By Scott Morgan
Once again a US ally in a troubled region has an image problem regarding Human Rights. And the United States does not know how to best handle the situation. The problem spot is the horn of Africa. The country and ally in question is Ethiopia.
Last year the country had parliamentary elections. There were questions about whether or not the elections held up to the democratic standards that are held so dear in Europe and North America. After the claims of fraud were made there were violent protests in the Capital Addis Ababa and other cities. Official sources report 88 people lost their lives. Thousands more were detained.
In what has to be one of the least written about developments regarding the situation there is a nice little caveat. It seems that some of the Opposition members had returned back to Ethiopia from the United States. Where they learned the ideals of a democracy and wanted to take it back home and apply it. When the allegations of fraud were made these brave people refused to take their seats. They stated they were not going to be a Rubber Stamp for the Government.
There is growing International Concern and action over these events over the last year. Earlier this month the EU refused to release $345 Million dollars in aid over the situation regarding the treatment of the detainees. Also the United States withheld a shipment of HUMVEES that were allocated to patrol the border with Somalia. It has been reported that these trucks were seen patrolling neighborhoods in the Capital.
There is another way for the US to take action. Congress can step up to the plate and pass HR 4423. The bill which is the Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2205 seeks to consolidate the areas of concern in Washington. These areas are Human Rights, Security, Democracy and Economic Freedom. The format is very similar to the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001.
One of the objectives is to have the President provide Congress with a report regarding the implementation of the legislation if passed. The bill also expresses concern regarding the internal stability of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. It lays out what the interests of the State Department and the Administration should be. They are Human Rights, Security, Democracy and Economic Freedom. Wouldn’t it be nice if it was done in other spots as well?
The author lives in Virginia. He comments on US Policy and Human Rights in Africa. He can be contacted at [email protected]