WASHINGTON DC – Widespread human rights violations in Ethiopia have attracted the attention of Democrats as Republican Congressman Christopher Smith spearheading his party’s support for an unwavering stand on human rights in Ethiopia, a rights group has said in a press statement.

The Coalition for H.R. 2003 said Congressman Chris Smith introduced H.R. 2228 on May 9, 2007, as a former H.R. 5680 was
prevented from getting to the House floor by then Speaker Dennis Hastert.

H.R. 2003 is interpreted as “Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2007”

Introduction of H.R 2228 by Cong. Smith is significant because it demonstrates the
extraordinary importance of human rights in Ethiopia not only for the Democrats in
congress but also for Republican members of the House. Such extraordinary bi-partisan
interest and support for human rights is a rare event in the U.S. Congress.

“We are especially thankful to Congressman Chris Smith for his dedication, commitment
and unwavering support for human rights in Ethiopia. We are very pleased and honored
to have Cong. Smith and other Republicans standing up with us on the issue of human
rights in Ethiopia. Ethiopians are truly fortunate to have two human rights titans
advocating on their behalf in the U.S. Congress,” the Coalition said in a statement whose full text is as follows:

H.R. 2228 Replaces H.R. 5680

H.R. 2228 basically replaces H.R. 5680 in all of its essential provisions. There are very
few substantive changes in the new bill that were not included in the earlier version of
H.R. 5680.

Comparison of H.R. 2003 and H.R. 2228

The most important aspect of H.R. 2003 and H.R. 2228 is that both bills are firmly anchored in H.R.5680. The two bills
share the same statement of policy and findings, although in H.R. 2003 additional
findings reflecting the investigative results of the Inquiry commission is incorporated to
document the massive violations of human rights by the ruling regime. Both bills share
the same provisions in terms of support for human rights and democratization in Ethiopia.
Both bills rely on the same sanctions mechanisms to ensure support for human rights,
democracy and economic development in Ethiopia.

One major new provision in H.R. 2228 is the requirement of compensation for persons
whose properties were confiscated by government action in Ethiopia. Accordingly, “all
capital assets of United States citizens and of entities not less than 50 percent beneficially
owned by United States citizens that have been nationalized, expropriated, or otherwise
seized by the Ethiopian government before the date of the enactment of this Act in
contravention of international law are returned or a mutually agreed upon restitution
agreement is performed.”

Another major difference has to do with the appropriations set for implementation of the
bill. H.R. 2003 provides $20 million for each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009, while
H.R. 2228 provides $10 million for the same period.

Accountability, Accountability, Accountability!

Both H.R. 2003 and H.R. 2228 will ensure regime accountability for human rights abuses
by demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and
prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia. Both bills would produce accountability for the
excessive use of force by regime security forces that resulted in hundreds of deaths and
thousands of injuries in the post – 2005 elections. Both bills send a clear message to the
ruling regime that excessive use of force against peaceful citizens, lack of respect for
human rights, rampant conditions of beatings and physical and mental abuse,
mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters, poor prison conditions and arbitrary
arrests and detentions are condemned by the U.S. Congress.

Next Steps

Introduction of these two bills offers great strategic advantages in our congressional
advocacy efforts. We can use each bill in our grassroots advocacy efforts with individual
House members of the Democratic and Republican parties. This is particularly important
in demonstrating the fact that human rights in Ethiopia has wide and solid support among
members of both parties.

As often happens, the two bills will be reconciled in the subcommittee deliberation
process and transmitted to House Committee on Foreign Affairs. For instance, whether
funding for the bill will be $10 or $20 million is likely to be decided once members of the
two parties agree on an appropriate funding level.

The most important fact for all Ethiopians who support human rights in Ethiopia is that both democrats and republicans fully support freedom, human rights, democracy and accountability in Ethiopia. This is an event of extraordinary historical significance.

Ethiopian American grassroots legislative advocates should seize the opportunity to
engage members of both the Democratic and Republican parties at a much higher level.
In so doing, we must 1) be aware of the need for increased sophistication in the use
legislative advocacy strategies and tactics, 2) learn from past mistakes and avoid the
pitfalls of improvised and haphazard grassroots advocacy, 3) harness available material,
technical and human resources to produce specific results that maximize passage of an
Ethiopia human rights bill, and 4) develop effective mechanisms to work with
congressional members and staff from both parties.

We should thank Congressman Smith

We should thank Congressman Smith for his sustained and unflagging support of human
rights in Ethiopia. The Coalition for H.R. 2003 is profoundly thankful to Congressman
Smith for his tireless efforts and support for freedom, democracy and human rights in
Ethiopia.

Express your thanks and appreciation to Cong. Smith!

The Honorable Christopher H. Smith
United States House of Representatives
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3004
202-225-3765
202-225-7768
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.house.gov/chrissmith/