Washington Update
January 15, 2008
1. The Africa subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is
preparing to hold a hearing about human rights and democracy in Ethiopia.
The hearing could set the stage for the introduction of H.R. 2003 in
the Senate. The subcommittee chairman, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin)
has actively supported human rights and democracy in Ethiopia.
For example, in July 2007 he sent a letter to Secretary Rice expressing
“deep concern by reports of human rights abuses being committed by the
Ethiopian military in the Ogadan region.” The letter summarized the
broader issue of U.S.-Ethiopia relations, stating: “We understand that
the United States has a valuable strategic relationship with the government of Ethiopia.
However, we believe it is of fundamental importance to ensure that in
our relationships with all governments on the African continent and
around the world, the United States demonstrate a steadfast commitment
to human rights, good
governance, and justice.” The letter urged
Rice to “intensify pressure on the Ethiopian government to respect
fundamental human rights norms even as it pursues critical security
objectives.”
2. As the subcommittee prepares for the
hearing, it is absolutely critical that its members and their staff
hear from Ethiopian-Americans about their support for H.R. 2003.
Telephone calls, emails, and personal visits to Senators’ offices in Washington
and/or their home states are the most powerful tools we have to get
this legislation enacted. Everyone who reads this message should
contact members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, especially those who live in states with members on the committee. For contact information, go to http://foreign.senate.gov/about.html.
Send emails, make telephone calls, ask to arrange brief in person
visits. Express the importance of HR 2003, of human rights and
democracy in your own words. Try to cite specific examples of the Meles
regime’s human rights abuses, either from your own experience or from
the State Department’s annual report on human rights. Tell your
elected representatives that you care and why you care. It is their job
to listen to their constituents and act on their behalf.
3. Engineer Hailu Shawel, chairman of the Kinijit, spoke to packed audiences in Minnesota and Seattle. He presented his vision for a prosperous, free Ethiopia,
discussed ideas for improving economic conditions. He described how he
hopes to help Ethiopians have better lives, to create conditions that
will allow Ethiopian farmers feed themselves and the country so it
doesn’t have to rely on handouts. The Ethiopian people have great hopes
for peace and human rights and they deserve to achieve them. In
addition to Engineer Hailu Shawel’s comments, Wzro. Nigist G/hiwot,
Member of Parliament also spoke about the absolute necessity for more
women to participate in the struggle. Nothing can be achieved without
the participation of women, she said.
Also at the briefing
was Ato Bedru Adem, Member of Parliament, who discussed the present
Kinijit situation. This involved the difference that took place among
leaders who took appropriate actions in accordance to by-laws and
Kinijit rules and regulations necessary to ensure the unity of the
party. Also covered were and measures taken to prevent certain
obstacles from being encountered in the near future, said Ato Bedru.
Also,
Dr. Taye Woldesmiat, KIC chairman, addressed the audience about the
successful launch by KIC of the diplomatic activities underway to
develop and maintain the vast Ethiopian human resource inventory,
especially in the sciences, medicine, and the learned professions.
Mesfin Mekonen, Kinijit International Council Foreign Relations |
