Chapter VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICAL 122
The present revised Constitution, together with those international
treaties; conventions and obligations to which Ethiopia shall be party,
shall be the supreme law of the Empire, and all future legislation,
decrees, orders, judgements, decisions and acts inconsistant
therewith, shall be null and void.
ARTICAL 123
The city of Addis Ababa is the Capital of the Empire.
ARTICAL 124
The Flag of the Empire consists of three horizontal bands, the
uppermost green, the middle yellow and the nethermost red, in such
detail as is determined by law.
ARTICAL 125
The official language of the Empire is Amharic.
ARTICAL 126
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, founded in the fourth century, on
the doctrines of Saint Mark, is the Established Church of the Empire
and is, as such, supported by the Senate. The Emperor shall always
profess the Ethiopian Orthodox Faith. The name of the Emperor shall
be mentioned in all religious services.
ARTICAL 127
The organization and secular administration of the Established
Church shall be governed by law. The Archbishop and Bishops shall
be elected by the Ecclesiastical Electoral College consisting of
representives of the clergy and of the laity of the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church. Their spiritual consecration shall be performed according to
the Canon Law, subject to the approval of the Emperor of their
election and appointment. The Emperor has the right to promulgate
the decrees, edicts and public regulations of the Church, except those
concerning monastic life and other spiritual administrations.
ARTICAL 128
No one shall utilize religious activites or organizations for commercial
purposes except as authorized by law.
ARTICAL 129
Subject to the conditions established by legislation duly adopted in
accordance with the provisions of Artical 88, 89 or 90 of the present
Constitution, all towns shall be incorporated by Charters established
in accordance with such legislation, and municipal councils shall be
established, respectively, in all municipalities of the Empire.
ARTICAL 130
(a) The natural resources of, and in the the sub-soil of the Empire,
including those beneath its waters, are State Domain.
(b) The Natural resources in the waters, forests, land, air, lakes, rivers
and ports of the Empire are a sacred trust for the benefit of present
and succeeding generations of the Ethiopian People. The conservation
of the said resources is essential for the preservation of the Empire.
The Imperial Ethiopian Government shall, accordingly, take all such
measures as may be necessary and proper, in conformity with the
Constitution, for the conservation of the said resources.
(c) None of the said resources shall be exploited by any person,
natural or juridical, in violation of the principles of conservation
established by Imperial Law.
(d) All property not held and possessed in the name of any person,
natural or juridical, including all land in escheat, and all abandoned
properties, whether real or personal, as well as all products of the
sub-soil, all forests and all grazing lands, water-courses, lakes and
territorial waters, are State Domain.
ARTICAL 131
The Constitution may be amended by an identic Joint Resolution
adopted by three-fourths of the members of each Chamber in two
separate sessions of Parliament and proclaimed with the approval and
authority of the Emperor.
Given at Addis Ababa, this fourth day of November, 1955.
HAILE SELLASSIE I
Emperor
TSAHAFE TEZAZ TAFARRA WORQ
Minister of the Pen
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