CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE APPLAUDS THE RELEASE AND PARDON OF ETHIOPIAN OPPOSITION LEADERS

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Washington, DC - Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Member of the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, issued the following statement regarding today's release and pardon of 38 opposition leaders and activists sentenced to life imprisonment:
"Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and President Girma Wolde-Giorgis today pardoned the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders who were arrested in connection with the protests that followed the unprecedented May 2005 elections. I believe that the sentences of life in prison and the denial of the right to vote or run for public office handed down by an Ethiopian court earlier this week were unduly harsh. Consequently, I commend the Prime Minister and President for their decision to pardon and release the opposition leaders in the interests of seeking political reconciliation.
"I welcome the release of the 38 imprisoned opposition leaders and the spirit of reconciliation in which this pardon was made. According to reports, the released prisoners were greeted by the cheers of dozens of family members and supporters. The path to democracy is inevitably a challenging one, and today was a tremendous step in the right direction. I remain committed to continuing my active engagement with the government and people of Ethiopia to bolster human rights, democracy, economic development, and electoral reforms.
"I also want to express my admiration for the members of the Ethiopian National Coalition of Elders who have led the effort to secure clemency for the opposition leaders and steadfastly championed the aims of understanding and moderation. I am equally heartened to learn that both the Ethiopian Government and the opposition leaders have heeded the calls of these distinguished elders.

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