Transitional Justice Would Create Opportunities to Build Peace, Bring Reconciliation: Civil Society Organizations Council
Addis Ababa The transitional justice policy of Ethiopia would create opportunities to build peace and bring reconciliation in the country, the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council said.
The policy, which is believed to contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation and justice in Ethiopia, has been presented to various relevant stakeholders with the view to soliciting inputs.
Accordingly, Ministry of Justice held a forum today on national transitional justice policy directions with representatives of civil society organizations, media, and democratic institutions.
Speaking at the forum, Executive Officer of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, Henok Melese said transitional justice has contributed a lot to reconciliation and justice in many countries.
In this regard, he recalled the recommendation of the independent joint investigation on alleged violation of human rights abuse in Tigray region by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In the peace deal signed between the federal government and TPLF, too, implementation of transitional justice has been stressed, he added.
The executive officer hoped that transitional justice will help victims of massive human rights violations to face justice, and it would allow the truth to be revealed.
Transitional justice will also be instrumental to heal rift and solve political polarizations in Ethiopia.
Henok finally called on members of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council to actively engage in the policy directions of transitional justice policy, its formation and implementation.
Transitional Justice Working Group Expert, Mareshet Tadesse said that transitional justice is pivotal for countries that are in the process of transition.
Transitional justice is applied when the normal legal system is unable to deal with post-conflict crises, he noted.
The expert said the transitional justice process is aimed at achieving justice, finding the truth, reconciliation, compensating victims, taking corrective action, and preventing the recurrence of human rights abuses.
The transitional justice document policy prepared by Ministry of Justice comprises three main parts and the first looks into the history of transitional justice in Ethiopia and its relevance to the current situation.
The second part analyzes alternative policy options on a wide-range of mechanisms for the pursuit of transitional justice in Ethiopia.
The last part examines and proposes a range of institutional arrangements to implement transitional justice mechanisms in Ethiopia.
Source: Ethiopia News agency