Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-5680
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2006-06-26 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Agricultural assistance
Agriculture and Food
American investments
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal investigation
Democracy
Economic assistance
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Election administration
Electronic mail systems
Energy
Ethiopia
Export finance
Extradition
Famines
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign leaders
Free enterprise
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
Hydroelectric power
Immigration
International broadcasting
Internet
Investment guaranty insurance
Irrigation
Joint ventures
Law
Law enforcement officers
Legal aid
Licenses
Opposition (Political science)
Parliamentary government
Police
Political participation
Political parties
Political persecution
Political prisoners
Political violence
Prisoners' rights
Public demonstrations
Punishment
Radio broadcasting
Right to counsel
Rule of law
Sanctions (International law)
Science, Technology, Communications
Small business
Speedy trial
Sustainable development
Technical assistance
Television broadcasting
Terrorism
Torture
Victims of crimes
Visas
Voter registration
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2006-06-26
text: 
Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; and (5) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations. 
 
Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia.
 
Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping or counter-terrorism assistance; and (2) U.S. entry of any Ethiopian official involved in giving orders to use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators or accused of gross human rights violations, government security personnel involved in shootings of demonstrators, and Ethiopian civilians involved in killings of Ethiopian policemen.
 
Directs the President to provide assistance for the rehabilitation of Ethiopian torture victims. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should: (1) encourage the government of Ethiopia to enter into discussions with the Oromo Liberation Front to bring them into full participation in Ethiopia's political and economic affairs; and (2) provide necessary assistance to help achieve such goal.
 
Directs the President to provide Ethiopia with: (1) economic policy assistance; (2) financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial ventures; and (3) resource policy assistance. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-06-27
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2006-06-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2006-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2006-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-06-26
text: Introduced in House