Organization for Victims and Survivors.

23/07/2026

Organization for Victims and Survivors Holds Milestone Youth Peacebuilding Workshop in Jigjiga.

The Organization for Victims and Survivors successfully conducted a milestone workshop on the role of youth in peacebuilding for a better future in the Somali Region at Istanbul International Hotel in Jigjiga..

The workshop brought together representatives from diverse youth platforms, civil society organizations (CSOs), the peace and security sector of the Somali Regional State, and members of vulnerable communities.

The event focused on strengthening the role of young people in promoting peace, preventing conflict, and advancing regional peacebuilding initiatives.
The session began with a comprehensive overview of the current peace and security situation and the conflict dynamics in the Somali Region.

Following the presentation, participants engaged in discussions to identify the key peace and security challenges affecting young people and examined the root causes of conflict in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.

Several important recommendations were proposed to address these challenges and enhance youth participation in peacebuilding efforts.

During the half-day workshop, participants emphasized the vital role of youth in fostering social cohesion and sustainable peace.
They endorsed the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, community and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to empower young people as active agents of peace and development.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen youth engagement in peacebuilding initiatives and to promote coordinated efforts aimed at building a peaceful, resilient, and inclusive future for the Somali Region.

14/06/2026

Capacity Building Training on the Role individualization of Guilty in promoting accountability and Justice
Organized by OVS.
Funded by CR.
Jigjiga, Somali Region.

OVS successfully conducted a Capacity Building Training on the Role Individualization of Guilty in Promoting Accountability and Justice in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The training brought together a diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to strengthening the justice system, promoting individual accountability, and enhancing community trust in justice processes.
The program focused on the importance of guilt individualization as a fundamental principle of justice, emphasizing that responsibility for wrongdoing should be attributed to individuals rather than communities or groups. Through presentations, discussions, and experience sharing sessions, participants explored practical approaches to advancing accountability, protecting human rights, and fostering social cohesion.
The training was attended by representatives from various sectors, including.
 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
 Victims
 Disabilities
 Community Elders
 Women and Youth Representatives
 Religious Leaders
 Lawyers
 Officials from the Justice Bureau and High Court.
Participants actively engaged in discussions on the role of legal and community based actors in promoting fair justice practices, preventing collective blame, and supporting sustainable peace and reconciliation. The training reinforced the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in building an accountable, inclusive, and equitable justice system in the Somali Region.
OVS remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen justice, accountability, and the rule of law through capacity building and community engagement programs.
Lastly, OVS highly appreciated Conciliation Resources(CR) and European Union(EU) for their support on the current project “Protecting the Peace Dealing with the Past and Safeguarding the Future in the Somali Region”.

14/06/2026

Today we are pleased the successful completion of a three day intensive capacity building training for OVS communication and staff members in Jigjiga. The training, focused on media editing and website management skills, was designed to strengthen our team’s ability to produce and publish high-quality digital content.
Over the three days, participants engaged in hands-on sessions covering:-
 Photo, video, and audio editing for compelling storytelling.
 Website content management, including uploading articles and embedding media.
 Quality control, mobile responsiveness, and content workflow planning.
This initiative reflects OVS’s commitment to strengthening local digital skills and ensuring timely, professional communication with our audiences. We thank all participants for their dedication and look forward to seeing improved content on our website and social media channels in the coming weeks.

24/05/2026

Community of Practice (CoP) Discussion Forum Held in Jigjiga
On May 23, 2026, the Organization for Victims and Survivors (OVS) hosted a Community of Practice (CoP) discussion forum at Istanbul International Hotel.
The CoP platform was established under the “Protecting Peace, Dealing with the Past and Future Safeguarding” project, currently being implemented by OVS with funding support from the European Union (EU).
The forum brought together justice institutions from the Somali Regional State (SRS) and organizations representing victims across the region.
The discussion focused on:
“What approaches can improve trust between justice institutions and victims?”
Through in-depth discussions and consultations, participants highlighted key recommendations for strengthening the relationship between justice institutions and victims.
The forum also called upon all concerned stakeholders to enhance coordinated efforts in responding to the needs and rights of victims.

03/05/2026

Today, on 3 May 2026, Organisation for Victims and Survivors ( OVS) has organized a holistic workshop attended by victim groups, community representatives, CSOs, from the Somali Region and justice sector representatives of the Somali Regional State.
As part of the project of "Protecting the Peace, Dealing with the Past and Future Safeguarding In Somali Region" funded by the European Union(EU) focused on how to strengthen cooperation and future collaboration between the two sides.
In a long discussion, it was agreed to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) consisting of 20 members among the participants.
This newly created CoP will work on building trust between victims and justice institutions, in order to improve the justice services delivery needed by victims.
It is the first time that justice institutions and victims community have come together and reache this kind of future consensus and it is a practical initiative that will change the landscape in addressing the grievances of the victims.

26/04/2026

One day discussion workshop on “Victim-Centered justice and service improvement” as part of the project of ” protecting peace, dealing with the past and future safeguarding “ funded by European Union, aimed at strengthening cooperation and trust-building between victims and justice institutions was conducted by OVS at Istanbul International Hotel.
The event brought together representative from justice bodies of SRS, including Justice bureau, Supreme Court, Security agencies, Police Commission, Prison police, TRC Commission and legal professionals
All parties agreed that victims’ complaints must be addressed promptly and genuinely, and that the relationship and cooperation between justice institutions and victims should be strengthened.”

# CR

22/04/2026

The Organization for Victims and Victims (OVS) held a workshop takes place at Istanbul Hotel. The workshop focused on how to build mutual trust between victims from the Somali region of Ethiopia and the justice institutions and judiciary

11/04/2026

The Organization for Victims and Survivors (OVS) held a panel discussion at the Istanbul Hotel in Jigjiga.
The panel focused on the implementation of the project titled “Transitional Justice and Trauma Healing,” which is funded by Irish Aid and implemented by CEHRO/OVS. The project is being carried out in four districts: Qoloji, Goljano, Fik, and Gunagado. Its main objective is to support victims who have suffered psychological trauma as a result of past human rights violations in the Somali Region.
The panel was attended by senior officials from the Independent Commission for Investigation of Violations and Reconciliation (DDS), the Somali Region Justice Bureau, Jigjiga University, and various civil society organizations.
Participants discussed practical ways to deliver full justice, genuine reconciliation, and accountability for those responsible for the abuses.
Ma’alin Shuriye, Head of Public Relations and Communication at OVS, described the panel as an important step toward implementing transitional justice and trauma healing. He emphasized the need to gather practical recommendations, ensure strict enforcement of the law against perpetrators, and establish clear procedures to protect and guarantee victims’ rights.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of building community trust, achieving true reconciliation, and providing comprehensive support psychological, economic, social, and legal to victims, with particular attention to women, children, and the elderly.
The event was viewed as a positive step toward strengthening community rebuilding and fostering long-term peace in the Somali Region.

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

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