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United States · Resolution · HRES

H.Res. 128 (115th)

Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia.

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

15 February 2017

Last action

10 April 2018 · Floor

Status

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sponsors

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37], Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8], Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Tipton, Scott R. [R-CO-3], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-8], ROBERT BRADY, Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Woodall, Rob [R-GA-7], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Pittenger, Robert [R-NC-9], Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2], Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-8], Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Bishop, Mike [R-MI-8], Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47], Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., III [D-MA-4], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

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Summary

Condemns: (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. Urges: (1) protesters in Ethiopia to refrain from violence and from encouragement or acceptance of violence in demonstrations, and (2) all armed factions to cease their conflict with the Ethiopian government and engage in peaceful negotiations. Calls on the government of Ethiopia to: lift the state of emergency; end the use of excessive force by security forces; investigate the killings and excessive use of force that took place as a result of protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions; release dissidents, activists, and journalists who have been imprisoned for exercising constitutional rights; respect the right to peaceful assembly and guarantee freedom of the press; engage in open consultations with citizens regarding its development strategy; allow a United Nations rapporteur to conduct an independent examination of the state of human rights in Ethiopia; address the grievances brought forward by representatives of registered opposition parties; hold accountable those responsible for killing, torturing, and detaining innocent civilians who exercised their constitutional rights; and 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: (1) the Department of State to review security assistance and improve oversight of U.S. assistance to Ethiopia; (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development to lead efforts to develop a strategy to support improved democracy and governance in Ethiopia; and (3) 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;. Supports the peaceful efforts of the Ethiopian people to exercise their constitutional rights.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 15 February 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 15 February 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 15 February 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 18 May 2017

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

    Source: Committee

  5. 27 July 2017

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  6. 27 July 2017

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 10 April 2018

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  8. 10 April 2018

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3069-3070)

    Source: Floor

  9. 10 April 2018

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3069-3070)

    Source: Floor

  10. 10 April 2018

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 128.

    Source: Floor

  11. 10 April 2018

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3069-3075)

    Source: Floor

  12. 10 April 2018

    Floor

    Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

6 official files

Engrossed in House (text)

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 10 April 2018

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 10 April 2018

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 10 April 2018

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 15 February 2017

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 15 February 2017

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 15 February 2017

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 116 sponsors and actors.

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Sources

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