h\\ 3. It is prohibited to assume state power in any manner other. ~1 f001..,P':" P'A1l)1 00!1I fi'ht\ht\.,w- :: than that provided under the Constitution. ~- h.:,.r-k! !R1..,.;FTCD- qt\9" h.,.lf. il9"9".,.y."f fU1~i: 4. All intenational agreements ratified by Ethiopia are an ih.., hiIA 'i"TCD- :: integral part of the law of the land. h1.,.'" I Article 10 () 11qCC'i"YolJPh /r.l1.!CC 0011.y."f Human and Democratic Rights 1. Human rights and freedoms, emanating from the nature of Ii- (}11qCC0011.y."f'i".,.,.,.y."f h(}CD- A~ i'&.'1'~ fOl/.oo"a;c: mankind, are inviolable and inalienable. fO'/,eIl)(}-'i" fDl/,e1&.f. 'i"rCD- :: ~- f'L1"f h'i" fihllP"f(}-OqCC'i" YolJPh/r.l1.!CC OO11.y."f ,eh 2. Human and democratic rights of citizens and peoples shall O/r.tr :: be respected. Article 11 h 1.,. '" "Ii f001..,P':"'i" f'/,eO'/if:" oot\!f:" Separation of State and Religion 1. State and religion are separate. Ii- 001..,P':"'i" '/ ,eDl/if-"t fi't\!f. 'i"rCD- :: 2. There shall be no state religion. ~- 001"'P';J-CC '/,eO'/if:" h,eifC9" :: jIi 3. The state shall not interfere in religious matters and r- 001..,P':" O'/,eO'/if:".,..&;.eIl)A:J> h.e1f19" :: '/.eO'/if:"9" 0001..,P':".,..&;.eIl)A:J> h.e1f19" :: religion shall not interfere in state affairs. 1K"f. A..,.,t./A ~:M'1' ;JIL"' 'h1'C:fi ~,M. It.,., IP.fn ~.,... Federal Negarit Gazeta - No.1 21't August 1995 - Page 5 n1.,.", Ul Article 12 fOD1"lJP:t- nlP(,.Ctj +m'C ih~(JJ'f:1 n'(lI9'" :: Article 16 1',1"'''' Ii- The Right of the Security of Person fnt}A '.tJ1~:t- OD-{1:t- Every one has the right to protection against bodily harm. 0IJ1~ID-9'"ltID- nnt}l\:' ,,~ 1.'&;'r h1,&;~~Cito:t- fODmO:" OD-{1""nl\ID- :: Article 17 Right to Liberty n 1.,. '" 1'i. 1. No one shall be deprived of his or her liberty except on f~.,~:t- OD-{1:t- such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as {!. nih"l hi'~~11ID- JPC'i:t- ID-1iJ.h 0IJ1~ID-9'" ltID- (JJ1f:9'" are established by law. (f~ ,. ~"~rf:1!:t1 n'll)9'"!n:t'll)9'" :: 2. No person may be subjected to arbitrary arrest, and no I' 0IJ1~ID-9'" ltID- Oih"l h',.,. ~11ID-JPC'i:t-ID-1iJ.h1\.'11 t l1it person may be detained without a charge or conviction "~4>c'on')' (JJ~9'" ",e.~.~y.'n:t- I\.:t'ltc n~'fA9'" :: against him. 'J~} t"Yo&.&\ ~;M"" ;J1f.(fJ /.\"'Jl(}m- tDf.r "''''Tl&1r ",hl){ "'Jl sions or admissions which could be used in evidence lr.,. 1'\f.1f,.~r II 0",h1f,.1: f+1" ",hl:( ++I1f.~"" against them. Any evidence obtained under coercion shall "'f.'i ll&'r II not be admissible. I' f+ 1~ (}?Jr O'Ph fOll~;J-"" 01111"""'I\Tl& II 1f'i9'" Oib.., 6. Persons arrested have the right to be released on bail. In 0 + f,.~1'" A ~ 0- ~;J-?Jr C;:C1: 0."" 'Ph""'" 1\" 011+OA exceptional circumstances prescribed by law, the court tDf.r 01f,.11 OIIC;:;J-""') ta'rC> oct flf~ f'Ph""'" may deny bail or demand adequate guarantee for the conditional release of the arrested person. "'l~165J. "'Jl+C1I "",H1I f.rl\/.\ II Article 20 ') + t) Rights of Persons Accused '" '" f+h(} (}?Jr 01111"" 1. Accused persons have the right to a public trial by an ordinary court of law within a reasonable time after Ii' f+h(} (}?Jr hh h+lOI1Tl& O~I\ +1ft Olf~ "'~C 1.tJ. having been charged. The court may hear cases in a l&h,- 00llf,.0;;: C;:C1: 0."" "ib1l1l closed session only with a view to protecting the right to "'A'" Olf~ rfto"" fOll(}"''''' 01111"" 1'\I\Tl& II If'ir f+h~I1~?J:t:') f..,A privacy of the parties concerned, public morals and ibf.tD"" t fib1l1l1 f'l"~A o-~;J-'" ff}1~i:1 f,.tJ,)~"" national security. "OIImO.}> I\.I1A 1I;F hCh~ 011.., rfto"" t\.(}", f.rl\/.\ II 2. Accused persons have the right to be informed with sufficient particulars of the charge brought against them I' h oct Olf~ 1IC1IC"')Jl~1~Tl& ",.. h , 0"',h.C;: and to be given the charge in writing. f",..,,.,,,, 01111"""'I\Tl& II OC;:C1: '£f,."" 111\-0"" 1.tJ. O+h(} O"" tD11:A "'f,. ,-4- 3. During proceedings accused persons have the right to be f' +;;: '''OII~mC. Orhhc~"" "'Jl+Clt9'" '''0II1f,.1: presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law and not to be compelled to testify against themselves. 01111"" "'I\Tl& II \ ~. f+lOflTl&') 4. Accused persons have the right to full access to any "''''Tl&1'r ",hl:( fOllOllAh"" t f+lltl1 Tl&1 rhhc>r fOllmf.}> t "OIIhl\hA f"7.1hrl\Tl&') evidence presented against them, to examine witnesses testifying against them, to adduce or to have evidence ",hl:( f",.}>l1l tDf.'r f",h+l1l "'Jlo-r 'rhhC' produced in their own defence, and to obtain the ;FTl& +COl& "'Jl(}~I\Tl& fOllmf.}> 01111"""'I\Tl& II attendance of and examination of witnesses on their ~. OOlllm-"" fib.., mO:1> fOlltDhA tDf.r mO:1> "",I/>r behalf before the court. ",.}>r 0"'11) :.t'Tl& C;:..,.ib t\.:}f,.A f"7. A 0"" o-~;J- r 5. Accused persons have the right to be represented by legal 1\., ;J,-r h0ll1..,P''''' mO:1> f",..,,.,,,, 01111"" "'I\Tl& II counsel of their choice, and, if they do not have sufficient I' hCh~ 0"7.;J-f.0"" C;:C1: 0."" O+(}mI1Tl& """tf1l tDf.r means to pay for it and miscarriage of justice would c;:C~ I\f. P'AII)1 I\"l& C;:C1: 0."" f."'I1~ f",.