Monday
Nov032008
Pending legislation threatens human rights in Ethiopia
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 4:12PM
“Internal stability and anti-terrorism are main focuses for the United States in Ethiopia,” said David Kramer, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Kramer was part of a panel of experts at the Center for Strategic & International Studies who held a discussion today on “Human Rights and Governance in Ethiopia.”
“We have seen a number of efforts that are perceived in many circles, in Ethiopia and here, of trying to close the political space in Ethiopia. Of immediate concern is the latest draft of the Charities and Societies Proclamation as well as the Media Law. Both of these run the risk of curbing freedom of speech, civic development and capacity building that we feel are very important to development of a democratic system and a respect to human rights in that country,” said Kramer.
Yoseph Mulugeta Badwaza, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, described the likely impact of the pending legislation known as the “CSO Bill,” which threatens non-governmental organizations that receive foreign contributions in support of human rights, civic education, and peace building activities. Ethiopia is currently the third largest recipient of U.S. aid in the African continent, and the panel agreed this legislation would severely hamper human rights regulation in the country.
Chris Albin-Lackey of Human Rights Watch said the draft of this legislation “isn’t just important in it of itself, it’s also very important as a bellwether and a very alarming signal about the overall direction that Ethiopia is moving in.”
“We have seen a number of efforts that are perceived in many circles, in Ethiopia and here, of trying to close the political space in Ethiopia. Of immediate concern is the latest draft of the Charities and Societies Proclamation as well as the Media Law. Both of these run the risk of curbing freedom of speech, civic development and capacity building that we feel are very important to development of a democratic system and a respect to human rights in that country,” said Kramer.
Yoseph Mulugeta Badwaza, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, described the likely impact of the pending legislation known as the “CSO Bill,” which threatens non-governmental organizations that receive foreign contributions in support of human rights, civic education, and peace building activities. Ethiopia is currently the third largest recipient of U.S. aid in the African continent, and the panel agreed this legislation would severely hamper human rights regulation in the country.
Chris Albin-Lackey of Human Rights Watch said the draft of this legislation “isn’t just important in it of itself, it’s also very important as a bellwether and a very alarming signal about the overall direction that Ethiopia is moving in.”
Napolitano Says New Technology Will Help Secure U.S. Border
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that border and immigration security is the responsibility of the federal government.
Napolitano praised President Obama for his efforts to increase border security in the southwest and added that "the Obama Administration has taken it's responsibility seriously."
According to Napolitano, the administration's strategy has been successful by obtaining personnel, resources and the technology required to protect the border.
"Statistics today reflect that this approach is working," assured Napolitano.
Napolitano said the U.S. Border Patrol has increased its numbers from 10,000 to 20,000 agents, more technology is being deployed to detect smugglers and illegal cargo, and businesses that consciously hire illegal immigrants are experiencing a federal crackdown.
In addition to increased cooperation between the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in combating border-related crimes, the 652 miles of fencing requested by Congress is expected to be completed by the end of the 2010.
"It is a very different picture now than it was before," said Napolitano. "For the first time, the Department of Homeland Security is screening 100 percent of southbound rail shipments for illegal weapons, drugs, and cash."
According to Napolitano, President Obama has requested an additional $500 million to be allocated towards securing the southwest border and will deploy 1,200 National Guard troops to strengthen the border.
Napolitano announced the beginning of computer system that will interconnect data systems of all state, local and tribal law enforcement entities working along the southwest border with those of the DHS and Department of Justice (DOJ). She also said that an automated license plate recognition system, called Project Road Runner, will also be implemented to target both north and southbound drug trafficking and associated illegal activity.
When questioned about the administration's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law and the refusal of the Republicans to agree with Obama's proposed immigration and border security reform, the Homeland Security Secretary refused to comment.