Falls Church, Virginia (2/21/2023) — On January 3, 2023, the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice published a green paper entitled, Ethiopia: Policy Options for Transitional Justice, and issued a call for stakeholders to submit comments on the proposals contained within their policy paper. On February 17, 2023, the Oromo Legacy Leadership & Advocacy Association transmitted its response to the Ministry of Justice and requested the opportunity to meet with them to discuss our recommendations in greater detail.
OLLAA’s response to the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice’s green paper can be broken down into four major areas of concern: 1) The need to ensure transitional justice measures are truly inclusive and comprehensive; 2) The need to achieve a peaceful resolution to conflicts throughout Ethiopia prior to the adoption of transitional justice measures; 3) Our concerns regarding proposals to task existing Ethiopian institutions to lead various aspects of the transitional justice process, particularly given issues with the rule of law in Ethiopia and the lack of faith the Oromo community has in said institutions; and 4) The importance of including the international community in the design, implementation, and monitoring of transitional justice measures.
OLLAA has long advocated that attempts to address the current crisis in Ethiopia will only be effective if they consider the root causes of conflict and unrest throughout the country, particularly the effects of repressive measures utilized against various ethnic groups, including the Oromo, Kemant, Gambella and other southern nations. We believe that it is only through a thorough investigation into all credible allegations of human rights violations throughout the country that accountability and reconciliation can be achieved, leading to lasting peace in the region. Although credible investigations into reports of human rights violations across the country are a crucial first step, OLLAA also notes that, in order to be effective, these investigations must feed into a process that will allow citizens to obtain justice for the violations they have experienced and obtain reparations for past abuses. Ultimately, in order for Ethiopia to move forward in an inclusive and equitable way, a country-wide dialogue that includes representatives from all major ethnic and political groups and is led by a neutral arbiter will be necessary. OLLAA will continue to advocate on behalf of the Oromo community to ensure that any transitional justice measures adopted by the Ethiopian government align with these goals.
OLLAA is an umbrella organization that works in collaboration with dozens of Oromo communities around the world.