Justice Before the Trial: Safeguarding Rights at the First Point of Detention - Part 2

Justice Before the Trial: Safeguarding Rights at the First Point of Detention is the second documentary film that explores the vital role of pre-trial legal aid services in promoting access to justice and protecting fundamental human rights in Ethiopia. The film opens with powerful, multilingual sound bites from legal aid professionals of Mizan Young Lawyers Center and Advocates Ethiopia, delivered in Amharic, Afaan Oromo, and Sidama, underscoring a shared message: access to justice must begin before a case reaches the courtroom. These voices emphasize that legal protection during the pre-trial stage is not a privilege, but a right guaranteed to all. Through an intimate, day-in-the-life narrative, the documentary follows legal aid lawyers as they open their offices, engage with beneficiaries, listen to concerns, review case files, and provide legal advice to detainees and their families. This personal perspective transitions into a broader examination of the justice landscape in Ethiopia, where many detainees face systemic barriers such as unaffordable legal costs, limited awareness of their rights, and the absence of legal support during the critical pre-trial phase. The film addresses key questions surrounding pre-trial legal aid through reflections from project leaders, including Mr. Ameha Mekonnen, Executive Director of Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), Amanuel Dibabe, Executive Director of Mizan Young Lawyers Center, and Biniyam Asmelash, Executive Director of Advocates Ethiopia. Their insights outline both the immediate and long-term goals of delivering legal aid at the earliest stages of detention. Interwoven with these reflections are scenes of mobile legal aid services, where legal professionals travel to police stations, set up temporary service points, conduct legal awareness sessions, and provide direct assistance to detainees. Testimonies from beneficiaries and their families reveal the tangible impact of pre-trial legal aid on case outcomes, dignity, and hope. The documentary concludes with perspectives from prosecutors, police leadership, and law enforcement officers, highlighting how pre-trial legal aid contributes to fairer procedures, improved institutional cooperation, and a stronger justice system. This film serves as both a human rights advocacy tool and a documentation of impact, demonstrating that meaningful access to justice begins long before the courtroom doors open.