Kinijit for Unity and Democracy
ቅንጅት ለአንድነት እና ለዲሞክራሲ
 Washington
Update The Meles regime has been very active in Congress, spreading disinformation
and fear. It is essential that Ethiopian-Americans work to educate their
Senators about the dismal human rights and democracy situation in Ethiopia and
express their support for HR 2003. To counter the false messages that the
Ethiopian embassy’s lobbyists are spreading, it is important to counter the
idea that supporting human rights in Ethiopia will erode support for the war on
terrorism. Tell your Senator that the Ethiopian regime is watering the seeds of
terrorism by repressing its own people, by terrorizing its own people, and by
creating economic and social situations that are leading millions of Ethiopians
to lose hope in peaceful, democratic change. Ethiopian-American groups from
around the country should work to ensure that Senators and Senate staff knows
about the present situation in Ethiopia.
We must work hard to contact and educate the Senators
to get result for HR 2003 enactment of the legislation in United States
Senate.
Congressional Research
Service 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. Mesfin
Mekonen, KIC International Relations |