}>l1l 01111"" result, to be provided with legal representation at state "'I\TCf)- II expense. ~. fC;:C~ 'If..'''' 0"'f.1I1Tl& *,* 0"7.11~1:0"" o-~;J-0011') 6. All persons have the right of appeal to the competent court.., against an order or a judgement of the court which first P''''' tDIJJ. h Ch~ ,,') -'l+ l-) 9'"I\Tl& fOIlm f.}>01111"" "'I\Tl& II heard the case. 7. They have the right to request for the assistance of an interpreter at state expense where the court proceedings '" ')+'" ~b 0,-0:1> hC 11\-,.. OC;:C1:f ;J-(}~ (}?Jr 01111"" are conducted in a language they do not understand. Article 21 Ii' 0,-0:1> hC 11\-,.. OC;:C1:f;J-()~ (}?Jr (}1I'ice h1l~Tl&') The Rights of Persons Held in Custody and Convicted. 0"7.m1lch o-~;J-?Jr fOIl 111 01111"" "'I\Tl& II Prisoners I' h..,..-;C :}f,.7'f;FTl& t h""C1I HOIIf.;FTl&. h:}f,.7'f;FTl& t 1. All persons held in custody and persons imprisoned upon h?f.",tj"" "''''I1~?J;FTl& t hthtL'I";FTl& ",.. hib.., conviction and sentencing have the right to treatments "''''I1~?J;FTl& ~C "OIl""'''''''''' "'-'l-)O~Tl&'r "1:A respecting their human dignity. f",..,,.,,,, 0011"" "'I\Tl& II 2. All persons shall have the opportunity to communicate with, and to be visited by, their spouses or partners, close. relatives, friends, religious councillors, medical doctors "'')+'" ~e and their legal counsel. ftD,)~A ib.., tDf,.~I\ +ooA(t f"'f.IP~ h" oolf'" Article 22 ",');;: l&r (}l& f tD11:A h h I\. +C1I 0"" f +h()(} 0"" 1:C Ii' Non-retroactivity of Criminal Law 1."" O+~~OIIO"" 1.tJ. 1:C1.i:') oo~~~ tDf.'r "'''00 1. No one shall be held guilty of any criminal offence on ~~~ tD')1:A 0II1f'" Oib.., f+f,.~.,., 11/.\1f~ Oh++C account of any act or omission which did not constitute a t\. +11) "'f.rA'r II "')Jlo-r tD')1:I\-') 0&.~000"" 1.tJ. criminal offence at the time when it was committed. Nor "tD')1:1\- +~1."7. h~Oll& f.}>I1)"" 1I)~1 Ol\f. fhOf,. shall a heavier penalty be imposed on any person than the.}>II)"" o"'');;:l&r (}l& I\f. "'f.tD(}19'" II one that was applicable at the time when the criminal offence was committed.  1K" t t..1..t./.\ ";J~"" ;Jtl.ffJ O?. 1T'i Article, a law promulgated subsequent to the commission h+11 hJ.':C1.i: 0:\1\ ffDtf}lD-~"I +LRO?.~'-'" f,'il'PA:: of the offence shall apply if it is advantageous to the accused or convicted person. h'}+1\ 7;f 0 h'} J.':fD'}:lA J.':;JO?.~tf}'-'" /11\oohA hit- Article 23 Prohibition of Double Jeopardy 0?'}~lD-9" 11lD- OfD'}:lA ~"Ili r~ rCq.-,.. ool1l'-'" +h{\ No person shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an f 00 QJ,l7i' OIT~ lD-It~ '1'4-+ ~ ~i: O+l;J 1 ill 0'-'" fDf,9" 0 ~, offence for which he has already been finally convicted or 0+1\ ++ 0'-'" fD'} 1: A 'h'}1. 1li hf, h 11/19" fD f, 9" h f,+ tf}9" :: acquitted in accordance with the criminal law and procedure. h'} + 1\ 7;0 Article 24 fhllCli fOOAit9" - /19" 0011'-'" Right to Honour and Reputation 1. Everyone has the right to respect for his human dignity, li' 0?'}~lD-9" 11lD- 1111q'C hll';'li OOAit9" {}oo- foohOC reputation and honour. 0011'-'" hl\lD- :: O?,} ~ lD-9" 11lD- f t.l1-,} 2. Everyone has the right to the free development of his ~. /111 ()li h t\.fto :y. It"':y. 001l.y.:y. ;J C personality in a manner compatible with the rights of O+tf}tf}oo o-~~ O~' fO?lt1. "I 0011'-'" hl\lD- :: other citizens. [. 0?'}~lD-9" 11lD- 00?'}~lD-9" /1CJ:t. Ol1l1q'C~i: 'hlD-~li fO?"Il'-'" 0011'-'" hl\lD- :: 3. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person. h') + 1\ 7;i: Article 25 -- f'h IrA~'-'" 0011'-'" Right to Equality 0-1t-9" 119':y. 0 ~ "I ~.-,.. ~ irA liTlD- ; 0 ooith I\TlD-9" All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without O?,}~ lD-9" q f, ~.-,..A ~ ~.-,..1tf,1.l"l 0 ~ "I 'hirA l' O:J>f,1. l"l 1\ any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this T'PA :: OtLU l1J.': OHC f 01lth.C f lIth.ll1l1 f 0+1\9" f OP~f respect, the law shall guarantee to all persons equal and f OYf,O?'i'-'" f OTI\-tit f 00?'"r0t.'C effective protection without discrimination on grounds of hOOtf}'I' f OVlI'-'" f O*'}* race, nation, nationality, or other social origin, colour, sex, O'-"'lD-A J.': fD f, 9" 0 1\.1\ h 9" 9"h '}1'-'" A ~ ~.-,..Itf, 1.l"l 119':y. * language, religion, political or other opinion, property, birth o-It- 'hlrAli r"QJ,l1'T' f~"I 'P/1'-"'li fO?"Il'-'" 0011'-'" hl\TlD- :: or other status. h'} + 1\ ?}':& Article 26 f"lA ~f,fD'-'" foohOCli fooillO~ 0011'-'" Right to Privacy li' 0?'}~lD-9" 11lD-f"lA ~f,fDi: f "II\'C~i:. foohOC 0011'-'" 1. Everyone has the right to privacy. This right shall include hl\lD- :: f,U 0011'-'" oo'i ~1 f1.i: ~ l1lD-~i:li ,}lIli: the right not to be subjected to searches of his home, h 00 00 Coo C 'h '},It 0-9" 0"1 A f,tt ~lD- 11\ '}lIl'-'" h 00 1"H person or property, or the seizure of any property under / f 00 ill 0 ~ 001l'-"''} 1it'-'" ~ A :: his personal possession. ~. 0?'