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HR 5680 109th Congress House

Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006

Official title: To encourage and facilitate the consolidation of security, human rights, democracy, and economic freedom in Ethiopia.

Introduced: July 11, 2006 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
International Affairs Africa (Sub-Saharan)Agricultural assistanceAgriculture and FoodAmerican investments
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Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCommerceCongressCongress and foreign policyCongressional oversightCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementCriminal investigationDemocracyEconomic assistanceEconomic developmentEconomics and Public FinanceElection administrationElectronic mail systemsEnergyEthiopiaExport financeExtraditionFaminesForeign Trade and International FinanceForeign leadersFree enterpriseFreedom of the pressGovernment Operations and PoliticsHuman rightsHydroelectric powerImmigrationInternational broadcastingInternetInvestment guaranty insuranceIrrigationJoint venturesLawLaw enforcement officersLegal aidLicensesOpposition (Political science)Parliamentary governmentPolicePolitical participationPolitical partiesPolitical persecutionPolitical prisonersPolitical violencePrisoners' rightsPublic demonstrationsPunishmentRadio broadcastingRight to counselRule of lawSanctions (International law)Science, Technology, CommunicationsSmall businessSpeedy trialSustainable developmentTechnical assistanceTelevision broadcastingTerrorismTortureVictims of crimesVisasVoter registrationWater Resources Development
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 27, 2006
Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 27, 2006
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 26, 2006
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Jun 26, 2006
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 27, 2006

Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, by Unanimous Consent.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; (2) collaborate with Ethiopia in the Global War on Terror; (3) seek the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia; (4) foster stability, democracy, and economic development in the region; and (5) strengthen U.S.-Ethiopian relations.

Directs the Secretary of State to take specified actions to support human rights and democratization in Ethiopia.

Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping or counter-terrorism assistance; and (2) U.S. entry of any Ethiopian official involved in giving orders to use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators or accused of gross human rights violations, government security personnel involved in shootings of demonstrators, and Ethiopian civilians involved in killings of Ethiopian policemen.

Directs the President to provide assistance for the rehabilitation of Ethiopian torture victims.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should: (1) encourage the government of Ethiopia to enter into discussions with the Oromo Liberation Front to bring them into full participation in Ethiopia's political and economic affairs; and (2) provide necessary assistance to help achieve such goal.

Directs the President to provide Ethiopia with: (1) economic policy assistance; (2) financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial ventures; and (3) resource policy assistance.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5680: Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5680/
MLA
"H.R. 5680: Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5680/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5680, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5680/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5680: Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5680/)
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