Status and Role of Victims of Crime in the Ethiopian Criminal Justice System

Abstract

                                  Abstract
This article explores the place and role of victims of crime in the present
Ethiopian criminal justice system. It inquiries whether victims, as distinct from mere
informants/witnesses, have a legally recognized position and can play significant
roles within the criminal process. It examines if there are sufficient legal mechanisms
that provide for their treatment and protection. A detour to survey global
contemporary issues and emerging trends are also made with a view to bringing the
issues under consideration in broader perspectives. After a thorough analysis of the
existing legal framework in Ethiopia, the article finally concludes that victims
currently (1) do not have adequate recognition, (2) have marginal roles, and (3) are
without sufficient legal mechanisms which provide for their treatment and protection
in the criminal process. Hence, the author recommends the inclusion into the
forthcoming criminal procedure law of provisions that address the special concerns,
needs, interests, and rights of victims.
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“The provisions of the Rome Statute permit victims at the International Criminal Court
to choose their legal representatives, who have a right to present their views and make
submissions when their interests are likely to be affected. Such views and submissions may be
made at all stages of the court proceedings with only the limitation that it would not be
prejudicial or inconsistent with the rights of the accused. In an era where globalization and
harmonization of criminal procedure seem set to continue indefinitely, it is inevitable that
domestic processes and policymakers and criminal justice agencies will be increasingly
influenced by such international developments.†(Jonathan Doak)