CHAPTER SEVEN#

Fundamental Freedoms, Rights and Duties of Citizens#

Article 35#

  1. Ethiopians are equal before the law, irrespective of nationality, sex, religion, occupation, social or other status.

  2. Equality among Ethiopians shall be ensured through equal participation in political, economic, social and cultural affairs.

Article 36#

  1. In the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia women and men have equal rights.

  2. The state shall provide women with special support, particularly in education, training and employment so that they may participate in political, economic, social and cultural affairs on an equal basis with men.

  3. The state shall ensure that appropriate measures are progressively taken for women to be provided with health services, suitable working conditions. and adequate rest periods during pregnancy and maternity.

Article 37#

  1. Marriage is based on the consent of a man and a woman who have attained majority. Spouses have equal rights in their family relations. Marriage shall be protected by the state. 2 Children, whether born in or out of wedlock, have equal rights.

Article 38#

  1. Ethiopians have the right to work.

  2. The state shall, based on the development of the national economy, progressively ensure that employment opportunities are created and working conditions improved.

Article 39#

  1. The right of the working people to rest is guaranteed.

  2. The state shall determine working hours and rest periods and ensure that social services beneficial for the leisure of the working people are progressively expanded.

Article 40#

  1. Ethiopians have the right to free education.

  2. The state shall progressively ensure compulsory education for school-age children and expand schools and vocational institutions of various types and levels.

Article 41#

  1. Ethiopians have the freedom to conduct research and engage in creative activities in science, technology and the arts.

  2. The state shall encourage the research and creative activities of citizens, and provide special support for research and creative activities that contribute to the improvement of the living standard of the working people and the acceleration of socialist construction.

Article 42#

  1. Ethiopians have the right to health care.

  2. The state shall provide health services by progressively expanding health institutions.

Article 43#

  1. Ethiopians are guaranteed inviolability of the person.

  2. Ethiopians are guaranteed inviolability of the home. No one may enter the home of another against his will, except as prescribed by law.

Article 44#

  1. No person may be arrested except in flagrante delicto, or by the order of the procurator, or by a court decision, or as may be prescribed by law.

  2. Any arrested person shall b produced in court within 48 hours; however, this period shall not include the time required to reach the nearest court.

Article 45#

  1. No person accused of violating criminal law shall be considered guilty. unless it is so determined by a court.

  2. The criminal law does not apply retroactively unless it favors the accused.

  3. Any accused person has the right to defend himself or appoint a defense counsel. Where a person is charged with a serious offense and his inability to appoint a defense counsel is established, the state shall appoint one for him free of charge, as determined by law.

  4. Everyone has the duty to give legal testimony except against himself or as may be prescribed by law; however, no violence or pressure may be applied to compel a person to testify. Any testimony obtained by violence or pressure. shall be null and void.

Article 46#

  1. Ethiopians are guaranteed freedom of conscience and religion. 2. The exercise of freedom of religion may not be in a manner contrary the interest of the state and the revolution, public morality or the freedom of other citizens.

  2. State and religion are separate. The legal status of religious institutions shall be determined by law.

Article 47#

  1. Ethiopians are guaranteed freedom of speech, press, assembly, peaceful demonstration and association.

  2. The state shall provide the necessary material and moral support for the exercise of these freedoms.

Article 48#

  1. Ethiopians are guaranteed freedom of movement.

  2. Every Ethiopian has the freedom to change his place of residence within the territory of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Article 49#

Ethiopians are guaranteed secrecy of correspondence.

Article 50#

  1. Ethiopians have the right to elect and be elected.

  2. Every Ethiopian, except the insane and those deprived by law of the right to elect and be elected has, irrespective of nationality, sex, religion, occupation, social or other status, the right to elect members of the organs of state power on attaining the age of eighteen and to be elected to the same on attaining the age of twenty-one. Particulars shall be determined by law.

Article 51#

  1. Ethiopians have the right to submit proposals as well as criticisms supported by evidence concerning the functioning of state and mass organizations.

  2. The officials and institutions concerned must examine and respond to the proposals and criticisms submitted and take appropriate action. Taking retaliatory measures against a citizen who submits proposals or criticisms shall be punishable by law.

Article 52#

Ethiopians have the right to submit complaints against state organs and mass organizations or officials thereof. Such complaints must be examined and responded to.

Article 53#

  1. Safeguarding the security of the Motherland, the revolution and the gains of the working people is a great honor, supreme duty and obligation of every Ethiopian.

  2. Treason against the Motherland is the gravest crime committed against the people, entailing severe punishment.

  3. National military service is the right and duty of every Ethiopian. Its implementation shall be determined by law.

Article 54#

Ethiopians have the duty to work by respecting their responsibilities and work discipline, caring for property and raising productivity in their respective fields of endeavor, recognizing that labor is socially useful and is the basis of human life and that he who works benefits therefrom.

Article 55#

  1. Ethiopians have the duty to safeguard and care for socialist property. 2. Ethiopians have the duty to participate in state and social endeavors to safeguard, care for, collect and utilize historical memorabilia and cultural heritage.

  2. Ethiopians have the duty to protect and conserve nature and natural resources, especially to develop forests and to protect and care for soil and water resources.

Article 56#

Ethiopians have the duty to assist in the effort of ensuring the equality of the sexes and occupations, of strengthening the ties and mutual respect among the working people of the various nationalities, and of enhancing the ethic of collective effort in the building of a socialist system.

Article 57#

Every Ethiopian has the duty to observe the Constitution and laws of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and to uphold the honor and dignity of Ethiopian citizenship.

Article 58#

The exercise of freedoms and rights and the discharge of duties by citizens shall be determined by law. The exercise of freedoms and rights by citizens may be limited by law only in order to protect the interests of the state and society as well as the freedoms and rights of other individuals.