Abstract:
This thesis examines the international human rights instruments, Ethiopian legal frameworks
and the practical implementations regarding the realization of the right to health of children in
street situations. It also examines what impact these frameworks have in practice, adequacy of
measures taken by government to realize it, challenges against the realization of the right to
health of children in street situations in Jimma Town, Ethiopia and it ultimately forward possible
solutions in this regard. Accordingly, data are collected through interviews from sample children
in street situations and concerned government organs. Analysis of data and information
collected are made with respect to obligations that Ethiopia has undertaken internationally and
nationally. Accordingly, the finding reveals that children in street situations are living in a
terrible and inhumane conditions, inter alia, shelter problem, and lack of access to adequate
food, water and sanitation facilities and inaccessibility healthcare facilities, services and goods
are found to be the major underlying determinants that create negative impact on the realization
of the right to health of children in street situations. Some children had access to primary
healthcare, but it has often been either due to a parent, a compassionate stranger or luck or not
due to an efficient government plan or policy that originates from international human rights law
and national legislation. Additionally, international human rights instruments that Ethiopia has
ratified and respective compliance mechanisms of the international instruments examined
indicates how state parties are to implement its obligations with regard to the realizations of the
right to health of children in street situations in order to protect them in a sufficient and effective
way. The first step that has to be taken to realize human rights by states is recognizing it
explicitly in a constitution and other legislative acts. However, the right to health is not explicitly
incorporated in Ethiopian constitution, neither are there any other legislative acts that reflect its
underlying determinants of health. Rather, it is merely addressed through policies. Generally,
this research reveals government of Ethiopia fails to realize the right to health of children in
street situations.
