• Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission Establishment Proclamation no. 91/94
• A proclamation to promote the development of mineral resources Proclamation no. 52/93
• Agricultural Cooperative Societies Proclamation no. 85/1994
• Proclamation Concerning Inventions, Minor Inventions and Industrial Designs, Proclamation no. 123/1995
• State Farms Development Authority Proclamation no. 142/1978
• Agricultural Development Corporations Regulation no. 60/1978

One of the significant changes introduced by the new Ethiopian pension laws is the substantial increase in the amount of pension contribution by the beneficiary and the government/employer. Until June 2011, only the public sector was covered by the pension scheme. Starting from July 2011 those (employees and employers) in the private sector will start making a contribution following the first private organization employees pension law. So what is the amount to be contributed by employees, employers and the public organs (the government)? The following table summarizes the contributions to be made from each respective party according to the proclamation no.714 and 715.

In the previous (now repealed pension law) the amount of pension contribution by public servants including military and police officers was 4% of their gross salary. However, there was a significant variation in the contribution to be made by the government for public servants as compared to the contribution to military and police officers.

According to article 5 and 6 of the repealed Public Servants’ Pensions Proclamation No. 345/2003 the contribution of the government to public servants pension was 6% whereas it was 16% for military and police pension.

The same variation is also reflected in the new public servants proclamation no 714/2011. The 16% government contribution has now risen to 25%, almost 1/4^th of the gross salary of military and police officers. On the contrary the government contributes only 7% for public servants.

Just refer to the following table for the specific percentage of contribution by each of the parties with the responsibility of pension contribution under the new pension laws.

Note:

• NA= Not Applicable
• In order to calculate 1^st 2^nd 3^rd and 4^th year the time to start is July 1 2011
• The percentage is calculated based on the gross salary of the employee i.e. before deduction of tax and other encumbrances. Salary does not include hardship allowance, transport allowance, house allowance or other related benefits attached with certain position.

Download    pension contribution table

The total number of proclamations issued by the House of People’s representatives is 26 i.e proclamation number 692-proclamation number 718.

You can freely download all the laws here Ethiopian legal breif.

In the first part you will find Proclamation number 706-718.

I will post the remaining proclamations in part II.

Abrham Yohannes

Proclamation No. 718 National Payment System Proclamation

Proclamation No. 717 Export Import Bank of China Loan Agreements to Provide Loan for Financing the Gibe III

Proclamation No. 715 Private Organization Employees Pension Proclamation

Proclamation No. 714 Public Servants’ Pension Proclamation

Proclamation No. 713 Charter for the Cultural Renaissance of Africa Ratification

Proclamation No. 711 Export Import Bank of India Credit Line Agreement to Provide Additional Loan for Financing Projects for the Development

Proclamation No. 710 Agreement Between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of the Republic of Gabon

Proclamation No. 709 Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention Ratification Proclamation

Proclamation No. 708 Ethiopian Women’s Development Fund Dissolution

Proclamation No. 707 African Telecommunications Union Constitution

Proclamation No. 706 International Development Association Additional Financing

Proclamation No. 705 African Development Fund Loan Agreement

Proclamation No. 704 2003 Fiscal Year Federal Government Supplementary Budget

Proclamation No. 703 Amendments of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund Ratification Proclamation

Proclamation No. 702 OPEC Fund for International Development Loan Agreement

Proclamation No. 701 Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa Loan Agreement

Proclamation No. 700 Saudi Fund for Development Loan Agreement

Proclamation No. 699 Protection of Witnesses and Whistleblowers of Criminal offenses

Proclamation No. 698 African Development Fund Additional Loan Agreement

Proclamation No. 697 2010 Export Import Bank of India Credit Line Agreement

Proclamation No. 696 2010 Export Import Bank of China Credit Agreement

Proclamation No. 695 2010 International Development Association Financing Agreement

Proclamation No. 694 2010 International Development Association Financing Agreement

Proclamation No. 693 2010 Income Tax (Amendment) Proclamation

Proclamation No. 692 2010 Sports Commission Establishment Proclamation

Council of Ministers Regulation No. 247/2011 Ethiopian Roads Authority Re-establishment

Council of Ministers Regulation No. 24912011 Ethiopian Youth Sports Academy Establishment

Council of Ministers Regulation No. 250/2011 Information Network Security Agency

Council of Ministers Regulation no. 251/2011 Federal Urban Real Property Registration and Information Agency Establishment

Council of Ministers Regulation No. 252/2011 Certain Rights and Privileges of Foreign Nationals of Ethiopian Origin to be exercised in the Country of their Origin Council of Ministers (Amendment)

Council of Ministers Regulation No. 253/2011 Rift Valley Lakes Basin High Council and Authority Establishment

Council of Ministers Regulation No.254/2011 Ethiopian National Theater Establishment

Council of Ministers Regulation No.255/2011 Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Establishment

2011 was the busiest year for the Council of Ministers. During this year more regulations have been issued by the Council than proclamations issued by the House of People’s Representatives. One of the factors contributing for the growth of legislation by the Council is the delegation of vast powers of law making power provided in article 34 of Definition of Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Proclamation No. 691/2010. According to this provision, The Council of Ministers is empowered, where it finds it necessary, to reorganize the federal government executive organs by issuing regulations for the closure, merger or division of an existing executive organ or for change of its accountability or mandates or for the establishment of a new one. The power of establishing new agencies through regulation has significantly increased the legislative role of the Council of Ministers.

Most of the regulations issued in 2011 are regulations for the establishment of Agencies, public enterprises and universities. These regulations mainly give legal personality for the newly established universities. There are also regulations for the re-establishment of the existing universities. The contents of each of the regulations are almost similar and contain four or five articles. Here is a brief summary of the content of university establishment or re-establishment regulations.

