Melaku Medhaniye Gebremedhin2025-12-312025-12-26https://repository.mu.edu.et/handle/123456789/1230This thesis examines the role of transitional justice in preventing the recurrence of mass atrocities in post-conflict societies, with specific reference to the Tigray War in Ethiopia and a localized case study of Seharti Wereda. The study is grounded in international human rights law, international criminal law, and transitional justice theory, and is informed by empirical data collected through field research, including in-depth interviews with victims, community members, and local actors affected by the conflict. The research analyzes the nature and patterns of serious violations committed during the Tigray War, including killings, sexual violence, forced displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, and evaluates the extent to which transitional justice mechanisms—such as criminal accountability, truth-seeking, reparations, and institutional reform—can contribute to preventing future atrocities. Particular attention is given to the gap between normative legal frameworks and lived realities at the community level, highlighting the experiences of victims in Seharti Wereda. Using a qualitative legal methodology complemented by empirical findings, the thesis argues that transitional justice can play a meaningful preventive role only if it is victim-centered, context-sensitive, and supported by genuine political will. The study further finds that the absence of accountability, persistent impunity, weak institutional capacity, and limited victim participation undermine both justice and prevention objectives. The thesis concludes that Ethiopia‘s ongoing transitional justice process presents an important opportunity to address past atrocities and reduce the risk of recurrence, but only if it is implemented in a manner that integrates international legal standards with local realities. The study contributes to scholarly and policy debates by offering grounded insights into how transitional justice can function as a preventive mechanism in post-atrocity contexts.enThesis