The World Cannot Afford Another Kenya: Why H.R.2003 is Vital for Ethiopia
Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP), March 10, 2008

Why H.R.2003 Is Essential:

The Ethiopian people, Ethiopian Americans, and their American supporters were heartened by the energetic leadership of members of Congress in the historic passage on October 2nd, 2007 H.R.2003 (The Ethiopia Democracy, Human Rights accountability Act of 2007)
by the House of Representatives. The bill addressed the continued gross human rights violations and denial of fundamental freedoms and rights of the Ethiopian people by the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Party (EPRDF), a minority ruling party led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who seized power sixteen years ago. It calls for “withholding nonessential” United States Assistance separating funds used for famine programs, health care, nutrition and other humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia. The bill has now been sent to the Senate for action.

The leadership of the CUDP would like to urge Senators, Congressmen; United States Government officials, and non-governmental organizations to help the Ethiopian people pursue the democratization process that has been halted by the Ethiopian government. There is ample evidence to show that political governance in Ethiopia has not improved since the fraudulent May 2005 "elections" which was followed in June and November by massacres in which hundreds killed, thousands of Ethiopians were jailed or forced to flee their country. Thousands more are still languishing in jail.

There is an ongoing conflict with Eritrea, human rights violations in the Ogaden Region and repression in all regions of Ethiopia. Independent civic and professional associations have been suppressed, independent media decimated. All forms of dissent are banned; no political opposition parties are tolerated. An independent judiciary is non-existant. The police forces are a tool of the regime. The Ethiopian people live under constant fear and uncertainty.

The world's donor community has poured more than US$22 billion in development assistance to Ethiopia. What return does the United States see for its investment? Ethiopians are still not seeing any real results for this generosity. Ethiopia needs democracy and development and the regime is standing in the path. H.R. 2003 as written directly addresses these issues and needs to be passed by the Senate. This is the Congressional Research Service's summary of HR 2003:

Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; and (5) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations.

Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia.

Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping or counter-terrorism assistance; and (2) U.S. entry of any Ethiopian official involved in giving orders to use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators or accused of gross human rights violations, and government security personnel involved in specified shootings of demonstrators and prisoners.

Directs the President to provide assistance for the rehabilitation of Ethiopian torture victims.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should: (1) encourage the government of Ethiopia to enter into discussions with peaceful political groups to bring them into full participation in Ethiopia's political and economic affairs; and (2) provide necessary assistance to help achieve such goal.

Directs the President to provide Ethiopia with: (1) resource policy assistance; and (2) health care assistance.

This goes directly to the heart of the issue. Freedom for Ethiopians is not an abstraction; it is a very real goal and the United States of America, (Ethiopia's old friend), is an essential partner in achieving it. The Senate must now rise to its duty and pass its own version of H.R. 2003

 

 

Posted on 10 March 2008 @ 23:45

 

 

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