covered by the state. They also have the right to appeal and have the right to request for the assistance of an interpreter at state expense where the court proceedings are conducted in a language they do not understand. These persons shall also have the opportunity to communicate with, and be visited by, their spouses and partners, close relatives, friends, religious councilors, medical doctors and their legal counsel. The right to fair trial is one of the pillars of rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution, fairness relates to expeditious process, the right of the accused to be tried within a reasonable time. Article 19 of the FDRE Constitution provides that persons held in custody and convicted persons have the right to be informed promptly, in a language they understand, of the reasons for their arrest and of any charge against them. They have the right to remain silent and the right to be informed properly in a language they understand, that any statement they make may be used as evidence against them in court. They also have the constitutionally guaranteed right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of their arrest and the right to petition the court to order their physical release when they fail to appear before the court within the prescribed time. They cannot be compelled to make confession or admissions which could be used against them. It is also provided that they have the right to be released on bail and only in exceptional circumstances as prescribed by law, unless the court deny bail or demand adequate guarantee for the conditional release of the arrested person. Policy Measures The government adopted the Democratic System Building Policy /2002/ and the Criminal Justice Policy /2011/ as the key measures that seek to promote the right of citizens to fair trial. Legislative Measures The legislative measures taken to promote citizens‟ rights to a fair trial are contained in: the Proclamation to Provide for the Definition of Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs of the FDRE No. 691/2010, Criminal code of the FDRE (2004), Criminal Procedure Code (1961), Federal Prisons Commission Establishment Proclamation No. 365/2003, Amended Federal Judicial Administration Council Establishment Proclamation (Proclamation No. 684/2010), Federal Courts Advocates Licensing and Registration Proclamation ( Proclamation No. 199/2000), Ethiopian Federal Police Commission Establishment Proclamation (Proclamation No. 720/2011), Registration of Vital Events and National Identity Card Proclamation (Proclamation No. 760/2012), Draft criminal procedure law and Various Relevant laws enacted by Regional Councils. 52