1.1A Senate resolution
1.2expressing support for the Minnesota Oromo Community.
1.3WHEREAS, on June 29, 2020, Hachalu Hundessa, a popular and beloved Oromo singer and activist was
1.4assassinated in Ethiopia's capital, Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) and as of June 30, 2020, the Government of Ethiopia
1.5arbitrarily arrested and detained prominent Oromo political figures, imposed restrictions on freedom of expression and
1.6freedom of association, and continues the use of excessive force or killing of Oromo people; and
1.7WHEREAS, human rights groups have cited serious human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests,
1.8killings, and torture committed by Ethiopian government security forces in the aftermath of Hachalu's assassination;
1.9and
1.10WHEREAS, the Government of Ethiopia has periodically imposed a far-reaching state of emergency that
1.11restricts a broad range of actions, including blocking mobile Internet access and social media communications,
1.12undermining freedoms of expression; and
1.13WHEREAS, most of the detainees are held in crowded jails, schools, military camps, and underground detention
1.14centers without access to legal representation and the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading inside Ethiopian prisons where
1.15detainees are kept without adequate medical care; and
1.16WHEREAS, the Oromo people are the single largest group in Ethiopia; and Minnesota is home to the largest
1.17Oromo population in the United States, and the situation unfolding in Ethiopia is deeply felt by the Oromo Community;
1.18and
1.19WHEREAS, United States citizens and Minnesota residents were wrongfully imprisoned and detained without
1.20due process; and
1.21NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it stands with the
1.22Oromo Community and the people of Ethiopia, condemns the use of excessive force by Ethiopian security forces and
1.23urges the United States government to pressure the Government of Ethiopia to end human rights abuses, to stop use
1.24of excessive force, including the killing of unarmed protesters, and the wrongful imprisoned and detention of political
1.25leaders, journalists, and activists exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression;
1.26hold accountable those responsible for killing, torturing through fair and public trials; demand credible, independent,
1.27transparent, and impartial investigation of human rights abuses; and implement an inclusive dialogue to restore peace,
1.28justice, and inclusion.
1.29BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled copy of
1.30this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate Rules and
1.31Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Oromo Community of Minnesota.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

John A. HoffmanState Senator, District 36

Kari DziedzicState Senator, District 60