🇪🇹EthiopiaEast Africa
Ethiopia introduces new federal directive for revocable and conditional pardons
via The Reporter Ethiopia8 min read
Ethiopia's Federal Board of Pardon has implemented a new directive that allows for conditional pardons and the revocation of pardons if beneficiaries violate conditions or commit new crimes. This framework replaces a three-year-old directive and aims to create a "clear, fair, efficient, and consistent" pardon system. Key changes include Article 13, which permits conditional pardons for prisoners pursuing higher education or using professional skills, and for foreign nationals to leave Ethiopia. The directive also enables pardon revocation if conditions are breached or a new intentional crime is committed within five years of release. Transparency in evidence submission for pardon requests has been enhanced, requiring correctional facilities to provide ethical and behavioral assessments. The new rules specify who can submit pardon requests, including close relatives, and require proof of paid court-imposed fines. Stricter eligibility thresholds are now in place for serious offenses, such as money laundering and crimes against constitutional order, requiring convicts to serve at least half their sentence and demonstrate good conduct. A "recidivist" standard defines repeat offenders, and absence of recidivism is a new pardon condition. The directive also emphasizes reconciliation between offenders and victims, requiring written evidence of reconciliation or documented efforts for crimes like homicide and aggravated robbery. Traditional reconciliation systems are recognized, prov
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