HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-129 CCRMember Elliott introduced the following resolution and
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-129
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MINNESOTA
ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITIES OF AFAR, OROMO, SOMALI & TIGRAY
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020 the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, declared war
on Tigray region; the Ethiopian Federal Government orchestrated neighboring country Eritrean
soldiers and Amhara regional militia to attack Tigray from multiple fronts; denied access to
humanitarian agencies; where 40,000 Ethiopians have already fled to Sudan and continues to rise;
and
WHEREAS, despite mounting pressure from the international communities
including the African Union, UN, US, and EU to stop the crisis and start a peaceful settlement,
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, unbecoming of Nobel peace laureate has refused ceasefire and
continued indiscriminate bombing and shelling of civilians despite announcing the completion of
war on November 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, since Abiy Ahmed's ascension to power in April 2018, human rights
groups have cited serious human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, killings
including assassinations of high -profile personnel and senior government officials; and
WHEREAS, on June 29, 2020, Hachalu Hundessa, a beloved Oromo singer and
activist was assassinated in Ethiopia's capital, Finfinnee (Addis Ababa); and as of December 4,
2020, the Ethiopian government arbitrarily arrested and detained prominent Oromo political
figures; imposed restrictions on freedom of expression and association, and continues the use of
excessive force or killing of civilians; and
WHEREAS, the jailing of Oromos in crowded jails, schools, military camps, and
underground detention centers; without access to legal representations; at the risk of mass
contraction of COVID-19 and, now heightened crackdown and profiling of Tigrayans deepening
ethnic tensions where Genocide Watch has officially labeled the situation Level 9- extermination;
and
WHEREAS, the government of Ethiopia has imposed a far-reaching state of
emergency that restricts a broad range of actions, including blocking internet access, social media
communications, and electricity, undermining freedoms of expressions;
WHEREAS, Minnesota is home to one of the largest Ethiopian diaspora and the
situation unfolding in Ethiopia is deeply felt by the community members here, and several United
States citizens and Minnesota residents including Jawar Mohammed and Magn Nyang were
wrongly imprisoned and detained without due process; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-129
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, that it supports the Ethiopian Communities in Minnesota and the
people of Ethiopia, call for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of the Eritrean Military and
Amhara militia from Tigray, allow unfettered access to humanitarian aid, restore communication
to parts of Oromia and Tigray regions; immediately release of all political prisoners including
Jawar Mohammed, Lidetu Ayalew, Bekele Gerba and begin an inclusive national dialogue;
demand credible, independent, transparent, and impartial investigation of mass killings and human
rights abuses
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City council of Brooklyn Center is directed
to prepare an enrolled copy of this resolution to be authenticated by the Mayor's signature and that
the Mayoral office then transmit it to the Minnesota Ethiopian Communities.
December 14, 2020
Date
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Ryan
and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Elliott, Graves, Lawrence -Anderson, Ryan
and the following voted against the same: None
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.