Center for Human Rights, Addis Ababa University

22/05/2026

The Center organized workshop on sustaining human rights mainstream training in higher education

The Center for Human Rights organized a workshop on 20 May 2026 aimed at sustaining human rights mainstreaming training delivered over the past three years under the STRACE II Project, funded by the Embassy of Sweden, Addis Ababa . The event focused on identifying strategies to institutionalize basic human rights education within AAU undergraduate programs.

Opening the workshop, Dr. Anchinesh Sheferaw, Head of the Center, emphasized the importance of integrating human rights modules into curricula and extracurricular activities. She highlighted the need to explore partnerships and mobilize resources to sustain training initiatives.

The Center presented achievements from its training initiative, noting that it has conducted Training of Trainers (TOT) for AAU undergraduate students and facilitated peer-to-peer sessions that reached a significant number of social and natural science students. To ensure sustainability, the Center is adapting its human rights training for delivery through AAU’s online learning system.

Dr. Mekdes Tadelle, Director of the Human Rights Education Department at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), shared their experience in mainstreaming human rights education in primary and secondary schools, offering valuable insights for higher education integration.

Participants included AAU faculty members, undergraduate student representatives, EHRC ,ministry of education ,civil society organizations, and government stakeholders. They welcomed the initiative and provided constructive feedback on ways to expand human rights training across AAU and other universities nationwide.

A panel discussion engaging students who had participated in TOT and peer-to-peer training underscored the positive impact of the program. Students reported that the training enhanced their knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities, while improving a stronger human rights culture on campus. They recommended offering the training as an elective course for undergraduate students to ensure broader participation.

In closing, Dr. Anchinesh expressed appreciation for the active engagement of participants and called for continued collaboration to sustain and expand human rights mainstreaming initiatives in higher education.

Embassy of Sweden, Addis Ababa
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission

11/05/2026

Dr. Meron Zeleke honored as 2025

We proudly celebrate the recognition of Dr. Meron Zeleke by Addis Ababa University as the “Best Female Researcher of the Year 2025” for her outstanding research excellence and scholarly contributions.

Dr. Meron is also a recipient of several international and regional academic awards and recognitions, making this recognition yet another milestone in her impactful journey.

The Center extends its heartfelt congratulations on this great achievement and an encouraging award for female scientists and scholars.

08/05/2026

The Center hosts

The Center for Human Rights held its annual on May 7,2026, engaging the academic staff and PhD students in the Human Rights program. Candidates presented their research proposals, methodologies, and initial findings to participants for review and progress updates. Attendees engaged in discussions on key issues raised and provided constructive feedback to strengthen the research.

06/05/2026

Sweden’s Human Rights Ambassador discusses with the Center

The Center for Human Rights was honored to welcome Sweden’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, Ms. Irina Schoulgin-Nyoni, during her visit to Addis Ababa. Ambassador Schoulgin-Nyoni engaged in discussions with academic staff members, as well as PhD and MA Human Rights students, exchanging insights on contemporary human rights challenges and sharing research interests that inspire future rights-based solutions.

Embassy of Sweden, Addis Ababa

01/05/2026

On this International Labor Day, we honor the invaluable contributions of workers worldwide and recognize the labor movements that have advanced dignity, justice, and rights for all.

This year’s theme, “Ensuring Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment,” highlights the urgent need to address psychosocial risks created by excessive , hours, workplace and wages factors that too often lead to stress, burnout, and declining mental health.

The Center for Human Rights reaffirms its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of all workers.We emphasize the importance of safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups in workplaces, particularly those in informal sectors such as contract workers, domestic workers, and migrant workers, who often lack adequate legal and social protection.

We call for strengthened collaboration among government organs, employers, and workers to build , , and working environments. Ensuring decent working conditions, equitable wages and equal pay for men and women, protection of rights of female workers, and respect for workers’ rights based on international human rights commitments is essential not
only for protecting well-beings but also for enhancing productivity and sustainable development.

Embassy of Sweden, Addis Ababa

29/04/2026

Annual Meeting with Embassy of Sweden Reviews Progress of STRACE II Project

The Center for Human Rights held its Annual Meeting on April 28, 2026, to review the implementation of Year III of the Support to Teaching, Research, and Community Engagement Project (STRACE II), funded by the Embassy of Sweden.

The delegation included Mr. Johan Romare, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation Section in Ethiopia, Mrs. Mekedes Chebud, and Mr. Yaser Abdelhamid from the Embassy. The Center Head and project staff also participated in the meeting.

