Case study: Diversion of children in conflict with the law in community-based program centers, Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Penal Code of 1957 stipulates the start of the age of criminal responsibility at 9 years. Children between 9-15 years are considered as minors, while children between 15-18 years are punished as adults, although there are provisions for taking measures of mitigation, which rests on the discretion of the judge. This report, prepared by Save the Children Sweden, presents a case study that covers the experience gained through the implementation of a Community Based Correction Programme (CBCP) in Addis Ababa for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICWL) whose ages range from 9-15 years, and those who are first time and petty offenders.