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A guide to the Parliament of Ethiopia, by Meheret Ayenew and Tsedey Mekonnen

28 Apr 2017
Queen Elizabeth Tower, UK Houses of Parliament

Meheret Ayenew, Executive Director of the Forum for Social Studies in Addis Ababa, and researcher Tsedey Mekonnen set out the history, make-up and role of the bicameral Ethiopian Parliament.

Dr Ruth Fox, Director , Hansard Society
,
Director , Hansard Society

Dr Ruth Fox

Dr Ruth Fox
Director , Hansard Society

Ruth is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of the Society and leads its research programme. She has appeared before more than a dozen parliamentary select committees and inquiries, and regularly contributes to a wide range of current affairs programmes on radio and television, commentating on parliamentary process and political reform.

In 2012 she served as adviser to the independent Commission on Political and Democratic Reform in Gibraltar, and in 2013 as an independent member of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee Review Group. Prior to joining the Society in 2008, she was head of research and communications for a Labour MP and Minister and ran his general election campaigns in 2001 and 2005 in a key marginal constituency.

In 2004 she worked for Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign in the battleground state of Florida. In 1999-2001 she worked as a Client Manager and historical adviser at the Public Record Office (now the National Archives), after being awarded a PhD in political history (on the electoral strategy and philosophy of the Liberal Party 1970-1983) from the University of Leeds, where she also taught Modern European History and Contemporary International Politics.

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Their Ethiopian Parliament Briefing Paper outlines the history of the legislature dating back to its establishment in 1931 by Emperor Haile Selassie I. The paper explores the formal functions of the Parliament, highlights the relatively high number of women members, and explores why multi-party politics has failed to take root and why, as a consequence, parliamentary rule has not been institutionalised.

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 27-31 January 2025

MPs begin questioning experts about the assisted dying bill over three days this week. In the Commons there are debates on proportional representation, creative industries, and Post Office closures. MPs will consider water company regulations and motions about the requirements for an Office of Budget Responsibility assessment and a breach of the annual cap on welfare spending. Peers continue scrutinising the Data (Use and Access) Bill and Mental Health Bill. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will be questioned about progress on Net Zero by the Environmental Audit Committee.

26 Jan 2025
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News / Assisted dying bill: Special series #1 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 68

In this first "mini pod" of a series exploring one of the most controversial bills currently before Parliament — the proposed legislation to legalise assisted dying — Ruth Fox and Mark D’Arcy delve into the heated debates surrounding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This Private Member’s Bill has already ignited passionate discussions during its first Public Bill Committee sitting.

24 Jan 2025
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Briefings / Assisted dying - The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Rolling news

Stay informed with updates and analysis on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as it moves through Parliament. Learn about the debates, procedures, decisions, and key milestones shaping the assisted dying legislation.

21 Jan 2025
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News / A withering select committee takedown - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 69

This week we highlight Professor Alexis Jay’s damning verdict on the Conservative government’s lacklustre response to child abuse inquiry recommendations and the first major test of Northern Ireland’s “Stormont Brake” under the Windsor Framework. Plus, we take a look at the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill and how it measures up to its German counterpart.

24 Jan 2025
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Briefings / Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Concerns about the delegated powers

As MPs prepare to consider the detail of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - known as the assisted dying bill - this briefing highlights concerns about two clauses granting delegated powers to Ministers. These clauses address substances approved for assisted dying and its provision through the health service. It also examines the absence of a Delegated Powers Memorandum and its impact on effective scrutiny of the Bill.

23 Jan 2025
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