• All Universities are accountable to the Ministry of Education
• They are governed by Higher Education Proclamation No. 650/2009 and Federal Universities Council of Ministers Regulation No.211/2011

The respective regulations establishing or re-establishing a university is listed below:

Reg no.221/2011 Wollo University

Reg no.222/2011 Wachamo University

Reg no.223/2011 Adigrat University

Reg no.224/2011 Mizan Tepi University

Reg no.225/2011 Axum University

Reg no.226/2011 Jigjiga University

Reg no.227/2011 Debre Markos University

Reg no.228/2011 Debre Birhan University

Reg no.229/2011 Debre Tabor University

Reg no.230/2011 Dire Dawa University

Reg no.231/2011 Hawassa University

Reg no.232/2011 Haramaya University (Re-establishment)

Reg no.233/2011 Bahir Dar University (Re-establishment)

Reg no.237/2011 Adama Science and Technology University

Reg no.238/2011 Dilla University (Re-establishment)

Reg no.239/2011 Metu University

Reg no.240/2011 Jimma University (Re-establishment)

Reg no.241/2011 Gondar University

“this Proclamation does not apply to contracts a public body enters into with another public body for the provision of goods, works, consultancy or other services at cost.”

The Ethiopian Federal Government Procurement and Property administration Proclamation No.649/2009 Article 3(2) (b)

In developing countries like Ethiopia, the provision of services to the citizen is one of the central functions of government. To fully realize it’s in providing services which meet the standard of the best quality, but at the same time with the minimum cost, the government in Ethiopia, uses the best mechanisms available, which may generally be categorized in to two. First, in areas where the private sector is considered to be at an infant stage, the government directly involves itself in the management and operation of the provision of services. The provision of electricity, telecommunication and water for instance, is under the exclusive control of government. Second, in areas which do not require direct involvement of the government, the provision of public services will be realized by involving the private sector for carrying out works and providing goods and services. Even in the second case, the government is not totally out of the picture. Public enterprises and other government business organizations equally participate in this process. Similarly, the direct provision of services by the government, to some extent allows the participation of the private sector. To a certain degree, the private sector plays a role in carrying out public works and providing goods and services in areas under the exclusive control of the government

Irrespective of the role played and the level of participation of the government or the private sector, the provision of the best quality of services with a minimum cost, requires an efficient and effective system of public procurement. “Public procurement is a central instrument to ensure an efficient management of public resources. Promoting good governance in public acquisition system aims at providing best value to its citizens through processes that are transparent and results-oriented”

Irrespective of variations in the existing political, economic and legal environment peculiar to a specific country, an efficient and effective system of public procurement is ultimately built upon four basic pillars: procurement laws and regulations, procurement workforce, procurement process and methods, and procurement organizational structure. Ideally, procurement laws and regulations should be clear, consistent, comprehensive, and flexible. (Khi V. Thai, procurement: concepts and practices, in International handbook of public procurement ed. Khi V. Thai p6-9)

Generally speaking, the regulatory framework of public procurement as tool in the formulation and implementation of an effective and efficient system of public procurement should be guide by some internationally accepted basic principles. These principles are: transparency, accountability, objectivity, fairness and non-discrimination.

The principle of transparency helps to attract a greater number of participation, thereby encouraging competitiveness. It also makes the whole procurement process open and fair, thus avoiding the possibility of favoritism and discrimination. Transparency also makes it easy for procuring entities and officials to be accountable. Most importantly, it is an effective tool to curb corruption.

The Ethiopian procurement law is still at an infant stage. In recent years, the Federal government has taken measures to revise the existing law, so as to make it responsive to the growth and expansion of the quantity and quality of provision of public services. Each year, a significant portion of public money is allocated as a result of  award of contracts for the construction of public works, supply of goods and provision of services.

Until 2005, there was no comprehensive procurement law at a national level. There were only few articles in the civil code regulating the procurement procedure. In 2005, the Federal government enacted a law providing a detailed procedure of Public Procurement (providing the procedures of Public Procurement and establishing its Supervisory Agency Proclamation No. 430/2005.) This law also establishes a federal agency empowered with regulating the procurement of works, goods  and services by Federal agencies. Another significant change introduced by this law was that it tried to embrace the basic principles of transparency, accountability, fairness and non-discrimination as its guiding principles.

After four years of the issuance of this law, it was revised and replaced by a new law (The Ethiopian Federal Government Procurement and Property administration Proclamation No.649/2009.) This second proclamation comes with more detailed and clear procedures. It has also widened its scope by providing for the regulation of public property, which was not dealt by the previous proclamation.

In addition to the legislative reforms taken by the legislative organ, the issuance of secondary legislation by the executive organ is also another significant development in the process of creating an efficient and effective legal framework. As a supplement to proclamation no. 649/2009, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development issued a Federal Procurement Directive in June 2010. A month later, in July 2010, the Council of Ministers issued a regulation providing for public procurement and property disposal services establishment (regulation no. 181/2010)

Since procurement is not an exclusively federal matter, some regional states (e.g. Amhara regional state) including the Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa administrations have followed the footsteps of the federal government in devising their own procurement laws.

So far so good!

From the above brief assessment, you see only the positive side of Ethiopian procurement law. Yes it is true; efforts have been made to make the law clear, comprehensive and flexible. It is also true that the current law embraces basic principles of public procurement. But, it seems,  something big, something fundamental went wrong!

Just look into the scope of this law. According to article 3 of The Ethiopian Federal Government Procurement and Property administration Proclamation No.649/2009, the law is exclusively a federal law and its applicability is limited to Federal Government procurement and property administration. By way of exception article 3(2) (a) excludes procurement affecting national security or national defence. This is acceptable taking in to consideration the sensitive nature of such type of procurement and similar form of exclusions also exist in most jurisdictions. The exclusion also is not absolute because the type of procurement procedure is still to be decided by the Ministry of Finance and Economic development through consultation with relevant authorities.

Then comes article 3(2) (b). This article reads: “this Proclamation does not apply to contracts a public body enters into with another public body for the provision of goods, works, consultancy or other services at cost.” According to article 2 of sub article 6 of the proclamation, Public Body means any public body, which is partly or wholly financed by the Federal Government budget, higher education institutions and public institutions of like nature. So, public bodies are not subject to procurement procedures if they intend to participate in the provision of goods, works, consultancy or other services at cost. They will simply get awarded of a contract without competing with the private sector.  In effect, they will get preferential treatment. Doesn’t this then destroy the principle of fairness and non-discrimination? What is worse, no alternative procedure which ensures transparency and accountability, is devised for  contract of public works, goods and services if it is between two public bodies.

