The House of Peoples’ Representatives has approved a new proclamation to replace Ethiopia’s 64-year-old Criminal Procedure Code. The newly endorsed Criminal Procedure and Evidence Law Proclamation No. 1410/2018 is set to update the nation’s legal framework. However, the Ministry of Justice has stated that the law is not yet active, advising stakeholders to wait for the official publication.
According to the Ministry, the new legislation is currently undergoing final legal editing and textual adjustments. This collaborative process between the parliament and the Ministry aims to ensure accuracy before the text is finalized. Officials confirmed that the law will officially take effect only after it is printed and distributed through the Negarit Gazette.
In a recent statement, the Ministry cautioned the public, legal professionals, and institutions against using unofficial draft documents. The authorities noted that utilizing incomplete versions for professional services or legal training could lead to inconsistencies. They explained that discrepancies between draft clauses and the final law might cause confusion within the justice system.
To prevent implementation challenges, the Ministry has requested patience from all sectors while the final text is prepared. The call for patience is intended to maintain procedural consistency across judicial institutions. The government emphasized the importance of relying solely on the authorized version to ensure uniform application of the law.
Once the editing phase is complete, the finalized proclamation will be published in the Negarit Gazette. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice announced that digital copies will be uploaded to its official website and social media platforms for public access. This dual approach aims to ensure the updated legal document is widely available to citizens and legal practitioners alike.