}~lD-9" 11lD-O"lA fO?.1\4-TlD-li fO?.RR4-TlD-. OT{}~ 2. Everyone has the right to the inviolability of his notes and f O?.A it TlD- 1.11~ f1.9':y. f 'h '} ,It 0- 9" 0-1: t\. c;:'} f 0-1: t\. t100- ~ correspondence including postal letters, and com- h. 7i,}li Oh.t\.h'-"'C'~h ooUf~19':y. f0?.11.C;JTlD- "ITf. ~.y.:y.hf,1.L';'9" :: munications made by means of telephone, telecom- [. foo,}"Ir'-'" l1l\rAtf}'i:y. 'h~tLU'} 001l.y.:y. fO?hOCli munications and electronic devices. fO?/1hOc "I1..~ hl\l1TlD- :: h{}1~~ o-~~9':y.l1.LiIl';'li 3. Public officials shall respect and protect these rights. No 1Ith.t.'C 1.U,}~'-"''}f f ~"H1I,} 111\9" f fD'}1:A'} Oooh restrictions may be placed on the enjoyment of such I\hA' mS'}li f~"HlI,} flfPt.A o-~~ OOOillO~ fDf,9" rights except in compelling circumstances and in accor- f t\.fto:y.'} OOll'-"'li ~, ~.-,.. OO?{}hOC ql\ 0?9':y. I\f, 0+00 dance with specific laws whose purposes shall be the l1li: "HC"HC ~..,:y. ool1l'-'" itAIT~ O{}++C f'h HlU safeguarding of national security or public peace, the 001l.y.:y. hill:J>+9" t\.11.'O hf,:y.A9" :: prevention of crimes or the protection of helath, public morality or the rights and freedoms of others. h'} + 1\ 7;1. Article 27 fYf,0?'i'-'" f f'h 9" ~'-"'li f h 00 1\it h'-'" ~, ~.-,.. , Freedom of Religion, Belief and Opinion li' O?'} ~ lD-9" 11lD- fO? 1111 : f ~ t\.li 'hli fY f,0? ~, ~.-,.. 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience 'i'-'" hl\ lD-:: f,U 0011'-'" O?'} ~ lD-9" 11lD-f 00 lilllD-'} Yf,0?'i.-,.. and religion. This right shall include the freedom to hold fDf,9" 'h9"~'-'" f00111 fDf,9" foo+OA f Yf,O?'ii:'}li or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and the 1K" ii tofot.fA ~;M-r ;JltfIJ -hTl: li ~Ih~ Ili IUfn Ii,"', Federal Negarit Gazeta - No.1 21 st August 1995 - Page 9 h9"~i:1 t\1I3F CD~9" ht\.f\or ;JC Ooolf1 O~~ CD~9" freedom, either individually or in community with others, O..,A fOl/9"t\h f foohr"A t foo+..,OC J f"7it+"7C and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief CD~9" f 00'" t\ R' 0011""1 1t}"":t' A II in worship, observance, practice and teaching. e. ~ Oh1+R' ~~ 1o-it h1+R' e f+m+ltlD- h1f.+mO+ If'i 2. Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-Article 2 of - f'/~"7'i"" +h:t'r-r '/~"7'i:t'TlD-1 t\"7it~~""tj t\"7f. Article 90, believers may establish institutions of t.1:"" fD?1 itr!l, TlD- f'/ ~"7'i"" ""9"tJC""tj f hit +.&;f.C religious education and administration in order to +1:"7"" "71:1:9" ~ri\h- II propagate and organize their religion. r' "71'1 lD-1 9" It lD- fD?LA 1lD-1 h 9"~"" t\ 00 111 1 t\ lD-1 3. No one shall be subject to coercion or other means which ~,~..,. O;~~A CD~9" ot\.i\ u-~:t' O"7it1f.'(- OO1f.1I CD~9" would restrict or prevent his freedom to hold a belief of oohAhA h~3FA9" II his choice. !!. CDi\}!rtj :I1;J'C 1f""'H.+r Oh9"~:t'TlD- ooltl"" f'/~"7'i 4. Parents and legal guardians have the right to bring up their :t'TlD-1 tj f 00 A t}9" P' ~ 9"'" 'l C ""9"U c:f 000 it m"" children ensuring their religious and moral education in A}! 3FTlD-1 f"7Itf.'" 0011"" h i\TlD- II conformity with their own convictions. ~. '/~'i""1tj h9"~""1 foo..,t\R' 0011"" fL1f.1I fD?rt\lD- f:l111111 f.tJ1~"" t lti\9"1 : m.tj"1 t ""9"tJC""1 t f:l111111 5. Freedom to express or manifest one's religion or belief flf"t.A u-~:t' t ft\.f\or tl.1r1 ooltl:t''C ooll+r t may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed htj 001..,P''''' h'/~"7'i"" ~, 001f~1 t\"7l;J1T by law and are necessary to protect public safety, peace, ~'~+r OD?CDm. :111 r ~lftj A II health, education, public morality or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, and to ensure the indepen- dence of the state from religion. t,1+R' i)'i Oitll,)tj i\~ itt\D?LROO-CD1~f\or Article 28 Crimes Against Humanity j). i\...,.r-*1 'lRf.+3FTlD- f}t\9" h+~ it9"9"~+r htj Ot\.f\or ~ 1. Criminal liability of persons who commit crimes against fi\...,.r-*1 :I11r OltlD- A"f: i\~ f+LROO- CD11:f\or humanity, so defined by international agreements ratified +1It\lD- f+CDlt~""1 CD11:f\or ; fltlD- HC f"7T~"" : by Ethiopia and by other laws of Ethiopia, such as 1 t\ lJ'.C'(- flf""" ~fIJ"" h C9"~ f oolD-lt.(- t 0 hit1.&;"f: It lD-1 genocide, summary executions, forcible disappearances fooltCDC : CD~9" i\.ltrOf}'C f'(-lIf.'l.(-C1,.+r1 OLROO- or torture shall not be barred by statute of limitation. Such ltsPr i\~ hit OI/~lrO O~C;J h~:t'1.(-9" II 0:11.., offences may not be commuted by amnesty or pardon of hlD-'I.1.lB- h~A9" Ir~ O"71'1lD-9" f001..,P''''' ht}A the legislature or any other state organ. lD-1t~sPr 09":I1l"" CD~9"O~~C:t' h~;J.t\~9" II 2. In the case of persons convicted of any crime stated in sub- ~. htLtJ Oi\~ f+f.~11lD- h1f.+mO+ If'i : OH.tJ h1+R' Article 1 of this Article and sentenced with the death 1o-it h1+R' ji f+m+""'''''1 CD11:f\or t.R'oolD- flf""" penalty, the Head of State may, without prejudice to the ~ fIJ"" t\ + telf. 'l TlD- ltsPr C,)It 11tit.-r ~fIJ i:1 CD f. ,).(-"'/. provisions hereinabove, commute the punishment to life Ah R'~ },itt."" fLl7i7it\lD- ~ri\A II imprisonment. PART TWO hlJ'.A u-t\"" DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS Yolf"ht.lt.I'C 0011+ r Article 29 i)'i! t,1+ R' Right of Thought, Opinion and Expression fhoot\t)h-}- htj Ult1l1 o~, foo111tj foo..,t\R' 0011"" ji.OI/1'1lD-9" ltlD- 1t\OI/19" flJA:P 111~"" fooltt\lD-1 hoo 1. Everyone has the right to hold opinions without in- t\t}h..,. t\00111 ~ri\A II teference. ~. "71'1 lD-9" ItlD- 1 t\"719" fIJA:P 111~..,. 