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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter VI |
| Decree - Granting Constitution Jul. 16, 1931 |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - July 16, 1931 |
| The name of Emperor Haile Selassie I will always be dominant in Ethiopian history. This is particularly so in connection with the legal and constitutional changes which he has instituted in the millenial history of the country. In this record July 16, 1931 is particularly significant. On that memorable day, of his own volition and against strong conservative opposition, He granted to the Ethiopian people the first written constitution ever. In the succeeding years, His Majesty the Emperor built on the basis of the 1931 Constitution a system of law and a legal and judicial system that has transformed modern Ethiopia. On the Silver Jubilee of his Coronation which consolidated the gains over the previous twenty-four years and gave the people greater participation in their government through making the Lower House of Parliment a popularly elected body. Subsequently, His Imperial Majesty had the laws of the country codified, thus strengthening further the legal and judicial systems of Ethiopia. |
We, Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, having been called to the Empire
by the Grace of God and by the unanimous voice of the people; and
having the Crown and the Throne legitimately by annointment according to
the law, are convinced that there is no better way of manifesting the
gratitude which We owe to Our Creator, who has chosen Us and granted
Us his confidence, than to render Ourselves worthy of it by making every
effort so that he who comes after Us may be invested with this confidence
and may work in conformity with the laws according to the principles
established.
Having in view the prosperity of the country, We have decided to draw up
a Constitution which safeguards such prosperity based on the Law and
We have hope that this Constitution will be a source of well-being for
Ethiopia, that it will contribute to the maintenance of Our Government and
to the happiness and prosperity of Our well beloved people, and that it will
give satisfaction to all. Having expressed and made clear Our will, We
have accordingly decided to grant this Constitution.
The Constitution which is to serve as the basis, in the future, for the
maintenance of the Ethiopian Government and of the laws which are based
on it, and the means of applying such laws once resolved, will itself set
forth the necessity of the measures suitable for ensuring its maintenance in
order that this Constitution of Our State may remain perpetual and
immutable.
Since Our accession to the Imperial Throne of Ethiopia, having received
from the hands of God a high mission for the accomplishment of His
destinies, We consider that it is Our duty to decree and enforce all the
measures necessary for the maintenance of Our Government, for
increasing the well-being of Our people and aiding their progress on the
road to happiness and the civilization attained by independent and culured
nations.
We consider that the way to achieve this aim lies in the elaboration of the
present Constitution, which will facilitate Government action, whilst
assuring the happiness of the people who will, in addition, derive from it
an honour which will not fail to be reflected on future generations and will
permit the Empire to enjoy the inestimable benefits of peace and security.
Animated by the nobel desire, and in order to enable Our State and Our
people to obtain a high place in history, We have, after Our elevation to the
Imperial Throne, and in the second year of Our reign in the Year of Grace
1923 (A.D. 1931) unasked and of Our free will, decreed the present State
Constitution.
by the Grace of God and by the unanimous voice of the people; and
having the Crown and the Throne legitimately by annointment according to
the law, are convinced that there is no better way of manifesting the
gratitude which We owe to Our Creator, who has chosen Us and granted
Us his confidence, than to render Ourselves worthy of it by making every
effort so that he who comes after Us may be invested with this confidence
and may work in conformity with the laws according to the principles
established.
Having in view the prosperity of the country, We have decided to draw up
a Constitution which safeguards such prosperity based on the Law and
We have hope that this Constitution will be a source of well-being for
Ethiopia, that it will contribute to the maintenance of Our Government and
to the happiness and prosperity of Our well beloved people, and that it will
give satisfaction to all. Having expressed and made clear Our will, We
have accordingly decided to grant this Constitution.
The Constitution which is to serve as the basis, in the future, for the
maintenance of the Ethiopian Government and of the laws which are based
on it, and the means of applying such laws once resolved, will itself set
forth the necessity of the measures suitable for ensuring its maintenance in
order that this Constitution of Our State may remain perpetual and
immutable.
Since Our accession to the Imperial Throne of Ethiopia, having received
from the hands of God a high mission for the accomplishment of His
destinies, We consider that it is Our duty to decree and enforce all the
measures necessary for the maintenance of Our Government, for
increasing the well-being of Our people and aiding their progress on the
road to happiness and the civilization attained by independent and culured
nations.
We consider that the way to achieve this aim lies in the elaboration of the
present Constitution, which will facilitate Government action, whilst
assuring the happiness of the people who will, in addition, derive from it
an honour which will not fail to be reflected on future generations and will
permit the Empire to enjoy the inestimable benefits of peace and security.
Animated by the nobel desire, and in order to enable Our State and Our
people to obtain a high place in history, We have, after Our elevation to the
Imperial Throne, and in the second year of Our reign in the Year of Grace
1923 (A.D. 1931) unasked and of Our free will, decreed the present State
Constitution.
| Legal & Constitutional |
| ... We consider that it is Our duty to decree and enforce all the measures necessary for the maintenance of Our Government, for increasing the well-being of Our people and aiding their progress on the road to happiness and the civilization attained by independent and cultured nations. We consider that the way to achieve this aim lies in the elaboration of the present Constitution, which will facilitate Government action, whilst assuring the happiness of the people who will, in addition, derive from it an honour which will not fail to be reflected on future generations and will permit the Empire to enjoy the inestimable benefits of peace and security. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |