Justice Sector Transformation Roadmap
The government of Ethiopia has embarked upon a National Justice Sector Transformation Roadmap to overhaul and transform the justice system in Ethiopia. This grand initiative is comprehensive in its scope and thematic areas. It covers investigation, prosecution and correction at both federal and regional levels. The major objective is to gain satisfaction and trust of the community in the Justice Sector which is lacking as observed in different studies including one conducted by HiiL in 2020 assessing the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Ethiopia, and Diagnostic Study of the Ethiopian Criminal Justice System in 2021. The three year Federal Justice Sector Transformation Roadmap implementation started on July 2023. The plan covers 10 important pillars. These are:
Community Centred Justice Service
which is an initiative to recognize and promote people centred justice in the day to day activities of the community through customary dispute settlement mechanisms.
Vetting of Justice Sector Officials and Professionals
intends to conduct an independent review of the justice sector leadership and professionals based on ethics, competence and asset.
Enhance Effective Utilization of Information Communication Technologies
in the Justice System, i.e., Digital Justice Transformation,
Criminal, Civil and Administrative Justice in a New Perspective
with the adoption of the new Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code, contemporary good practices will be expected to be effected and transform the Criminal Justice Administration; it is also expected that the implementation of administrative procedure law will bring about new paradigm shift in administrative justice.
Strengthen Legal Literacy and Provision of Free Legal Aid
it is expected to conduct extensive and wide legal literacy and extension programs; legal aid service and its enforcement will be reformed and improved based on a new strategy and legislation.
Expand Modern Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
it is expected to make Ethiopia an arbitration hub and to enact new legislation to enable the establishment and operation of modern ADR.
