This collection analyses the approach taken by the current government of Ethiopia to deal with the massive human rights violations that took place from 1974 to 1991 under the Derg.

This collection analyses the approach taken by the current government of Ethiopia to deal with the massive human rights violations that took place from 1974 to 1991 under the Derg.

How was an autocratic emperor replaced by a totalitarian dictator?
An unexpected popular upsurge in February 1974 made the ancien regime of Emperor Haile Selassie buckle. The Derg, a group of army officers led by an obscure and ruthless major Mengistu Hailemariam, seized power by military coup in September 1974 and removed the Emperor.
What was the 'red terror'?
The callous executions of members of the old regime initiated a cult of violence. The Derg were united by the shedding of blood. Search and destroy campaigns against militants led on to the full-blown 'red terror' in which thousands of the regime's opponents were brutally murdered in the streets.
In what way was 'transitional justice' administered?
The main officials were found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity by the Ethiopian Federal High Court and sentenced to life imprisonment. Some of the minor officialshad already been sentenced to death, whilst President Mugabe has given Mengistu Hailemariam sanctuary in Zimbabwe.

KJETIL TRONVOLL is Professor in Human Rights, Peace and Conflict Studies at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo; CHARLES SCHAEFER is Associate Professor of African History, Valparaiso University; GIRMACHEW ALEMU ANEME is a Research Fellow at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo.

Preface
The Red Terror trials: the context of transitional justice in Ethiopia - Kjetil Tronvoll and Charles Schaefer and Girmachew Alemu Aneme
The history of the Red Terror: contexts & consequences - Bahru Zewde
The rights of the accused: a human rights appraisal - Frode Elsegem and Girmachew Alemu Aneme
The role of the Special Prosecutor's Office - Sarah Vaughan
The Red Terror trials versus traditions of restorative justice in Ethiopia - Charles Schaefer
A quest for justice or the construction of political legitimacy?: The political anatomy of the Red Terror trials - Kjetil Tronvoll
Building state & nation: justice, reconciliation & democratization in Ethiopia & South Africa - Elsa Van Huyssteen
Beyond the Red Terror trials: analysing guarantees of non-repetition - Girmachew Alemu Aneme
Concluding the main Red Terror trial:Special Prosecutor v. Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam et al. - Kjetil Tronvoll
Concluding the main Red Terror trial:Special Prosecutor v. Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam et al. - Charles Schaefer
Concluding the main Red Terror trial:Special Prosecutor v. Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam et al. - Girmachew Alemu Aneme