THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE CASE OF SOUTH WOLLO AND OROMIA SPECIAL ZONES IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Different assessments conducted on the issue of trafficking indicate that trafficking in women and children are a prevalent and steadily increasing phenomenon in Ethiopia, particularly in South Wollo and Oromia Special Zones of the Amhara National Regional State. Although combating human trafficking requires holistic approach by all stakeholders, the role of the Criminal Justice Sector would be significant to alleviate the existing reality on the ground. This study examines the response of the criminal justice system in these Zones towards combating trafficking. The study finds that the response of the criminal justice system is so minimal that it provides low convictions for traffickingrelated crimes. More importantly, the study identifies limited understanding of the law enforcement bodies on trafficking, constrained ability of the law enforcement bodies to implement the legal framework, lack of coordination and cooperation among stakeholders, poor investigation mechanisms, failure to provide protection for witnesses, and self-restraint of judges to employ the newly introduced anti-human trafficking proclamation as grounds for the unsatisfactory performance of the criminal justice system in combating human trafficking. Finally, the study proposes further works that enhance the skill, attitude and the ability of the law enforcement bodies to be done for an aggressive implementation of the trafficking legal framework in the two Zones