democratic system. It should be noted that all these declared and implemented government policies have components on the promotion and protection of human rights. LEGISLATIVE MEASURES The FDRE Constitution provides for legislative institutions and procedures at both federal and state levels. At the federal level, the House of Peoples‟ Representatives, which is the supreme legislative body at the federal level has promulgated numerous Proclamations necessary for the protection of civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights. On this level, the initiative of legislation mainly belongs to the Council of Ministers. The laws or “Proclamations” are subsequently discussed and adopted or rejected by the House of Peoples‟ Representatives. A similar procedure exists in each of the nine Federated States. At the federal level, legislative competence is divided between the federal government and the regional governments. Pursuant to Article 50(1) of the Constitution both the Federal Government and the States have legislative, executive and judicial powers. The House of Peoples‟ Representatives, the highest legislative organ and authority, enacts legislation within the areas falling under its jurisdiction while the State Council has the power of legislation on matters falling under State jurisdiction. The House of Peoples‟ Representatives is the organ empowered to ratify international agreements concluded by the executive. Accordingly the House has ratified the major human rights conventions and protocols adopted within the international and African human rights system, and these, as all other ratified international agreements have nationwide application. In addition, legislative measures have been taken both by the Federal and Regional legislative organs to enhance the protection of the human rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples‟ Rights. The following are some of the most important recent measures in the context of human rights: - Anti-Terrorism Proclamation No. 652/2009; - A Proclamation to Provide for the Electoral Code of Conduct for Political Parties No. 662/2009); - Federal Judicial Administration Council Establishment Proclamation (as Amended) No. 684/2010; 26