Mekonnen's research aims to examine whether a national transitional justice mechanism can effectively address the human rights violations committed during the armed conflict in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The study will provide a critical analysis of the legal and institutional frameworks regulating national transitional justice, as well as the challenges and prospects they present. It will also assess whether these mechanisms comply with international human rights standards relating to justice and accountability.
Further, the research will explore the interaction between national transitional justice processes and regional and international accountability mechanisms. The project seeks to examine what role the African Union and its Transitional Justice Policy Framework can play in shaping the ongoing transitional justice process. It will consider the perspectives of victims and key stakeholders towards the proposed national transitional justice process and offers a suitable model to redress the gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws committed in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.
He is now in at the University of Oslo through the NORHED II-project.
Long and diverse experience from the field
His extensive experience covers a wide range of areas, including human rights, peacebuilding, justice and accountability, project development, project cycle management, and community legal empowerment.
With over sixteen years of teaching, research, and community service experience, Mekonnen brings a wealth of knowledge to the University of Oslo. He has served as the head of the Mekelle University School of Law and worked as a Legal Protection Coordinator at the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Additionally, Mekonnen has held roles as a Regional Researcher at the International Law and Policy Institute (ILPI) in Oslo, Country Representative/Attorney at the SEEFAR Foundation, and Senior Gender Advisor/Consultant at Mums for Mums. Mekonnen is also the co-founder and former executive director of a local human rights organization called Human Rights in Action-Ethiopia (HRA).
Furthermore, Mekonnen's research interests extend to transitional justice, human rights in conflict situations, gender and the law, peace building, community legal empowerment, national human rights protection, rule of law and constitutionalism, human rights at the local level, human rights in the security sector, electoral law, legal pluralism, and human rights in the African human rights system.
“So far, my stay at NCHR has been fascinating. I am building academic networks beyond Norway. The stay gives me a great opportunity to meet with PhD colleagues at the Centre, and at the Faculty of Law. I am looking forward to building international networks on transitional justice and human rights.” says Mekonnen
Professor Gentian Zyberi, leader of the Norhed project, says that
“Mekonnen was selected after a very competitive and thorough process and his research will contribute important findings to the transitional justice process in Ethiopia.”
The NCHR is honoured to have Mekonnen contribute with his expertise and research to our academic community. His research project will provide valuable insights into the proposed transitional justice approach in Ethiopia, shedding light on the challenges and potential solutions.