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Smith Calls on Ethiopian Government End Political Crisis, Respect Human Rights |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the one-year anniversary of “Prime Minister Meles Zenawi played down the government shooting of protesters in June 2005 and despite having enough to arrest those responsible,” said Smith, who went to The May, 2005 elections were widely acknowledged to be the most open elections ever held in An unknown number of Ethiopians, including minors, have been jailed for protesting the delayed election results and limitations on the rights of opposition Members of Parliament. Though many prisoners have been released, party leaders, human rights activists and journalists remain imprisoned. Prisoners continue to be held on a variety of charges, including “outrages against the Constitution” and “genocide.” Human rights organizations have expressed concern about claims of torture made in a recent Federal High Court hearing by several prisoners. Though the court ordered that detainees should receive medical treatment following the charges of abuse, there remains no commitment by the government to investigate the allegations. “My bill, the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Act, empowers Ethiopia to establish basic human rights and continue on the path toward democracy by instituting electoral and governmental reform,” said Smith, who noted that the bill would also provide for an investigation by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.” The Smith bill – the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2006 – passed the House Subcommittee on | ||
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For Immediate Release: May 15, 2006 Contact: Brad Dayspring (202) 225-3765 |
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