The Ethiopian Ministry of Justice has relaunched the transitional justice process, which stalled in April 2025, by establishing a government-civil society platform on October 23. This move aims to address the country's past human rights abuses and provide justice to victims. The process is expected to resume with public consultations on draft transitional justice laws.
The National Dialogue Commission's recommendations, submitted to Parliament on October 3, will be a crucial consideration in the resumed process. These recommendations have not been made public yet. The Ministry of Justice should establish a committee to review the implications of the National Dialogue for the Transitional Justice Policy, draft legislation, and implementation.
The review committee will examine how the National Dialogue's recommendations may affect transitional justice in three ways: through explicit proposals, relevant recommendations in other thematic areas, and broader reforms that may overlap or interact with its implementation. The committee's work will help incorporate relevant recommendations into the transitional justice framework without reopening the entire legal and policy basis for public debate.
Addressing existing gaps in the policy is another priority for the resumed process. The existing framework had shortcomings concerning which institution could resolve legal disputes arising between transitional justice bodies. The proposed Special Bench could address this issue. Additionally, accountability for crimes allegedly committed by foreign perpetrators, particularly Eritrean forces during the 2020-2022 Tigray war, remains insufficiently addressed.
Mental health and psychosocial support are currently hidden under the reparations pillar and should be recognized as cross-cutting priorities with clear institutional responsibilities. Economic, social, and cultural rights violations also require greater attention across various pillars, including criminal accountability and institutional reform. The process also had procedural gaps regarding participation, particularly for youth, diaspora communities, and other vulnerable groups.
Fulfilling outstanding commitments is another essential aspect of the resumed process. The coordination mechanism envisaged in the policy is yet to be established, and its absence contributed to the pause. An interim, multi-stakeholder body is urgently needed to guide and monitor transitional justice progress. Independent legal experts should participate in the consultation process alongside Ministry of Justice experts.
The institutional landscape has evolved during the pause, with regional transitional justice initiatives advancing their work. The national transitional justice framework must clarify its relationship with these initiatives, particularly in recognizing and using their findings, institutional cooperation, and avoiding duplication.
Key points
- The National Dialogue Commission's recommendations will be a crucial consideration in the resumed transitional justice process.
- Addressing existing gaps in the policy, including accountability for foreign perpetrators and mental health support, is essential.
- Fulfilling outstanding commitments, such as establishing a coordination mechanism, is necessary to ensure the success of the transitional justice process.
