A resolution authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) condemning human rights abuses in Ethiopia, which passed the House on April 10, has been credited with helping the administration of Prime Minister Abiy bring about much-needed political reforms in the country.

Tewodrose Tirfe, chair of National Advocacy for the Amhara Association of America, “The passage of the resolution had a direct impact on the reforms we are witnessing in Ethiopia.” (The people in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region have suffered human rights abuses including targeted evictions, killings, and torture)

According to Hassen Hussein, an academic and writer based in Minnesota, “The resolution could give Abiy a freer hand to deal more decisively with those resisting change.”

“When the House passed H.Res. 128 in April, it sent a clear message to the world that egregious human rights abuses must immediately end in Ethiopia and that fundamental human rights must be promoted and protected for all—and that the U.S. is watching,” Rep. Smith stated.

“I wish to commend Prime Minister Abiy for the reforms his administration has promoted, and I strongly urge the release of all political prisoners and the respect for the rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and due process.”

Smith’s H.Res. 128, condemning human rights abuses in Ethiopia and detailing steps the Ethiopian government should take to promote peace and democracy, passed the House in April and was supported by many human rights groups. Prime Minister Abiy was sworn in as Ethiopia’s new prime minister on April 2.

The resolution called on the Ethiopian government to

·         Lift the state of emergency

·         Release prisoners unjustly held for political purposes

·         Respect freedom of the press and of peaceful assembly

·         End use of excessive force by security forces, and investigate and hold accountable perpetrators of killings, torture, and other abuses committed against civilians

·         Repeal or amend proclamations used to suppress human rights, like the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation which the government uses to defame political dissidents as “terrorists,” and the Charities and Societies Proclamation, which restricts foreign funding and makes it virtually impossible for civil society organizations to function

Many reforms have been put into place in Ethiopia in recent months:

·         The state of emergency has been lifted

·         Thousands of high-profile political prisoners have been released

·         Citizens have been allowed to peaceably hold rallies and demonstrations

·         Opposition political parties have begun returning to Ethiopia from outside the country and have been allowed to register without fear or harassment

• The government has begun amending the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation and is considering repealing or amending the Charities and Societies Proclamation