Ethiopia: US senators voice concern on opposition arrest
January 24, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — A group of US Senators sent a letter to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, expressing their concern on the re-arrest of opposition chairs-woman and on the recently endorsed law on civic society groups, Sudan Tribune has learnt.
“We write our concern about several recent developments in your country, which we fear could make the important partnership between the United States and Ethiopia more difficult. We are deeply troubled that these events together appear to indicate an erosion of political freedom and the rule of law in Ethiopia,” the Senators say.
“First we are concerned by the re-arrest of Unity for Democracy and Justice party leader Birtukan Mideksa and reports that her life sentence in prison has been reinstated” they said adding “a political opposition with the right to freedom of speech, press and association is essential to any vibrant democracy.”
The letter is signed by Russell D. Feingol Chairman Subcommittee on African Affairs Committee on Foreign relations of the US Senate, Johnny Isakson Ranking member Sub Committee on African Affairs Committee on Foreign Relations, Patrick J. Leahy Chairman State & Foreign Ops Subcommittee Appropriations and Richard J. Durbin Chairman Human Rights & the Law Subcommittee on the Judiciary.
“We worry that Birtukans Re-arrest signals erosion to government’s commitment to those democratic principles. This is disappointing as it comes in advance to the nation’s election coming next year,” underscored the lawmakers.
Currently UDJ party leader, Birtukan Mideksa has continued serving her life sentence after her pardon has been revoked following her refusal to confirm or deny to a statement she made in Europe which angered Meles Zenawi-led ruling party.
The opposition leader who had been released in July 2007, along with 37 other political opponents visited Sweden last year. Addressing her supporters there, Birtukan said that her party never asked the Ethiopian government for the pardon that led to her release from jail one year ago.
The US senate members also express their dismay on the passage of Ethiopia government’s law restricting civil society groups.
According to the recently passed controversial NGO law, civil society groups in Ethiopia that receive more than 10% of their total funding from sources outside Ethiopia are not allowed to interfere in any work related with human rights, gender equality, the rights of disabled, rights of children, or in the nations conflict management.
“While we respect your government’s right to regulate non-governmental organizations operating within Ethiopia, we fear that as written, this law will undermines the important work done by many organizations in those respective fields.”
The US lawmakers expressed hope that the “broad discretionary powers granted” to the government by the controversial law would not be used as a political tool to impede the independence of civil society and obstruct its activities.
The Senators in addition have raised their concern on human right violation in the Volatile Ogaden region.
“We are concerned by reports over the last year that several civil society leaders and traditional elders in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia have been detained for extended periods without charge and then tried without due process,” they said.
They also underlined that many of the arrested people were involved in the needed efforts to bring peace in the Somali region. Also the senators said this “pattern of arrest” could exacerbate local grievances and radicalize the situation rather than quell the insurgency or bring political stability there.
The senators reminded the importance of partnership between USA and Ethiopia but added that “these troubling developments” in Ethiopia could undermine democratic progress and the rule of law.
(ST)