New Jersey Assembly Bill ACR60

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Condemns People's Republic of China for human rights abuses against Falun Gong practitioners and political prisoners relating to organ harvesting.

Impact

The resolution highlights systemic abuses, including physical and psychological torture of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. Historical accounts reveal that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, have been detained in illegal custody, often without due process. The implications of this resolution are significant as it seeks to raise awareness and compel governmental and international organizations to address problems stemming from the PRC's policies, thereby potentially affecting diplomatic relations and community sentiments within New Jersey regarding human rights practices globally.

Summary

ACR60 is a Concurrent Resolution introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that condemns the People's Republic of China (PRC) for its human rights abuses against practitioners of Falun Gong and political prisoners. The resolution expresses concern over the state's alleged practices of organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners, particularly targeting members of the Falun Gong spiritual group, which has faced severe persecution since 1999. This resolution serves as a formal denunciation of the PRC's violations of human rights as outlined under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.

Contention

While the resolution is largely a statement of moral and ethical condemnation, it also reflects broader geopolitical tensions between the United States and China concerning human rights. Critics may argue about the effectiveness of such resolutions, questioning whether symbolic acts lead to real change or accountability. However, proponents within the New Jersey legislature believe that raising awareness of these abuses is essential for advocating for the rights of persecuted individuals and can foster a pressure mechanism against the PRC to reform its practices.