Analysis of the Law and Practice Governing the Rights of Children Separated from their Detained and Imprisoned Parents: The Case of Buno Bedele Zone

Abstract

Children are more vulnerable to increased insecurity and psychological or mental instability when they are separated from their detained and/or imprisoned parents. Despite their substantial contributions to Ethiopia's economy, social and politics spheres is considerable, the current situation in the country does not seem to support this notion. This study aimed to analyze the laws and practices governing the rights of children who are separated from their parents and imprisoned in the Buno Bedele zone of the Oromia region of Ethiopia as a case study and design a plan to address the problems and contribute to the issues. It was conducted through descriptive survey design by using qualitative study approach .To achieve its objectives, both primary and secondary data were employed. Purposive sampling techniques were used to collect the primary data from in-depth interviews and court cases. Secondary data were gathered from the analysis of documents relevant to children separated from parents who are detained and/or imprisoned, by reviewing national, regional, and international laws, regulations, books, prison administration reports, research abstracts, journals, and internet sources. The findings from the analysis demonstrated that although Ethiopia has taken various measures to ensure the rights of children as a whole, the rights of children separated from their detained and imprisoned parents have not been given attention.This is attributable to the absence of laws that sufficiently recognize the rights of children separated from their detained or imprisoned parents, and there is currently no clear and comprehensive legal framework for the protection of their rights. The study found that the rights of children separated from their detained and imprisoned parents in the study area are not protected in the manner required by international standards .To alleviate this problem, the study suggested that a specific legislation that deal with the rights of children separated from their detained and imprisoned parents should be adopted