I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for passing S. 3199, Ethiopia Peace and Democracy Act introduced by Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ].
It has been about sixteen months since the conflict started in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the humanitarian situation in the region is beyond dire. Tigray, the third-largest contributor to Ethiopia’s economy has been reduced to ashes and the livelihood of its people upended by the war. The premeditated man-made famine throughout the region engineered by the Ethiopian government has killed thousands in a slow and painful death. This is on top of the unspeakable atrocities committed on its people during the course of the war.
I believe S. 3199 is the first legislation that will bring relief to the people of Ethiopia. It’s a resolution that has the best interest of Ethiopia because it promotes a peaceful pathway to the ongoing conflict by opening a window of opportunity for an inclusive national dialogue. The passage of S. 3199 is instrumental as the legislation is a complement to the US congress’s Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace and Democracy Promotion Act of 2021 (H.R. 6600) and builds upon the Biden Administration’s previous actions to address human rights violations in Ethiopia, including the Executive order. The Act allows the US Government to use its diplomatic, development and legal tools to support end to the civil war. Furthermore, it holds perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable. Passage of S. 3199 in Senate would effectively contribute to ending the humanitarian siege in Tigray and bring much needed relief to the millions starving from lack of food and medicine.
As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor or support S. 3199 so that it passes in the full Senate.
Respectfully,