As a result, the procurement proclamation which professes to be rooted in the basic principles of transparency, accountability, fairness and non-discrimination, almost destroys itself by including such ‘suicidal provision.’ Remember, the government widely participates in every activity of undertakings related to carrying out public works, supply of goods and provision of services. When a public body gets a preferential treatment, it surely will not be competitive. This makes achieving the basic objectives of the procurement proclamation unattainable. The ultimate objective of any procurement legislation is the provision of the best quality of service with a minimum cost or to use the statement in the preamble of the proclamation, it is “the utilization of the large sum of public money spent on procurement in a manner that ensures greater economy and efficiency.” In the absence of competition, this is doomed to fail.

The proclamation seems to advance competition, but, as article 3(2)(b) of the proclamation has made it clear, public bodies are an exception to competition. Not only that, they are an exception to the principle of transparency, accountability, fairness and non-discrimination.

PROCLAMATION No. 759/2012          DOWNLOAD (.pdf)

A PROCLAMATION ON ADVERTISEMENT

WHEREAS, advertisement plays a significant role in the economic, social and political development of the country, by influencing the activities of the public in commodity exchange or service rendering;

WHEREAS, advertisement makes a significant contribution in establishing healthy market competition in the market-led economic system of the country;

WHEREAS, advertisement, if not regulated, may harm the rights and interest of the people and the image of the country;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to clearly define the rights and obligations of advertising agents,

advertisement disseminators and advertisers;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows:

PART ONE

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Short Title

This Proclamation may be cited as the “Advertisement Proclamation No.759/2012”.

2.  Definition

In this  Proclamation,  unless  the  context otherwise requires:

1/  “advertisement”  means  a  commercial advertisement  which  is  disseminated through  the  means  of  advertisement dissemination  to  promote  sales  of  goods or  services  or  to  publicize  name,  logo, trademark  or  objectives,  and  includes public and private advertisements;

2/  “means of advertisement  dissemination” includes  the  mass  media,  outdoor advertisement,  telecom,  postal,  internet web  site  and  fax  services,  cinema,  film, video  and  any  other  related  means  of advertisement dissemination;

3/  “public advertisement” means message in the  public  interest  disseminated  by  the mass media;

4/  “personal  advertisement”  means  an advertisement  advertised  through  the means  of  advertisement  dissemination and it includes looking for missing person advertisement,  condolence  message,  and other similar advertisement;

5/   “advertising activity” means an activity that includes  production  and  dissemination  of advertisements,  promotional  services  and other related activities;

6/  “advertising  agent”  means  a  person  who undertakes advertising activity;

7/  “advertisement  disseminator”  means  a person  who  disseminates  advertisements through  the  use  of  means  of advertisement dissemination by providing air time, column coverage or other related services;

8/  “advertiser”  means  a  person  whose advertisement  is  advertised  through  the means of advertisement dissemination;

9/  “mass media” includes print media and broadcasting services

10/  “print media” means any printed material which  has  a  distribution  aimed  to  reach the entire public or a section thereof such as  a  newspaper,  magazine,  advertisement book  or  yellow  page,  telephone  directory or green page;

11/  “broadcasting service” means a radio or television transmission service;

12/  “outdoor  advertisement”  means  any advertisement:

a)  disseminated  by  using  billboard, electronic screen or moving picture;

b)  written or affixed to a building or any structure or transport vehicle;

c)  disseminated by using banner, poster, sticker, brochure, leaflets or flier;

d)  disseminated  through  audio  cassette, loud speaker; or

e)  disseminated  through  any  other related means of dissemination.

13/  “sponsored program” means a program the  transmission  cost  of  which  is  either directly or indirectly paid or promised;

14/  “sponsor” means a person who sponsors a  program  or  a  means  of  advertisement dissemination;

15/  “infomercial”  means  an  advertisement consuming  more  than  two  minutes,  that is  disseminated  through  a  broadcasting service  after  being  prepared  in  a program  format  so  as  to  promote  the product,  service  or  similar  message  of the  contracting  party  who  agreed  to  pay to the broadcaster for such service;

16/  “inserted  advertisement”  means  an advertisement inserted with a program in the  form  of  script,  sound  or  image  to promote  indirectly  the  product,  service or  similar  message  of  any  person,  from whom the broadcaster has earned money or obtained benefit;

17/  “split-screen  advertisement”  means  an advertisement  displayed  occasionally  on the  same  screen  adjacent  to  a  program disseminated  through  television  window or screen;

18/  “counter  advertisement”  means  an advertisement  disseminated  to  counter wrong  public  opinion  created  by previously  transmitted  advertisement  in breach  of  the  provision  of  this Proclamation  or  to  protect  the  rights  of the victim of such violation;

19/  “program”  means  voice  or  visual  or audiovisual  arrangement  transmitted  to inform, educate or entertain the public or an  all  inclusive  transmission  of  a broadcasting service;

20/  “news  and  current  affairs  program” means news, documentary, commentary, interpretation,  feature  or  analysis transmitted through broadcasting service that  has  local,  regional,  national  or international  content  and  that  relates  to immediate  political,  economical  or social issues;

21/  “daily  transmission  time”  means broadcasting  service  transmission  in  24 hours starting from 6 a.m.;

22/  “lottery” means any game or activity in which the prize winner is determined by chance,  drawing  of  lots  or  any  other means,  and  includes  games  and  events listed by the relevant law;

23/   “region” means any of the states referred to in Article 47(1)  of the Constitution of the  Federal  Democratic  Republic  of Ethiopia    and  includes  the  Addis  Ababa and Dire Dawa city administrations; ]

24/  “Authority”  means  the  Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority;

25/  “person” means a physical or juridical person;

26/  any  expression  in  the  masculine  gender includes the feminine

3.  Scope of Application

This Proclamation shall be applicable to:

1/  advertising  agent,  advertisement  disseminator and advertiser working within Ethiopia;

2/  advertisement  prepared  and  disseminated in Ethiopia;

3/  advertisement  disseminated  through  the internet website being designed in Ethiopia or  abroad,  by  an  organization  established in  Ethiopia  or  by  a  person  who  resides  in Ethiopia;

4/  advertisement  disseminated  through  any foreign  news  paper  or  magazine  imported and  which  focuses  primarily  on  domestic issues; and

5/  advertisement  produced  in  Ethiopia primarily  for  local  audience  and disseminated  from  abroad  by  a  foreign broadcasting entity.

