The Subcommittee On Africa Reaches Agreement On “Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Act of 2006”
The Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC) is pleased to announce that the Republicans and Democrats in the subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, have agreed to move the “Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Act of 2006” to the Committee On International Relations. The mark-up will take place Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at 10 AM in Rayburn Building, Room 2172.
The bill recognizes that a stable, prosperous and democratic Ethiopia is critical in serving U.S. interests in North East Africa and the Middle East. Among other things, the bill:
calls for release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia;
provides support for the work of both international and domestic human rights agencies;
provides human rights training for both civil society representatives and government officials on international human rights standards;
encourages the Government of Ethiopia to revise its laws that currently limit the rights of journalists to freely provide information, and establishes a program to strengthen private media in Ethiopia – a vital factor in any free society;
provides technical assistance to enhance the democratic operation of local, regional and national governments and to promote reconciliation through peaceful political groups;
provides technical assistance on the appropriate and effective use of resources, especially water resources, as well as economic policy assistance on such issues as land ownership to help build the Ethiopian economy so that it can reduce the need for donor support; and
provides financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial ventures so that the Ethiopian private sector can create jobs and help the nation reduce its high level of unemployment.
Given the country is amidst of political crisis, it is critical that we worked quickly and efficiently to help pass ”Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Act of 2006”. We urge the Ethiopian community to become fully engaged in mobilizing congressional support for the bill. Call your District Office, attend Town Hall meetings and urge your Congressional representatives to support the bill. The only way we can stop the systematic destruction of Ethiopia is through our collective effort. Millions of Ethiopians are yearning for a better tomorrow.