0 It{l-1 f 00'" t\R' ~,~..,. ht\lD- II ~tJ ~,~..,. 001C lD-itT9" Ir~ h01C lD-6f.h 2. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression without any interference. This right shall include freedom to seek, CD It1 It~Y.l'" 0"" O:PA9" Ir ~ 0 R'"'.~ CD~9" 0:11""00"" : receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, OP'~ TOrO ooAh m~9" OoolmlD- O"71'1lD-9" regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, f"7lt/,.6l>}. HYo: "71'1lD-19" f}~~"" ool~tj Olto{}foolt in the form of art, or through any media of his choice. rOlto{}t foo+OAtj f"7lt/,.,Q."" ~'~+r1 1t}"";J-A II 3. Freedom of the press and other mass media and freedom r. fTl..ittj ft\.f\or oo1tj'1 -OH-'!1 : h1Jtu-9" fP'~ TOo{} of artistic creativity is guaranteed. Freedom of the press t.m/,. ~,~-). +l;J°l(1).A II fTloit ~,~..,. O+t\~ fD?h+ shall specifically include the following elements: l\'''''1 oo-n+r Im:PAi\A : 0) f~Y.:D?1 9"Cool,. O"71'1lD-9" OOAh- f+ht\ht\ (a) Prohibition of any form of censorship. oolf~ 1 : 1~ X Aofot.lA ~;Jt"" ;JU,ffJ 'k'fC ~ ~,h(L If; 4>1 lillit?: ~'9'" Federal Negarit Gazeta - No.1 21st August 1995 - Page 10 t\) f c"h1111"}'1':"9" fOl/..oPt\h-r oPl~ fOl/'?1 -r iJY: (b) Access to information of public interest. A"} :: 4. In the interest of the free flow of information, ideas and 2' t\YolfOttt.f\.11£ P'C,}'}' hilt...I\1. flf). oPl~sP"f 1 u"n"f'i opinions which are essential to the functioning of a hoPt\i1h.y."f O~., oP"}7i/,,7it.rlD-"} t\OI/l:n'l' (l.flA Tloil democratic order, the press shall, as an institution, enjoy 0+*9"~i: f hrPt.C ~., ~-r'i f+t\I~ hil+ ff.y."f fOl/il+ legal protection to ensure its operational independence 'i1Y: "f/r';r h"}Jt'illD- fc"h'? 'I'O:J> f,Y-l'?/\;rA :: and its capacity to entertain diverse opinions. ?;. OoP"}'?P'-r 1"}Hl1 fOl/..i1~Y: OJf,9" OoP"}'?P'-r 'k'l''I'C 5. Any media financed by or under the control of the State P'C f/\ oP1'i~ l1tr~") f+/\f~ hil+ ff.y."f"} /\OI/il+ shall be operated in a manner ensuring its capacity to 'i1Y: OOl/..fil"f/\lD- o-);;r h"}JtoPt. f,Y-l;JA :: entertain diversity in the expression of opinion. i' h HLU oPl1.y."f 11.,0 I\.II}Al1rlD- fOl/."f/\lD- fU"l1'i oPl~ fOl/'?1-r ~"~-r Ohil+"(l111£ f,Hi:'i I\.filh-rA 6. These rights can be limited only through laws which are 00l/.."f/\lD- hil+"(l111£ lD-m.-r !\.1;r hf,111lD-9" 0 01/..A guided by the principle that freedom of expression and oPCU I\f, +oPilC+lD- OOl/..OJfficc"h1"f 117 f,1f'iA :: information cannot be limited on account of the content fOJII}.y."f"} Y-U"}~-r : f(llD-"} ttl1C'i oPAi19" il?" or effect of the point of view expressed. Legal limitations /\oPmO:" f\.I1A c"h;J1£1Y-nr OHLU oPl1.y."f I\f, !\.Y-~11- can be laid down in order to protect the well-being of the f,"fl\tt- :: f{l1C~-r :"il"."sP"f h"}Jto-9" (l11'}1£ ttl1C") youth, and the honour and reputation of individuals. Any fOl/.H.. fhY-1111f, oP'?/\6liJ.sP"fOc"h'?fOl/..h/\htt- f,1f'itt-:: propaganda for war as well as the public expression of 'to 0I/"}~lD-9" ,L;J hl\f, O'''m'''(}.-r oPl1.y."f hm:J>".9" l1Y: opinion intended to injure human dignity shall be fOl/..II}t\.c"h;J1£1y-n"f"} '1'1" h+11 Oc"h'?+mf-t 1\.1f"} prohibited by law. f,"fl\A :: 7. Any citizen who violates any legal limitations on the exercise of these rights may be held liable under the law. h"} ". "'. «!j. Article 30 foP(ll1(l.o 1 (ll\0I/1£ (lA~ fOl/Y:l'? ~"~-r'i M1i:;r fOl/:"l'O oPl1-r The Right of Assembly, Demonstration and Petition 1. Everyone has the right to assemble and to demonstrate li' 0I/"}~lD-9" (llD- h"-/\o"f ;JC OoPlf") oP"'~f "f,1I 0(ll\9" together with others peaceably and unarmed, and to foP(ll1(l.o 1 (ll\0I/1£ (lA~ fOl/Y:l'? ~"~-r'i 1 hl1..f:;r petition. Appropriate regulations may be made in the fOl/:"ll1 oPl1-r h/\lD- :: hl1.-r lD-6J.bfOl/..Y-l1- ill1(ll1sP"f'i interest of public convenience relating to the location of (ll\OI/lf (lAb:"f 001/.."}"''''''(}'l1rlD- n;rsP"f 0c"h1l11 h"}:" open-air meetings and 'the route of movement of demons- il:J>~ I\f, "f'?c h"}~f,t..'I'cr /\OI/Y:l'? OJf,9" OoPi1,h..(' trators or, for the protection of democratic rights, public I\f, f /\ il.O(l11OJf,9" (l1\01/1£(lA ~ (ll\ 9"") 1.e..lfOtt t.f\.fl£ morality and peace during such a meeting or demons- oPl1.y."f"}'i f c"h1l11"}flfOt.A o-);;r h "}~f,'I'(}. /\OI/ilmO:" tration. h'?l1l1 l1\rlD- P'c'}.y."f I\.Y-~11- f,"fl\tt- :: 2. ,This right does not exempt from liability under laws ~. f,U oP'O-r fOJII}.y.:f."} 1.U"}~-r 1 f(llD-"} ttl1C'i oPAi19" enacted to protect the well-being of the youth or the il9""} /\ oPm 0:" : fin C~.}. :,. il ". "sP:f' h"} Jt 0-9" (l11'}I£ honour and reputation of individulas, and laws tt.OC") fOl/. ~h- f hY-1111f, oP'?/\6liJ.sP"f"} /\oPhl\hA f\.I1A prohibiting any propaganda for war and any public OOl/.OJm' c"h1"f oP(ll-r '''mf-t hoPlf"} hf '('"}9":: expression of opinions intended to injure human dignity. h ") ". all; Article 31 '" ~ foP.