PART TWO

UNDERTAKING ADVERTISING ACTIVITY

4.  The Right to Undertake Advertisement Activity

1/  Any  Ethiopian  national  or  a  business organization  established  in  accordance with  the  Ethiopian  law  and  whose  capital is  not  shared  by  foreign  nationals,  shall have  the  right  to  undertake  advertising activity.

2/  Notwithstanding  sub-article  (1)  of  this Article,  any  foreign  national  of  Ethiopian origin  shall  have  the  right  to  engage  in advertising activity.

5.  Obtaining Advertising Business License

1/  Any  person  who  wants  to  engage  in  the activities of an advertising agent shall have to  obtain  an  advertising  business  license from the appropriate governmental body.

2/  Any  advertisement  disseminator  who wants  to  engage  in  the  production  of advertisement  shall  have  to  obtain advertising  business  license  from  the appropriate governmental body

3/  Any  mass  media  that  engages  in  the production  of  advertisement  shall  conduct the  advertising  activity  in  a  separate arrangement from its mass media activity.

4/  Notwithstanding  sub-article  (1)  and  (2)  of this  Article,  any  person  who  wants  to promote  his  product,  service  or  other message,  may  prepare  and  disseminate  his own  advertisement  or  prepare  and disseminate  it  through  an  advertisement disseminator,  without  required  to  have advertising  business  license.  Provided, however,  that  he  shall  include  his  identity and address in the advertisement.

5/  Any  advertisement  prepared  abroad  may be  disseminated  in  Ethiopia  through  an advertising agent.

6/  The  appropriate  governmental  body  that issue  license  pursuant  to      sub-article  (1) and (2) of this Article shall transmit to the Authority  information  concerning  the license  holders  by  filling  a  form  designed for such purpose.

PART THREE

ADVERTISEMENT IN GENERAL

6.  Content and Presentation of Advertisement

1/  Any advertisement shall, in its content and presentation:

a)  not be contrary to the law or moral;

b)   be  free  from  misleading  or  unfair statements;

c)  respect  the  social  and  traditional values of the society and not infringe the legitimate interests of consumers;

d)  describe  the  true  nature,  use,  quality and  other  similar  information  of  the product  or  service  intended  to  be promoted;

e)  not  undermine  the  commodities  or services of other persons;

f)  protect  the  dignity  and  interests  of the country; and

g)  respect professional code of conduct.

2/  Any  advertisement  disseminated  through the  mass  media  shall  be  presented  in  a manner  that  clearly  differentiates  it  from other  programs  and  may  not  affect  the content of the programs.

3/  Advertisement  may  not  be  prepared  and disseminated in the form of news.

4/  An  advertising  agent  who  designed  and disseminated  an  advertisement  to  promote the  goods,  services  or  other  related messages of any person may not advertise, within  the  next  three  months,  similar goods,  services  or  other  related  messages of  another  person  by  using  the  image  or voice of the same advertising actor.

5/  Laws  issued  to  protect  copyright  and neighboring  rights  as  well  as  inventions, minor  inventions  and  industrial  design patent  shall  be  applicable  with  respect  to advertisement service as appropriate.

7.  Unlawful or Immoral Advertisement

The  following  advertisements  shall  be  deemed to  be  as  having  unlawful  or  immoral  content  or presentation:

1/  advertisement  that  contains  image,  speech or  comparisons  that  violates  the  dignity, liberty or equality of mankind in relation to language,  gender,  race,  nation,  nationality, profession,  religion,  belief,  political  or social status;

2/  advertisement  that  violates  the  rules  of good  behavior  or  human  dignity  of individuals,  nation,  nationalities  or peoples,  and  defames  the  reputation  of  an organization;

3/  advertisement  that  undermine  the  national or regional state’s flag, emblem, national anthem or currency;

4/  advertisement  that  undermine  the  dignity or emotional feeling of physically disabled person  or  a  person  living  with  HIV/AIDS or suffering from other disease;

5/  advertisement  that  instigates  chaos, violence,  terror,  conflict  or  fear  among people;

6/  advertisement  that  instigate  an  action  that could  endanger  the  physical  or  mental health and security of the people;

7/  advertisement  causing  sound  pollution through  any  sound  magnifying  machine, which  does  not  comply  with  the  sound limit  set  by  the  appropriate  governmental body;

8/  advertisement  with  obscene  written message,  image,  picture,  film  or  similar presentation;

9/  advertisement  using  the  name,  image  or photograph  of  a  person  without  his consent,  or  artistic  or  creative  works protected by  the  law  without  authorization by the concerned person;

10/  advertisement  contrary  to  traffic  safety  or environmental protection;

11/  commercial  advertisement  presented  by wearing  defense  force  or  police  uniforms, decorations or insignia;

12/  advertisement  with content or presentation prohibited  by  other  laws  or  that  promotes the violation of any law.

8.  Misleading or Unfair Advertisement

The  following  advertisements  shall  be  deemed to  be  as  having  misleading  or  unfair  content  or presentation:

1/  advertisement  that  gives  false  information about  the  country  or  place  of  origin,  date of  production,  nature,  ingredients,  weight, volume,  use  or  acceptance  by    consumers of a product;

2/  advertisement  that  gives  false  information about  the  price  of  goods  or  service including  tax  and  other  lawful    fees  or about  obtaining copy right or patent right, quality  and  standard  certification  or  prize from  a  recognized  body  or  other  related information;

3/  advertisement  presenting  a  product  or  a service  beyond  its  real  usage,  quality, flavor,  taste,  ingredient,  strength, durability or sufficiency;

4/  advertisement  promoting  a  product  the expiry date of which is approaching or has already lapsed;

5/  advertisement promoting a milk powder or similar  meal  as  preferable  or equivalent  to breast feeding for children under the age of six months;

6/  advertisement  presenting  the  products  or services of others as one’s own;

7/  advertisement  promoting  a  product  or service  contrary  to  the  rules  of  fair  trade competition  by  undermining  those consumers  who  do  not  use  the  product  or the service;

8/  advertisement that undermines a product or service,  or  the  capacity  or  reputation  of  a competitor by comparing and contrasting it with  one’s  product  or  service,  or  that

degrades  local  products  or  services  with the  aim  of  promoting  preference  to  an imported product or service;

