R-21-31RESOLUTION NO R-21-3I
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S CONCURRENCE WITH EFFORTS TO
INFORM RESIDENTS AND THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY REGARDING THE RISKS OF
TRAVELING TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOR ORGAN TRANSPLANTS, AND TO
RAISE AWARENESS OF, AND EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO, FORCED ORGAN HARVESTING OF
ANY KIND, INCLUDING STATE -SPONSORED FORCED ORGAN HARVESTING FROM
POLITICAL PRISONERS AND CERTAIN MINORITY AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS
WHEREAS, it is commonly accepted that the global organ trafficking trade is pervasive and a large
component of this practice involves the forced harvesting of organs from individuals who do not consent to such
actions; and
WHEREAS, there is growing evidence that a component of such organ harvesting is state -sponsored
actions to forcibly harvest organs from prisoners of conscience — specifically including acts by the government of
the Peoople's Republic of China against political prisoners and certain minority and religious groups and
organizations, such as practitioners of Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa), as documented by independent,
non -partisan organizations, Non -Governmental Organizations and tribunals, such as the International Coalition to
End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC), The China Tribunal, and Freedom House, among others; and
WHEREAS, medical "tourism" — the practice of traveling to other countries for medical procedures,
including organ transplantation, is increasingly prevalent and, in the case of certain organ transplantation, the
source of such organs is not readily discoverable by recipients, many of whom are unaware of information
regarding the donors or whether or not the donated organ was procured voluntarily and in accordance with ethical
and legal standards; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the United States House of Representatives, on a bipartisan basis, with all Northern
Virginia Representatives in support, passed House Resolution 343, condemned reports that the Chinese
Government was systematically and forcibly harvesting organs from certain prisoners of conscience; and
WHEREAS, in March of 2021, bipartisan legislation was introduced in Congress to combat forced organ
harvesting, in the form of the "Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act," which legislation is pending at this time; and
WHEREAS, several other Northern Virginia jurisdictions, including Fairfax and Prince William
Counties, have either adopted resolutions or otherwise concurred in efforts to raise awareness of these issues, and
the City Council desires to concur with the sentiments expressed by these actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council that it stands in opposition to forced organ
harvesting of any kind, specifically including, but not limited to, any state -sponsored activity in this regard and
any human trafficking conducted for this purpose.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that City staff is hereby directed to disseminate, to the greatest extent
practicable, information to City residents regarding the risks associated with travel to China for the purpose of
organ transplantation as well as potential ethical, legal and health issues associated with organs procured in China
and elsewhere, so that City residents may be properly informed before making any decisions in this regard.
IT IS FINALLY RESOLVED, that that City staff is directed to provide a copy of this resolution to the
Governor of Virginia and the Fairfax Health Department.
Adopted this 22"d day of June, 2021.
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
The vote on the motion to approve was recorded as follows:
VOTE:
Councilmember Harmon
Aye
CounciImember Lim
Aye
Councilmember Miller
Aye
Councilmember Ross
Aye
Councilmember Stehle
Aye
Councilmember Yi
Aye