The freedoms of expression, association, and assembly are all taken for granted in America, but in Ethiopia these basic rights are denied and restricted; and the end result of this fight for this is arbitrary arrests, detentions and beatings by the Ethiopian authorities. Almost all human rights groups were suppressed and a number of organizations were shut down entirely. More journalists have fled Ethiopia than any other country due to threats and intimidation. This violation of basic human rights must not be tolerated and is important because it results in innocent people being beaten and arrested for having their own thoughts; they are also fleeing the country simply out of fear. I believe people should not be afraid to speak their mind or express their opinion without fear of being targeted. John Kerry, American politician and current Secretary of State, works to advance peace and democracy in Ethiopia. It had a great impact in the country through continued repression. He strongly urges the Ethiopian government to end arbitrary arrests, release all activists and journalists unjustly detained or convicted, and quickly amend the draconian laws on freedom of association and terrorism that have often been used to justify arrests arbitrary and political prosecutions. He met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom to discuss the transition to a democracy and providing the Ethiopian people with the basic human rights they deserve. <Secretary of State Kerry says the threat of violence or all-out war "prevents even the first shoots of prosperity from emerging." But he says Africans today have an opportunity...... middle of paper......Ethiopia. Protest organizations were created and still are, but they are heavily censored and most people fear starting one because they are imprisoned. < “Security forces responded to protests by the Muslim community in Oromia and Addis Ababa, the capital, with arbitrary arrests, detentions and beatings.” http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/ethiopia There must be a peace treaty or "amendment" within the government that highlights the importance of freedom of expression and on the fact that citizens will not be targeted. or stopped when they express what they think. If this were to be placed and followed, the Ethiopian people would be able to express what they think without having to worry about anything happening to them or the one they love. This solution will not be the simplest, but once in place, it will have the greatest effect of all solutions..