courts reform program (2008-2015) is under implementation with the purpose of ensuring fair,
effective, efficient and equitable adjudication of cases.
Office of public defenders has been established both at the federal and regional levels. In addition to
this, bureaus of justice at both levels assigning private advocates pro bono to those who can„t afford
it. In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the courts, and justice organs‟ professional training
institutes, training is regularly provided for judges and public prosecutors to enhance their
professional competence and reinforce their ability to respect and ensure human rights. The right of
accused persons to be presumed innocent until proved guilty in accordance with the law is instilled
in the criminal justice system. In order to implement the presumption of innocence in criminal cases
the burden of proof is placed on the Public Prosecutor. The Government took measures to protect
the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, especially those in the detention centers. The Prison
Administration has zero tolerance for torture, inhuman, degrading or other cruel treatments, which
are prohibited by the Constitution and suspected persons would not to be compelled to testify
against themselves.
Interpreters have been assigned in all courts of law so that a citizen„s constitutional right to request
for interpreter has been protected. Federal Courts are also preparing to introduce a „pre-trial
conference‟ system which will give the accused full access to any evidence presented against him.
The Ministry of Justice has established a directorate to separately deal with crimes against women
and children and similar structures has been set up in many of regions.
Judicial Measures
In the case of Shambel Hussein Ali vs. Public Prosecutor for Somali Regional Government, which
reached to the level of the Supreme Court, the Cassation Court (under File Number 37050) decided
that the death penalty imposed by the lower courts was in contravention of his rights under the law.
This case was regarding the aggravated homicide and the complainant brought appeal to the court
on the ground that his right to counsel was not respected; he was not given sufficient time to
prepare his defense and the death penalty passed by the lower courts violates his rights under the
law. The Supreme Court cited Article 13(1) and 25(5) of the FDRE Constitution and ruled that his
rights were violated by the lower courts and reversed the decision of the lower courts.24
24
See details which is available at http://www.fsc.gov.et
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