U.S House of Representatives is scheduled to put House Resolution 128 (HR 128), titled ‘Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia’, for a vote in April, according to a statement released by Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado.
Rep. Coffman said “Today’s announcement that the House will take a vote on H.Res.128 this April, is a testament to countless hours of hard work, by all those involved, and the unwavering fight for the respect of human rights and the rule of law in Ethiopia. Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by the Ethiopian government proved futile in the fight to do what is right. I join the many voices back home and Ethiopia in thanking Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for his support in getting this to the House floor.”
I’m happy to announce that after months of hard work (by all involved) #HRes128 is scheduled for a vote the week of April 9. The fight for respect of human rights & inclusive governance in #Ethiopia continues… pic.twitter.com/hF1lvOBCZs
— Rep. Mike Coffman (@RepMikeCoffman) March 21, 2018
HR 128 was first introduced to the House of Representatives in February 2017, the resolution currently has 99 co-sponsors from both Democratic and Republican members of congress.
HR 128 was first introduced to the House of Representatives in February 2017, the resolution currently has 99 co-sponsors from both Democratic and Republican members of congress.
The resolution condemns the killing of peaceful protesters and excessive use of force by Ethiopian security forces ; the arrest and detention of journalists, students, activists, and political leaders. It calls on the government of Ethiopia to lift the state of emergency and urges protestors to engage in peaceful demonstrations and to refrain from violence while exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly.
The resolution calls for targeted 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 as provided for in the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. It also directs the State Department to conduct a review of security assistance to Ethiopia.
The full text of HR 128 can be found here.
