Momentum is building for H.R. 128.
The State Department and House Republicans have agreed to add language to the bill updating it to reflect some recent events. The following will be added: ““Whereas the Government of Ethiopia has recently released hundreds of political prisoners, but has continued to periodically detain government critics and opposition figures.” This is important because it shows that it will not be possible for the Ethiopian regime to appease the U.S. Congress, or world opinion, by pretending to reform while continuing with repressive policies.
There are now 98 co-sponsors for H.R. 128, 69 Democrats and 29 Republicans. Seventeen of these co-sponsors signed onto the bill in March.
The House is scheduled to vote on H.R. 128 in April. It is essential for all who care about the fate of Ethiopia to call their member of Congress to ask that they co-sponsor and vote for H.R. 128. At this critical time, the U.S. must send a clear message to the Ethiopian regime and to the Ethiopian people in support of democracy and human rights.
Mesfin Mekonen