|
|
|---|
Catch-up on major news events you missed in the past week-And the weekend’s top stories!
HR 5680 Update
(By Mesfin Mekonen)
Dear Fellow Ethiopians/Ethiopians American!
Washington DC We are now closing in on a critical stage of our efforts to bring democracy and prosperity to Ethiopia. Between now and the end of September H.R. 5680 will be brought to the floor of the house.We are sharing our views on pending legislation, H.R. 5680, the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act.
The legislation has attracted bipartisan support in the International Relations Committee. Enactment of the legislation would pressure the Ethiopian government, which has been condemned by the State Department and non-governmental organizations -- to respect human rights, release political prisoners, civic activist and journalists.
As you know this is Election time in the United states for its Congress and this is an especially good time to remind our elected officials of our interests in a favorable outcome for this legislation.You all know the members of Congress need to hear from you. Please visit this Web site and get the contact information that you need.
It is essential that all Ethiopians contact members of Congress to express their support for this legislation -ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVEN'T CO-SPONSORED HR 5680 -- and to ask that members of Congress co-sponsor and vote for it. Even if you have already contacted Congress, do it again.
It is especially important to contact members of the U.S House of Representatives. You can find the contact information to Call and e-mail the Washington offices of your Senators and Representative.
To contact your Representative, use: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ To contact your Senator, use: http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Human Rights are a key objective for us.Human Rights groups like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Center for Press Journalists, and others are our natural allies in our work.Newspapers, magazines, radio, and television are important but now we will have to compete for space, so if you have any such good contacts please reach out to them now.
In conclusion I should add that this year has been one of hope so far. Let's keep up the effort so that we can get H.R. 5680 accomplished this session.
Ogaden Online is reporting that it has received reports from the town of Bilcile confirming the defection of up to twenty-eight soldiers from the Ethiopian military stationed there. Reports add that the soldiers who left their positions escaped with all their military gear.
Up to now the movement and whereabouts of these twenty-eight soldiers are unknown. Unconfirmed reports indicate that these defecting military personnel have communicated a request for a safe passage to the ONLF.
In a related story, Garowe news has said that at least 12 Ethiopian soldiers based in the Puntland city of Galkayo are missing from their base since Tuesday night. The soldiers carried out their ordinary military duties during the day but failed to return to base, raising more concerns regarding the morale of the Ethiopian military. Ethiopian troops have been inside Puntland regions with the blessing of Puntland President Mohamud "Adde" Muse, who said the Ethiopians are in Galkayo to help train Puntland's security forces.
Human rights defender Professor Mesfin Woldemariam has reportedly responded well to treatment for pneumonia in Addis Ababa's Police Hospital. However, he has now been returned to Kaliti Prison, where the harsh conditions of detention mean that his health is likely to deteriorate.(More...)
Ethiopian protesters lobby world church meeting in Geneva
Geneva (ENI). A meeting in Geneva of the main governing body of the World Council of Churches has opened with a demonstration outside its headquarters against one of the church grouping's eight presidents, Patriarch Abune Paulos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. About 60 demonstrators gathered outside the WCC's Geneva offices, waving Ethiopian flags and chanting "Paulos is not Ethiopia's spiritual leader," and, "He's not our patriarch." A handful of uniformed police watched them. (http://www.eni.ch/)
(More...)
Open Letter to Addisu Leggese
(Getachew Gardew)
|
|---|
|
|---|
(More)
