By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 10: The American Bar Association (ABA), a prominent legal and ethical organization based in Chicago, passed a resolution on Tuesday during its Annual General Meeting, urging the United States and the United Nations to investigate the ongoing human rights violations in Tibet. This marks the first instance of the ABA formally addressing the Tibet issue.
Resolution 502 specifically calls on the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Criminal Justice to investigate and release updated findings regarding allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and other severe human rights abuses in Tibet. Additionally, the ABA has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to appoint a special rapporteur to monitor the situation in Tibet and to include the Tibetan issue on its official agenda.
The resolution was introduced by the International Law Section (ILS) of the ABA and garnered unanimous approval from the meeting’s delegates. “The American Bar Association stood up for the rule of law and protection of human rights,” remarked Sara Sanford, Attorney and former Chair of the ILS.
“The situation in Tibet has been ignored for far too long despite credible and well-documented reports indicating the commission of international crimes. The steps taken in this resolution should be implemented by the international community at large— not just the United States; ensuring accountability for Tibet in the wake of PRC’s actions, upholding human rights, religious liberty, and cultural heritage, and ensuring international court rulings are adhered to,” said Regina M. Paulose, an international criminal law attorney and Co-Chair of the International Criminal Law Committee in ILS.
The resolution follows closely on the heels of U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent signing of the ‘Resolve Tibet Act,’ enacted less than a month ago. This legislation declares China’s occupation of Tibet as illegal under international law, recognises the Tibetan people’s right to self-determination, and mandates U.S. support for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Tibet and China.
