On this International Day for the Right to Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims (24 March), the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reiterates the importance of victims’ right to the truth. Victims include persons who individually or collectively suffered physical or mental harm, substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that constitute gross violations of international human rights law, or serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The right to truth is incorporated in the Transitional Justice Policy of Ethiopia as one of the key pillars. EHRC notes the progress in the drafting process of new legislation which seek to establish specialized transitional justice mechanisms including to operationalize the truth-seeking pillar.
Truth-seeking is an essential component of transitional justice which seeks to establish the facts of past violations by giving voice and answers to those who directly experienced violations and abuses including their families and witnesses; analysing the circumstances and patterns of violence and gross violations, and determining their root causes; gathering relevant evidence for other transitional justice mechanisms such as reparations and prosecution; and constructing a common narrative/shared truth about the past that could contribute to the process of healing and reconciliation.
In observance of this international day, EHRC recalls the Joint Report with OHCHR on Transitional Justice which highlights the findings of consultations with hundreds of victims of human rights violations and affected populations. Victims unanimously opined that establishing the truth is a necessary exercise to break the cycle of false and disputed narratives, which continue to trigger mistrust and recurrent violent conflict in Ethiopia. Establishing the truth about past grievances, violations and abuses, and acknowledging victims’ suffering was, according to most participants, an important step to resolve conflict, achieve sustainable peace, and facilitate prompt and adequate reparations.
Furthermore, EHRC underscores that ensuring victims’ participation in the transitional justice process and the proper implementation of key principles and human rights norms underpinning successful truth-seeking processes such as transparency, victim-centredness, inclusivity, participatory, and independence are essential.
EHRC underscores the importance of public consultations in the transitional justice process including on the draft laws on truth-seeking to ensure the process is inclusive and participatory. Victims, the key beneficiaries of the process, should be meaningfully informed and engaged, including being given sufficient opportunity to make input into the draft laws.
