The_Revised_Constitution_of_The_Empire_of_Ethiopia-Chapter

Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I

The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc.

The Revised Constitution of The Empire of Ethiopia - 1955 Constitution

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Chapter II

THE POWERS AND PEROGATIVES OF THE EMPEROR

ARTICAL 26

The Sovereignty of the Empire is vested in the Emperor and the
supreme authority over all the affairs of the Empire is exercised by
Him as the Head of State, in the manner provided for in the present
Constitution.

ARTICAL 27

The Emperor determines the organization, powers and duties of all
Ministers, executive departments and the administrations of
Government and appoints, promotes, transfers, suspends and
dismisses the officials of the same.

ARTICAL 28

The Emperor appoints Mayors of the municipalities referred to in
Artical 129 of the present Constitution, from three candidates
presented, in each case, by the Municipal Councils thereof.

ARTICAL 29

The Emperor reserves the right, with the advice and consent of
Parliament, to declare war. He, further, reserves the right to decide
what armed forces shall be maintained, both in time of peace and in
time of war. As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, He has the
right to organize and command the said forces; to commission and to
confer military rank upon officers of the said forces; and to promote,
transfer or dismiss any of the said officers. He has, further, the right to
declare a state of siege, martial law, or a national emergency, and to
take such measures as are necessary to meet a threat to the defence
or integrity of the Empire and to assure its defences and integrity.

ARTICAL 30

The Emperor exercises the supreme direction of the foreign relations
of the Empire. The Emperor accredits and recieves Ambassadors,
Ministers and Missions; He, alone, has the right to settle disputes with
foreign Powers by adjudication and other peaceful means, and
provides for and agrees to measures of co-operation with foreign
Powers for the realization of the ends of security and common defence.
He, alone, has the right to ratify, on behalf of Ethiopia, treaties and
other international agreements, and to determine which treaties and
international agreements shall be subject to ratification before
becoming binding upon the Empire. However, all treaties of peace and
all treaties and international agreements involving a modification of
the territory of the Empire, or of sovereignty jurisdiction over any part
of such territory, or laying a burden on Ethiopian subjects personally,
or modifying legislation in existence, or requiring expenditures of
state funds, or involving loans or monopolies, shall, before becoming
binding upon the Empire and the inhabitants thereof, be laid before
Parliament, and if both the Houses of Parliament shall approve the
same in accordance with the provisions of Articals 88-90 inclusive of
the present Constitution, shall then be submitted to the Emperor for
ratification.

ARTICAL 31

(a) The Emperor alone confers and withdraws the title of Prince and
other honours, and institutes new orders.

(b) Without His special leave, no Ethiopian subject, nor any foreign
national in any Government service in the Empire, may accept any
honour, insignia of order, dignity, or title of or from, a foreign
government. The granting of any title, honour or order may exempt no
one from the common duties and burdens of the subjects, nor may it
carry any preferential admission to offices of the State.

(c) Officials who are released from office with any assurances of
Imperial favour, retain the title and rank of the office they have filled.

(d) The Emperor also makes grants from abandoned properties, and
properties in escheat, for the perpose of recompensing faithful service
to the Crown.

ARTICAL 32

The Emperor has the right to coin, print, and issue money.

ARTICAL 33

The Emperor has the right to convene the annual sessions of the
deliberative Chambers and to convoke extraordinary sessions thereof.
At the opening of each session of Chambers, He may present, or cause
to be presented, a speech from the Throne concerning the legislative
program recommended by Him. He has the right to postpone the
opening of and to suspend, for not more than thirty days, and to
extend, any session of Parliament. He has the right to dissolve the
Chambers, or either of them, by an Order, providing at the same time
for the appointment of a new Senate or the election of a new Chamber
of Deputies, or both, as the case may be, and for the convocation of
the Chamber for session within four months from the date of the
Order.

ARTICAL 34

In accordance with the provisions of Articals 86, 88, 91, and 92 of the
present Constitution, the Emperor has the right to initiate legislation
and to originate other resolutions and to proclaim all laws, after the
same shall have been passed by the Parliament.

ARTICAL 35

The Emperor has the right and the duty to maintain justice through
the courts; and the right to grant pardons and amnesties and to
commute penalties.

ARTICAL 36

The Emperor, as Sovereign, has the duty to take all measures that
may be necessary to ensure, at all times, the defence and integrity of
the Empire; the safety and welfare of its inhabitants, including their
enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental liberties recognized
in the present Constitution; and the protection of all His Subjects and
their rights and interests abroad. Subject to the provisions of this
Constitution, He has all the right and powers necessary for the
accomplishment of the ends set out in the present Artical.

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Chapter III

The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc.

Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I