9/  advertisement that mix local language with a  foreign  language  unless  a  term  taken from  the  foreign  language  has  no equivalent in the local language;

10/  advertisement  that  present  goods  or services  that  are  not  available  in  the market;

11/  an  ambiguous  advertisement  that  confuses a  product,  service  or  a  company  with another product, service or company;

12/  advertisement  announcing  the  supply  of  a product  or  the  provision  of  service  freely or  at  a  discounted  price  while  the  product is supplied or the service  is rendered at its real price;

13/  advertisement  promising  speculative dividend  earnings  of  shares  offered  for sale;

14/  advertisement  promising  the  awarding  of prizes  or  the  provision  of  guarantees  to consumers  and  fails  to  do  so after  the  sale of products or services;

15/  advertisement that presents research results or  excerpts  or  quotations  from  scientific, technical  or  other  publication  as  if  they have relation with the promoted product or service;

16/  an  advertisement  which  uses  false testimony;

17/  advertisement containing superlatives such as  “the  first  of  its  kind”,  “the  only  one”, “for the first time”, “never ever before”, or “unparalleled”,  if  it  cannot  be  proved  with evidence;

18/   any other similar advertisement misleading or unfair with its content or presentation.

9.  Advertisement Requiring Special Certification

1/  Prior  certification  by  the  appropriate  body shall  be  required  in  order  to  promote products  or  services  that  have  to  meet mandatory standard requirements.

2/  An  advertiser  who  is  required  to  obtain  a certificate  of  competence  or  a  business license  may  not  advertise  its  product  or service  without  obtaining  such  certificate or license from the appropriate body.

10.  Advertisements Affecting Minors

The  dissemination  of  the  following advertisements shall be prohibited:

1/  an  advertisement  that  may  harm  the attitude, feeling or thinking of a minor;

2/  an advertisement that may cause a minor to lose  affection  or  trust  in  his  family, guardian, tutor, teacher, society or country;

3/  an  advertisement  that  openly  motivates  a minor to require his parent, guardian, tutor or  any  other  person  to  buy  the  advertised product or  service;

4/  an  advertisement  which  directly  or indirectly  provides  a  misleading  price  and gives  impression  to  a  minor  that  the product  or  service  advertised  is  affordable to any family;

5/  an  advertisement  causing  inferiority complex  to  a  minor  that  did  not  buy  the advertised  product  or  service,  by portraying  that  the  one  who  does  is  better than the one who does not;

6/  an  advertisement  that  demonstrates, through  mixing  of  sounds,  writings  and pictures,  a  minor  while  doing  any  action contrary  to  law  or  moral,  or  being  in  a  dangerous situation or place;

7/  an  advertisement  that  uses  a  minor  as  an advertisement  presenter  or  actor  without the consent of his guardian or tutor; or

8/  any  other  advertisement  having  similar content or presentation.

11.  Herbicides or Pesticides Advertisement Herbicides or pesticides advertisement:

1/  shall  provide  clear  and  accurate information  about  their  usage  and  the precautions to be taken during their usage;

2/  may  not  be  disseminated  as  the  product  is not  totally  poisonous  and  not  harmful  to health.

12.  Lottery Advertisement

1/  Any  person  who  is  not  authorized  by  the law  or  a  permission  obtained  from  the appropriate  government  body  to  engage  in a  lottery    business  may  not  advertise  a lottery.

2/  Any lottery advertisement shall disclose:

a)  the name of the lot organizing person and that it has a legal permission;

b)  the amount of money or prize type to be awarded; and

c)  the  date,  time,  and  venue  of  lot casting.

13.  Public Advertisement

1/  A  public  advertisement  may  not  advertise a  business  activity,  product,  service  or related message of any person.

2/  The amount of money to be charged by an advertisement  disseminator  for  public advertisement  may  not  exceed  that  of commercial advertisement.

3/  Any  advertisement  disseminator  shall  give priority  to  public  advertisement  than commercial  advertisement,  and  disseminate it based on the choice of the advertiser.

4/  If an advertisement disseminator fails, due to  the  priority  given  to  a  public advertisement,  to  disseminate  another advertisement  in  accordance  with  a contract  concluded  with  an  advertising agent or an advertiser, it shall, in advance, inform  the  advertising  agent  or  the advertiser.

14.  Counter Advertisement

1/  The  advertiser,  the  advertising  agent  and the  advertisement  disseminator  shall disseminate  a  counter  advertisement  in favour  of  the  victim  of  any  advertisement that  breaches  any  of  the  provisions  of  this Proclamation.

2/  Unless  otherwise  contrary  evidence  is presented,  the  advertiser,  the  advertising agent  and  the  advertisement  disseminator shall  be  jointly  and  severally  liable  to cover  the  cost  of  the  counter advertisement.

3/  A  counter  advertisement  shall  be  arranged and  disseminated  in  the  same  method, duration  and  place  as  the  original advertisement was disseminated.

4/  If  it  is  found  necessary,  the  Authority  or other appropriate body may order a change on  the  method,  duration  and  place  of dissemination  of  the  counter advertisement.

PART FOUR

SPONSORSHIP

15.  Sponsored Program

1/  The  content  or  timetable  of  a  sponsored program  may  not  fall  under  the  influence of  the  sponsor.  In  particular,  a  sponsored program may not agitate the sell or hire of the sponsor’s product or service.

2/  A  sponsored  program  may  advertise  or announce  the  name,  objectives,  service, goods  and  similar  condition  or acknowledgement  of  the  sponsor  at  the beginning, break time or end of the program;  however,  notwithstanding  to  the  provisions of  Article  17(1)  and  Article  19  of  this Proclamation,  the  time  to  be    allocated  for any advertisement including split-screen, and infomercial  advertisement,  the  name, objective,  service,  goods  and  similar messages  as  well  as,  acknowledgement  of  a sponsor  may  not  exceed  10  percent  of  the sponsored program.

3/  Unless  otherwise  an  agreement  is  concluded between  the  sponsor  and  the  broadcaster, other  commercial  advertisement  may  not  be disseminated  in  a  sponsored  program.  When there are  more than one sponsor, all of them shall give their consent.

