7th August 2024, GATPM – By Tsering Passang from Pokhara, Nepal
New avenue paves way for meaningful actions for the Tibetan people after the American Bar Association’s adoption of Resolution 502 on Tibet, the first resolution on Tibet in ABA history.
Photo Courtesy: American Bar Association (ABA)
A major landmark development for the Tibetan people comes after the American Bar Association (ABA), a body consisting of over 400,000 US lawyers and legal professionals, adopted a resolution on Tibet, on the first day of its Annual General Meeting, held in Chicago, the national headquarters of the ABA, from 5th to 6th August. The policy making body, known as the House of Delegates (HOD), encompasses 590 delegates from ABA entities and state, local and speciality bar associations.
The Resolution 502 that concerns Tibet states:
RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges the United States Department of State Office of Global Criminal Justice to investigate and publish updated findings on the question of genocide, crimes against humanity, and other human rights violations in Tibet; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges the United Nations Human Rights Council to appoint a special rapporteur on the situation concerning Tibet and to include the situation of Tibet on its agenda.
Proposed by the International Law Section (ILS) of the American Bar Association (ABA) to the House of Delegates, the Resolution 502 received a resounding support from the delegates at the AGM with no objections on the 5th of August.
Sara Sandford, Attorney and a former Chair of the ILS, commented: “The American Bar Association stood up for rule of law and protection of human rights when it adopted a resolution urging the United States Department of State Office of Global Criminal Justice to conduct an independent re-evaluation of reported atrocities being committed in Tibet in violation of the People Republic of China’s international obligations. It further calls for the endorsement of a recommendation made by the International Commission of Jurists for a Special Rapporteur to be appointed at the United Nations to further discuss and address the situation in Tibet. With Tibet and its people facing these conditions since the 1950’s it is so important that the ABA stand up and call for urgent action. Time is of the essence.”
Regina M. Paulose, an international criminal law attorney and Co-Chair of the International Criminal Law Committee in ILS said: “We welcome this great news. We look forward to the future actions by the ABA and its entities in promoting dialogue and conversations about the rule of law, justice, and accountability related to Tibet.”
Tsering Passang, Founder and Chair of the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM), said: “I am very delighted by this excellent news of Resolution 502 adopted by the ABA, first on Tibet in its history. This is a new avenue for the Tibetans to pursue justice in the eyes of international laws. We hope that concerned stakeholders, including the UN and the US will pay heed to the ABA’s Resolution 502 and ensure some meaningful actions for Tibetan people, who have been seeking justice for far too long, well over six decades. I take this opportunity to thank the American Bar Association and its members.”
The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded in 1878 on a commitment to set the legal and ethical foundation for the American nation. Today, it exists as a membership organisation and stands committed to its mission of defending liberty and pursuing justice.
Useful Links:
ABA adopts Resolution Urging US and UN to Address Human Rights Violations in Tibet
Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities
Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) 
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