Addis Abeba– Beth Van Schaack, the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, urged Ethiopian authorities to remove officials, including military personnel implicated in human rights abuses, from positions of power as part of Ethiopia’s transitional justice process.
Speaking at a digital press briefing following her visit to Addis Abeba, Ambassador Van Schaack recommended placing accused military personnel on administrative leave pending investigations, describing it as “a meaningful measure.” She also called for “public acknowledgment from the federal government for the abuses that occurred.”
The Ambassador, who participated in discussions with the Ministry of Justice on Ethiopia’s draft transitional justice legislation, stated, “We’re really encouraged by the process so far in Ethiopia, but we’re also cognizant of closing civic space and ongoing reports of atrocities, particularly in Amhara and Oromia.”
She noted that these ongoing conflicts make comprehensive transitional justice “difficult, if not impossible,” emphasizing that people must feel safe to participate in justice processes and speak freely.
Ambassador Van Schaack acknowledged the U.S. government’s awareness of the shrinking civic space and continued reports of atrocities, particularly in Amhara and Oromia.
She highlighted that the Ethiopian government has proposed five pieces of legislation aimed at addressing transitional justice, including provisions for a special prosecutor’s office and truth-telling processes, praising these efforts as “very solid starts.”
“The legislation is generally well-drafted,” she said, noting that it had benefited from international expert input from Colombia, South Africa, the United States, and Europe.
However, the Ambassador raised concerns about the transparency of current military court proceedings. “We don’t have any visibility into who was prosecuted for what crimes or what the resulting sentences were,” she explained, emphasizing the need for greater transparency.
Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Policy, endorsed by the Council of Ministers in April 2024, outlines key principles for addressing “a wide range of victims of human rights violations, conflicts, narratives, and abuses that have occurred throughout different periods in the country.”
In June 2024, the Ministry of Justice announced the completion of a draft roadmap for implementing the policy. The roadmap provides guidance on establishing independent institutions, coordinating various approaches, and developing mechanisms to ensure inclusivity and sustainability.
More recently, the Ministry of Justice announced that the implementation directives for Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Policy are expected to be approved within the next three months. AS
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