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Seeking Support for Resolution on Bhutan

I urge the US Congress to recognize the Kingdom of Bhutan's responsibility for the oppression and forced eviction of more than 100,000 Bhutanese citizens during the late 1980s and 1990s. I stand with the Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas and Sharchops who suffered unjust detention, torture, and other forms of human rights abuses due to their identity, culture, language, religion, and political opinion.

We call on the Royal Government of Bhutan to conduct a rapid and unconditional release of all political prisoners, restore citizenship for all Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas that have had it arbitrarily revoked, and accept the return of its citizens from the refugee camps in Nepal. We also urge the Royal Government of Bhutan to enter into a holistic peace-building and reconciliation process and institute an independent Truth Commission to investigate any human rights violations and abuses committed during the 1990s.

We acknowledge Bhutan's transition to democracy in 2008 and its efforts to combat climate change. However, we believe that human rights violations and abuses, and extreme acts of violence perpetrated by any individual actor or State should be condemned. We urge the US Congress to stand with the oppressed and demand accountability for past wrongs committed against Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas and Sharchops in Bhutan by supporting H. RES. 228 and S. RES. 108.

Thank you,