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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter VI |
| Convening The Codification Commission Mar. 26, 1954 |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - March 26, 1954 |
The world is today passing through a period of such rapid and profound
change that it is difficult to point to another era in recorded history when
so many movements and events have so rapidly and profoundly shaped the
lives of a single generation. Such an observation applies no less to
Ethiopia than to other countries. The progress achieved since Our
Coronation has been the cause of humble and profound gratification.
From a nation that depended on its isolation for its very existence, we have
been transformed into a rapidly progressive, now unified state, no longer
excluded from the sea and from its neighbours, but participating in the
broad movements of a post-war world in full flux and development.
It is from this deep consciousness of the needs of the hour as well as of
the future that we have produced a revised Constitution for the Empire of
Ethiopia, reflecting the achievements of the past, the requirements of the
present and the ideals for the future. Progress must be our key to life and
development.
It is to that same end that We have conceived a broad and thorough
programme of legislative as well as constitutional reform in the
codification of the civil, commercial, criminal and procedural laws of Our
Empire, and that We today convene the Commission of Codification.
The constitutional advance, on the one hand, and the necessity of
resolutely pursuing Our Programme of social advancement and integration
in the larger world community, as well as the needs of maritime and
commercial communitication made inevitable the closer integration of the
legal system of Ethiopia with those of other countries with whom we have
cultural, commerical and maritime connections.
We must stabilize and strengthen these relations by establishing them on a
firm legal basis. Furthermore, although Ethiopia claims what is perhaps
the longest standing system of law in the world today. We have never
hesitated to adopt the best that other system of law can offer to the extent
that they respond and can be adapted to the genius of Our particular
institutions. This has been true not only of the labours of Our
Constitutional Commission but should also be true of the work upon
which the Codification Commission is now about to enter.
change that it is difficult to point to another era in recorded history when
so many movements and events have so rapidly and profoundly shaped the
lives of a single generation. Such an observation applies no less to
Ethiopia than to other countries. The progress achieved since Our
Coronation has been the cause of humble and profound gratification.
From a nation that depended on its isolation for its very existence, we have
been transformed into a rapidly progressive, now unified state, no longer
excluded from the sea and from its neighbours, but participating in the
broad movements of a post-war world in full flux and development.
It is from this deep consciousness of the needs of the hour as well as of
the future that we have produced a revised Constitution for the Empire of
Ethiopia, reflecting the achievements of the past, the requirements of the
present and the ideals for the future. Progress must be our key to life and
development.
It is to that same end that We have conceived a broad and thorough
programme of legislative as well as constitutional reform in the
codification of the civil, commercial, criminal and procedural laws of Our
Empire, and that We today convene the Commission of Codification.
The constitutional advance, on the one hand, and the necessity of
resolutely pursuing Our Programme of social advancement and integration
in the larger world community, as well as the needs of maritime and
commercial communitication made inevitable the closer integration of the
legal system of Ethiopia with those of other countries with whom we have
cultural, commerical and maritime connections.
We must stabilize and strengthen these relations by establishing them on a
firm legal basis. Furthermore, although Ethiopia claims what is perhaps
the longest standing system of law in the world today. We have never
hesitated to adopt the best that other system of law can offer to the extent
that they respond and can be adapted to the genius of Our particular
institutions. This has been true not only of the labours of Our
Constitutional Commission but should also be true of the work upon
which the Codification Commission is now about to enter.
| Legal & Constitutional |
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To that end, We have personally directed the search for the outstanding
jurists of the continent of Europe to bring to Us the best that centuries of
development in allied and compatible systems of law have to offer. From
this extensive search We have been pleased, and indeed fortunate to obtain
the services and collaboration of those incontestable leaders of European
legal thought whom We greet here and welcome as Members of the
Codification Commission meeting under the Presidency of Our Minister of
Justice.
The great distinction of the continental experts whom We welcome on this
occasion should not cause us to lose sight of the principle which We have
just stated, namely, that Ethiopia should endeavour to adopt, and adapt the
best that other legal traditions have to offer. The great common law
traditions of the Anglo-American systems of law are here represented not
only in the person of the President of the High Court, but also by several
other members of the Commission.
However, as We have remarked, the point of departure must remain the
genius of Ethiopian legal traditions and institutions which have origins of
unparalled antiquity and continuity. Through Our orders the jurisprudence
has been collected and is now placed at the disposal of the Commission to
guide it in its labours. At Our insistence a Codification of Criminal Law
reflecting the traditions of the Fetha Negest and of more recent
developments was undertaken and finally, under Our guidance, completed
and placed into force, now more than a quarter of a century ago. It,
together with the Fetha Negest, and the collection of jurisprudence now
completed under Our direction are all at hand to serve as points of
departure for your work.
We shall follow your discussions and labours with the keenest attention
and interest and you shall enjoy Our full support in your high mission.
We pray to the Almighty that He may spare Us to complete this crowning
achievement of Our life as a monument for those generations that are
waiting impatiently on the threshold of existence.
jurists of the continent of Europe to bring to Us the best that centuries of
development in allied and compatible systems of law have to offer. From
this extensive search We have been pleased, and indeed fortunate to obtain
the services and collaboration of those incontestable leaders of European
legal thought whom We greet here and welcome as Members of the
Codification Commission meeting under the Presidency of Our Minister of
Justice.
The great distinction of the continental experts whom We welcome on this
occasion should not cause us to lose sight of the principle which We have
just stated, namely, that Ethiopia should endeavour to adopt, and adapt the
best that other legal traditions have to offer. The great common law
traditions of the Anglo-American systems of law are here represented not
only in the person of the President of the High Court, but also by several
other members of the Commission.
However, as We have remarked, the point of departure must remain the
genius of Ethiopian legal traditions and institutions which have origins of
unparalled antiquity and continuity. Through Our orders the jurisprudence
has been collected and is now placed at the disposal of the Commission to
guide it in its labours. At Our insistence a Codification of Criminal Law
reflecting the traditions of the Fetha Negest and of more recent
developments was undertaken and finally, under Our guidance, completed
and placed into force, now more than a quarter of a century ago. It,
together with the Fetha Negest, and the collection of jurisprudence now
completed under Our direction are all at hand to serve as points of
departure for your work.
We shall follow your discussions and labours with the keenest attention
and interest and you shall enjoy Our full support in your high mission.
We pray to the Almighty that He may spare Us to complete this crowning
achievement of Our life as a monument for those generations that are
waiting impatiently on the threshold of existence.
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |