Karen Bass

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It is not lost on me that we are here discussing a bill that empowers, essentially, vigilantes to circumvent the rights of others.

Nobody, absolutely nobody should be forced to enter or remain in unsafe situations against their will, period.

we need to have it absolutely correct to the best of our ability.

knowledge makes a person unfit to be a slave.

I really want to acknowledge the role of the Ranking Member, Mr. Chris Smith, who really is the reason why we have the TIP Report to begin with.

I am co-leading along with Representative Smith, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act.

I appreciate that the report documents that backsliding, but I think it also should raise questions about really the strength of Tier 1.

H.Res. 445 calls for the cessation of all hostilities, unfettered humanitarian access, and respect of human rights.

The resolution also recognizes that, just as each group in Ethiopia has its share of victimizers, each group does have its share of victims.

This urgent resolution strives to be evenhanded and recognizes the fact that much of Ethiopia is currently in a profound state of unrest.

The TPLF, of course, governed Ethiopia with a very heavy hand for decades under the strong-arm rule of Prime Minister Meles, and bears an enormous responsibility for the unrest we see unfolding now.

Last month, you announced a new policy prohibiting the department's Federal law enforcement components from using choke holds or carotid restraints.

Ultimately, department officials essentially ran the clock out on the statute of limitations for Federal obstruction of justice charges.

H.Res. 445, by Representative Bass, chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, condemns all violence and human rights abuses throughout Ethiopia.

I commend the department for taking these steps to reduce the potential for abuse of force by Federal law enforcement.

Since then, we have learned that despite multiple requests from prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division to investigate this shooting, the case stalled without approval from DOJ officials who had political concerns about high-visibility…

I just think it is such a tragedy. I mean, to say that children aren`t really affected, when we know how many children have been sick all around the country where they are attacking the mandates.

I think it is really important that we also take accountability for the policies that we are engaging in and how that is fueling some of the things that are happening in the continent.

The situation in Afghanistan does have an effect on the continent of Africa, particularly regarding conflict and stabilization.

the goal should be to address the root causes versus just view it as a problem of violence or ideology.

As our witnesses highlight solutions to conflicts in Africa, I hope they will also list measures Congress can take to strengthen current and future responses.

I hope for the day, when these conflicts happen, that they are dealt with and resolved on the continent.

Well, first of all, I agree with him 100 percent. I will not give up either. I have been fighting for police reform on a local level, on a national level for many, many, many years.

I don`t want to see the division that has taken place on a national level take place locally.