Cooperating countries: Ethiopia, Austria

Coordinating institution: University of Salzburg

Project coordinator: Dr. Astrid Reisinger Coracini

Partner institution: Adigrat University

Project duration: 01.08.2026-31.07.2028

Budget: 22.760,00 €

Transitional justice addresses systematic or widespread human rights violations by enabling societies to acknowledge victims, ensure accountability, rebuild democratic institutions, and prevent the recurrence of violence—particularly in post-conflict settings. Ethiopia’s Tigray region experienced a devastating armed conflict between November 2020 and November 2022, marked by ethnic cleansing, sexual and gender-based violence, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The conflict resulted in over 600,000 civilian deaths, mass displacement, extensive destruction of livelihoods, and a severe humanitarian crisis. Following the 2022 peace accord, Ethiopia adopted a Transitional Justice Policy in April 2024 to establish a legal and institutional framework consistent with international standards; however, implementation capacity remains limited. This project aims to strengthen the institutional and research capacity of Adigrat University in transitional justice and international crimes documentation. It delivers a comprehensive exchange of knowledge on transitional justice methodology, Ethiopia’s transitional justice process, and the role of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms. The project will identify and assess the methodologies used by local transitional justice actors in documenting crimes and collecting evidence, evaluating them against international standards and local specificities. It will design and implement a train-the-trainer program using a victim centered approach, assess progress on Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Policy, and identify challenges hindering implementation in Tigray. Key deliverables include capacity building of academic staff through joint research, peer review, and co-development of a transitional justice training program; training of students and local actors through lectures and workshops; and institutional strengthening of Adigrat University through experience-sharing and sensitization visits in Austria. Ultimately, the project aims to support an effective, victim-centered transitional justice process that contributes to sustainable peace in Tigray and the wider region.