[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 935 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 935
To urge the Government of Ethiopia to hold orderly, peaceful, and free
and fair national elections in May 2005 and to authorize United States
assistance for elections-related activities to monitor the Ethiopian
national elections.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 17, 2005
Mr. Honda (for himself and Mr. Royce) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To urge the Government of Ethiopia to hold orderly, peaceful, and free
and fair national elections in May 2005 and to authorize United States
assistance for elections-related activities to monitor the Ethiopian
national elections.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Free and Fair Elections in Ethiopia
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Relations between the United States and the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia have improved significantly
over the past decade, although human rights concerns remain.
The Government of Ethiopia has cooperated with the United
States on a range of efforts, including combating global
terrorism.
(2) In 1995 and 2000, the Government of Ethiopia organized
and conducted local, regional, and national elections. In 1995,
some opposition parties boycotted the elections, despite offers
and support by donor governments, including the United States,
to help ensure free and fair elections. Opposition parties,
including those operating outside Ethiopia, have a
responsibility and duty to play a constructive role in building
democracy in Ethiopia and to engage the Government of Ethiopia
in peaceful dialogue.
(3) The Department of State, in its most recent country
reports on human rights practices, determined that ``the 2000
national elections and the 2001 regional elections [in
Ethiopia] were generally free and fair in most areas but were
marred by serious irregularities, including killings,
disappearances, voter intimidation and harassment, and unlawful
detentions of opposition party supporters, particularly in the
southern region.
(4) The Government of Ethiopia demonstrated its commitment
to holding democratic elections in the 2000 parliamentary
elections because of its willingness to re-run parliamentary
elections in 14 constituencies in which elections
irregularities were reported.
(5) It is critical that the Government of Ethiopia, donor
countries, and civil society offer an extensive and
comprehensive civic education in order to prepare and educate
the people of Ethiopia about their democratic rights and
duties.
(6) The Government of Ethiopia should ensure the safety and
security of opposition party officials and prosecute and punish
those local and regional officials engaged in harassment and
intimidation of opposition party officials.
(7) Mass media, including radio and television, remain
under the control of the Government of Ethiopia. The decision
of the Government of Ethiopia to issue radio broadcast licenses
to private entrepreneurs is encouraging. Independent and
private press, especially radio and television, are key to
democracy and transparency. The decision by the Government of
Ethiopia to engage the opposition in a constructive dialogue to
resolve issues related to the upcoming elections, including
access to the media by the opposition and reform of the
electoral board, should be commended.
(8) The decision by the Government of Ethiopia to allow
international elections observers contributes to a more free
and fair elections process and should be commended.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia should hold orderly, peaceful, and free and fair
national elections in May 2005 in order to ensure the long-term
growth and stability of the country;
(2) it is critical that the elections are deemed by the
people of Ethiopia as free and fair and provide the winner of
the election a clear mandate to govern the country; and
(3) the Government of Ethiopia and opposition parties
should continue their constructive dialog toward resolving
elections-related issues.
SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE TO MONITOR THE 2005 NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN ETHIOPIA.
The President, acting through the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, is authorized to provide
assistance on a grant basis to nongovernmental organizations for
elections-related activities in order to monitor the May 2005 national
elections in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and assess
whether or not these elections are held on a free and fair basis.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
President to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
(b) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are authorized to
remain available until expended.
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