Al Mariam’s Commentaries Archive
08 Jul 2007
DECLARATION TO DEFEND FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN ETHIOPIA IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
In the history of all great nations, there comes a moment when the people must make a choice that will define them in their own time, vindicate the enormous sacrifices of their ancestors and enable them to bequeath an enduring legacy for generations yet unborn. They are often forced to make that choice by arrogant
04 Jun 2007
Democracy in Ethiopia, Unplugged: Reflections on a Dream Deferred
Thank you Kinijit-Oakland Support Chapter for organizing this Town Hall Meeting and for inviting me to speak on the second anniversary of the May, 2005 elections in Ethiopia. And thanks to all of you who have taken the time to attend this event. I am happy to be here at Samuel Merritt College. And it
07 May 2007
Constitutional Rights and Constitutional Wrongs: Justice System Reform Through Accountability in Ethiopia
Thank you for inviting me to speak at the Ethiopia Roundtable Forum of the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee (CPCC) in Ottawa, Canada. The CPCC network, which is made up of about 75 Canadian organizations and individual members involved in peacebuilding and conflict prevention activities, is engaged in enabling dialogue on peace and conflict issues and
10 Apr 2007
Human Rights and Humans Without Rights in Ethiopia
(Full text of speech given at the University of Minnesota Law School, Conference “On the New Breed of African Leaders and the Future of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa”, April 6, 2007.) Thank you very much. It feels great coming back to my alma mater after nearly a quarter of a century. Momentary Reflection
01 Apr 2007
The Hummingbird and the Forest Fire: A Diaspora Morality Tale
Foreword: “The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts” 100,000 letters. 50 State Resolutions. 77 million people. We are on the move! For many of us, the past few weeks have been pretty exciting times in Diaspora grassroots activism. We managed to launch some notable mobilization efforts to advance human rights and democracy
31 Mar 2007
The Hummingbird and the Forest Fire: A Diaspora Morality Tale
[Post originally appeared on Saturday, March 31, 2007.] http://almariamforthedefense.blogspot.com/2007/03/hummingbird-and-forest-fire-diaspora.html Foreword: “The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts” 100,000 letters. 50 State Resolutions. 77 million people. We are on the move! For many of us, the past few weeks have been pretty exciting times in Diaspora grassroots activism. We managed to launch some notable
07 Mar 2007
Ethiopia Human Rights Resolution
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYJOINT RESOLUTION 12HUMAN RIGHTS IN ETHIOPIA—————————————- BILL NUMBER: AJR 12 INTRODUCED BILL TEXTINTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bass FEBRUARY 22, 2007Relative to Ethiopia. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST AJR 12, as introduced, Bass. Ethiopia. This measure would urge the Congress and the President of the United States to demand that the Ethiopian government immediately and unconditionally
07 Mar 2007
Letter to President George W. Bush
February 19, 2007 The Honorable George W. BushPresident of the United StatesThe White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: In your second inaugural speech on January 20, 2005, you made a magnificent promise to all people in the world who endure under despotism and dictatorship, “All who live in tyranny and
11 Feb 2007
Human Rights and Government Wrongs in Ethiopia
(Text of speech given at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University on February 8, 2007.) Thank you very much. Good evening, and thank you all for coming to this event. Before I make my presentation, I would like to thank the sponsors of this event. First, I would
31 Jan 2007
Seattle Rising! Seattle Shining!
(full text of Prof. Al Mariam’s speech in Seattle, WA on January 28, 2007 )Good afternoon Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome to this event honoring special heroes in the struggle for human rights in Ethiopia. Before I introduce our guest speakers today, I would like to ask you to join me in a moment of