Blumenauer Condemns Abuses in Ethiopia

October 26, 2006 Contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hillary Barbour (503) 231-2004


Blumenauer Condemns Abuses in Ethiopia
Urges Congress to vote on H.R.5680, the “Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Advancement Act”

Portland, Ore –Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, released the following statement on the human rights situation in Ethiopia:

“I am particularly troubled by the release of the Commission of Inquiry’s report into the killing of nearly 200 protesters by Ethiopian security forces last year, the continued detention of political prisoners, and the silencing of voices from civil society. The United States should stand on the side of the Ethiopian people and ensure that those responsible for these killings are brought to justice and that political differences are worked out through democratic processes, not repressive actions. When Congress reconvenes, I urge the Speaker of the House to schedule a vote on H.R.5680, the bipartisan “Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Advancement Act,” which passed the House International Relations Committee by voice vote.”