Reparation for Victims of Terrorism in Ethiopia
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Date
2025-05-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The human rights of victims of terrorism must be central to all efforts to prevent and combat terrorism. Under international law, states are obligated to prevent terrorism, conduct thorough investigations, prosecute offenders, and provide victims with necessary support and safeguards to uphold their reparation rights. Despite this, these victims have historically been overlooked, and no binding international legal instrument specifically addresses their needs. This legal gap leaves victims’ right to reparation in a precarious state, as they often face heightened distress due to the magnitude of terrorist acts, which cause widespread victimization and make seeking remedies for their immense suffering particularly challenging. Victims of terrorism in Ethiopia also face inadequate recognition and a flawed legal system that fails to ensure proper reparation. Existing provisions in the Civil and Criminal Codes are not designed to address human rights violations and fall short of international standards. Additionally, Ethiopia lacks an operationalized fund or victim-oriented reparation initiative to meet the urgent needs of terrorism victims. Thus, this paper examines reparation for these victims, analyzing international frameworks and evolving norms that define state obligations in their treatment and support. It employs a victim-centered approach, guided by the UN Basic Principles on the Right to Reparation for Victims, to assess national laws, implementation mechanisms, and the legal and practical challenges of ensuring effective remedies
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Keywords
Terrorism, Victims of Terrorism, Reparation