Transitional Justice Instrumental to Build Comprehensive Democratic System in Ethiopia

Ethiopia's Justice State Minister, Ermias Yemanebirhan underscored that the Transitional Justice Policy planned to be implemented in Ethiopia will help the ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive democratic system in the country, highlighting the irreplaceable role of the media for its full implementation.Addressing a training which is being given for media leaders and experts in Addis Ababa regarding transitional justice policy and implementation roadmap, Erimias said that transitional justice will help the efforts to build a comprehensive democratic system in the country.For the state minister, transitional justice will lay the foundation for building a country where victim citizens are compensated, and peace, stability, reconciliation and the rule of law ensured.Efforts are being carried out to properly respond to the problems that happened in Ethiopia through the principle of reconciliation, compensation, forgiveness and accountability, he pointed out.Accordingly, a policy implementation roadmap has been prepared following the completion of the transitional policy preparation activities.The preparation of legislations that establish the criminalization and punishment of international crimes in Ethiopia and organize the truth, amnesty and reparations commission as well as other entities responsible for implementation of various pillars of the transitional justice process is already underway.Noting that the active participation of the public is crucial in the efforts to build a peaceful and democratic country by healing wrongdoings, he said the mass media have the responsibility of educating and creating awareness to raise people's participation to the needed level.The state minister finally emphasized that the media has an irreplaceable role to play in the efforts to ensure the full implementation of transitional justice.Source: Ethiopian News Agency