As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 69
2025-2026
Senator Reynolds
A R E S O L U T I O N
To recognize the Kingdom of Bhutan as responsible for the
oppression and forced eviction of more than 120,000
Bhutanese citizens during the late 1980s and 1990s.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
WHEREAS, The Kingdom of Bhutan was responsible for the
oppression and forced displacement of more than 120,000 Nepali-
speaking Bhutanese citizens, Sharchops, and other minorities in
the 1980s and 1990s due to their identity, culture, language,
religion, and political opinion; and
WHEREAS, Several individuals of these communities were
subjected to unjust detention, violence, and human rights abuse
and torture; and
WHEREAS, Thirty-two identified political prisoners continue
to be held in Bhutanese prisons in indefinite incarceration; and
WHEREAS, Persecuted Bhutanese were forced to cross into
Nepal, where more than 100,000 remained for nearly two decades
in refugee camps; and
WHEREAS, 6,500 Bhutanese refugees remain in refugee camps
in Nepal, and the Royal Government of Bhutan continues to deny
dignified repatriation to those who desire it; and
WHEREAS, The remaining Bhutanese refugees in Nepal continue
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As Introduced
to endure severe challenges in accessing adequate health care,
quality education, and sustainable employment opportunities,
which hinders their ability to rebuild their lives with dignity
and security; and
WHEREAS, More than 250,000 Nepali-speaking Bhutanese and
other minorities still inside Bhutan suffer political, social,
and economic oppression, while the government of Bhutan has
continuously refused to reinstate the citizenships that were
stripped during the 1990s; and
WHEREAS, Such incidences of human rights violations and
abuses and acts of violence perpetrated by any individual actor
or state should be condemned; and
WHEREAS, The Bhutanese citizens who were refugees in Nepal
have now resettled in other countries, including Australia,
Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the
United Kingdom, and the United States; and
WHEREAS, Although Bhutan and the United States have not
established diplomatic relations, the two countries maintain
warm and productive unofficial ties; and
WHEREAS, The Kingdom of Bhutan transitioned to democracy in
2008 and has held successive elections and transitions of power
since that time; and
WHEREAS, The Kingdom of Bhutan has been a leader in the
global fight against climate change and is the only carbon-
negative country; and
WHEREAS, The Kingdom of Bhutan has stood with the United
States and other like-minded countries in the area of common
international concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Kingdom of Bhutan is a close Indo-Pacific
partner of the United States and committed to upholding the
rules-based international order; now therefore be it
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As Introduced
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Ohio Senate of the
136th General Assembly, urge the Congress of the United States
to declare that the Royal Government of Bhutan is responsible
for the political, cultural, and ethnic oppression of Nepali-
speaking Bhutanese, Sharchops, and other minorities in Bhutan
during the late 1980s and 1990s; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Congress of the United States to
urge the Royal Government of Bhutan to conduct a rapid and
unconditional release of all political prisoners, with due
reparations and restitution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Congress of the United States
to, in a spirit of friendship, urge the Royal Government of
Bhutan to resume discussions with the governments of Nepal and
India on the status of the Bhutanese Refugee in Nepal who
asserts a claim to Bhutanese citizenship; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Congress of the United States to
request the Royal Government of Bhutan to restore citizenship of
all those whose citizenship was arbitrarily revoked in the 1980s
and 1990s; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Congress of the United States to
request the Royal Government of Bhutan to accept and facilitate
the voluntary repatriation of its displaced citizens from
refugee camps in Nepal, ensuring their safe and dignified
return; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge the Congress of the United States to
urge the Royal Government of Bhutan to engage in a comprehensive
peacebuilding and reconciliation process by establishing an
independent truth commission to investigate human rights
violations and abuses committed during the 1990s, publicly
disclose its findings, and implement its recommendations to
prevent future oppression; and be it further
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82 S. R. No. 69 Page 4
As Introduced
RESOLVED, That we recognize that over 55,000 Bhutanese
Americans call Ohio home, contributing significantly to the
state's economic growth and cultural vibrancy. In light of this,
we respectfully urge the United States government to diligently
engage with the governments of Bhutan, Nepal, India, and other
relevant stakeholders to address the ongoing refugee crisis.
This includes seeking agreements that facilitate repatriation
options, support family reunification, advocate for the
releasing of political prisoners, and promote human rights and
democracy in Bhutan; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly
authenticated copies of this resolution to the President of the
United States, Secretary of State, and members of the Ohio
Congressional delegation.
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