Ethiopia - Constitution

CHAPTER 10

Article 85

Objective

1. Public authorities shall be guided by the directive principles and objectives contained in this Chapter in the implementation of this Constitution, other laws and public policies.

2. The term "government" in this chapter shall mean, according to the context, the Federal State or a member State.

Article 86

Directives on External Relations

1. To respect the equality and sovereignty of other states and non-intervention in their internal affairs.

2. To promote external relations on the basis of equality, and respect of common interests; to ensure that international agreements respect the interests of Ethiopia.

3. To observe international agreements which respect and accord with the sovereignty and the interests of the peoples of Ethiopia.

4. To promote fraternal relations with Ethiopia's neighbors and other African countries and to forge closer economic links with them.

5. To seek and support peaceful solutions to international disputes.

Article 87

Directives on National Defense

1. The composition of the national defense forces shall reflect the equitable representation of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia.

2. The Minister of Defense shall be a civilian.

3. The national defense forces shall protect the sovereignty of the country. They shall carry out responsibilities assigned to them under any state of
emergency proclaimed in accordance with the Constitution.

4. The national defense forces shall, at all times, be governed by this Constitution.

5. The national defense forces shall carry out their duties free of any political partisanship to any political party or political organization.

Article 88

Political Objectives

1. Guided by democratic principles, government shall promote and support peoples' self-rule at all levels.

2. Government shall respect the identity and the equality of nations, nationalities, and peoples. Accordingly government shall have the duty to strengthen ties of equality, unity and fraternity among them.

Article 89

Economic Objectives

1. Government shall have the duty to formulate policy so that all Ethiopians shall benefit without discrimination from the county's legacy of natural and intellectual resources.

2. Government shall have the duty to ensure that all Ethiopians, without discrimination, shall have equal opportunity to improve their economic conditions and to benefit from the equal distribution of wealth.

3. Government shall take measures to provide protection against natural and man made disasters; and, in the event of disasters, it shall provide timely assistance to the victims.

4. Government shall provide special assistance to nations, nationalities, and peoples least advantaged in economic and social development.

5. Government shall have the duty to hold, on behalf of the peoples of Ethiopia, land and other natural resources in order to deploy them for their common good and development.

6. Government shall promote, at all levels, the participation of peoples in the formulation of national development policies and programs. Government shall have the duty to support the initiatives of peoples in their development.

7. Government shall ensure the participation of women on an equal basis with men in all programs and projects of social and economic development.

8. Government shall endeavor to protect and promote the health, welfare and living standards of the working population of the country.

Article 90

Social Objectives

1. To the extent the country's resources permit, policies shall aim to provide all Ethiopians access to public health and education, clean water, hosing, food and social security.

2. Education, public and private, shall be provided in a manner that is free from any political partisanship, religious influence or cultural prejudice.

Article 91

Cultural Objectives

1. Government shall have the duty to promote, on the basis of equality, respect of fundamental democratic rights and human dignity, to preserve and to enrich cultures and traditions that are compatible with democratic norms and the provisions of this Constitution.

2. Government and all Ethiopian citizens shall have the duty to protect the country's natural endowments, historical sites and objects.

3. Government shall have the duty, to the extent its resources permit, to support the development of the arts, science and technology.

Article 92

Environmental Objectives

1. Government shall have the duty to ensure that all Ethiopians live in a clean and healthy environment.

2. The design and implementation of the programs and projects of development shall not damage or destroy the environment.

3. People have the right to full consultation and to the expression of views in the planning and implementation of environmental policies and projects that affect them directly.

4. Government and citizens shall have the duty to protect the environment.

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