Ethiopia ambassador says bill lacks merit

Ethiopia ambassador says bill lacks merit
Ambassador claims the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2006 (HR 4423) lacks merit and interferes in the internal politics of Ethiopia.
Monday, April 24, 2006
by Spero News
Ambassador Fesseha Asghedom Tessema, charge d'affaires ad interim at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, staid Monday that despite proposed legislation critical of Ethiopia's government, "we are still committed to our longstanding strategic partnership with the United States."
The proposed legislation, the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2006 (HR 4423), he said, "both lacks merit and interferes in the internal politics of Ethiopia."
The proposed legislation, Ambassador Fesseha explained, comes at a time when Ethiopia's democratization process has successfully led to the country’s first genuinely competitive multiparty elections. "Over 90 percent of registered voters went to the polls in May 2005, a clear sign of confidence in Ethiopia's democracy," he said. According to a report by the U.S. Department of State, the 2005 "elections stand out as a milestone in creating a new, more competitive multiparty political system in one of Africa's largest and most important countries."
Ethiopia's new Parliament opened on Oct. 10, 2005, with over 96 percent of the elected representatives taking their seats. Opposition parties increased their representation from 12 seats to 172, out of which 151 already joined the parliament despite a call for a boycott by the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, according to Fesseha.
However, in a report earlier this year, Human Rights Watch reported "The Ethiopian government is using intimidation, arbitrary detentions and excessive force in rural areas of Ethiopia to suppress post-election protests and all potential dissent."
"In the wake of the May 15 parliamentary elections, in which opposition parties won an unprecedented number of seats amidst massive controversy over the election results, federal police in the Oromia and Amhara regions have threatened, beaten and detained opposition supporters, students and people with no political affiliation, often in nighttime raids. Alongside local government officials and members of local government-backed militias, the federal police have taken the lead in intimidating and coercing opposition supporters," that HRW report further noted.
But Fesseha countered that "it is unfortunate, and at the same time puzzling, that this bill panders to a small, disgruntled group of opponents of democracy who believe in bullets over ballots," referring to violent demonstrations that took place when some people rejected the election results. Those accused of perpetrating the violence are now facing trial in the Ethiopian judicial system, he said, adding that Ethiopia's economy is experiencing unprecedented GDP growth, averaging 7 percent over the last three years. Inflation has come down to 5 percent from 15 percent.
During these political and economic successes, Fesseha stressed that "Ethiopia has been a steadfast partner with the United States in combating terrorism." He cited a U.S. Department of State report that says: "Ethiopia's support in the global war on terrorism has been consistently solid and unwavering."
Fesseha said, "Our partnership with the United States is too important to be compromised by legislation that reflects the views of a small but vocal group of politically ambitious Ethiopians living abroad."
The legislation introduced by Representative Christopher Smith of New Jersey, HR 4423 recognizes that a stable, prosperous and democratic Ethiopia is critical in serving U.S. interests in North East Africa and the Middle East. Among other things, HR 4423: * calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; * provides support for the work of both international and domestic human rights agencies and urges the dispatch of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture; * provides human rights training for both civil society representatives and government officials on international human rights standards;* establishes technical assistance for court personnel on handling suspects and defendants throughout the pre-trial and trial process to ensure their human and civil rights as defined by international accords; * encourages the Government of Ethiopia to revise its laws that currently limit the rights of journalists to freely provide information, and establishes a program to strengthen private media in Ethiopia – a vital factor in any free society;* provides technical assistance to enhance the democratic operation of local, regional and national governments and to promote reconciliation through peaceful political groups; * provides support and encouragement of efforts by the Government of Ethiopia and the political opposition to work together to ensure that future elections – including the upcoming local elections – are conducted in an atmosphere free of intimidation and harassment and that those elected to office are allowed to exercise their duties as public officials without undue limitations; * provides technical assistance on the appropriate and effective use of resources, especially water resources, as well as economic policy assistance on such issues as land ownership to help build the Ethiopian economy so that it can reduce the need for donor support; and* provides financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial ventures so that the Ethiopian private sector can create jobs and help the nation reduce its high level of unemployment.