(>.I,,'l-r.. oPl1-r Freedom of Association Every person has the right to freedom of association for any -'"}~lD-9" (llD- /\0I/"}~lD-9" ,}I\OI/ OOl/..,OC foPY-t.~-r oPl1-r cause or purpose. Organizations formed, in violation of h/\lD- :: 1f'i9" h'?l1l1 ft\lD-") c"h'? OoPlI}il OJf,9" c"h1 appropriate laws, or to illegally subvert the constitutional oP"},?p':rl£ P'C'}i:"} 0c"h1 OJ'I' oP"}1Y: /\OI/~lil f+oP(lli: order, or which promote such activities are prohibited. OJf,9" f + m'" (}..}") +°1 11I,,'}' fOl/..f t.9" p,. Y:C'f:.y."f f+h /\h/\' f,lr'it\. :: Article 32 Freedom of Movement 1',"}". @~ 1. Any Ethiopian or foreign national lawfully in Ethiopia '" foPHq'OJC ~.,~.} has, within the national territory, the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose his residence, as well li' 0I/"}~lD-9" h. -rV'*' fl£ OJf,9" 0c"h;J1£ oP"}1Y: U1~i: lD-il'l' as the freedom to leave the country at any time he wishes f0l/..1~ flD-lif.b tL;J OoPlmlD- fU1~i: hi1I1Q foPHq'OJC'i to. foP'i ~f n;r foPoPill'} : h"}Jto-9" 0t../\1lD- 1.tL hU1C foPlD-II}"" ~"~-r h/\lD- :: 2. Any Ethiopian national has the right to return to his country. !{. 0I/"}~lD-9" h.-rV'*'fl£ OJ1. U1cr foPoP/\il oPl1"" h/\lD- :: 1Jt"Hi ~1.t-A );MT ;IlL", -liTe Ii )dd'LI~ 4>, Iiln '-r- Federal Negarit Gazeta - No.1 21stAugust 1995 - Page 11 h,)"'1\.nf -- Article 33 ffl..., ~.'t ODi1"'~ Rights of Nationality 1. No Ethiopian national shall be deprived of his or her Ii. "7') ~ tD-9"" 1\..'tf"* 1'e/1\..'tf"* 1'e.'t hL.+~/hL.+ ~ Ethiopian nationality against his or her will. Marriage of tD-~ 1\..'tf"*''e tJ."'~-f:,)/tJ...,~.'t'P,) A.1L~ mf;,'" an Ethiopian national of either sex to a foreign national A.'t1L~ hf;,~A9""/h.'t~A'" :: 1\..'tf"*''e/1\..'tf"k shall not annul his or her Ethiopian nationality. 1'e.'t tL;J h~I\ V1C tL;J ;JC f"7.L1\ODtD-/f,...'tL1\ODtD- ;Ji1;F 1\..'tf"*''e tL"'~-f:,)/tJ...,~.'t'P,) hlia+C,.. :1 2. Every Ethiopian national has the right to the enjoyment of all rights, protection and benefits derived from Ethiopian I- "7')~tD-9"" 1\..'tf"*''e tL;J f1\..'tf"*' tJ...,~.'t Oib.., nationality as prescribed by law. f"7.1ia11tD-') ODi1.'t. 1'O:P'i" 1':"9"" f"7"'1.'t ODi1.'t h/\tD- II. 3. Any national has the right to change his Ethiopian nati onali ty. r- "7')~(o.9"" tL;J 1\..'tf"*''e tJ."'~-f:,) fOD/\m'l' ODi1.'t h/\ tD-II 4. Ethiopian nationality may be conferred upon foreigners in §- 1\..'tf"*' hh~1.+;FTtD- ~I\'" h+~ ia"''''~'''~ ;JC accordance with law enacted and procedures established O"7f;,:I"l') OD')11: O"7.mlf) ib.., 'h'i" 0"7.1.~1'" P'CIi.'t consistent with international agreements ratified by OD(al.'t f 1\..'tf"* 1 tJ...,~..,. 1\tD-~ 01 C (a9'~ A.(aT Ethiopia. f;,~I\A:: Article 34 Marital, Personal and Family Rights h')+1\.no -- 1. Men and women, without any distinction as to race, f ;Ji1;F. f..,A'i" fo.+(al1 ODl1"'~ nation, nationality or religion, who have attained i. Oib.., h+m(a~tD- f ;J11;F iJ1:"7. f1.lfl- m')p.~'i" (\.,.~ marrigeable age as defined by law, have the right to marry onc. 011th.C. 011th.l(a11 mf;,'" O'f;,"7'i.'t A~~.'t and found a family. They have equal rights while entering into, during marriage and at the time of divorce. Laws "f;,1.l"''lTtD- f"7"''l.'t'i'' o.+(al1 fODODial.'t ODl1-r shall be enacted to ensure the protection of rights and hl\TtD- :1 0;J11;F hL~~9"". 0;J11;FtD- nOD')'i" O~:f 1.tL interests of children at the time of divorce. M1-A ODl1.'t hl\TtD-.:1 O~:f'" 1.tL fA~~,) ODl1-r'i" 1':",.. 'h')JLhOC f"7.11.C~ 1:');J1.sP~ f;,1.~1;J/\- :1 2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full I-~ ;J11;F 0+ ;Jfl9'~ ~''i'' ~/\- L:I" 1: I\f;, 11;F f;,OD(al:1'A:I consent of the intending spouses. r- 0. + (a11 f..,l1l+(al1 f+t..1'~ OD(al:1''e OD~7i ~tD- :1 3. The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society h..,l1l+(al1'i" hOD')"'P'-r 1'0:1" f"7"'1-r ODl1.'t hl\tD-:: and is entitled to protection by society and the State. §. Oib.., O+I\f;, O"7.nlHltD- OD(al.'t O'f?i'i-r. O'libA 4. In accordance with provisions to be specified by law, a fib.., P'CIi"'~ I\f;, 1'ODiaC1'tD- I\"7.L?~ ;Jl1;FsP"f law giving recognition to marriage concluded under 'htD-:"'i" f"7.(a1' ib.., A.mlf) f;,~I\A I: systems of religious or customary laws may be enacted. ~- f;,U ib1 OD,)"'P'.'t f..,A 'h'i" fo.+(al1ib..,') O+ODl\h+ 5. This Constitution shall not preclude the adjudication of O+h&.ta~9'~ L:I"1: O'f;,"7'i"'~ mf;,9"" O'libfte"f Cho)"f disputes relating to personal and family laws in accor- OD(al.'t OD.';1.'t') hf;,hl\hA9"" :11fC"U~ OCh..,f;,m(a'i"A:I dance with reljgious or customary laws, with the consent of the parties to the dispute. Particulars shall be deter- h ')+1\.nl: -- mined by law.. f(\"'~ ODl1.'t Article 35 Ii- (\.,.~ f;,U Ch1 OD'}"'P'-r Ohl;J1If)TtD- 0D1)"'~ 1'0 Rights of Women :l"9'~ OODm+9"" l11: hm')p."f ;JC 'hh-A ODl1-r hl\TtD- :1 1. Women shall; in the enjoyment of rights and protections I. C\.,.~ OltU ib1 OD,)"'P':" 0+1. ~11tD- OD(al-r 0;J11;F provided for by this Constitution, have equal right with hm')p.