Washington Update

Sept. 15, 2008 
 
Supporters of democracy and human rights in Ethiopia achieved a major milestone this week with the introduction in the Senate of S. 3457, the `Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2008.' Regardless of whether the bill is enacted, its introduction shines a spotlight on the Meles regime’s inequities, raises awareness among American politicians and the media about the situation in Ethiopia, and creates a platform for future American policy. 
 
S. 3457 is less comprehensive than H.R. 2003, but it includes important provisions that would put the U.S. on record as supporting human rights and democracy in Ethiopia. We have requested that the sponsors amend the legislation by adding critical provisions, including: support for resource projects including the Blue Nile and Awash River initiatives; measures that hold government officials accountable for the murders of innocent members of the opposition in the events of the summer and fall of 2005; and steps to support the creation and functioning of independent electoral and judicial institutions. 
 
Even if 3457 falls short of the ideal, its introduction is an important landmark. Importantly, it spells out the Senate’s understanding of the current situation. 
 
The bill notes that the May 2005 elections “failed to satisfy international standards,” and describes the subsequent violent crackdown on the political opposition, including killings, mass arrests, and long-term incarceration of political prisoners. It quotes the U.S. State Dept’s 2007 human rights report that documents the Meles regime’s “limitation on citizens' right to change their government during the most recent elections; unlawful killings, and beating, abuse, and mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters by security forces; poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention . . . use of excessive force by security services in an internal conflict and counter-insurgency operations; restrictions on freedom of the press; etc.'” The bill also criticizes pending legislation in Ethiopia that would lead to further suppression of political dissent: “In May 2008, the Government of Ethiopia circulated a draft law that claims to be a tool=2 0to enhance the transparency and accountability of civil society organizations, but if enacted, is instead likely to create a complex web of onerous bureaucratic hurdles, draconian criminal penalties, and intrusive powers of surveillance that would further decrease the political space available for civil society activities.” 
 
Introducing the b ill, Sen. Russell Feingold explained the situation in Ethiopia to his Senate colleagues: “As we turn a blind eye to the escalating political tensions, people are being thrown in jail without justification and non-government organizations are being restricted, while civilians are dying unnecessarily in the Ogaden region--just like so many before them in Oromiya, Amhara, and Gambella. Furthermore, the Ethiopian military has come under increasing scrutiny for its conduct in the Ogaden as well as Somalia, with credible reports from non-governmental organizations of torture, rape and indiscriminate attacks.” Feingold also emphasized the stakes for America, stating that “by providing unconditioned security assistance [to the Meles regime] we are also sowing the seeds of insecurity and creating new grievances both in Ethiopia and in its neighboring countries.” 
 
It is an uphill battle to get S. 3457 enacted this year, but one that we must wage. It is essential for all Ethiopians in the U.S. to contact their senator, especially those who serve on the Foreign Relations Committee (http://foreign.senate.gov/about.html), to express support for the bill and ask for quick enactment.
Mesfin Mekonen, Kinijit Ingternational Foreign Relations