The Center for Human Rights hosted a two-day National Policy Dialogue Forum in Addis Ababa from August 25–26, 2025, under the theme “The Human Rights of Vulnerable Communities in Conflict-Affected Ethiopia.” The forum brought together policymakers, researchers, civil society representatives, and human rights advocates to address the pressing challenges faced by vulnerable communities in conflict-affected regions of Ethiopia.
In his welcoming speech, Dr.Fasil Mulatu, Head of the Center for Human Rights, emphasized the Center’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in Ethiopia through education, research, and community engagement. He highlighted the Center’s initiatives, which include multidisciplinary academic programs, free legal aid services, capacity-building efforts, and the organization of policy dialogue forums grounded in research-based approaches.
Dr.Ezana Amdework, Executive Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (CSSAH), addressed the urgent need to respond to the humanitarian crises caused by ongoing conflicts across the country. He noted that widespread displacement, emotional trauma, and violations of human rights demand immediate attention. As part of its academic mission, the university aims to contribute by generating evidence-based policy recommendations to support vulnerable populations at national, regional, and local levels.
Researchers affiliated with the Center presented key insights and recommendations centered on six major themes: the rights of ethnic minorities displaced by conflict, the vulnerability of the ethnic minority amid conflict ; the role of hate speech and disinformation in inciting violence against ethnic and religious minorities ; the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in conflict situations and their quest for visibility and inclusion; the experiences and resilience pathways of children affected by conflict; and the integration of child rights and children’s voices in Ethiopia’s transitional justice and reconciliation processes.
The forum aimed to foster collaborative dialogue and generate actionable policy recommendations to bridge existing gaps and promote human rights-based approaches in national responses.
In his closing address, Dr.Fasil Mulatu, Head of the Center for Human Rights, expressed deep appreciation for the active engagement of participants and their valuable feedback. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping the policy dialogue brief documents and reaffirmed the Center’s commitment to advancing human rights protections across Ethiopia.