~ ;JC 'hh-A ODl1-r hl\TtD- :1 men. r. (\.,.~ 00:1'~~.'t'i" OA~~-r OOD:1'f:1'TtD- f1.l(a'lTtD-') 2. Women have equal rights with men in marriage as f :1'~h :"Cia h"'9"".'t tD-ia1' 0"7ia1'l-r f;,U :"Cia 'h')JL:1'l prescribed by this Constitution. 9""I\TtD- O+Q;)."7~ f 1:;J~ 'hC9""~9'~ +m:l""7. fODIf') 3. The historical legacy of inequality and discrimination ODl1.'t hl\TtD-:: OltU Oh-A f"7.m(a~-r 'hC"'~9'"f lil\"7 suffered by women in Ethiopia taken into account, 07'I\-I:ta'e. 0"7..,0&.1f.'i" 01\.fI'i"7.1'e ODiafl"f 'h')JLV-9"" women, in order to remedy this legacy, are entitled to OOD')"'P'.'t 'h'i" O..,A '''*IfU~ tD-ia1' (\.,."f hm')p."f ;JC affirmative measures. The purpose of such measures shall O'hh-A ~-r +m.';.';~'i" ".l}:1't.. 'h')JLIf). 1\"71:l'" 'h')JL~A be to provide special attention to women so as to enable them compete and participate on the basis of equality A~.'th-l-r I\ODiam-r ~tD- :1 §. (\.,.~ hO):( 'libA +1\iJ'i fODI\"':" ODl1:1'TtD-') OD') with men in political, social and economic life as well as in public and private institutions. "'P'.'t "7iahOC hl\O-r :1 c\"'~1 f"7.Q;).ck). mf;,9"" Ohtal\TtD- mf;,9"" OhiJ9""C'hTtD- I\f;, ~-r f"7.1iah-r/\- 4. The State shall enforce the right of women to eliminate the Cho)~. mo)~'i" A"7P.~ f+hl\h/\- 'i"TtD- :1 influences of harmful customs. Laws, customs and practices that oppress or cause bodily or mental harm to women are prohibited. 1~' I~ ~lo&.IA ~;J&"" ;J11.t'J 9"e; fO?it.,."t\lj: 0011T h"T~ :: O.,.t\f. OOI..T'} and transfer property. In particular, they have equal rights noom4>9" f nO?it.,."t\lj: : flO?it.,..&;f.Ce; floo~llJmC with men with respect to use, transfer, administration and ~'lf.' hlD'}P."f ;JC },h'A 0011T h"~~ :: h,}~v-9" control of land. They shall also enjoy equal treatment in ~Cil,} nOlJ..OOt\hTnhh-A"T foo;rfT 0011T h"T~:: the inheritance of property. t. ,."f f.}>'fC f f P' II' hf.:1T f fh h-A hlj:!e; m-~;r'} fO?it.,."t\lj: MrA 0011:" h"T~ :: 8. Women shall have a right to equality in employment, ,."f nhC'111e;e; fllDlLf.: 9"h'}!T. fOlJ..f.CitflT~'} 1-.&;T promotion, pay, and the transfer of pension entitlements. it. t\ooh"hAe; m. '}.,:t'T~'} t\O?itmfl.}> fOlJ..!it"fA 9. To prevent harm arising from pregnancy and childbirth fo.1'(a11 9"llJ); T9"uc.1': oo~jf he; h.}>9" fO?'1lT and in order to safeguard their health, women have the 0011T h"T~ :: right of access to family planning education, information and capacity. h,} 4>?\ (/17: ~ Article 36 f ,fi'le;:" 0011T Rights of Children O?'}?f~9" ,fi'l,) fOlJ..h,,, t\-T 00111'-"f h I\-T ; 1. Every child has the right: Ii' 0) n,fif.lDT footfC : (a) To life; t\) it9"e; Itol"T fO?o11T: (b) To a name and nationality; ill) lD"ft~'} lDf.9" n,fi°l fO?ltf.'1 0011T !"T~'} (asP"f (c) To know and be cared for by his or her parents or fO?lD.}>e; fh.,fI-'}9" h'}h11i]o. fO?'1lT f (0) legal guardians; 1-AI..,:'} hOlJ..nH.nu- AO?P."f foomn.}> f flT9" UC'I:: nm.e;~e; flf.U'}.,1: "f. '1-'&;T fOlJ..!f.CfI- (d) Not to be subject to exploitative practices, neither to P'lr9>"f h'}~lPlr !t\001f.f: lDf.9" hOOP'&.T be required nor permitted to perform work which foomn.}> f may be hazardous or harmful to his or her education, IJ.') n.1'9"UCT 0..,.'.)', lDf.9" n,fi'le;T O?ltf. 'I.! ",:1: health or well-being; qo ':'-" ~il 'I' fIh i] t\- h OIJ..&.K 9" lDf.9" h "lh i]); e; (e) To be free of corporal punishment or cruel and h.o.n'}'e hrr.,.}>fJ)'1'"'l fOOl',} :: inhumane treatment in schools and other institutions ~. ,fi'lc;.1''} fO?oot\h1: hC9"jf~"f flOIJ..lD(aJ;.nT 'Ut. floo'}'1 responsible for the care of children. P' :J-,£ lDf.9" n'1A fn1 hf.-Ir1T.,.:l:qo"f f fllj:Cf: o..,."f: 2. In all actions concerning children undertaken by public nhit.,..&;f,C flt\P'AllJtf"f lDf.9" n,fi'1 h~tJ;\. hi]"T and private welfare institutions, courts of law, adminis- f,n'le;T f,U,}"T n4>f,9"T":" 00;r(a11 ht\flT :: trative authorities or legislative bodies, the primary e. O)fJ)T h'l'&.9>"f f nO?~OIJ..! lDf.9" floo:l::l:OIJ..!.,.:l:qo";f' consideration shall be the best interests of the child. fO?:,.r;.: noo'}'1p"1' hC.&;;r f«t!f:1- lDllJ.,."f f noo'} 3. Juvenile offenders admitted to corrective or rehabilitative °1P':'- lDf.9" nOlA h~t\ O?~.+'}.,.:l:qo"f lDil'f f0lJ..11- institutions, and juveniles who become wards of the State OJllJ.,."f hh -Pct9>"f.,.t\f."'~ 00!11 ht\ flT~ :: or who are placed in public or private orphanages, shall be !!. h;J.n:F ~61!' f"'lDt\J;. ,fi'le;T n;J11:F h"'lDt\J;. ,fi'le;T kept separately from adults. ;JC hit.A 0011T h"T~ :: 4. Children born out of wedlock shall have the same rights as ?;. OO'}olP'T t\h~t\ O?~.+'} A~ 'fn:p !f.C'1"T-PA :: children born of wedlock. n'l-~&.:F fOlJ..! f.'1,n.1-'} P'C'}T fO?_!oo:F~e; fOlJ..! il4.~ h '}~v-9" f.U'}" :J-T~'}e; T9"UC;rT~'} fOlJ..! 5. The State shall accord special protection to orphans and 1..9"J;. "':l:qo"f h'}~oo(a~1: !n~;r;rA :: shall encourage the establishment of institutions which ensure and promote their adoption and advance their welfare, and education. 1Jr xr ~1.~A. ~.?