Ethiopia

Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Chapter Three Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

Part One Human Rights

Article 20 Rights of Persons Accused

(1) Accused persons have the right to a public trial by an ordinary court of law within a reasonable time after having been charged. The court may hear cases in a closed session only with a view to protecting the right to privacy of the parties concerned, public morals and national security .

(2) Accused persons have the right to be informed with sufficient particulars of the charge brought against them and to be given the charge in writing .

(3) During proceedings accused persons have the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law and not to be compelled to testify against themselves .

(4) Accused persons have the right to full access to any evidence presented against them, to examine witnesses testifying against them, to adduce or to have evidence produced in their own defence, and to obtain the attendance of and examination of witnesses on their behalf before the court .

(5) Accused persons have the right to be represented by legal counsel of their choice, and, if they do not have sufficient means to pay for it and miscarriage of justice would result, to be provided with legal representation at state expense .

(6) All persons have the right of appeal to the competent court against an order or a judgment of the court which first heard the case .

(7) They have the right to request for the assistance of an interpreter at state expense where the court proceedings are conducted in a language they do not understand .

Keywords

Fair trial standards



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