4/  A  person  who  produces  or  sells  a  product or  renders  a  service  whose  advertisement is  prohibited  or  restricted  under  Article  25 and  Article  26  of  this  Proclamation  may not  sponsor  a  means  of  advertisement dissemination subject to the prohibition.

5/  Political  and  religious  organizations  may not be sponsors.

6/  The  provisions  of  this  Article  shall  be applicable,  as  deemed  appropriate,  to sponsored  advertisements  disseminated through  any  means  of  advertisement dissemination.

16.  Programs not to be Sponsored

1/  Programs  disseminating  discussions  of  the House  of  Peoples’ Representatives, news programs and current affairs programs may not be sponsored.

2/  Children’s  program  may  not  be  sponsored by a business organization.

3/  Notwithstanding  sub-article  (1)  of  this Article,  sport,  meteorology  and  business news  may  be  sponsored  if  they  are presented separately from other news.

PART FIVE

ADVERTISEMENT DISSEMINATION THROUGH

DIFFERENT MEANS OF DISSEMINATION

17.  Advertisement  Dissemination  through Broadcasting Service

1/  Unless  it  is  broadcasting  service  station established  for  disseminating  advertisement, the  time  to  be  allocated  by  a  broadcasting service  for  any  advertisement  including split-screen,  and  infomercial  advertisement, the  name,  objective,  service,  goods  and similar  messages  as  well  as  acknowledgement of a sponsor may not exceed:

a)  20%  of  its  daily  or  a  particular program transmission time;

b)  15% of a particular program having a transmission  time  of  not  more  than one hour; or

c)  12  minutes  in  a  one-hour  transmission time.

2/  Where  a  split-screen  advertisement  is disseminated:

a)  in  the  form  of  image  or  photograph, the  space  occupied  by  the advertisement  may  not  exceed  15% of  the  total  space  covered  by  the television  window  or  the  screen frame; or

b)  in  the  form  of  readable  moving  line, the  space  occupied  by  the advertisement may not exceed 7% of the  total  space  covered  by  the television  window  or  the  screen frame.

3/  The  following  programs  may  not  be interrupted by advertisement:

a)  discussion  of  the  House of Peoples’ Representatives;

b)  children’s program;

c)  news or current affairs program;

d)  unless  authorized  by  the  copy  right owner, music, drama or documentary film;

e)  any program the transmission time of which is not more than 20 minutes.

4/   The  same  advertisement  of  a  product  or service may not be disseminated more than twice in a one-hour transmission time.

5/  An  inserted  advertisement  may  not  be included in any discussion of the House of Peoples’  Representatives,  children’s program, news or current affairs program.

18.  Infomercials

1/  Any broadcasting service may disseminate infomercial.

2/  Unless  it  is  a  broadcasting  service established for disseminating advertisement, an infomercial shall have a title that clearly differentiates it from other programs.

19. Advertisement  Dissemination  through Community Broadcasting Service  Notwithstanding  to  the  provisions  of  Article 17(1)  of  this  Proclamation,  the  time  to  be allocated  by  a  community  broadcasting  service for any advertisement including split-screen, and infomercial  the  name,  objective,  service,  goods and  similar  messages  as  well  as acknowledgement of a sponsor may not exceed:

1/  15%  of  its  daily  or  a  particular  program transmission time; or

2/  9 minutes in a one-hour transmission time.

20.  Advertisement  Dissemination  through Newspapers and Magazines

Unless it is a newspaper or magazine established only  to  disseminate  advertisement,  advertisements disseminated through newspapers and magazines:

1/  may  not  exceed  60%  of  the  whole  content of each edition;

2/  shall appear under the title “advertisement” to  distinguish  them  from  the  other materials of the periodical.

21.  Outdoor Advertisement

1/  No  person,  unless  obtained  a  permit  from the  appropriate  government  body  and,  as may  be  appropriate,  the  consent  of  the owner  or  possessor  thereof,  may  affix, hang,  erect  or  otherwise  place  outdoor advertisement on:

a)  any building, wall, fence, bus station, pole,  telecom  service  equipment  or any other similar structure

b)  any road, highway, rail way or public transport; or

c)  any place used for public services.

2/  Any  outdoor  advertisement  may  not  be placed  in  such  a  way  as  to  be  confused with  traffic  or  direction  signs,  obstruct views,  hamper  or  undermine  traffic movement or safety, or spoil beauty of the scenery.

3/  Any  outdoor  advertisement  placed  in accordance  with  this  Article  shall  be written  in  local language or alphabet, or if  it is  written in local and  foreign languages or alphabets, the local language or alphabet shall  appear  before  or  above  the  foreign language or alphabet.

22.  Advertisement Dissemination through Telephone

1/  Any advertisement through telephone shall be disseminated with the permission of the telecom service provider.

2/  With  the  exception  of  public advertisements  and  advertisements  of  the telecom  service  provider,  disseminating any commercial advertisement  through the apparatus  of  a  telephone  service  user, without his consent, shall be  prohibited.

3/  If  the  dissemination  of  the  advertisement requires  the  telephone  service  user  to  pay charges,  the  advertising  agent, advertisement  disseminator  and  advertiser shall make it clear to the telephone service user.

23.  Advertisement  Dissemination  through  Postal Services

1/  An  advertisement  through  postal  service shall  be  disseminated  by  obtaining permission  from  the  postal  service provider.

2/  A  postal  service  provider  may  disseminate public  advertisement  or  its  own advertisement  through  the  post  box  of  a postal  service  user;  provided,  however  that, to  dessiminate  a  commercial  advertisement through the post box of a postal service user, a  postal  service  provider  shall  take  in  to consideration  the  interest  of  a  postal  service user and establish a working procedure.

24.  Advertisement  Dissemination  through  Cinema  or Film

Unless  during  break  time  or  end  of  a  scene, interruption  of  any  cinema  or  film  for advertisement shall be prohibited.

