Access and Benefit Sharing Effectiveness: International Environmental Law Implementation at the Domestic Ethiopian Level

Abstract

Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in international environmental laws (mainly, but not limited to, biodiversity) converges with human rights instruments on indigenous people. State parties should take legislative, administrative, and practical measures to realize the ABS regimes. This article argues that there are normative and practical gaps including confusing ABS with compensation in Ethiopian domestic laws and actual implementation, while ABS itself is not well understood. The article finally recommends legal amendments and policymakers’ political move to comply with the country’s international duty.