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Smith Resolution Passed: Over 2000 Prisoners ReleasedSmith leads CODEL to Ethiopia; continues push for human rights and freedom for Menashe Levy

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Washington, Aug 22, 2018 | Matt Hadro ((202) 225-3765) | comments

Today, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) is leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation (CODEL) to Ethiopia to encourage continued political reforms, reinforce human rights issues, and press for freedom for Menashe Levy, an Israeli citizen who has been brutally imprisoned and beaten in Ethiopia with no access to due process rights.

Smith is the author of the House-passed  H.Res.128, legislation which condemned human rights abuses in Ethiopia and outlined a number of reforms that Ethiopia must take to promote peace and democracy. The resolution passed the House on April 10 and was supported by many human rights groups. Since passage of H.Res.128, a number of political reforms have taken place in Ethiopia, including the release of over 2,000 political prisoners. The CODEL will focus on promoting human rights and democracy in Ethiopia, and will encourage the continued implementation of reforms outlined in H.Res.128.

“There is no doubt that progress has been made since Prime Minister Abiy was sworn into office in April,” Smith said. “We have seen this in the release of thousands of political prisoners, the lifting of the state of emergency, the return and registration of political opposition parties, and the allowance of peaceful demonstrations by citizens.”

Tewodrose Tirfe, chair of National Advocacy for the Amhara Association of America (a diaspora group representing people from Ethiopia’s Amhara Region), said that “The passage of the resolution had a direct impact on the reforms we are witnessing in Ethiopia.”

Smith said: “The delegation plans to raise these critical issues of the release of all political prisoners, freedom of the press, the history of forced disappearances, accountability for past abuses committed against civilians, and an end to torture and all human rights abuses. These reforms will only strengthen the country, and we stand in solidarity with the Ethiopian people in pushing to promote these rights.”

The delegation will meet with Prime Minister Abiy and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gebeyehu, as well as religious and civic leaders and journalists, focusing on human rights and democracy in Ethiopia. Smith visited the country in 2005, raising human rights issues, and he authored the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006, comprehensive legislation to promote human rights and democracy in Ethiopia, after his return.

“More can and must be done to ensure the reforms are systematic. We will encourage the administration to continue upholding fundamental freedoms—respect for human rights and democracy will mean a stronger Ethiopia,” Smith said.

Smith will also push for freedom for Menashe Levy, an Israeli citizen imprisoned in Ethiopia who has been beaten and denied proper medical care in prison.

 

A look at the provisions of H.Res.128 and recent actions in Ethiopia:

H.Res.128 Calls on Ethiopia to:

 

Actions in Ethiopia:

 

 

  • Lift the state of emergency

 

 

  • The state of emergency was lifted on June 5

 

 

  • Release prisoners unjustly held for political purposes

 

 

  • Over 2,000 political prisoners have been released since passage of the legislation. Parliament also passed a law giving amnesty to all who have been released, a legal necessity so that they cannot be charged for the same false crimes again

 

 

  • Respect freedom of the press and of peaceful assembly

 

 

  • Citizens have been allowed to peaceably hold rallies and demonstrations since the beginning of PM Abiy’s tenure. (Many rallies have supported PM Abiy)

 

 

  • Allow opposition political parties to freely register without harassment

 

 

  • The government has asked opposition political parties to return home; many have returned after an absence of 15-27 years and are being greeted by high-level government officials.The parties have been allowed to register without harassment, and “terrorist” charges against them have been lifted

 

 

  • 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 for civil society organizations, making it virtually impossible for them to function

 

 

  • The government has begun amending the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation with input from opposition parties. The government is also considering repealing or amending the Charities and Societies Proclamation. The US Embassy observes that this is being managed via an advisory board with 13 high-profile and independent lawyers.

 
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