Linking the SDGS with human rights: opportunities and challenges of promoting goal 17

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is grounded in different international human rights instruments. Human rights (HR) principles and standards are strongly reflected in several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. Furthermore, SDG 17 emphasizes partnership as a key to achieving all of the SDGs. This article examines the SDGs-HR linkage in general, as well as specific HR principles that can be advanced by the achievement of SDG 17. Opportunities and challenges to promote Goal 17 of the SDGs that directly affect certain HRs are also examined. A review of relevant literature, 2030 summit documents, and outcomes of recent international conferences on the SDGs is undertaken in order to determine the progress made towards forging regional and global partnerships for the SDGs, as envisaged in Goal 17. This article finds that the absence of a political will and commitment, increased isolationist policy, narrow nationalism and poor rule linkage at national and international levels are some of the obstacles to the attainment of Goal 17. Yet, opportunities abound to promote the Goal. The article recommends a genuine commitment to implementing the SDGs by encouraging the South-South and North-South to prevent the SDGs from becoming a mere wishlist. Synergy between the government, individuals, civil society organizations (CSOs) and transnational corporations (TNCs) is equally very important. Keywords: Human rights, sustainable development goals, partnership for the goals

Ethiopian witness protection system: comparative analysis with UNHCHR and good practices of witness protection report

Witnesses play an indispensable role in the justice system. As Bentham says “Witnesses are the eyes and the ears of justice.” They assist the court in deciding the guilt or otherwise of the accused person. They are crucial in a criminal proceeding; from reporting of crime to its trial. The evidence by a witness is crucial for the conviction of offenders. At the same time, individual facing criminal investigation or prosecution wants to obstruct the justice administration and relief themselves of liability; by intimidating witnesses and/or their families to jeopardize the criminal proceeding. Hence, it becomes very important to protect the witnesses to make sure they are not intimidated in order not to fear revealing the truth in court. This article discusses the concept of witness protection in Ethiopia and analyzes its protection law; emphasizing on provisions that are very essential for effective implementation by making comparisons with UNHCHR, Good Practices of Witness Protection, UNODC draft model law and some countries’ laws where witnesses are protected well. From the comparative analysis factors affecting implementation of the law like lack of necessary fund, organized staff, awareness about the law is concluded. Awareness creations, allocating necessary budget for the protection program, enacting regulation, and courtroom protection procedural guideline are measures needed to be taken for effective implementation of the law

Sustainable development laws in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges of their implementation

Despite the recognition of sustainable development in different legal documents and laws in Ethiopia, implementation in its fullest sense remains a key challenge. This article examines the place of sustainable development under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Constitution and other national environmental laws. It discusses the challenges of promoting sustainable development in Ethiopia by reviewing the existing and relevant literature and assessing legal documents and commitments made by the country. The article recommends the working together of government as well as environmental and investment institutions to make coordinated and coherent efforts to advancing effective implementation of sustainable development and the realization of SDGs in Ethiopia.Keywords: Sustainable Development, Constitution, Environmental Laws, Challenge