Dawit Mezmur, Benyam (PhD)Tunea, Damene2021-07-052023-11-082021-07-052023-11-082011http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/27062Child victims and witnesses are vulnerable and hence need special protection and support services that are appropriate to their age and level of maturity. Special protection need to be given with a view to prevent child victims and witnesses from further hardship and trauma that may result due to their participation during criminal proceedings. Accordingly, this thesis, first, explores the current normative responses in Ethiopia to protect the rights of child victims and witnesses of crime, in the context of criminal proceedings. It then discusses findings of the study in relation to legal and policy gaps in the current framework(s), violations to the child victims' and witnesses' right to privacy, low responses to their best interests, inadequate legal and psycho-social support services, inadequate procedures to seek redress for the harm they have suffered. Using semi-structured interviews with the judiciary and prosecution offices, and analyzing judicial deCisions, the thesis further discusses key challenges that face child victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings. The thesis argues that, child victim-witness sensitive criminal proceedings provide more effective means of respect for the rights of child victims and witnesses. Child victim-witness friendly procedures also serve as an instrument to bring the offender before the justice for the crimes committed against children. The thesis concludes that, in Ethiopia, the existing normative framework(s) to protect the rightsof child victims and witnesses needs legal and policy reforms with a view to better address the problems of child victims and witnesses during criminal proceedings. In specific terms, comprehensive legal schemes must be adopted by the Government to better address problems of child victims and witnesses.enThesis