PART SIX

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED

ADVERTISEMENTS

25.  Prohibited Advertisement

1/  The  direct  or  indirect  dissemination  of  the following  advertisements  through  the  use of  any  means  of  dissemination  shall  be prohibited:

a)  advertisement  of  any  substance classified  as  narcotic  drug  by appropriate governmental body;

b)  advertisement  that  encourage  the direct  use  of  any  prescription medicine or medical appliance;

c)  advertisement  of  narcotic  drug  or psychotropic substance;

d)  advertisement of weapon;

e)  advertisement of gambling;

f)  advertisement  of  illegal  product  or service;

g)  advertisement of usury;

h)  advertisement of witchcraft;

i)  advertisement  of  cigarette  or  other

tobacco products;

j)  advertisement  having  political  goals; and

k)  other  advertisements    prohibited  by law.

2/   The  provisions  of  sub-article  (1)(j)  of  this Article  may  not  preclude  a  political organization  or  a  candidate  registered  in accordance  with  the  law  from  advertising the  election  campaign,  or  the  political organization from advertising change of its address,  meeting  announcement  and  from disseminating other similar advertisements.

26.  Restricted Advertisement

1/  Any  advertisement  of  liquor  with  more

than  12%  alcoholic  content  may  not  be disseminated directly or indirectly  through any  means  of  dissemination  other  than outdoor  advertisements  and  news  papers and magazines which are not published on daily and weekly basis.

2/  Notwithstanding  to  the  provision  of  sub-article (1) of this Article, the advertisement of  any  liquor  with  more  than  12% alcoholic content  may  not be disseminated through  the  use  of  electronic  screen, microphone,  audio  cassette,  or  other audiovisual  advertisement  disseminated through the use of outdoor advertisement.

3/  Any advertisement of liquor may not:

a)  advertise  that  consumption  of  the liquor  is  good  for  health,  brings about  individual  or  social  success, improves  psychological  or  physical strength or  provides  healing  power, or  instigate  its  repeated  consumption or over drinking;

b)  undermine or oppose abstention from alcohol addiction;

c)  concentrate  on  minors,  or  use  a minor as an advertisement actor; or

d)  contain other similar massages.

4/  An  outdoor  advertisement  of  any  liquor may  not  be  placed  within  100  meters radius  of  a  children  care  center,  school, medical or historical institution, cinema or theater hall or a stadium.

PART SEVEN

OBLIGATIONS OF ADVERTISER, ADVERTISING

AGENT AND ADVERTISEMENT DISSEMINATOR

27.  Verification of Information

1/  Any  advertising  agent  or  advertisement  disseminator shall have the obligation:

a)  to  verify  the  correctness  of  an information  provided  to  it  by  an advertiser; and

b)  to  require  the    advertiser  to  make adjustments to an advertisement where it  breaches  the  law  if  disseminated  as presented.

2/  Any advertiser shall have the obligation to submit  evidence  requested  by  an advertising  agent  or  disseminator  to  verify the  correctness  of  an  information  included in an advertisement.

3/  The advertising agent or disseminator may cancel  the  contract  concluded  with  the advertiser  and  claim  damages  if  the advertiser  is  unwilling  or  unable  to  fulfill the requirement specified under sub-article (1)(b) or (2) of this Article.

28.  Record Keeping and Providing Information

1/  Any  advertiser,  advertising  agent  or advertisement  disseminator  shall  have  the obligation  to  make  a  copy  of  a disseminated  advertisement  and  keep  a record of it at least for six months.

2/  Any  advertiser,  advertising  agent  or advertisement  disseminator  shall,  when requested  by  the  Authority  or  the appropriate  government  body  in connection  with  the  enforcement  of  this

Proclamation,  provide,  at  its  own  cost,  a copy  of  an  advertisement  record  kept  in accordance  with  sub-article  (1)  of  this Article.

29.  Fair Dissemination of Advertisements  Any  mass  media  disseminating  advertisements shall  disseminate  impartially  and  fairly advertisements submitted to it by advertisers and advertising agents.

30.  Responsibilities  of  Advertiser,  Advertising Agent and Advertisement Disseminator

Unless  proved  to  the  contrary,  any advertisement  disseminated  in  breach  of  the provisions  of  this  Proclamation  shall  be presumed  to  have  been  conducted  with  the consent  of  the  advertiser,  advertising  agent  and advertisement  disseminator,  and  they  shall  be jointly  and  severally  liable  according  to  their degree of responsibility.

PART EIGHT

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

31.  Powers and Duties of the Authority

The  Authority  shall  have  the  powers  and  duties

to:

1/  ensure  that  advertisement  is  conducted  in such  a  manner  that  contributes  to  the economic, social and political development of the country;

2/  in consultation with the appropriate bodies, issue competency requirement  and code of conduct for advertising activity;

3/  examine  and  suspend  any  advertisement, other  than  outdoor  advertisement, disseminated in violation of the provisions of  this  Proclamation,  and  order  the dissemination of a counter advertisement;

4/  transmit  to  the  appropriate  government  body any  information  relevant  for  the  prosecution of  any  offender  who  disseminated  an advertisement  in  violation  of  the  provisions of this Proclamation;

5/  provide  technical  support  to  the appropriate  regional  bodies  regarding  the enforcement  of  this  Proclamation  with respect to outdoor advertisements;

6/  design  strategies  and  provide  support  for developing  the  advertising  profession  and for making the sector self regulated.

32.  Consumers Association

Any  consumers  association  established  under the relevant law shall:

1/  cooperate  with  the  Authority  and  the appropriate  government  bodies  in  the enforcement of this Proclamation;

2/  have  the  right  to  institute  a  civil  suit  on behalf  of  its  members  who  have  sustained damages  as  a  result  of  an  advertisement disseminated in violation of the provisions of this Proclamation.

33.  Submission of Complaints to the Authority

1/  Any person whose rights are infringed by the dissemination  of  any  advertisement,  other than  outdoor  advertisement,  in  violation  of the  provisions  of  this  Proclamation  may submit  complaints,  within  six  months  from the  date  of  the  dissemination  of  the advertisement,  to  the  Authority  to  obtain  an order  of  suspension  of  disseminating  the advertisement  or  the  dissemination  of  a counter advertisement.

2/  The  provision  of  sub-article  (1)  of  this Article  may  not  be  construed  to  preclude the institution of a suit with the competent judicial body.