~+.?It.1fJ., C Ii ~"'(&.x~.,., xun ,.,.. Federal Negarit Gazeta - No.1 21stAugust 1995 - Page 13 h")"'1t c9~ Article 37 ti::"ih f07..,1':" 00-0:" Right of Access to Justice 1. Everyone has the right to bring a justiciable matter to, and i. ",")r;:tD-r iltD- O~C.(' I\.lDiI") f"7..1'1tD-") ~~ I\ti:c.(' to obtain a decision or judgement by, a court of law or any aT lD~r I\/\.I\ Oih.., f.c;:-S~:" FAtI'f") I\+ilmtD- hitA other competent body with judicial power. f07:t-l-o'i tD-It1 lD~r ti:c.(' f07..,1':" 00-0:" hl\tD- :1 2. The decision or judgement referred to under sub-Article 1 I. OtLU h")"'1t ")o-h h")"'1t Ii f+OOl\h+tD-") tD-"1 lD~r of this Article may also be sought by: ti:c.(' I (a) Any association representing the Collective or v) ",")r;:tD-r ",...oc fh'1I\rf:") f;1to lD~r f..,A individual interest of its members; or...:t-r OOOlDhA. (b) Any group or person who is a member of, or 1\) ",")r;:tD-")r 0-.('") lD~r +oo,,"~...:,,'1" 11\:ftD-") represents a group with similar interests. il9»'f f"7..lDh A..,I\iI-o ID~r fo-.('") h'1 A foomf:t-'i f07..,,.:,, 00-0:" hl\tD- II Article 38 The Right to Vote and to be Elected h")"'1t c9:!; 1. Every Ethiopian national, without any discrimination foorlT'i foooolT 00-0:" based on colour, race, nation, nationality, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion or other status, has the i. ",")r;:tD-r h.:"f"A-l«f tJ.;J 0.,.1\'1". onc. O-oth.C. following rights: O-oth.lil-o. OJ':J-. mt")*. OV~'r:". 07"I\-I:it lD~r (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly O/\.I\hOOl\ith:" lD~r O/\.I\ h*rl\~ f+ooill+ A~~:" and through freely chosen representatives; "~~l"'O:" f"7..h+ft-:" oo-o-fT hft-:" I v) O+...:J- ~'i O~,~:,. oooltl'f:ftD- +lDitf"T h"7it (b) On the attainment of -18 years of age, to vote in :-s~:,. 0;"11-0.,...c;~ hh+.c;~c foo"+ti:. accordance with law; 1\) ".('''7.tD-!:!;'00:'' lI.'l"1\ Oih.., 00 ill:" f oorlT' (c) To vote and to be elected at periodic elections to any th) O"7'i:ftD-r foo")..,F:" ~lJr Of1.tJ.tD- O"7..it¥.(' office at any level of government; elections shall be rc6li). foorlT'i foooolT II rC~tD- o-ft- by universal and equal suffrage and shall beheld by h+ti:. Oo-ft-r ~ boA~:" I\~ f+ooill+'i O"7..h...c secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the.('r" hil tl'fT 00 toQJ: L:Jt ~") O~, ~:,. f"7..1A will of the electors. JtO:" "''''':'''i f"7..ilT 00"") hl\O:" I: 2. The right of everyone to be a member of his own will in a I. 07"I\-I:it.('C:E--fT' OlPto+7fT. 0")"'.('. OhlP~9»T'i political organization, labour union, trade organization, ",... 0 to:" 1\+,,:,. t.':.('C:E-rf: f"7..m~"'tD-") m:"1\ 1\'i or employers' or professional association shall be respec- n""'l A ~ fh'1A~:" ooh~C:" f"7..1":1.1\"7")~tD-r iltD- 0ti:I\1rf: ted i{he or she meets the special and general requirements h'1A foo.,") oo-orf: f+hOl 011"") hl\O:":: stipalated by such organization. r. OtLU h")"'1t ")o-h h")"'1t I O+OOl\hrf::".('C:E-"'T tD-h... 3. Elections to positions of responsibility within any of the I\:)I\~~:" f1:J-9»Tf"7.it¥~ rC~9'T ~''i 1-..'l"htoll.lce organizations referred to under sub-Article 2 of this O.,~ 00")1.(' ~~"'''7ft- :: Article shall be conducted in a free and democratic §. ftLU h")"'1t ")o-h h")+1t I ~'i r.('");11.9'Tfih1l-o") manner. T:t-r il4- '11\ 0-1:J- f"7. ~bo ~h h"~.(' lh Oih" '1ce 4. The provisions of sub-Articles 2 and 3 of this Article shall.('C:E-"'T I\~ +~"'''7. ~"'ift- :: apply to civic organizations which significantly affect the public interest. h")+Y\ c9i} f-oth.C"T. -oth.lilf1T. ih1lf1T 00-0:" Article 39 Rights of Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Ii. "7")r;:tD-r f h. :"f"A-1 -0th.C. -oth.lil-o. ih"-o f to""") 1. Every Nation, Nationality and People in Ethiopia has an ".('A Oto"" foomil") ~hhOD1")mA 11\tD-oo-orf: 0"7'i unconditional right to self-determination, including the :ftD-r ooAbol1\ 1~-o f+mO.,. ~tD-II right to secession. I. "7")r;:tD-r fh.:"f"A-l -oth.C. -oth.lil-o. ih1l-o ml: 2. Every Nation, Nationality and People in Ethiopia has the ")*tD- fOO'i1C. fOD"'ti:. *")*tD-") f"7"~'" 7..'i '1ihl\-") right to speak, to write and to develop its own language; fOD"'I\1t. M~OC'i f"7h4-4-:" ~")Jlo-r :J-~bo") foo") to express, to develop and to promote its culture; and to h'1h-O 011-0:" hl\tD- I: preserve its history. r. ",")r;:tD-r fh.:"f"kl -oth.C. -oth.lil-o. ih1l-o to""") 3. Every Nation, Nationality and People in Ethiopia has the f"7"'+.c;"C "...ft- 00"":" hl\tD- :: ~u OIl :" -oth.~. right to a full measure of self-government which includes -oth.lilo-. ih1l0- Oil~lO:" ODAh, r.('c to""") f"7.1h the right to establish institutions of government in the +.c;.('CO:" oo")"'F:J-ce +!1:"7:" f"7**r 7..")Jlo-r territory that it inhabits and to equitable representation in OhAA'i 04..1-..toA hh+.c;"C"T tD-hT "7.tJ'ice tD-hA'i state and Federal governments. f",..,1':" 011-0:"")lm:J'AI\A :1 1~ Hi t..f-o&.A, ~:J&"" ;>,l.llJ OIJ.~ -I: fl cJ:l '1' 111l-l:1 right shall include the right to alienate, to bequeath, and, fIP/11}TI 11t\0':1~~-I:1 fIP/tfOJC OJy,er fill} h~f fOUlllf~ where the right of use expires, to remove his property, ou1lT1 fI1T;f'A :: 1IC1fC h~.