10-4-2018
The US Congress has voted to pass HR128, a resolution that calls for the support of human rights and inclusive governance in Ethiopia on April 10, 2018.
Ethiopian campaigners have expressed their joy with the passage outside the Capitol Hill.
Ethiopian regime representative in the US earlier wrote a letter to Congress demanding that they vote against the resolution but to no avail.
Rep. Mike Coffman initiated the Resolution. HR 128 (2017), calls for an inclusive government in Ethiopia and also targeted sanctions against select Ethiopian government officials.
The next step will be putting a bill before the Senate so that it is enacted as a law.
Today’s passing of the resolution will negatively affect the legitimacy of the EPRDF regime in Ethiopia and it is a big kudos for Ethiopian rights campaigners mainly those based in the US.
Hundreds of Ethiopians queued outside the Hill to attend the voting.
“He said this is the first step” Congressman Chris Smith said when presenting the Resolution.
Congressman Mike Coffman, said the resolution calls on the Ethiopian government to be democratic and respect human rights.
“It will mark a new beginning in the US-Ethiopia relationship for Ethiopia to embrace a great it has always been destined to be.” Coffman added.
Another Congressman from Minnesota said it doesn’t mean we will turn a blind eye when Ethiopia commits human rights violation even if it is a US allay.
Members of the Ethiopian Diaspora clapped and shouted in the auditorium of the Capitol Hill as the resolution was unanimously voted to pass.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) called “other countries follow the US Congress’ lead on tying support to tangible progress.“