34.  Penalty

1/  Unless  punishable  with  more  severe penalty under other  law, any  person found guilty of violating:

a)  Article  5(1)  and  (2)  of  this Proclamation  shall  be  punishable  in accordance  with  Article  60(1)  of  the Commercial  Registration  and Business Licensing Proclamation No. 686/2010;

b)  Article  5(3),  Article  5(5),  Article 6(2),  Article  6(3),  Article  6(4), Article  10,  Article  11,  Article  12(2), Article  13,  Article  15(1),  Article 15(2),  Article  15(3),  Article  16, Article  17,  Article  18,  Article  19, Article  20,  Article  21,  Article  22, Article 23, Article 24,  Article 26(3), Article 27, Article 28 or Article 29 of this Proclamation shall be punishable with  a  fine  not  less  than  Birr  10,000 and not exceeding Birr 100,000;

c)  Article  6(1),  Article  7,  Article  8, Article  9,    Article  12(1),  Article  14, Article 15(4) , Article 15(5),  Article 26(1),  Article  26(2)  or  Article  26(4) of  this  Proclamation  shall  be punishable  with  a  fine  not  less  than Birr  20,000  and  not  exceeding  Birr 150,000;

d)  Article  25(1)  of  this  Proclamation shall  be  punishable  with  a  fine  not less  than  Birr  30,000  and  not exceeding Birr 250,000.

2/  In addition to the fine specified under sub-article  (1)  of  this  Article,  the  income obtained  by  the  convicted  person  from  the illegal  advertisement  activity  shall  be confiscated.

35.  Inapplicable Law

No  law  or  customary  practice  shall,  in  so  far  as it  is  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this Proclamation,  be  applicable  with  respect  to matters provided for by this Proclamation.

36.  Power to Issue Regulation and Directive

1/  The  Council  of  Ministers  may  issue regulations  necessary  for  the implementation of this Proclamation.

2/  The  Authority  may  issue  directives necessary  for  the  implementation  of  this proclamation  and  regulations  issued  under sub-article (1) of this Article.

3/  Regions may issue regulations and directives necessary  for  the  implementation  of  this Proclamation  with  respect  to  outdoor advertisements.

37.  Effective date

This  Proclamation  shall  enter  into  force  on  the date  of  publication  in  the  Federal  Negarit

Gazeta.

Done at Addis Ababa, this 27^th  day of August, 2012.

GIRMA WOLDEGIORGIS

PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

“The provisions relating to the law on a given subject matter are often found in a series of Acts. As a consequence, investigation of the law on a given subject requires simultaneous reference to a number of separate Acts. This problem can be solved by a re-enactment of the scattered provisions into one Act Consolidation is thus the process whereby several Acts of Parliament are brought together in a single, comprehensive Act.

Consolidation is a process of combining the legislative provisions on a single topic into one coherent enactment. The earlier Acts of Parliament are repealed. In their place is substituted a single Act which embraces the subject matter of the earlier Acts. The aim of consolidation is to allow for easy access to a particular subject matter on which there would have been numerous amendments to the law at different times.”

(V. C. R. A. C. CRABBE, Legislative Drafting, P185)

“….important development in the history of legislations in Ethiopia is the Consolidated Laws of Ethiopia. The purpose of the project of the Consolidated Laws “is to provide a useful source and reference work on the laws of Ethiopia”. The Consolidated Laws of Ethiopia initially contained laws which were, in effect, included at the end of the Ethiopian year 1961 (September 10, 1969). A supplement was issued in 1975 in which were included as laws which were, in effect, proclaimed at the end of the Ethiopian year 1965 (September 10, 1973). Since then, no supplement has been issued. Besides, the Consolidated Laws “contains numerous tables. And other means of assisting the user to find the legal provisions he is searching for”.17 This important work was begun by the former Institute of Public Administration of the Ethiopian Government but was later on turned over to the Faculty of Law of the Haile Selassie I University (now the Addis Ababa University). The work was completed in October by Mr. William H. Ewing, who was a member of the staff of the Faculty of Law and the project’s head. The other laws and regulations relating to Addis Ababa appeared in the Consolidated Legislations of Addis Ababa”

(Sileshi Zeyohannes and Fanaye G/Hiwot, Legislative Drafting Teaching Material [Sponsored by the Justice and Legal System Research Institute] P25-26)

Volume I and II of the consolidated laws are now available. (Unfortunately only the Amharic version is available)

Due to the size of the file, I split up Volume one in to five parts.

I will upload Volume two in my next post.

Consolidated Laws  v.1_Part1

Consolidated Laws  v.1_Part2

Consolidated Laws v.1_Part3

Consolidated Laws  v.1_Part4

Consolidated Laws  v.1_Part5

Consoludated Laws v.2

Sometimes ago I posted the first volume of the consolidated laws. Here is the last and second volume.

Consoludated Laws  v.2_Part1

Consoludated Laws v.2_Part2

Consoludated Laws v.2 Part3

Consoludated Laws v.2_Part4

Consoludated Laws v.2_Part5

Repealed text Repealing Text (a)    Customs and Export Duties Proclamation No.39/1943; (b)   The Proclamation to Consolidate and Amend the Law Relating to Customs Proclamation No. 145/1955; (c)    Customs and Export Duties Measurement […]

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Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission Establishment Proclamation no. 91/94 A proclamation to promote the development of mineral resources Proclamation no. 52/93 Agricultural Cooperative Societies Proclamation no. 85/1994 Proclamation Concerning Inventions, Minor Inventions […]

The post Pre-1995 Ethiopian Laws (#2) appeared first on Ethiopian Legal Brief.

One of the significant changes introduced by the new Ethiopian pension laws is the substantial increase in the amount of pension contribution by the beneficiary and the government/employer. Until June 2011, only […]

The post Amount of pension contribution in the new Ethiopian pension laws appeared first on Ethiopian Legal Brief.

The total number of proclamations issued by the House of People’s representatives is 26 i.e proclamation number 692-proclamation number 718. You can freely download all the laws here Ethiopian legal breif. In […]

The post All 2011 Federal Proclamations Part one appeared first on Ethiopian Legal Brief.

Proclamation No. 705 African Development Fund Loan Agreement Proclamation No. 704 2003 Fiscal Year Federal Government Supplementary Budget Proclamation No. 703 Amendments of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund […]

The post All 2011 Federal Proclamations Part Two appeared first on Ethiopian Legal Brief.