Guest researchers
At the Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights invites researchers for visits of varying lengths each semester, fostering knowledge sharing across cultures and academic disciplines.
NORHED II Project
Mesfin Beyene Abrha and Tsegai Berhane Ghebretekle from Mekelle University in Ethiopia were invited through the NORHED II project. The project aims to establish a global network of scholars dedicated to promoting peace and human rights.
Mesfin Beyene Abrha
Mesfin is an Assistant Professor at the School of Law at Mekelle University, where he also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Mekelle University Law Journal. Before taking up this current role, Mesfin coordinated legal aid centers at Samara and Wolida Universities.
"In academia, my research interests lie at the nexus of business, human rights, and conflict. I am presently engaged in research exploring the relationship between business and human rights in the Ethiopian conflict context." - Mesfin
Some publications
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Beyene, Mesfin. (2019). The Quest for Equality of the Beta-Israel: The Legal Perspective of Zegeye's Impossible Return. Theory & Event. 22. 226-233.
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Beyene, Mesfin. (2020). Towards a Better Commercial Arbitration: Should Ethiopia Ratify the New York Convention? African Journals Online (AJOL)
Tsegai Berhane Ghebretekle
Professor Tsegai Berhane Ghebretekle earned his LL.M. degree from the University of Oslo over 20 years ago and has since worked as a judge in the Tigray regional State.
Today, he serves as a Professor at Mekelle University, Northern Ethiopia. Tsegai is interested in various academic fields such as Transitional Justice, conflict-related issues, sustainable development, climate justice, indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms, the role of courts in post-conflict societies, and court reform agendas.
"I would say my stay at the NCHR was very fruitful and constructive. It really feels good to be back after 20 years." - Tsegai
Some publications
- Rammala, M. & Ghebretekle, T. (2023). Traditional Dispute Resolution through Lekgotla: The Approach of the Bakgatla Ba Mosetlha in the North West Province of South Africa. Journal of Law, Society and Development.
- Ghebretekle, T. (2021). Sustainable development through environmental federalism in the case of Ethiopia. In Globalization, Environmental Law, and Sustainable Development in the Global South (pp.101-121)
- Ghebretekle, T. & Rammala, M. (2019). Traditional African Conflict Resolution: The Case of South Africa and Ethiopia. Mizan Law Review. 12. 325.
UTFORSK
The NCHR and the Centre for Human Rights (CHR) at the University of Pretoria have a cooperative project funded through UTFORSK. The project focuses on collaborative education and research-based activities between the NCHR and CHR.
Brian Kibirango
Through UTFORSK, Brian Kibirango visited the NCHR for three months. Brian is a lawyer from Uganda who is currently working on his LLD research project at the University of Pretoria. During his stay at the NCHR, Brian successfully defended his PhD research proposal, supervised by Professor Frans Viljoen.
"I was motivated to visit the NCHR as a pioneer international space with the critical resources I needed to conceptualize my LLD research project on the impact of international human rights instruments and mechanisms on the meaningful realization of the right to political participation in Uganda" - Brian.
Brian will continue with completing his PhD program at the CHR. He also presented in a seminar organized by the CHR as part of the UTFORSK project on 27 September 2022, focusing on the domestic impact of human rights treaties