Takoma City Council
adopts HR 5680

EACA press release
July 26, 2006

"Amnesty International considers these defendants (who are leaders of the opposition Kinijit) -- arrested in connection with demonstrations in November 2005 -- prisoners of conscience who have not used or advocated violence and calls on the Ethiopian government to release them immediately and unconditionally." - Amnesty International: May 16, 2006

The City Council convened on July 24, 2006 in the Council Chambers 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 and unanimously adopted a Resolution prepared by Councilmember Terry Seamens. The resolution by the Takoma Park City Council asks the following:

1. The U.S. House of Representatives to pass House Bill 5680 to encourage and facilitate the consolidation of security, human rights, democracy, and economic freedom in Ethiopia; and
2. The government of Ethiopia to release all political prisoners, including civic leaders, journalists, human right advocates, and attorneys who are all a vital for democracy, and provide government support for human rights, democracy and economic development in Ethiopia; and
3. The Resolution be sent to the Congressional Delegation and to President Bush urging them to support House Bill 5680 and the intent embodied in that Bill.
4. The Resolution be sent to the US Ambassador to Ethiopia, with a letter imploring the Ambassador to continue working hard for the release of all political prisoners to minimize the chance of further political unrest in Ethiopia.