Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover – The disguise of HR 2003
Listening to the respectable PM Meles, I have revisited the HR2003 and attempted to comment on each section and subsection of this bill. I am neither a lawyer nor a constitutional expert. I rely on common sense, experience of having lived in various countries, reading and listening to various media including the Ethiopian media outlets the opposition Diaspora media. To make it easier for readers, I have divided the bill into two sections. This section covers section(1)-(5) of the HR 2003 ‘`Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007'.
My comments and opinions are written in “Blue fonts.” The HR 2003 Act is written in “Black Fonts”. The Act was retrieved from http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c110:./temp/~c1109wfLui website.
HR 2003 RFS 110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2003
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
AN ACT
To encourage and facilitate the consolidation of peace and security, respect for human rights, democracy, and economic freedom in Ethiopia.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the `Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007'.
The Name of the Act is wonderful. It must be created by someone who might have a marketing background. Who would say no to this Act by just reading the title. My warning to readers is, “Do not judge a book by its cover.” I will try to add my opinions to each section of this bill. Please be patient to go through it.
It is the policy of the United States to--
(1) support the advancement of human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;
I concur with the above policy statement. Ethiopia, certainly, needs support from the USA. The only way, it can support us is not by interfering or telling us what to do but definitely financially. We have capable scholars and experienced politicians that can do far better jobs than the Americans.
(2) seek the unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia;
If there are political prisoners that are held without charge, I fully support that these prisoners must be released. If their whereabouts are not known, it must be investigated; however, the names of these prisoners must be identified so that the Ethiopian government can be given the opportunity to explain whether those prisoners are criminals or truly political prisoners.
Suggestion to congress: if the name “Ethiopia” is replaced with either Eritrea, China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Burma, Pakistan, or other countries, section(2) of this act would have sound better to read.
(3) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region;
I agree with this section. Ethiopia needs economic development. Ethiopia should be willing to learn from the USA experience on building democracy.
(4) support humanitarian assistance efforts, especially in the Ogaden region;
The USA is known for its humanitarian assistance. I would say please continue with this effort. Nevertheless, why is this act saying “specially the Ogaden region?” Who is behind this bill? Could this also be drafted by ONLF, OLF, or AFD? Why special attention to Ogaden? I am just emphasizing the motives behind this.
(5) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; and
I think this is a slap on the face to the Ethiopian government. Ethiopia has collaborated with the USA on this initiative since 9/11. I believe, when Ethiopia dismantled Al-itthad, she has done a great favor to the USA. The intelligence gathered during that time has immensely helped USA in fighting Global terrorism. This bill is mentioning “collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global war on Terror” as if fighting terrorism is the sole responsibility of Ethiopia. The USA has no option but to collaborate on this initiative for its own security benefits. Failing to do so will create security vacuums for both governments. This is a mutual initiative that does not need a bill to pass.
(6) strengthen United States-Ethiopian relations based on the policy objectives specified in paragraphs (1) through (5).
The only way the US – Ethiopian relations grow is if the USA refrains from interfering in the internal affairs of Ethiopia. I would encourage the USA to assist Ethiopia in fighting poverty which will be a stepping stone to strengthen democracy. When people are destitute, democracy is not going to feed them. However, as people get more educated, able to work, and prosper, they will start to exercise their rights in order to protect their interests. I am not saying destitute people do not deserve democracy, but I am saying in the name of democracy do not starve the already starved people. It makes the matters worse.
The Secretary of State shall--
(1) provide financial support to local and national human rights groups and other relevant civil society organizations to help strengthen human rights monitoring and regular reporting on human rights conditions in Ethiopia;
This is very encouraging, I would say please continue your financial support. However, do not encourage or force these groups to produce unsubstantiated reports. These groups know very well that their existence depends on the bad reports they generate. If they say, “there are no human rights abuses”, then their existence comes into question. These groups, as I was one of them in the past, suffer from ethical dilemma. No report means no budget allocation or a reduction of budget. Good report which means “a fabricated human right abuse” means more budgets.
(2) provide legal support, as needed, for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia and assist local, national, and international groups that are active in monitoring the status of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia;
A vary good subsection. Caution must be taken not to confuse a politician who is accused of crime and a politician who is truly imprisoned for difference of opinion.
(3) seek to promote and bolster the independence of the Ethiopian judiciary through—
Hallelujah. But, this can only be done by the Ethiopian people. Since the Ethiopian constitution is the law of the country, the court must be encouraged by the Ethiopia people to interpret the Ethiopian constitution in fair and without any interference from the government. It will be the responsibility of the opposition party to expose such interference in the Ethiopian parliament so that the Ethiopian people are aware of it. Since parliamentary discussions and debates are broadcasted, this would be a good opportunity for Ethiopian oppositions to shine.
(A) facilitation of joint discussions between court personnel, officials from the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice, relevant members of the legislature, and civil society representatives on international human rights standards; and
The USA must stay out of this. Ethiopians are capable of interpreting the constitution which was created by the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia. The USA should not be involved in facilitation but should encourage us and provide the financial means to allow the above parties to facilitate themselves. If we allow the USA to facilitate, when is it going to stop interfering in Ethiopian politics?