~U~OD-O,'h"l y,OJlI.e;A :: transfer his title, or claim compensation for it. Particulars shall be determined by law. ~. f"lA 111lT l1t\o.T~T OU1lT h1~1-1Il0~ lflf t ou1 "lr'T t\,'h1111 '1'~er hil~-"1. lflf flf110J« 1-ouflJflJ:'; 8. Without prejudice to the right to private property, the 111} O~ Y:OIJ.f oouh~A f"lA 111lT1 t\ouOJ«lI.Y: government may expropriate private property for public purposes subject to payment in advance of compensation Y,"f"A:: commensurate to the value of the property. h1~'" ~li Article 41 fi\.1'1lfOlJ. I flP/..,o~«£e; fl1,'hA OU1l.y."f Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1. Every Ethiopian has the right to engage freely in Ii. 1P/1~ OJ«er i\. T f-k f«£ 0 U1 {;-I: OJ«il '1' OIP/1 ~ OJ«er economic activity and to pursue a livelihood of his choice fi\.1'1lflP/. h1~il:J>"" foull.lP/~Te; t\OU1-.&;~{;fOJ«foul. anywhere within the national territory. 1Il0J«1 r'~ four'II'T ou1lT ht\OJ« :: 2. Every Ethiopian has the right to choose his or her means of ~. V-~er i\.'''' f' k f«£ ou 1-'&;~. (; f OJ«1 t r' ~0J«1 e; OD-f OJ«1 livelihood, occupation and profession. fouerl'1' OU1lT ht\OJ« :: [. fi\.Tf-A'f U1"f v-t\:. OOU1"lr'T 11"11 00lJ.11~~ 3. Every Ethiopian national has the right to equal access to publicly funded social services. IP/"'O~«£ h1A"lftn.y."f Oh h-A ~T foulll~er ou1lT 4. The State has the obligation to allocate ever increasing h" TOJ« :: Q' OU1"lr'T fmS I fTerUCTe; Ibftn"f flP/"'O~«£ h1A"lftn resources to provide to the public health, education and.y."f1 t\,'h1111 t\1P/~l.'0 Of1.'f.OJ« hf{;Q.oul fOlJ.~Y: U1IT other social services. Y,ouY:I1A :: 5. The State shall, within available means, allocate resources ~. ou1"lr"'" fhl1A he; fh/Jerr: ,...&;1-q."f1 I hl.;J«£f11e; to provide rehabilitation and assistance to the physically ft\m,,'f: OJy,er ft\hl}.&;1. f~~ ,'h'le;T1 t\1P/cJ:cJ:erc; and mentally disabled, the aged, and to children who are t\OUC'&;T fU1{;-I: fi\.1'1lfOlJ. h~er O~~~OJ« ~ljf h1h left without parents or guardian. '0110. f.V~C;JA :: 6. The State shall pursue policies which aim to expand job OU1"lr"'" t\r'~ h(J1"fe; t\"f"'lq."f r'~ t\OU~lIlC opportuniti~s for the unemployed and the poor and shall i' fOlJ.f il "f A T t\. fl Y, h 1-" A : h 1 Jt v-er 0 OIJ.fl1'l~0J« accordingly undertake programmes and public works fr'11' "C~ OJ«il'1' fr'11' /JY:A t\OU~lIlC fr'~ Tr:"l~ projects. qu"f1 fmflJA I Tr:~h.y."f1 fl1~'&;A :: 7. The State shall undertake all measures necessary to 'to OU1"lr"'" t1.1"f 1Il:J>1P/.r'11' flP/"l1T /JY:"TOJ« hfll.4. increase opportunities for citizens to find gainful em- h 1Jt ~Y: t\1P/Y:l."l hil~"1. hCerjf9'"f1 Y,OJil.&;A::. ployment. ~. 101..9'"fC; ""1 i\.Tf'kfOJ«f1 Of1.UOJ« hf1-7i7it\ flP/. 8. Ethiopian farmers and pastoralists have the right to ~Y: ~r: t\oulfC flP/.fil"f"TOJ«C; t\erCT 11~l."'T hil1- receive fair prices for their products, that would lead to tp"'/..;JC 1-ouflJflJ:'; flr~ 1-10. tp;J t\erCT OJ«{f]..y.Y:TOJ« improvement in their conditions of life and to enable flP/"l'Y'1' ou1lT h"~~OJ« :: OU1"lr"'" fi\.1'1lfOlJ. t flP/..,O them to obtain an equitable share of the national wealth 1- A er 0 T 1.U 0 H. U l}"1P/ II' «£e; fA IP/ T 7' t\. fl 9' 1~1 0 OIJ. commensurate with their contribution. This objective ououll'.1. ht\OT :: shall guide the State in the formulation of economic , social and development policies. !t. ou1"lr':" fl1,'hAc," f;h~h ~C{\"f1 fou1hl1h1le; t\r'~'1' 01le; t\il7~CT OUiltj~4-.T hil1-tp/JP flP/Y:l."l 9. The State has the responsibility to protect and preserve ~"k ~T ht\OT :: historical and cultural legacies, and to contribute to the promotion of the arts and sports. i',1 ~ '" Pie Article 42 flPll'-I.q."f OU1lT Rights of Labour 1. (a) Factory and service workers, farmers, farm labourers, Ii' U) f4.'O{;I1e; fh1A"'l\o..,. lPll'1-q."f I 101..9'"f I fhcif other rural workers and government employees IPII'.,.q.1' : lbl\o1' f111lC lPll'1-q."f I h1-OJlI.~ whose work compatibility allows for it and who are f~"~. ~T ~ljf O;J."f f t\:.e; f r' II' 1Ill1fTOJ« fOlJ.~~ below a certain level of responsibility, have the right y.'''~~0J« fOU1"lr'T lPll'1-q."f f r' ~e; fi\.1'1lflP/. to form associations to improve their conditions of V-kJ'9'"f1 t\1P/"li7iA OIP/..,OC fOUY.~~T OU1lT employment and economic well-being. This right h"~~OJ« :: y,u OU'OT flP~1-~ 1P/"'0~T1e; Ibftn"f includes the right to form trade unions and other 1P/..,0/1'T1 flP/~/I'~f. T I hhlP{;9'"fe; '1'~IP/T0J«1 associations to bargain collectively with employers hlP/. ~h- Ibftn"f Y.~c"f:i~"f ;JC fou Y.~~C OU1lT1 or other organizations that affect their interests. fl1:";f'A ::  '/?'!:,!, tI..~.t.t:\ ~:Jt,} ?IL"I ''''re?i ~I\f.~ lr~ O"'CD(}). frJ1~-I: htt:f\oT emergency and states of emergencies limited to certain fhit:f".\f. 'lit htp~ !CD-~A ! h'P~1 !~llA :1 parts of the country. I'L' fn..,.,.", 'I'!~ f.CDit'i"A :1 17. It shall detemine matters relating to nationality. I~- fh,~"'t.. 7i1'i" f ;rit7'C'''' ! CD~ rJ1C foo..,o.!'i" foo 18. It shall determine and administer all matters r