Ethiopia Advances Free Legal Aid Proclamation

On 10 May 2025, the Ministry of Justice and the ILO held a consultation on the Draft Proclamation for Free Legal Aid Services. Participants reviewed all 49 articles, providing inputs on beneficiary definitions, governance, regional implementation, and the role of universities. Concerns about short-term staffing at university legal aid centres and the uneven availability of services across regions were also discussed. The drafting team addressed each issue, clarifying that the final proclamation will include uniform national guidelines while leaving detailed procedures to be specified in follow-up directives.

The proclamation aims to expand access to justice for vulnerable groups, including migrant workers, returnees, and victims of trafficking.