The Role of the Police in Protecting Human Rights against Technology-Oriented Crimes: the Case of Lideta Sub-City
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Date
2024-09
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Addis Ababa Unversity
Abstract
The rise in technological crimes like online fraud, cyberbullying, hacking, and spreading
false information has posed major obstacles for Human right. This research, centered on
Lideta Sub-City in Ethiopia, examines the role of the police in safeguarding human rights
from breaches. The study utilized a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews
with 22 police officers and 15 technology-related crime victims. Thematic analysis was used
to evaluate the typical offenses, their effect on human rights, and the difficulties encountered
by law enforcement. Furthermore, police reports and crime records were examined as
additional sources of data to support the results. The findings indicate that prevalent
technology-related offenses in Lideta Sub-City consist of hacking, cyberbullying, financial
fraud, and deliberately spreading fake news. Police officers recognized the increasing
difficulty of these crimes due to outdated technology and inadequate cybercrime legislation.
Around three-quarters of the police officers who were interviewed were team leaders, with
73% being male and having an average age of 35.6 years. Informant mentioned that the
lack of proper training and resources was impeding their capability to investigate and
prevent such crimes efficiently. Those who were harmed voiced worries about breaches of
their privacy, freedom to speak, and safety, with certain individuals experiencing monetary
damages from internet scams. This research emphasizes the pressing importance of
enhancing technological capabilities, making legal reforms, and providing specialized
training to empower law enforcement in protecting human rights. Additionally, it suggests
utilizing a multi-stakeholder strategy that includes community education initiatives,
partnering with tech professionals, and creating proactive plans to combat the increasing
risk of technology-based crimes in Ethiopia. The results highlight the necessity of granting
authority to law enforcement to adequately address these crimes, thus safeguarding citizens'
rights in the digital era.
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Keywords
Technological crime, Human rights, Police, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia