SCR1: recognizing the contribution of Bhutanese refugees to New Hampshire, and requesting the United States government to work diligently on resolving the Bhutanese refugee crisis, reaching an agreement to allow the option of repatriation, and promoting human rights and democracy in Bhutan.

SCR 1 – FINAL VERSION

06/11/2015 2161EBA

2015 SESSION

15-0969

08/09

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1

A RESOLUTION recognizing the contribution of Bhutanese refugees to New Hampshire, and requesting the United States government to work diligently on resolving the Bhutanese refugee crisis, reaching an agreement to allow the option of repatriation, and promoting human rights and democracy in Bhutan.

SPONSORS: Sen. Feltes, Dist 15; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Rep. Mangipudi, Hills 35; Rep. P. Long, Hills 10; Rep. Oxenham, Sull 1

COMMITTEE: Rules, Enrolled Bills and Internal Affairs

ANALYSIS

This resolution recognizes the contribution of Bhutanese refugees to New Hampshire, and requests the United States government to work diligently on resolving the Bhutanese refugee crisis, reaching an agreement to allow the option of repatriation, and promoting human rights and democracy in Bhutan.

06/11/2015 2161EBA

15-0969

08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen

A RESOLUTION recognizing the contribution of Bhutanese refugees to New Hampshire, and requesting the United States government to work diligently on resolving the Bhutanese refugee crisis, reaching an agreement to allow the option of repatriation, and promoting human rights and democracy in Bhutan.

Whereas, in the early 1990s, the government of Bhutan conducted a campaign of ethnic cleansing in southern Bhutan, targeting the minority population of Lhotshampas, or ethnic Nepalis; and

Whereas, ethnic Nepalis still remaining in Bhutan suffer political and religious persecution; and

Whereas, as a result of the Bhutan’s campaign of ethnic cleansing in the early 1990s, a refugee crisis emerged in neighboring India and Nepal, with refugee camps still existing in Nepal; and

Whereas, Bhutanese refugees do not have an option of repatriation to Bhutan, including those with family still living in Bhutan; and

Whereas, since 2008, more than 90,000 Bhutanese refugees have resettled in multiple countries, with over 80,000 in the United States; and

Whereas, since 2008, more than 2,000 Bhutanese refugees have resettled in New Hampshire; and

Whereas, Bhutanese refugees, in communities across New Hampshire, have contributed their industry and culture, thereby making New Hampshire stronger; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the New Hampshire general court recognizes that the industry and culture of Bhutanese refugees have made New Hampshire stronger, and hereby respectfully requests that the United States government work diligently with the governments of Bhutan, Nepal, India, and other interested parties, to resolve the refugee crisis, reach an agreement to allow the option of repatriation, and promote human rights and democracy in Bhutan; and

That copies of this resolution, signed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, be forwarded by the senate clerk to the president of the United States and the Secretary for the United States Department of State.

Approved: June 3, 2015