Transitional Justice and Truth Commissions in Ethiopia: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Ethiopia has implemented different transitional justice measures to deal with gross violations of human rights committed in different periods. A recent initiative in this regard is the one that began following the conclusion of the conflict between the Ethiopian federal government and Tigray regional state in November 2022 with the signing of the Pretoria agreement (COHA).This article analyzes the evolution of truth commissions in Ethiopia by focusing on the emerging Ethiopian Truth and Social Cohesion Commission. It analyzesthe adequacy of the draft law establishing the Commission by using doctrinal and comparative methodology. The key argument of the article is that the draft law establishing the Ethiopian National Truth and Social Commission has many gaps in it when it is analyzed in light of international standards and best practices of other jurisdiction. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the Commission in the future, the gaps identified in the paper should be rectified.