Child Friendly Benches in Courts of the Snnprs: The Case of Hadiya Zone
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the implementation of child justice in criminal justice
system in child-friendly benches in courts of SNNPRS with special focus in Hadiya zone. To this
end, a descriptive survey is employed. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were
administered. Questionnaires, interviews, court cases and field visits were used as data
gathering tools. The responses and cases were interpreted and analyzed. The primary sources of
data were judges, public prosecutors and attorneys working in Hadiya zone and concerned
government body. A total of 42 respondents were selected as key participants of the study.
Secondary sources of data are reports of the Central Statistic Agency on the percent of children
under 18 years of age of the total population and budget allocation to the justice sector by
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of Ethiopia.
Finally the quantitative data were analyzed using percentage while the qualitative ones were
transcribed and analyzed. The core findings of the study are; 1st The study finds out that child
friendly benches in courts of the SNNPRS and specifically in Hadiya zone are not effectively
available and physically accessible for children involved in criminal justice system as a result a
great majority of children in contact with the law are out of reach of child-friendly justice. 2nd
The study disclose the fact that the only available court which is built in Hosanna city
administration first instance court is not equipped with all relevant material, technical,
professional and other aids pertaining the special needs of children in justice system. 3rd The
study reveals that the court environment in most of the courts are not convenient and
comfortable for child suspects, victims and witnesses of crime according to their involvement. 4th
At last, the good thing is there is growing improvements though it is not in a speed that the
current situations in the justice system needs for fully adopting child friendly justice in the future
in Ethiopia.
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Keywords
Child Friendly Benches in, Courts of the Snnprs