An independent, efficient and effective justice system is a fundamental pillar to protect the rights of citizens, sustain the rule of law, practice democracy and create a democratic society.
It is also essential to maintain fair trial for all equally and underpin a sense of confidence and trust within the public. Therefore, the existence of independent, well-functioning, non-discriminatory, justice and legal system that ensures every individual’s right equally is not only necessary; but it is also mandatory.
Since the past one year, the government has been taking numerous progressive and comprehensive political and economic measures that are critical to step up the reforms forward. Including the measures taken in the economic sphere to privatize public enterprises fully or partially to stimulate the economy and freeing political prisoners, it has invited exiled competing politicians to return home and take part in peaceful political activities.
Concurrently, it has amended and repealed the repressive laws that had unfavorable effects on citizens and restricted their meaningful engagement in the country’s social, economic and political affairs.
Currently, with the aim to consolidate the democratic gains achieved so far and make it compatible with constitutional principles relating to human rights, democracy plus the rule of law, it is working towards reforming the justice and legal system.Ethiopia, in its history, has undergone a number of judicial reforms.
However, all have had their own limitations and shortcomings in terms of playing the anticipated roles- establishing democracy and democratic system, ensuring the rule of law, sustaining transparency and accountability and making the justice system more effective, efficient and accessible.
Over and above, they were entangled with the bureaucratic working systems, abuse of power and political interference. Since they have had adverse effects and failed to guarantee human rights and democracy, the degree of publics’ trust and attitude towards the systems were lower.
As international reports issued in different times indicated, Ethiopia was one of the lowest ranking countries in terms of provision of justice and the country had been frequently accused by human rights group for human right violations.
Without embellishing, the ongoing political and economic reforms have brought about unprecedented and robust changes that are felt at all levels. However, to sustain the achievements and rekindling public trust and instilling confidence, a lot of works are ahead in terms of reviewing the justice system, ensuring the expansion of the democratic space for civic engagement and securing the full-participation of critical social forces.
In this regard, reforming the judiciary sector to be more independent, accountable, and effective in protecting the rights of citizens is the right one to increase the confidence of the public in the system and build a genuinely democratic federal system of governance.
The Ethiopian Herald November 27/2019
