WHEREAS, the goal to jointly build one political community founded on the rule of law, as one of the basic objectives of the nations/nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia, is to be achieved by guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual and of nations/nationalities and peoples;

WHEREAS, the immense sacrifices paid by the people of Ethiopia, in the protracted struggle they waged with a view to bringing about a democratic order and to enhancing their socio-economic development, calls for paving the way for the unfettered protection of human rights;

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia guarantees respect for peoples’ rights and freedoms and provides that Federal and Regional government organs, at all levels, and their respective officials shall have the responsibility and duty to respect and enforce said rights and freedoms; WHEREAS, it is found necessary to establish a Human Rights Commission, as one of the organs that play a major role in enforcing such rights and freedoms, and to determine its powers and functions, by law, in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with sub Articles (1) and (14) of Article 55 of the Constitution, of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows: