Ethiopian Justice Minister Briefs Diplomats about Transitional Justice Policy Implementation

Addis Ababa December 14/2024 (ENA)—Ethiopian Minister of Justice Hanna Araya Selassie briefed the diplomatic community and representatives of international organizations accredited to Ethiopia about the implementation phase of Ethiopia's Transitional Justice Policy.

The Minister outlined the policy's development process, emphasizing extensive nationwide consultations involving thousands of participants, including civil society and vulnerable groups.

 Hanna stated that in the policy preparation, over 80 nationwide consultation forums had been held, engaging thousands of participants to deliberate on the policy option document.

 "Following Cabinet approval, the Ministry developed an implementation road-map outlining timeliness, responsibilities, and operational procedures," she explained. "This policy aims to address accountability, truth-seeking, conditional amnesty, reconciliation, and institutional reform to address past human rights violations."

 

 The Minister emphasized that transitional justice mechanisms have been designed to address accountability, the truth, facilitate conditional amnesty, promote reconciliation, and reform institutions to address severe human rights violations and their aftermath. This framework aims to restore justice and dignity to victims while ensuring lasting peace and the rule of law.

She elaborated on the preparation of legal instruments to establish independent and effective institutions that will implement the policy. These legal frameworks are expected to be ratified by Ethiopia's House of People's Representatives after public consultations and stakeholder engagements.

Hana stressed that transitional justice efforts in Ethiopia will focus on uncovering the truth about past atrocities, ensuring accountability, and enabling victims to achieve redress. Moreover, she reaffirmed the government's commitment to building independent and impartial institutions capable of effectively carrying out their responsibilities.

 In response to questions from international delegates, Minister Hanna explained the steps being taken to integrate the transitional justice process with Ethiopia’s broader peace and democracy-building efforts. She urged international organizations and Ethiopia’s development partners to actively support the success of this process.

In conclusion, the Minister called on Ethiopia’s international partners, many of whom are headquartered in Addis Ababa, to strengthen their roles in ensuring sustainable peace and democracy in Ethiopia.

The Minister reiterated that their contributions are more critical now than ever to support Ethiopia's journey toward reconciliation and stability.