Comments on: Ethiopian bloggers rally to save controversial bill

By: SOFI

SOFI — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:12:32 +0000

Surprised Tigist Shibabaw’s passing hasn’t been widely discussed. Being GIGI’s sister and a musician as well, I wonder why she makes suicide. Her death is somehow related to lack of family support. I hear tidbits that GIGI is estranged from her family, might the same be true of Tigist. Its sad whatever her demon, it took her life away. Unfortunate her support whether friends or family either didn’t know her situation or were unsuccessful. I think the thought of suicide might be a common occurrence in moments of brief or long depression.

By: samson

samson — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:56:28 +0000

All Ethiopian supporters and pushers of the bill. Wake up! Stop and think.

America digs for itself. I don’t think we are doing the same. History shows us that our differences are weak points for external intruders. Americans behind this bill are either beneficiaries of the Isayas regime or neocolonialists who would never like to see a nation that instills the concept of black freedom and pride. Unfortunatley, we are delivering for their destabilizing intentions. Where was America during the election when people were dying. Carter, it’s missionaire, was approving of the election, when 80% of the population was crying fraud!. Now, when positive trends begin to flush, when we start to see light at the end of the tunnel, no body seems happy.

I don’t mean to support the govt., eventhough I believe I do have the right to do so. What I mean is at least Ethiopians should refrain form serving the evil purposes of selfish superpowers. It is the Ethiopians who would suffer the consequences of sunctions, not Meles. I suggest the Kinijit to learn and fight from within. There is no short cut to people’s power. Let’s unite and rule our country. Work for fair shares between nationalities.

By: ethio

ethio — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:38:59 +0000

hey ethios i support the bill, atleast most of it. but there are many problems with it. some of it used to ask for return of money to eritrean businessmen kicked out of ethiopia. its funny because hundreds of ethio business men kicked out by eritrea are not mentioned. so the bill is suspicious and there is one congressmen who is a friend of a rich eritrean. i forgot his name. anyway that is one. The second problem is it condemns the government while the CUDP opposition group is pleading guilty and admitting its unconstitutional insurrection plans. many police killed, many police injured also. so the selective condemnation raises political issues and even ethnic issues. the CUDP represetatives threatening to kick out all tigrayans out of Addis ababa was also undemocratic. one CUDP leader said “tigre to Mekelle” referring to chasing out all tigrayans out of addis and to mekelle(tigray capital)
this is just one example. so the bill should be edited and then all of us (even supporters of ruling party) will bring the BILL back to life and promote it. otherwise, let it just die out.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 05:02:58 +0000

Hi Alex – I didn’t mean to make any personal comment on the merits of the bill by calling it “controversial”. I just meant that it has been the cause of controversy – some people are very much for it – others (presumably the government) are very much against it). The fact that it is being stalled – by whatever means – shows that thre is som sort of controversy surrounding it. Do you think that is fair enough – or does the word still imply some sort of judgement?

By: …My heart’s in Accra » links for 2006-09-29

…My heart’s in Accra » links for 2006-09-29 — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 04:21:28 +0000

[...] Global Voices Online � Blog Archive � Ethiopian bloggers rally to save controversial bill Andrew Heavens on HR 5680 – interesting example of the Ethiopian diaspora blogosphere trying to exert political influence (tags: ethiopia uspolitics blogs globalvoices) [...]

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:43:11 +0000

Hi Andrew, First of all I would like to say that I really appreciate the work you are doing in Ethiopia and above all your neutrality. But, I would like to know why you said the H.R. 5680, the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006, is a controversial bill? In my opinion all the bill does is emphasise on human rights and democracy, about freeing elected political leaders who have been arrested on ridiculous charges of genocide and treason, are being held in despicable conditions and face the death penalty. The passage of HR 5680 also includes an authorisation of $20 million over a period of two years to assist political prisoners, indigenous Ethiopian human rights organisations, independent media, civil society and to promote legal training. So what is controversial about asking for Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights for the Black people of Ethiopia?

By: Meskel Square

Meskel Square — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 04:57:46 +0000

Where are the pro-government bloggers?…

A guy called chubby just left this comment: hey, i was just wondering are there any pro-meles or government websites? all i can find is one sided against the gov’t, would like to see the other side…thanks andrew There are……