CONVENING CODIFICATION COMMISSION
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 communication made inevitable the closer integration
of the legal system of Ethiopia with those of other countries with whom we have
cultural, commercial 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 systems 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.
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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 unparalleled 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 you 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.
Mar.
26, 1954.
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