I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5321
To urge the Government of Ethiopia to hold orderly, peaceful, and free 
and fair national elections in May 2005 and to authorize United States 
assistance for elections-related activities to monitor the Ethiopian na-
tional elections. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 8, 2004
Mr. HONDA (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, and Mr. ROYCE) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations 
A BILL 
To urge the Government of Ethiopia to hold orderly, peace-
ful, and free and fair national elections in May 2005 
and to authorize United States assistance for elections-
related activities to monitor the Ethiopian national elec-
tions.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Free and Fair Elec-
tions in Ethiopia Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Relations between the United States and 
Ethiopia have improved significantly over the past 
decade, although human rights concerns in Ethiopia 
remain. The Government of the Federal Democratic 
Republic of Ethiopia has cooperated with the United 
States on a range of efforts, including combating 
global terrorism. 
(2) In 1995 and 2000, the Government of Ethi-
opia organized and conducted local, regional, and 
national elections. In 1995, some opposition parties 
boycotted the elections, despite offers and support by 
donor governments, including the United States, to 
help ensure free and fair elections. Opposition par-
ties, including those outside of Ethiopia, have a re-
sponsibility and duty to play a constructive role in 
building democracy in Ethiopia and to engage the 
Government of Ethiopia in peaceful dialogue. 
(3) The Department of State, in its most recent 
country reports on human rights practices, deter-
mined that ‘‘the 2000 national elections and the 
2001 regional elections [in Ethiopia] were generally 
free and fair in most areas but were marred by seri-
ous irregularities, including killings, disappearances, 
voter intimidation and harassment, and unlawful de-
tentions of opposition party supporters, particularly 
in the southern region. 
(4) The Government of Ethiopia demonstrated 
its commitment to holding democratic elections in 
the 2000 parliamentary elections because of its will-
ingness to re-run parliamentary elections in 14 con-
stituencies in which elections irregularities were re-
ported. 
(5) It is critical that the Government of Ethi-
opia, donor countries, and civil society offer an ex-
tensive and comprehensive civic education in order 
to prepare and educate the people of Ethiopia about 
their democratic rights and duties. 
(6) The Government of Ethiopia should ensure 
the safety and security of opposition party officials 
and prosecute and punish those local and regional 
officials engaged in harassment and intimidation of 
opposition party officials. 
(7) Mass media, including radio and television, 
remain under the control of the Government of Ethi-
opia. The decision of the Government of Ethiopia to 
issue radio broadcast licenses to private entre-
preneurs is encouraging. Independent and private 
press, especially radio and television, are key to de-
mocracy and transparency. The decision by the Gov-