Rep. Mike Coffman and Rep. Chris Smith along with Ethiopian American activists hold a press conference on H. Res. 128 on Tuesday, April 10th, 2018. (Photo: Twitter @RepMikeCoffman)

The New York-based organization Human Rights Watch welcomed the approval of H. Res. 128 stating that “The non-binding resolution, combined with recent statements from the U.S. Embassy in Addis, sends a strong signal to Ethiopia’s new prime minister that the U.S. expects significant reforms ahead.”

However, some U.S. lawmakers had expressed objection regarding the timing of the vote given that Ethiopia has just inaugurated a new prime minister who has made a commitment to the public to implement democratic reforms.

In an opinion article published on Monday in The Hill newspaper the senior Senator from Oklahoma, Republican James Inhofe, wrote: ‘Just one week ago, Dr. Abiy Ahmed was sworn in as Ethiopia’s new prime minister on a mandate to improve these exact issues… We should give Prime Minister Abiy the opportunity to prove himself as a national leader before having the full weight of the United States House of Representatives tossed against him. A heavy-handed, strongly-worded resolution condemning his government, so soon after being sworn in, will severely curtail Abiy’s ability to enact needed reforms.”

The resolution calls on the U.S. government to base its future partnership with Ethiopia on the nation’s “demonstrated commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.” The resolution also calls on the U.S. State Department, in coordination with the Department of the Treasury, “to apply appropriate sanctions on foreign persons or entities responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against any nationals in Ethiopia as provided for in the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.”

The Global Magnitsky Act allows the U.S. “to impose visa bans and targeted sanctions on individuals anywhere in the world responsible for committing human rights violations or acts of significant corruption.”

Tuesday’s vote marked the first time in over 100 years of U.S.-Ethiopia relations that U.S. lawmakers had agreed to take up such a bill regarding Ethiopia.

HRW pointed out: “Resolution 128 was passed in large part because of Ethiopian-American voters concerned with the Ethiopian government’s rights record, who worked together to make themselves an important constituency. Their persistent efforts despite the efforts of the Ethiopian embassy and their Washington lobbyists led to an impressive 108 Congressional representatives from 32 states co-sponsoring this resolution. Hopefully they can build on this success and advocate for binding legislation on Ethiopia.”

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HR128 urges:

1. The killing of peaceful protesters and excessive use of force by Ethiopian security forces;
2. The detention of journalists, students, activists and political leaders who exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression through peaceful protests; and
3. The abuse of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation to stifle political and civil dissent and journalistic freedoms.
4. Protesters in Ethiopia to refrain from violence and from encouragement or acceptance of violence in demonstrations, and
5. All armed factions to cease their conflict with the Ethiopian government and engage in peaceful negotiations.

HR 128 calls on the government of Ethiopia to:

1. End the use of excessive force by security forces;
2. Investigate the killings and excessive use of force that took place as a result of protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions;
3. Release dissidents, activists, and journalists who have been imprisoned for exercising constitutional rights;
4. Respect the right to peaceful assembly and guarantee freedom of the press;
5. Engage in open consultations with citizens regarding its development strategy;
6. Allow a United Nations rapporteur to conduct an independent examination of the state of human rights in Ethiopia;
7. Address the grievances brought forward by representatives of registered opposition parties;
8. Hold accountable those responsible for killing, torturing, and detaining innocent civilians who exercised their constitutional rights; and
9. Investigate and report on the circumstances surrounding the September 3, 2016, shootings and fire at Qilinto Prison, the deaths of persons in attendance at the annual Irreecha festivities at Lake Hora near Bishoftu on October 2, 2016, and the ongoing killings of civilians over several years in the Somali Regional State by police.

Calls on such government to repeal proclamations that:
can be used to harass or prohibit funding for organizations that investigate human rights violations, engage in peaceful political dissent, or advocate for greater political freedoms;
Prohibit those displaced from their land from seeking judicial redress;
Permit the detention of peaceful protesters and political opponents who legally exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association; and
limit peaceful nonprofit operations in Ethiopia.

Calls on:
. The Department of State to review security assistance and improve oversight of U.S. assistance to Ethiopia;
. The U.S. Agency for International Development to lead efforts to develop a strategy to support improved democracy and governance in Ethiopia; and (
. The State Department, in cooperation with the Department of the Treasury, to apply appropriate sanctions on foreign persons or entities responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against any nationals in Ethiopia;.