The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted by voice vote a resolution which calls for respect for human rights and encourages inclusive governance in Ethiopia, representing an irritant for the Ethiopian government. “This non-binding resolution, combined with recent statements from the US Embassy in Addis, sends a strong signal to Ethiopia’s new prime minister that the US expects significant reforms ahead,” Horn of Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, Felix Horne wrote.
The resolution had secured strong support with 108 congressional representatives from 32 states co-sponsoring it. Some expressed their satisfaction after the vote.
The U.S. House just approved House Resolution 128 supporting human rights in Ethiopia. As a representative of one of the largest Ethiopian diaspora communities in the U.S., I have witnessed, and I am grateful for, their tireless work to see this resolution passed. pic.twitter.com/hSPvkRSlyz
— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) April 10, 2018
Today’s passage of H. Res. 128 is a significant step towards holding the Ethiopian Government accountable for their systematic repression of the people of Oromia. Thank you to all my constituents who made their voices heard loud for human rights!
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) April 10, 2018
The resolution calls on the government of Ethiopia to: lift the state of emergency; end the use of excessive force by security forces; investigate the killings and excessive use of force that took place as a result of protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions; release dissidents, activists, and journalists who have been imprisoned for exercising constitutional rights; respect the right to peaceful assembly and guarantee freedom of the press; engage in open consultations with citizens regarding its development strategy; allow a United Nations rapporteur to conduct an independent examination of the state of human rights in Ethiopia; address the grievances brought forward by representatives of registered opposition parties; hold accountable those responsible for killing, torturing, and detaining innocent civilians who exercised their constitutional rights; and the ongoing killings of civilians over several years in the Somali Regional State by police.
The resolution passed the Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously on July 27, 2017 and was scheduled for a vote on October 2nd. However, it was pulled due to threats by the Ethiopian government that if the House proceeded with a vote, Ethiopia would withdraw as a partner on regional counterterrorism efforts. Rep. Mike Coffman who represents Colorado’s Sixth Congressional District announced last week that the Resolution 128 would be on the floor of the House of Representatives on April 10.
A letter signed by Kassa Tekeleberhan, Ethiopia’s ambassador to the United States on April 9, 2018 described the resolution as “inappropriate and untimely”.
“We are requesting you to stop the adoption of this resolution which is counterproductive. The political leadership sent letters requesting that this action be differed,” the letter reads.
The Ethiopian government also rallied sympatric senators such as James Inhofe, the senator for Oklahoma to get the resolution rejected. Inhofe argued this was the wrong time to consider the resolution few days after Abiy Ahmed was sworn in as new prime minister and he should be given a chance to change. “He is a personal friend of mine; in fact, I was with him on my last visit in October, and we prayed together for Ethiopia’s disunity to be healed,” he wrote.It has also emerged that the Ethiopian government has paid S.G.R. LLC to lobby the federal government and Congress, according to data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics. The memorandum of understanding signed on 2/20/2018 stated that, SGR was committed to “develop and execute a public affairs plan to enhance the dialogue and relationship with policymakers, media, opinion leaders, and business leaders. The document was signed by Ethiopia’s ambassador to the US, Kassa Teklebrhan and partner SGR LLC Greg Lawman. As compensation for the service, SGR will be paid USD 30,000,00, or USD 15,000 per month.
The resolution was first introduced on 02/15/2017 by Christopher Smith, the Representative from New Jersey. Activists are hoping to build on this success and advocate for binding legislation on Ethiopia. If it passes the senate, dozens of officials would be subject to asset freezes and travel bans.
