Crime Victims’ Rights under the Ethiopian Legal Framework: The Need for Constitutional Protection

Abstract

The article argues that in the criminal justice process the key players are the
offender1
and the State, but crime victims are merely passive spectators. Their
participation is mainly dependent on the will of the public prosecutor;
especially, in case of crimes that are not punishable upon complaint. In
contrast, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Constitution
has recognized different types of rights for suspects, accused, or, convicted
persons. However, it does not have a single express provision defining rights
of crime victims. Although it remains on paper, the Criminal Justice Policy of
Ethiopia has some important protections for crime victims. These facts attest
that the crime victims are not getting enough attention under the Ethiopian
legal framework. In the Constitution and other relevant laws, emphasize is
accorded to the one who caused harm on the legally protected interest of
others than the one whose interest is directly affected. Therefore, to effectively
protect the right of the crime victims and have practical implication, the rights
of crime victims should be granted a constitutional status.