(B) encouraging exchanges between Ethiopian and United States jurists, law schools, law professors, and law students, especially in legal fields such as constitutional law, role of the judiciary, due process, political and voting rights, criminal law and procedure, and discrimination;
Ethiopia is an autonomous country. It has its own constitution which was drafted by its indigenous people consists of nations and nationalities. Had Ethiopian constitution was the exact replica of the USA, I would have agreed with this subsection. Ethiopia is proud of its constitution. Having said that there is a need to accelerate the judicial process and improve the quality of justice deliverance. This can only be done by Ethiopia.
(4) establish a program, in consultation with Ethiopian civil society, to provide for a judicial monitoring process, consisting of indigenous organizations, international organizations, or both, to monitor judicial proceedings throughout Ethiopia, with special focus on unwarranted government intervention on matters that are strictly judicial in nature, and to report on actions needed to strengthen an independent judiciary;
I would respectably say, ‘none of your business.’ This is the job of the oppositions. You must allow the thinking of the opposition to grow. These are the things that the opposition must strongly oppose and expose the ruling party to the public.
(5) establish a program, in consultation with Ethiopian civil society, and provide support to other programs, to strengthen independent media in Ethiopia, including training, and technical support;
I agree with this idea. First, providing training to independent media that understands Ethiopian cultural and traditional values is essential. Secondly, the trained journalist must be aware of the “the people’s knowledge of democracy, the rights and obligations that come with it.” Third, it must be known that to be unbiased reporter it may take a generation. That means, our children with the right education can become unbiased reporters. Currently, we cannot be unbiased reporters because we are influence by our cultural and traditional values. Even the so-called VOA Amharic services staff being in the USA and exposed to so many opportunities cannot be free of bias.
(6) expand the Voice of America's Ethiopia program;
My personal opinion, from being the Voice of America audience, is useless. This will only promote the agenda of the Diaspora anti-Ethiopians. By anti-Ethiopians means the dergist, criminals who are wanted for the killing of so many innocent youth in the name of red-terror.
The Eritrean government is also using the VOA Amharic service for its propaganda. The VOA Amharic service journalists were supposed to promote democracy and good governance. They seem out of touch from the reality of the cultural and political landscape of Ethiopia.
(7) support efforts of the international community to gain full and unfettered access to the Ogaden region for--
(A) humanitarian assistance organizations; and
(B) independent human rights experts; and
Does the USA congress really concerned about humanitarian assistance in ethiopia? May I suggest to fruitfully spending its valuable time on Eritrea. Is this a difficult thing to do?
I believe, Ethiopia has already allowed independent human right experts and humanitarian assistance to Ogaden. I wish some congressmen could wake up and smell the roses and say, “after all, Ethiopia is not that bad.”
Does Ethiopia has a real security concern about Ogaden, I think this article can provide an answer to our respectable Donald Payne http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-27-2007/0004712565&EDATE ? This news is just a tip of an iceberg. I am flabbergasted when Donald Payne refused to acknowledger President Jim Carter’s conclusion about the Ethiopian 2005 election and accepted the testimonies of groups linked to terrorist activities that directly affect the US interest. Could this is patriotic or blindness emanated out of self-enrichment?
(8) work with appropriate departments and agencies of the Government of the United States and appropriate officials of foreign governments--
(A) to identify members of the Mengistu Haile Mariam regime and officials of the current Government of Ethiopia who were engaged in gross human rights violations, including those individuals who may be residing in the United States; and
Now, we are talking. Shhhh.. the Mengistu Haile Mariam regime criminals, killers, and embezzlers are right in front of your eyes. If you stretch your hands, you could touch them. What is the best place to hide criminals? I would say the USA. Are the congress saying, if this bill does not pass, we are not going to prosecute Derg members?
As far as the current government is concerned, please answer the following question, if any one of these questions are answered No. You may need to visit Ethiopia and travel through out the country. Of course, without any check points.
1. is this government liable for creating the first ever Ethiopian constitution drafted and passed by the nations and nationalities?
2. is this government guilty for allowing nations to exercise their rights under Article 39 the right to cessation?
3. is this government guilty for allowing Oromia to govern themselves with their own language and phonetics?
4. is this government guilty of focusing its strategy on poverty?
5. is this government guilty of exhausting all peaceful endeavors to avoid war with Eritrea?
6. is this government guilty of introducing the first fair and freer election in Ethiopian history for the first time in 2005?
7. is this government guilty of entertaining opposition questions and opinions in the parliamentary debate?
8. is this government guilty of releasing convicted Kinijjit leaders only to promote tolerance amongst political parties?
9. is this government has the right to protect the property of Ethiopian citizens?
10. do I need to accuse this government more?
If this government is guilty of any one of the above, then it deserves to be kicked out of the office but not by the USA congress but by the Ethiopian people.
(B) to support and encourage the prosecution of individuals identified under subparagraph (A) in the United States or Ethiopia.
Can the USA be the role-model? Can the USA walk the walk by first prosecuting those Derg members who murdered and left psychological scares on so many millions of Ethiopians? The USA does not have to wait to pass this bill to prosecute the ones in their doorsteps. Ethiopia is a very good friend of the USA while spoil this relationship by exercising hypocrisy?
Haile B.
Section 2 to continue…