Bhutanese-Nepali witnesses urge support for SR69 to recognize alleged human-rights abuses; committee forwards resolution to Rules

Dozens of in-person witnesses representing the Bhutanese-Nepali community told the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee they support Senate Resolution 69, which they said would recognize alleged human-rights abuses against Bhutanese minorities and urge durable solutions for refugees. Witnesses described long-term statelessness, family separations, allegations of imprisonment and torture in Bhutan, forced exile, and the continuing trauma of communities now living in Ohio and elsewhere.

Manikumar Biswal recounted fleeing Bhutan in 1992 and surviving years in refugee camps; he described work supporting newly arrived refugees and urged the committee to pass SR69 as recognition and a step toward justice. Bhaktagiri described alleged prison beatings, forced labor and the deaths of fellow inmates; Kamala DiKari described her father's alleged torture and the statelessness of thousands of Bhutanese refugees. Other witnesses, including Dipisha Casey and Kasi Idikari, urged the committee to use SR69 to spur dialogue, family reunification, and U.S. federal advocacy on the issue.

After testimony, Senator Tom Patton moved to favor-report SR69 to the Committee on Rules and Reference. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried; the committee recorded that SR69 would be referred to Rules and Reference. Senator Patton later moved to favor-report Senate Bill 179 to Rules and Reference; the motion carried as well. The committee concluded with procedural business and adjourned.