Ethiopian Americans Look Forward to
Senate Action On HR 2003

For Immediate Release                                                                           November 2, 2007

Under the leadership of Congressmen Donald Payne and Chris Smith, the United States House of
Representatives unanimously passed HR 2003 (Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007). In
doing so, they demonstrated their unequivocal support for democracy and human rights in Ethiopia.
We, the Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC), also have no doubt that the US Senate will quickly
pass the bill.

HR 2003 is mutually beneficial for both Ethiopia and the United States’ interest in the Horn of
Africa. The bill is critical toward building a long-term capacity in fighting terrorism. By pushing
for human rights, democracy and stability in Ethiopia, the bill will benefit not only its 70 million
citizens, but also work to influence positive outcome in neighboring countries.

The belligerent approach of the Ethiopian ruling party has been a great source of unrest for the
entire Horn of Africa. Its failed military adventure in Somalia has left thousands dead, and
displaced hundreds of thousands of Somalis. Its collective punishment and brutality toward the
Ethiopian-Somalis in Ogaden has shown the world what the rest of Ethiopians have been subjected
to since it assumed state control in 1991.

As Saman Zarifi of Human Rights Watch’s Washington Advocate succinctly put it during his
testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on October 2, 2007, “Because the United
States has until now supported Ethiopia [the ruling party] so closely, there is a widespread and
growing sentiment in the region that the United States also shares some of the blame for Ethiopian
[the ruling party] military abusive conduct. The increasing resentment produced by the silence over
these atrocities risks radicalizing parts of the large Muslim population in the region and
undermining the United States’ stated goal of combating militant Islamist groups in the region.”

We, too, share his grave concern; in fact, we believe that the unquestionable support that the ruling
party in Ethiopia is getting from the current US administration—in spite of its abhorrent human
rights records—can lead to anti-US sentiment throughout Ethiopian society, and thereby create a
fertile ground for extremists’ ideas to flourish there, and elsewhere in the region.

Suppressed and alienated societies are all too often susceptible to radicalization. HR 2003 is key to
putting Ethiopia on the right political path. It calls for the release of political prisoners, for political
reconciliation between the regime and the opposition forces, for broader civic engagement in the
electoral process, for vibrant free press, and, for an independent, efficient judiciary. These reforms
will boost citizens’ participation in all facets of their society, giving them vision and hope for a
better tomorrow. And, where there is such hope, people are less likely to be politically indoctrinated
by extremist elements.

The Honorable Senators, by passing HR 2003, you have the historical opportunity to turn Ethiopia
into a nation of hope, a nation of positive social change rather than one of raw disparity. A
democratic and economically viable Ethiopia will prove to be a lasting partner for the United States.

Sincerely,

The Ethiopian Americans Council