The Coalition has prepared the following shortened two-page version of Prof. Al’s letter for all supporters of freedom, democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. All who wish to write President Bush a letter may use this letter in its present form, or by modifying it to express their personal views.
The Coalition thanks the thousands of Ethiopians and others who have contacted it over the past couple of days regarding the 100,000 letters campaign.
The Coalition pledges to respond to each and every email message over the next few days, and apologizes in advance for any delays.
February ………. 2007
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to ask your support for human rights in Ethiopia and passage of H.R. 5680, also known as “The Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Act.”
As you are aware, Mr. President, following the May 2005 parliamentary election in Ethiopia, the human rights situation has deteriorated significantly. Over the past year and half, hundreds of thousands of political opponents have been arrested, imprisoned, tortured and killed. An official Inquiry Commission set up by the leader of the ruling regime, in its briefing to the United States Congress, documented the wanton killings of 193 unarmed protesters, and wounding of 763 others over a 14 day period in June and November, 2005. The Commission also documented the imprisonment of 30,000 suspected political opponents.
Human rights, democracy and justice remain as elusive as ever in Ethiopia. Leaders of the opposition parties, human rights defenders and civic leaders remain in detention today facing trial in a kangaroo court. They are shuttled back and forth to court endlessly, and told their matter has been continued. This has been going on now for nearly a year and half.
The human rights situation in Ethiopia has now reached a critical stage. It requires America’s urgent attention.
In your second inaugural speech, you made a magnificent promise to all people in the world who endure under despotism and dictatorship, “All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.” Today, Ethiopians the world over are standing for liberty, and we ask you to stand with us.
Mr. President. I believe there are those enemies of freedom who seek to chain the unholy cause of terrorism to the holy cause of liberty and human rights. But please be not misled because, as you know very well, the devil can quote Scriptures.
The truth is Ethiopians know all too well the scourge of terrorism that has been unleashed on the world. We appreciate and support America’s role in spearheading the struggle against these elusive forces of evil. You should rest assured that Ethiopians wherever they are will never abandon America in its struggle against global terror. Never! Never! Never! But, Mr. President, America must also never, never, never abandon the cause of human rights in Ethiopia.
Mr. President, I echo your words when I say the fight for human rights is fundamentally a fight against terrorism; and I believe the “world beyond terror” that you spoke of so eloquently to be a world in which human rights are truly respected and upheld, and the dignity and liberty of ordinary men and women preserved and protected under the rule of law.
Mr. President, you have said, “When America gives its word, it keeps its word.” Now is the time to stand up with the Ethiopian people and human rights in Ethiopia. Now is the time to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia, and to demand freedom for all jailed opposition leaders and human rights defenders. Now is the time to demand justice: “Bring the killers and those who ordered the killing of 193 men and women and children to account for their crimes.” Now is the time to declare: “All who violate the human rights of their people will have to account for their crimes before the bar of justice.” Now is the time to state with conviction: “America has had enough! American taxpayers will no longer bankroll tyrants and dictators!” Now is the time to candidly tell Ethiopia’s dictators. “Stop playing games with human rights. Stop making a mockery of democracy.” Now is the time, Mr. President, to proclaim to the Ethiopian people: “It’s high time for you to enjoy the blessings of freedom, democracy and human rights! America stands by you!”
Mr. President, show us you stand for liberty, for democracy and for human rights in Ethiopia. Support H.R. 5680.
This bill, Mr. President, provides for a comprehensive scheme to advance democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. It demands the release of all prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia, including opposition party and civic leaders. It provides ample resources to undertake democratic institution building, including strengthening of the electoral process, legislative bodies, political parties and civil society organizations. It aims to help in the development of an independent judiciary and professional prosecutorial agencies, and fosters the growth of independent private journalism.
Mr. President I ask you to support H.R. 5680 because we know that you firmly uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I am equally confident in my knowledge that you will support our efforts to build a democratic society in Ethiopia where there are no arbitrary arrests or detentions, where citizens are free from torture, cruel, inhuman treatment or punishment, where those accused of criminal offenses are given a fair trial by an independent and impartial tribunal, and the rights of free speech, press, assembly and petition for grievances and privacy are respected, and the rule of law reigns supreme.
Mr. President: I ask you to support H.R. 5680. I ask you to demand the release of all political prisoners, and opposition leaders and human rights defenders. I ask you to stand with us and demand a stop to human rights violations in Ethiopia.
God Bless America.
Sincerely,
[Your Name and address]
[Optional]
cc:
Vice President Richard Cheney
Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Secretary State
Jendayi Fraser, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs
Representative Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
Representative John Boehner, U.S. House, Minority Leader
Representative Steny H. Hoyer, House Majority Leader
Representative James E. Clyburn, House Majority Whip
Representative Roy Blunt, House Minority Whip
Representative Tom Lantos, Chair, House Committee on International Relations
Representative Donald Payne, Chairman, House Subcommittee on Africa,
Global Human Rights and International Operations
Representative Chris Smith, U.S. House of Representatives
Representative Michael Honda
Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate
Senator Russ Feingold, Chair, Subcommittee on African Affairs
Senator Richard Durbin, U.S. Senate Assistant Majority Leader
Senator Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate Minority Leader
Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
Ambassador Donald Yamamoto
