Washington, DC – To correct erroneous reports about the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act (H.R. 2003), Chairman Tom Lantos of the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued this statement today:

“The full committee did not consider the measure at today’s markup because I wanted to give Ethiopia’s elders, government officials, courts and opposition leaders an opportunity to work out a pardon arrangement for the more than 30 remaining political detainees.  Late last week I notified other members of Congress, including the House leadership, of my decision.  I continue to be concerned about the detainees, and hope for their release soon.

“This bill will not be considered by the full committee for now, but this does not mean the matter of progress in political and other rights in Ethiopia is closed.  The United States relationship with Ethiopia will continue to be conditioned on Ethiopian support for human rights and the rule of law.  We will continue to hold the Ethiopian government accountable for the way it treats its citizens.” 

Lantos is the founding co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.

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