Criminal Procedure Code at Ethiopia
The Criminal Procedure Code of Ethiopia, enacted on November 2, 1961, governs the procedures for criminal investigations, prosecutions, and trials within the country. It was developed through a collaborative effort involving both civil law and common law traditions, drawing influences from various legal systems, including those of Malaya, Sudan, Northern Nigeria, India, and Singapore. ((PDF) Ethiopian Criminal Procedure.pdf | Simeneh Kiros Assefa, PhD - Academia.edu)
This Code outlines the rights and duties of individuals involved in criminal proceedings, including suspects, defendants, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers. It specifies procedures for arrest, detention, investigation, and trial, aiming to ensure justice and due process. For instance, it permits arrest without a warrant in cases of flagrant offenses and mandates that searches and seizures be conducted with proper authorization. ((PDF) Ethiopian Criminal Procedure.pdf | Simeneh Kiros Assefa, PhD - Academia.edu)
In recent years, there have been discussions about reforming the Code to align it with Ethiopia's federal system and international human rights standards. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has recommended several changes to improve the draft Criminal Procedure Code, which was presented to the House of People's Representatives for discussion and approval. (News Analysis: Rights Commission recommends several changes to improve draft Criminal Procedure Code - Addis Standard)
For those interested in reviewing the full text of the Criminal Procedure Code, it is available in both English and Amharic versions:
English Version: Available on Abyssinia Law (Criminal Procedure Code (English)) (Criminal Procedure Code (English))
Amharic Version: Available on Abyssinia Law (Criminal Procedure Code (Amharic))
Additionally, a version of the Code is accessible through Refworld, which provides legal documents for refugees and asylum seekers: (Criminal Procedure Code of Ethiopia | Refworld)
RELATED Blog
0 comments