A resolution supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia.

Bill: 115-sres-168
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Ethiopia
Foreign aid and international relief
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military personnel and dependents
News media and reporting
Political parties and affiliation
Protest and dissent
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: 
Condemns: (1) killings of peaceful protesters and excessive use of force by Ethiopian security forces; (2) the detention of journalists, students, activists, and political leaders who exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression through peaceful protests; and (3) abuse of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation to stifle political and civil dissent and journalistic freedoms. 
 
Urges protesters in Ethiopia to refrain from violence and from encouraging or accepting violence in demonstrations.
 
Calls on the government of Ethiopia to take specified steps, including to fully lift the state of emergency, end the practice of excessive force by security forces, grant the United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner for Human Rights and U.N. Special Rapporteurs full access to conduct a comprehensive independent examination of the state of human rights in Ethiopia, and repeal proclamations that can be used to harass individuals or organizations engaging in peaceful political dissent or that prohibit funding for civil society organizations working for respect for constitutional rights, the rule of law, and protection of human rights.
 
Calls on: (1) the Department of State to share with Congress the results of a review of security assistance and improve oversight of U.S. assistance to Ethiopia; (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development to lead efforts to develop a strategy to support improved democracy and governance in Ethiopia; and (3) the President to apply appropriate sanctions on foreign persons or entities responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against any nationals in Ethiopia. 
 
Supports the peaceful efforts of the Ethiopian people to exercise their constitutional rights.

action_date: 2017-09-19
text: 
Condemns: (1) killings of peaceful protesters and excessive use of force by Ethiopian security forces; (2) the detention of journalists, students, activists, and political leaders who exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression through peaceful protests; and (3) abuse of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation to stifle political and civil dissent and journalistic freedoms. 
 
Urges protesters in Ethiopia to refrain from violence and to reject violence in demonstrations.
 
Calls on the government of Ethiopia to:
 
 
address broad and persistent concerns expressed across large swatches of the citizenry;
 
end the practice of excessive force by security forces, enforce professional discipline, and hold accountable security forces responsible for such abuses;
 
grant the United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner for Human Rights and U.N. Special Rapporteurs access to conduct a comprehensive examination of the state of human rights in Ethiopia and work with such entities to improve human rights conditions;
 
conduct an investigation into the killings, detentions, and instances of excessive use of force that took place in response to protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions, hold security forces accused of such actions accountable through public proceedings, and publicly release written findings from such investigation;
 
release from incarceration all dissidents, members of the political opposition, activists, and journalists who have been jailed for exercising constitutional rights;
 
respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and guarantee freedom of the press and mass media;
 
engage in open consultations relative to its development strategy, especially those strategies that could result in people's displacement from land; and 
 
cease proclamations that are used to harass individuals or organizations engaging in peaceful political dissent or that prohibit funding for civil society organizations working for respect for constitutional rights, the rule of law, and protection of human rights.
 
 
Calls on the Department of State to: (1) share with Congress the recently concluded interagency review of U.S. security assistance and a description of current objectives and criteria that advance critical regional security objectives while mitigating the threat of assistance being misused; (2) engage with the Ethiopian government in strengthening the bilateral Working Group on Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights and provide support for implementation of Ethiopia's National Human Rights Action Plan; and (3) improve oversight and accountability of U.S. assistance to Ethiopia and ensure that such assistance reinforces long-term goals for improved governance.
 
Calls on: (1) the U.S. Agency for International Development to lead efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy to support improved democracy and governance in Ethiopia; and (2) the President to apply appropriate sanctions on foreign persons or entities responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against any nationals in Ethiopia. 
 
Supports the peaceful efforts of the Ethiopian people to exercise their constitutional rights.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 226.
action_date: 2017-09-19
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-09-19
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-09-19
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3019-3020)
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate