Unity for Democracy and Justice (Andenet) Party
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Feingold introduces Ethiopia act in Senate
Press Release September 11, 2008
The Coalition for HR 2003 has learned that Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, introduced a bill entitled “Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2008”. We are grateful to Senator Feingold and his staff for introducing this legislation in the Senate.
On October 2, 2007, H.R. 2003, “Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007” passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously. On October 3, 2007, the Senate received the bill and referred it to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The Feingold bill is substantially similar in legislative intent and appraisal of the poor human rights conditions in Ethiopia. The “findings” in the bill document a slew of human rights violations committed by the “Government of Ethiopia” in the aftermath of the 2005 elections, including the injury of “763 civilians,” the murder of 193 persons and detention of “thousands more opposition party leaders and their followers, “widespread violations of human rights and international law by the Ethiopian military in Mogadishu and other areas of Somalia, as well as in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia.”
The bill describes the use of “unjustifiably brutal tactics [by the government of Ethiopia] against its own citizens in Oromiya, Amhara and Gambella regions.” The bill finds the recent civil society law has the effect of “creat[ing] a complex web of onerous bureaucratic hurdles, draconian criminal penalties and intrusive powers of surveillance that would further decrease the political space available for civil society institutions.”
Section 5 of the bill requires the President to take “additional steps to support the implementation of democracy and governance institutions and organizations in Ethiopia,” including support for civil society organizations, fundamental freedoms, bolstering the independence of the judiciary and full international access to the Ogaden, among other things. The bill provides $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 to carry out its purposes.
In contrast to the Feingold bill, H.R. 2003 imposes stricter limitations on security assistance and travel restrictions on any official of the Government of Ethiopia involved in human rights violations. It also requires certification by the president that “quantifiable” efforts are being made in the human rights area, including release of political prisoners, independent operation of the judiciary, free operation of the print and broadcast media and restructuring of the national elections board to reflect the political diversity ion the country. H.R. 2003 also provides support for economic development.
The Coalition for H.R. 20003 will provide further analysis of the Feingold bill and possibilities for reconciling the House and Senate version in the coming day. For now, we ask all supporters of human rights in Ethiopia to express their gratitude and appreciation to Senator Feingold.
The Coalition for HR 2003 has learned that Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, introduced a bill entitled “Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2008”. We are grateful to Senator Feingold and his staff for introducing this legislation in the Senate.
On October 2, 2007, H.R. 2003, “Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007” passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously. On October 3, 2007, the Senate received the bill and referred it to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The Feingold bill is substantially similar in legislative intent and appraisal of the poor human rights conditions in Ethiopia. The “findings” in the bill document a slew of human rights violations committed by the “Government of Ethiopia” in the aftermath of the 2005 elections, including the injury of “763 civilians,” the murder of 193 persons and detention of “thousands more opposition party leaders and their followers, “widespread violations of human rights and international law by the Ethiopian military in Mogadishu and other areas of Somalia, as well as in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia.”
The bill describes the use of “unjustifiably brutal tactics [by the government of Ethiopia] against its own citizens in Oromiya, Amhara and Gambella regions.” The bill finds the recent civil society law has the effect of “creat[ing] a complex web of onerous bureaucratic hurdles, draconian criminal penalties and intrusive powers of surveillance that would further decrease the political space available for civil society institutions.”
Section 5 of the bill requires the President to take “additional steps to support the implementation of democracy and governance institutions and organizations in Ethiopia,” including support for civil society organizations, fundamental freedoms, bolstering the independence of the judiciary and full international access to the Ogaden, among other things. The bill provides $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 to carry out its purposes.
In contrast to the Feingold bill, H.R. 2003 imposes stricter limitations on security assistance and travel restrictions on any official of the Government of Ethiopia involved in human rights violations. It also requires certification by the president that “quantifiable” efforts are being made in the human rights area, including release of political prisoners, independent operation of the judiciary, free operation of the print and broadcast media and restructuring of the national elections board to reflect the political diversity ion the country. H.R. 2003 also provides support for economic development.
The Coalition for H.R. 20003 will provide further analysis of the Feingold bill and possibilities for reconciling the House and Senate version in the coming day. For now, we ask all supporters of human rights in Ethiopia to express their gratitude and appreciation to Senator Feingold.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Ethiopia celebrates restoration of giant obelisk
by Aaron MaashoThu Sep 4, 12:01 PM ET
Ethiopia on Thursday unveiled its famed Axum Obelisk after more than three years of work to re-erect the 150-ton stela plundered by fascist Italy 70 years ago and returned only in 2005.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Italian undersecretary of state for foreign affairs Alfredo Mantica unveiled the 1,700-year-old treasure draped in Ethiopian and Italian flags.
