Article 29-37 Ethiopian Constitution 1994

Article 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution of Ethiopia 1994, among others, are under Part Two (Democratic Rights) of Chapter Three of the Act. Chapter Three is titled Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

Article 29 Ethiopian Constitution 1994

Right of Thought, Opinion and Expression

1. Everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference.

2. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression without any interference. This right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any media of his choice.

3. Freedom of the press and other mass media and freedom of artistic creativity is guaranteed. Freedom of the press shall specifically include the following elements:
(a) Prohibition of any form of censorship.
(b) Access to information of public interest.

4. In the interest of the free flow of information, ideas and opinions which are essential to the functioning of a democratic order, the press shall, as an institution, enjoy legal protection to ensure its operational independence and its capacity to entertain diverse opinions.

5. Any media financed by or under the control of the State, shall be operated in a manner ensuring its capacity to entertain diversity in the expression of opinion.

6. These rights can be limited only through laws which are guided by the principle that freedom of expression and information cannot be limited on account of the content or effect of the point of view expressed. Legal limitation can be laid down in order to protect the well-being of the youth, and the honour and reputation of individuals. An propaganda for war as well as the public expression of opinion intended to injure human dignity shall be prohibited by law.

7. Any citizen who violates any legal limitations on the exercice of these rights may be held liable under the law.

Article 30 Ethiopian Constitution 1994

The Right of Assembly, Demonstration and petition

1. Everyone has the right to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peaceably and unarmed, and to petition. Appropriate regulations may be made in the interest of public convenience relating to the location of open-air meetings and the route of movement of demonstrators or, for the protection of democratic rights, public morality and peace during such a meeting or demonstration.

2. This right does not exempt from liability under law enacted to protect the well-being of the youth or the honour and reputation of individuals, and laws prohibiting any propaganda for war and any public expression of opinions intended to injure human dignity.

Article 31 Ethiopian Constitution 1994

Freedom of Association

Every person has the right to freedom of association for any cause or purpose. Organizations formed, in violation appropriate laws, or to illegally subvert the constitutional order, or which promote such activities are prohibited.

Article 32 Ethiopian Constitution 1994

Freedom of Movement