Criminal Code > TITLE II CRIMES AGAINST 2

CHAPTER II CRIMES AGAINST OTHER PERSONS’ RIGHTS

Article 601- Restraint of the Free Exercise of Civil Rights.

(1) Whoever by intimidation, violence, fraud or any other unlawful means:

a) prevents a person from exercising his civil rights granted by the Constitution or other laws, especially his right as a parent or a guardian, his right to bring a legal action or to appear before the Courts; or

b) compels him to exercise such rights in a particular way,

is punishable with simple imprisonment not exceeding three years, or fine.

(2) The restraint of the free exercise of political rights, especially the right of voting and election,

Is punishable under the special provision of this Code (Art. 467).

Article 602- Violation of the Right of Freedom of Movement.

(1) Whoever, not being authorized by law so to do, prevents another from moving freely within the territory of Ethiopia,

Is punishable with simple imprisonment or fine.

(2) Where the criminal is a public servant, he shall be punishable under the relevant provision of this Code (Art. 407).

Article 603- Violation of the Right of Freedom to Work.

(1) Whoever, by intimidation, violence, fraud or any other unlawful means, compels another:

a) to accept a particular employment or particular conditions of employment, or to refuse or withhold his labour, with the object of imposing on an employer by force the acceptance or modification of terms of employment; or

b) to join a group or association having as its aim the objects mentioned in (a), or anyone who prevents another from freely leaving such a group or association,

is punishable, upon complaint, with simple imprisonment for not less than three months, or fine.

(2) Where the person or persons causing intimidation or violence were carrying weapons or other instruments, or where the prevention or coercion is the work of a large group, the punishment of imprisonment prescribed under sub-article (1) shall be imposed in combination with fine.

Article 604- Violation of Privacy of Domicile or Restricted Areas.

(1) Whoever, in contravention of the law:

a) enters, against the wishes of the lawful occupant, a house, premises, boat or any other place used for living in, or a restricted area abutting on a house or dwelling, or a garden or any other private property; or

b) forcibly enters without permission the premises, offices, storehouse or yards of an undertaking, company or body corporate, even though not inhabited; or

c) having entered without opposition from or with the permission of the lawful occupant, remains there when called upon by him to leave,

is punishable with simple imprisonment not exceeding three years, or fine.

(2) Where the violation is committed by a public servant who is not authorized to take such action, or who does so in violation of legal safeguards and formalities, the special provision (Art. 422) shall apply.

Article 605- Aggravation to the Crime.

Where the crime is committed:

a) by carrying weapons, making use of threats or resorting to violence; or

b) by a group of persons acting in common; or

c) between the hours of six PM and six AM, unless otherwise authorized by law; or

d) by a person holding himself on to be a public servant or official,

the punishment shall be rigorous imprisonment not exceeding five years.

Article 606- Violation of the Privacy of Correspondence or Consignments.

(1) Whoever, without lawful authority:

a) deliberately learns about the contents of or opens a business or private closed or open letter, envelope or correspondence, or accesses electronic, telegram, telephone or telecommunication correspondence, commercial or private closed letter or envelope, or a packet, a sealed parcel or any consignment, which is not his; or

b) having learned of certain facts by opening, even by mistake or negligence, such a closed envelope or parcel not addressed to him, divulges such facts or derives a gain therefrom,

is punishable, upon complaint, with a fine not exceeding one thousand Birr, or according to the circumstances of the case, with simple imprisonment not exceeding three months.

(2) Whoever intentionally and unlawfully intercepts, destroys, retains or diverts from their true destination such correspondence or packages, is punishable upon accusation with simple imprisonment not exceeding six months, where his act does not constitute a specific crime punishable more severely.

(3) Nothing shall affect the provisions relating to breach of official secrecy, unlawful disposal of objects in charge and appropriation and misappropriation in the discharge of duties by public servants (Arts. 397, 412 and 413).