Ethiopia, in its history, has gone through a number of testing times. During those trying times, human rights violations, abuses, conflicts and wars have occurred and left a number of scars and traumas in the minds and hearts of individual citizens; impacting them severely.
Unfortunately, abuses, repressions and inconveniences that were committed in the past but left unattended and addressed in a proper manner coupled with the increase in the number of offenders and victims are challenging the country and causing greater peace and security threats.
To resolve the problems, heal the trauma, sustain lasting peace, develop a unifying narration that could bring the people together and reach a national consensus where justice and truth is ensured throughout the country, Ethiopia has established the National Dialogue Commission (ENDC). At the same time, it is working to implement a successful Transitional Justice (TJ) system to close the chapter of recurring conflicts, address untreated societal grievances and other injustices through holding proper either judicial or non-judicial mechanisms.
The Ethiopian Herald had a short stay with Oromia Development Association General Director Dereje Itticha to share his insights regarding this same issue. According to him, the move to apply TJ is instrumental in terms of healing the wounds of the past. Each ethnic group and entities have its own wound that should be treated and acknowledged in the process of TJ. “In my view, coming with the TJ approach is a feasible political commitment to come to common ground. It could help societies to stand in unison for justice and unity rather than division. It will also help to close the challenges of the nation – recurring conflicts that may arise at different times and occasions among different ethnic groups.”
“Over the years, deep rooted ethnic divisions, grievances as well as fabricated narrations for political goals complicated the country’s pursuit for justice, reconciliation and nation building effort. Now, it is crucial to come to the middle and scrap the divisions through ensuring inclusivity, addressing the concerns of all affected groups to make trauma, hatred, enmity go away,” he underlined.
According to him, ensuring productive TJ is possible if inclusiveness is ensured, thus, he called on stakeholders to examine the root cause instead of separately addressing the human rights violations as well as pit crimes.
He finally said that applying TJ could help in orchestrating the three government parts in a more balanced fashion and based on accountability to let citizens develop a sense of ownership.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Communication Director with the Ethiopian Road Fund Asrat Asale said that transitional justice should be translated through independent institutions. Each actor should come up with rational thinking and seek truth that could pave the way to ensure conventional procedures are put in place for the sake of humanity.
As the objective of TJ is to prevent conflicts by promoting peace, justice, reconciliation and rule of law, each actor should be ready to accept the decision.
“The path toward healing and reconciliation undoubtedly could be long and arduous. However, addressing the challenges with commitment and sensitivity, is crucial to build a more just and equitable future for citizens. In this regard, media houses should enhance efforts in creating awareness towards TJ and its ultimate goal. Not revenge, but rule of law should be the bottom line; so stakeholders should act in line with the objective and build lasting peace that all citizens can enjoy.”
Moreover, the step could pave the way to believe in citizenship rather than ethnicity and build the nation in the spirit of unity. “I am optimistic that TJ could address the hurdles piled up for years,” he opined.
The whole work of TJ should center on humanity and rule of law. Thus, each actor should make his/her mind to compromise on some points for the sake of ensuring lasting peace in Ethiopia, of course in a way making individuals who committed crimes against humanity and caused serious physical and property damage accountable.
According to him, Rwanda had conducted a productive TJ that enabled the Rwandese to forgive and live in peace. The government has high political commitment and showed to pushing forward all its effort to persecute the perpetrators.
“I have been in Rwanda and witnessed how Rwandan citizens have benefited from the TJ process. Nowadays, the people of Rwanda are found in a new chapter and coexist peacefully and harmoniously, sending important messages to the international community.”
Though the tragedy that occurred in Rwanda years ago had shocked the international community, the country has witnessed remarkable progress and this was witnessed at the time Rwanda marked its 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi, in 1994. Since then, Rwanda has embarked on an ambitious justice and reconciliation process with the ultimate aim of making all Rwandese stand as one rather than being divided.
He further noted that the transitional justice groups are grasping knowledge and experiences from different countries with better experiences so that the members can draft a sound comprehensive policy to heal Ethiopia’s past and present grievances.
He finally urged all citizens, religious and community leaders as well as civic societies to support Ethiopia’s move to carry out successful Transitional Justice and achieve a productive outcome.
Responding to the media once in relation Ethiopia’s initiative to TJ, Misganaw Mulugeta, a member of Ethiopia’s TJ, said that in order to implement Transitional Justice in Ethiopia, it is compulsory to take lessons from countries which passed through this process. In order to crack down past recurring conflicts, unaddressed violations, grievances and other injustices, there must be proper judicial or non-judicial mechanisms, proper tools, and evidence to address the past injustices and make perpetrators accountable. Doing so will create a chance for a better future, a future with democracy, rule of law, and justice to blossom.
The expert said that members of transitional justice groups are grasping knowledge and experiences from different countries with better experiences so that the members can draft a sound comprehensive policy to heal Ethiopia’s past and present grievances.
Rating the ongoing process and stage of TJ process, the expert said members of the working group are currently consulting on policy options before drafting the policy. According to him the agenda of drafting policy for TJ is something different from drafting other policies. It is a different agenda and process that demands warrants, even before drafting a policy, it warrants some discussion, some consensus among the public.
Hence, the working group has been consulting with the broader community, stakeholders and other bodies to grasp inputs to draft the policy. On this stage the public express their views on how to go about it, what type of options should follow under each component of TJ, and what kind of institutional arrangements are more appropriate.
“I think Ethiopia will definitely benefit from such a process, including Transitional Justice, as it helps to address the past inconveniences, and create a future based on the principles of justice, reconciliation, and truth,” he remarked.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2024
