The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), in collaboration with the Federal High Court and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), conducted an awareness-raising workshop on human rights and TJ on April 24 and 25, 2026. The Workshop aimed to enhance the judiciary’s understanding of transitional justice concepts, principles, and pillars; Ethiopia’s TJ process and policy; the role of the EHRC in the process; and the broader responsibility of the judiciary to protect human rights.
The workshop was attended by sitting and newly appointed judges and senior officials of the Federal High Court. It featured presentations and discussions on the judiciary’s role in the TJ process, strategic human rights litigation, the application of administrative procedure law, and related human rights issues.
During the discussions, extensive deliberations were held on the challenges encountered in responding to serious human rights violations, the need to integrate victims’ needs, perspectives, and priorities into the design and implementation of TJ mechanisms, and the importance of proactively identifying risks and outlining strategic solutions for establishing the necessary institutions during the TJ process, including special benches within the regular justice system.
Participants noted that the workshop enhanced their understanding of the intersection between human rights protection and judicial functions. Furthermore, they underscored the vital importance of a sustained partnership between the judiciary and EHRC to strengthen rights-based adjudication and ensure the effective implementation of the TJ process.
Honourable Lelise Desalegn, President of the Federal High Court, highlighted the crucial role that courts play in the effective implementation of Ethiopia’s TJ process, ensuring accountability, safeguarding fundamental rights, and delivering independent and fair decisions. She further emphasized the necessity of ensuring lasting peace and the rule of law by providing an appropriate response to the serious human rights violations committed in Ethiopia.
EHRC remains committed to strengthening its contribution toward ensuring the effectiveness of the overall justice system and supporting the functions of the judiciary’s role in TJ.