Resolution Calls for Commitment to Human Rights, Democracy, Rule of Law
Felix Horne
Today, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution encouraging Ethiopiaโs government to increase respect for human rights, rule of law, and democracy. This non-binding resolution, combined withย recent statementsย from the US Embassy in Addis, sends a strong signal to Ethiopiaโs new prime minister that the US expects significant reforms ahead.
Resolution 128 was passed in large part because of Ethiopian-American voters concerned with the Ethiopian governmentโs rights record, who worked together to make themselves an important constituency. Their persistent efforts despite the efforts of the Ethiopian embassy and theirย Washington lobbyistsย led to an impressiveย 108 Congressional representatives from 32 states co-sponsoring this resolution. Hopefully they can build on this success and advocate for binding legislation on Ethiopia.
Amongst other things, the resolution calls for Ethiopiaโs government โto allow an independent examination of the state of human rights in Ethiopia by a rapporteur appointed by the United Nations.โ Ethiopia has repeatedlyย rebuffed effortsย to investigate allegations of serious crimes by government forces and has not let in any UN Special Rapporteur to investigate allegations of abuse since 2007. With a new prime minister, now is the time for Ethiopia to change course and allow independent experts to investigate, including the Special Rapporteurs onย tortureย andย freedom of assembly.
Over the past two years, Ethiopiaโs government security forces haveย arrested tens of thousands of peopleย protesting government policies and have killed over 1,000 demonstrators. Torture in detention is rife, and independent media, civil society, and opposition parties are severely limited.
The United States, like many of Ethiopiaโs international partners, is focused on collaborating with the country on counterterrorism efforts, peacekeeping, and economic growth. Yet for the partnerships to be effective, Ethiopia needs to be stable. And in light of the past two yearsโ sweeping protests, the question of stability is inextricably linked to Ethiopiaโs harsh response to dissent and political opposition.
This resolution not only encourages the government to implement key reforms, but says that future US cooperation should be tied to Ethiopiaโs โdemonstrated commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.โ Encouraging those reforms with measurable, specific, and transparent benchmarks in exchange for future cooperation is critical. It is also important that other countries follow the US Congressโ lead on tying support to tangible progress.
