ADDIS ABABA — The Ethiopian civil society organization, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), has emphasized the necessity of enhancing the involvement of civil society organizations in Ethiopia's transitional justice process.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ameha Mekonnen, speaking to ENA, civil society organizations are fundamental to the nation's inclusive development, encompassing social issues, human rights, and rule of law. He highlighted the encouraging yet still insufficient participation of civil society in the transitional justice process.

Mekonnen pointed out that the transitional justice policy has undergone several stages before being approved and that civil society organizations, along with other stakeholders, have actively participated throughout its development. This positive trend, he noted, must be bolstered to ensure the successful implementation of the policy. CSOs, according to Mekonnen, are crucial in raising public awareness, participating in capacity-building, and providing technical support during the policy's implementation phase.

Last month, the Ministry of Justice announced the completion of a roadmap for implementing the Transitional Justice Policy adopted in April. The roadmap details procedures for criminal accountability, reparations, truth-seeking, institutional reform, and their sequencing. Furthermore, the ministry outlined that the roadmap includes a framework allowing civil society organizations to serve as members in establishing temporary and permanent institutional collaborative management and implementation mechanisms for transitional justice.

The Transitional Justice Policy of Ethiopia, approved by the Council of Ministers in April 2024, is designed to oversee and execute the national transitional justice process, adhering to the principles of accountability, reconciliation, and reparation.