Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Process Monitoring Workshop

Ethiopia's Transitional Justice Process Monitoring Workshop

The Alliance of Civil Society Organizations of Tigray, in collaboration with GIZ, successfully held a Transitional Justice (TJ) Process Monitoring Workshop on April 28, 2026, at Desta Hotel in Mekelle.

The workshop brought together 44 participants, including representatives from civil society organizations, government institutions, victims’ associations, and community groups. Among the participants were survivors, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons with disabilities, ensuring that diverse perspectives were included in the dialogue.

The event was informed by a draft monitoring report developed after expert consultations with key stakeholders in Addis Ababa. These stakeholders included the Ministry of Justice, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the African Union, and the International Center for Transitional Justice, along with several national civil society organizations.

During the workshop, participants reviewed the findings of the monitoring report, validated key recommendations, and identified critical advocacy gaps within Ethiopia’s transitional justice process. Discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination among CSOs, improving documentation efforts, and building effective coalitions to influence both national and regional TJ processes.

Key Outcomes

Strengthened engagement among civil society and stakeholders in the TJ process
Identification of priority advocacy areas, particularly in documentation and accountability
Development of practical solutions to promote a fair, inclusive, and credible transitional justice process
Enhanced shared understanding on the need for coordinated advocacy at national, regional, and international levels

Reflections and Learnings

The workshop highlighted the resilience of affected communities in pursuing justice and healing, even in challenging political environments. It also underscored the growing expectations placed on civil society organizations to actively contribute to the implementation of transitional justice initiatives.

Participants recognized that, despite existing challenges, meaningful progress in transitional justice is possible through collective action, inclusive engagement, and sustained advocacy.