US reiterates call for release of political prisoners
By Mesfin Mekonen January 30, 2006
In response to a decision by the European Union to withhold aid to the Ethiopian government, a senior U.S. State Department official said it has been a long-standing policy of the US never to give aid directly to the government. The official said the aid is meant to help the needy, who are reached via non-governmental organizations.
In another development, details of HR 4423, the bill introduced by Congressman Christopher Smith on behalf of Ethiopia, were discussed for improving the legislation.
The office of Rep. Smith has agreed to add a provision to the bill which demands the immediate release of all political prisoners, journalists, civic workers and students. Reading and understanding the bill in its entirety remains crucial to make further improvements. All Ethiopians should call their members of Congress, and urge them to call Rep. Smith's office so as to co-sponsor and express their support for HR 4423 (List of telephone and email addresses of respective members of Congress - House and Senate - is available here.)
Summary of HR 4423
The post-election crisis in Ethiopia has exacerbated a pre-existing deep mistrust of the government, especially the National Election Board and the judiciary. It also revealed the weaknesses in the political parties, civil society and the private sector.
The Ethiopia Consolidation Act (HT 4423) calls for increased respect for human rights in the country through training for judiciary and police personnel on adherence to international human rights standards in their handling of suspects and prisoners, as well as capacity building for civil society to conduct effective human rights monitoring.
The legislation is intended to enhance democracy by building the capacity of political parties to effectively organize and contest for votes, as well as enhancing the ability of civil society groups to monitor the entire election process – from delimitation of constituencies through party and voter registration to the casing and counting of ballots.
It encourages the government of Ethiopia to respect its own laws allowing for a free media by ensuring the open and transparent licensing of independent television and radio outlets to provide broader access to information for the Ethiopian public.
HR 4423 calls on the government of Ethiopia, through the independent National Election Board, and the political parties to work together on resolving electoral issues that would ensure a more satisfactory process in the next elections.
HR 4423 provides for increased technical assistance to the government of Ethiopia on economic policy, technical assistance on water resource usage and increased US financing of Ethiopian commercial ventures to enable an expansion of economic opportunity in the country.
The legislation reinstates the previous prohibition on direct,
non-essential US assistance to Ethiopia if it fails to accept the decision by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission or obstructs assistance to political parties. It also calls for certification by the US Administration that the government of Ethiopia is complying with international standards of human rights and the principle of rule of law, especially by conducting an independent, credible investigation of
the killing of demonstrators in June and November 2005.
HR 4423 calls on the government of Ethiopia to immediately release and allow access to all detainees by their families, their legal counsel and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
HR 4423 provides $10 million in both fiscal year 2007 and 2008 to support the enhanced activities for which it provides.
ETHIOMEDIA.COM - ETHIOPIA'S PREMIER NEWS AND VIEWS WEBSITE
© COPYRIGHT 20001-2006ETHIOMEDIA.COM. EMAIL: webmaster@ethiomedia.com
In response to a decision by the European Union to withhold aid to the Ethiopian government, a senior U.S. State Department official said it has been a long-standing policy of the US never to give aid directly to the government. The official said the aid is meant to help the needy, who are reached via non-governmental organizations.
In another development, details of HR 4423, the bill introduced by Congressman Christopher Smith on behalf of Ethiopia, were discussed for improving the legislation.
The office of Rep. Smith has agreed to add a provision to the bill which demands the immediate release of all political prisoners, journalists, civic workers and students. Reading and understanding the bill in its entirety remains crucial to make further improvements. All Ethiopians should call their members of Congress, and urge them to call Rep. Smith's office so as to co-sponsor and express their support for HR 4423 (List of telephone and email addresses of respective members of Congress - House and Senate - is available here.)
Summary of HR 4423
The post-election crisis in Ethiopia has exacerbated a pre-existing deep mistrust of the government, especially the National Election Board and the judiciary. It also revealed the weaknesses in the political parties, civil society and the private sector.
The Ethiopia Consolidation Act (HT 4423) calls for increased respect for human rights in the country through training for judiciary and police personnel on adherence to international human rights standards in their handling of suspects and prisoners, as well as capacity building for civil society to conduct effective human rights monitoring.
The legislation is intended to enhance democracy by building the capacity of political parties to effectively organize and contest for votes, as well as enhancing the ability of civil society groups to monitor the entire election process – from delimitation of constituencies through party and voter registration to the casing and counting of ballots.
It encourages the government of Ethiopia to respect its own laws allowing for a free media by ensuring the open and transparent licensing of independent television and radio outlets to provide broader access to information for the Ethiopian public.
HR 4423 calls on the government of Ethiopia, through the independent National Election Board, and the political parties to work together on resolving electoral issues that would ensure a more satisfactory process in the next elections.
HR 4423 provides for increased technical assistance to the government of Ethiopia on economic policy, technical assistance on water resource usage and increased US financing of Ethiopian commercial ventures to enable an expansion of economic opportunity in the country.
The legislation reinstates the previous prohibition on direct, non-essential US assistance to Ethiopia if it fails to accept the decision by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission or obstructs assistance to political parties. It also calls for certification by the US Administration that the government of Ethiopia is complying with international standards of human rights and the principle of rule of law, especially by conducting an independent, credible investigation of the killing of demonstrators in June and November 2005.
HR 4423 calls on the government of Ethiopia to immediately release and allow access to all detainees by their families, their legal counsel and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
HR 4423 provides $10 million in both fiscal year 2007 and 2008 to support the enhanced activities for which it provides.
ETHIOMEDIA.COM - ETHIOPIA'S PREMIER NEWS AND VIEWS WEBSITE
© COPYRIGHT 20001-2006ETHIOMEDIA.COM. EMAIL: webmaster@ethiomedia.com