Dr. Anchinesh Shiferaw, Head of the Center for Human Rights, opened the meeting with welcoming remarks, followed by an opening speech from Mr. Johan Romare.
Dr. Anchinesh presented a detailed overview of the Year III implementation, highlighting major achievements, lessons learned, challenges, and mitigation measures. Particular emphasis was placed on efforts in human rights promotion and protection, including capacity-building initiatives, human rights mainstreaming, research, policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement, outreach programs, community based human rights promotion and the provision of free legal aid services. Adaptation strategies aimed at ensuring the project’s sustainability were also discussed. The financial performance of the project was presented by Mrs. Teyba Abudlaziz, STRACE II Finance and Administration Officer, which demonstrated an improved utilization.

Mr. Johan Romare appreciated the project’s activities, particularly its encouraging indicators on sustainability, and encouraged further discussion on the way forward.

The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion, during which participants raised questions on the Center’s contributions to human rights mainstreaming, promotion activities, policy dialogues particularly on transitional justice and financial expenditures. Responses were provided by Dr. Anchinesh and project staff, leading to constructive dialogue on progress and the way forward.

Embassy of Sweden, Addis Ababa

08/04/2026

Hendure’s journey is one of our under the STRACE_II Project, funded by the Embassy of Sweden. Through human rights awareness and free legal aid services, she stood firm against discrimination and successfully claimed her right to own land.

https://www.facebook.com/embassyofswedenaddis/posts/1394953672672092

Embassy of Sweden, Addis Ababa

Hendure, from Tula Kebele on the outskirts of Hawassa, is a powerful example of a woman standing up for her rights.

Despite facing pressure and discrimination that denied her the right to own land, she refused to accept injustice.

With support from Sweden and the Center for Human Rights, Addis Ababa University, she connected with a Community Rights Promoter who helped her understand her legal rights and guided her through the justice system.

Armed with knowledge and determination, Hendure pursued her case—and won. She secured her land and received an official land certificate in her own name.

03/04/2026

The Center showcased its initiatives during the UN High-Level Policy Dialogue on Women’s Access to Justice

The Center for Human Rights participated in the closing program of International Women’s Month through a UN joint high-level policy dialogue on “Women’s Access to Justice,” held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” The event was organized by UN Women on March 31, 2026, at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The Center engaged in panel discussions and an exhibition program, showcasing its initiatives in promoting and protecting human rights, with a particular emphasis on advancing access to justice for women, and reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the rights of women.

Photo credit : UN Women Ethiopia

10/03/2026

Ethiopian Journal of Human Rights ( ) earns dual accreditations!

We are pleased to announce that the Ethiopian Journal of Human Rights (EJHR) has received two significant accreditations, reaffirming its reputation as a leading platform for human rights scholarship in Ethiopia and beyond.

The Ethiopian Journal of Human Rights (EJHR) stands as the pioneering and, to date, the only academic journal in Ethiopia dedicated exclusively to the study and promotion of human rights.

The journal has been reaccredited by the Ministry of Education for the second time, underscoring its rigorous peer-review process, strong academic standing, and growing contribution to advancing human rights research.

In addition, the Addis Ababa University Senate Standing Committee for Research, Technology Transfer, and Community Engagement ( ) has accredited the journal for the third round of the university’s reputability assessment. This continued recognition highlights the journal’s sustained commitment to academic excellence and its important role as a platform for research dissemination and scholarly debate.

The journal is indexed on African Journals Online ( ) and Ethiopian Journals Online ( ). To date, has published nine volumes covering a wide range of topics, including women’s rights, workers’ rights, minority rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, and migrants’ rights.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the , , , and the wider community whose dedication and support made this achievement possible.

The journal has a year-round open call for submissions and welcomes high-quality, original, and interdisciplinary academic research on human rights from scholars and practitioners.

08/03/2026

On International Women’s Day 2026, commemorated under the theme “ . . . For ALL and ”, the Center for Human Rights reaffirms its commitment to advancing the protection and realization of women and girls’ rights.

This year’s theme underscores the need to dismantle barriers to equal justice, including discriminatory laws, inadequate legal protections, and harmful social norms that continue to undermine the dignity, safety, and equal participation of women and girls in many societies. Addressing these challenges requires sustained commitment from institutions, communities, and policymakers to ensure equal access to justice and the effective protection of human rights.

Through our academic programs,training initiatives, knowledge dissemination through publication of researches on wide range of pertinent issues by way of the Ethiopian Journal of Human Rights(EJHR) and policy dialogues, we strive to mainstream human rights across disciplines, equipping institutions with the knowledge and tools needed to protect women and girls from violence, discrimination, and exploitation. In addition, our free legal aid services serve as a vital safeguard, ensuring that those whose rights have been violated receive justice and the support they deserve.

As we mark this important day, we call for collective action by institutions, communities, civil societies and individuals to advance rights, uphold justice, and ensure sustainable protection for all women and girls. Together, we can build a society where equality is not an aspiration but a lived reality.


Embassy of Sweden, Addis Ababa