Thousands of people who gathered at the original site of the stela in Axum, some 575 kilometres (357 miles) north of Addis Ababa, cheered as the two drew down the flags from the massive monument.
Children wearing traditional Ethiopian dress as well as gladiator costumes lined up on opposite sides to greet the top officials.
"Not only are we witnessing the return of a cultural monument, but also a historic turning point in relations between Ethiopia and Italy," Mantica said after he and Meles placed a replica of the obelisk at the foot of the giant artefact.
"This event reminds us of the glorious past on one hand and a new era of renaissance on the other," Meles said.
Ethiopian President Girma Woldegiorgis said "the return of the obelisk heals the wounds suffered during the past."
Italian soldiers carted away the 24-meter (78-foot) third-century AD granite funeral stela in 1937 on the orders of then-dictator Benito Mussolini during his attempt to colonise Ethiopia.
"My joy is beyond limit," said Asfaw Abebe, an 85-year-old war veteran who joined the struggle against the Italian occupation at the age of 14.
"It recalls the sacrifice we made back then," said Asfaw, explaining that his father was beheaded by Italian troops and his head displayed in public to intimidate locals.
"I am very happy and proud. It's very important for us that it came back," said Weyni Tesfai, a student. "It's also a symbol of coming together of both countries."
Despite a 1947 agreement that called for its return, the obelisk had remained in Italy standing outside the Rome headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, much to the anger of Ethiopia.
ts return was finally agreed upon in talks in Italy in November 2004 between Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, but its arrival was then announced and delayed several times.
The last of the three pieces arrived in Axum in April 2005 to great rejoicing among Ethiopians, who regard the obelisk as a national treasure.
Axum, which was added to the UN's World Heritage List in 1980, was the capital of the Axumite kingdom that flourished as a major trading center from the fifth century BC to the 10th century AD.
At its height, the kingdom, ruled by monarchs who traced their lineage back to the biblical David, Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, extended across areas of what are today Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
UNESCO I
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Italian undersecretary of state for foreign affairs Alfredo Mantica unveiled the 1,700-year-old treasure draped in Ethiopian and Italian flags.
Thousands of people who gathered at the original site of the stela in Axum, some 575 kilometres (357 miles) north of Addis Ababa, cheered as the two drew down the flags from the massive monument.
Children wearing traditional Ethiopian dress as well as gladiator costumes lined up on opposite sides to greet the top officials.
"Not only are we witnessing the return of a cultural monument, but also a historic turning point in relations between Ethiopia and Italy," Mantica said after he and Meles placed a replica of the obelisk at the foot of the giant artefact.
"This event reminds us of the glorious past on one hand and a new era of renaissance on the other," Meles said.
Ethiopian President Girma Woldegiorgis said "the return of the obelisk heals the wounds suffered during the past."
Italian soldiers carted away the 24-meter (78-foot) third-century AD granite funeral stela in 1937 on the orders of then-dictator Benito Mussolini during his attempt to colonise Ethiopia.
"My joy is beyond limit," said Asfaw Abebe, an 85-year-old war veteran who joined the struggle against the Italian occupation at the age of 14.
"It recalls the sacrifice we made back then," said Asfaw, explaining that his father was beheaded by Italian troops and his head displayed in public to intimidate locals.
"I am very happy and proud. It's very important for us that it came back," said Weyni Tesfai, a student. "It's also a symbol of coming together of both countries."
Despite a 1947 agreement that called for its return, the obelisk had remained in Italy standing outside the Rome headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, much to the anger of Ethiopia.
ts return was finally agreed upon in talks in Italy in November 2004 between Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, but its arrival was then announced and delayed several times.
The last of the three pieces arrived in Axum in April 2005 to great rejoicing among Ethiopians, who regard the obelisk as a national treasure.
Axum, which was added to the UN's World Heritage List in 1980, was the capital of the Axumite kingdom that flourished as a major trading center from the fifth century BC to the 10th century AD.
At its height, the kingdom, ruled by monarchs who traced their lineage back to the biblical David, Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, extended across areas of what are today Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
UNESCO I
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080904/lf_afp/ethiopiaitalyhistoryheritageobelisk_080904160212
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