Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I

CHAPTER VI

LEGAL & CONSTITUTIONAL

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, again of his own free will, he granted Ethiopia a Revised Constitution 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 Parliament 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.

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Emperor Haile Sellassie First Theocracy Reign
Order of the Nyahbinghi

April 19, 2017