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Emotional testimony from Bhutanese‑Nepali community prompts committee to report SR 69 to Rules and Reference
Summary
Multiple Bhutanese‑Nepali Americans told the Ohio Senate committee about exile, prison abuse and family separation in support of Senate Resolution 69; the committee voted to favorably report SR 69 to the Committee on Rules and Reference.
Members of Ohio's Bhutanese‑Nepali community delivered extended, often emotional testimony in support of Senate Resolution 69, which recognizes abuses against southern Bhutanese and urges steps toward durable solutions for refugees and prisoners.
Manikumar Biswal (who gave his name orally as Manikumar Biswal) told the committee he fled Bhutan as a teenager in 1992 and spent more than 17 years in Nepali refugee camps before resettling in the United States. "I hope this resolution, SR 69, brings hope, not just to my brother, but to every Bhutanese family with a story like mine," Biswal said.
Other witnesses described prison conditions and alleged torture in Bhutan. Bhakta Giri testified about being arrested in 1990 for human‑rights activism, forced to split stones and live in overcrowded jails where "physical abuse was a regular part of prison life," he said. Kamal Adeikari recounted his father's imprisonment and alleged torture and urged the committee to "spark the long overdue dialogue between the U.S. and Bhutan" and to support three pillars articulated by witnesses: permanent solutions for remaining refugees (repatriation or acceptable alternatives), visitation rights and family reunification, and justice for political prisoners.
Witnesses and community leaders told the committee that roughly 6,000 Bhutanese refugees remain stateless in camps and that many U.S.‑based Bhutanese Americans cannot return to Bhutan to visit family or attend funerals. Witnesses urged the committee to pass a symbolic resolution that could be taken to federal officials to press for return, justice and family visitation.
After testimony, Senator Tom Patton moved to favorably report SR 69 to the Committee on Rules and Reference. The clerk called the roll; the transcript records affirmative votes from Chair Johnson, Senator Craig, Senator Patton and Senator Schaeffer, and the committee reported the resolution to Rules and Reference. The motion carried.
What’s next: SR 69 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Reference for further consideration.
