Arizona takes a stand: New bill targets China’s forced organ harvesting

Recently, the Arizona House of Representatives in the United States passed a ground-breaking bill aimed at countering Beijing’s alleged forced organ harvesting crimes. 

The bill, designed to prevent Arizona residents from unknowingly participating in unethical organ transplant practices, marks a significant step in the global effort to combat human rights abuses tied to organ trafficking in China. Lawmakers and human rights advocates see this legislation as a moral imperative, given the mounting evidence of forced organ harvesting targeting prisoners of conscience, particularly Falun Gong practitioners and Uyghur Muslims.

Forced organ harvesting has long been a contentious issue, with numerous human rights organisations accusing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of systematically extracting organs from prisoners without consent. Reports from the United Nations, independent tribunals, and investigative journalists have indicated that detained individuals—often those belonging to persecuted religious or ethnic minorities—are forcibly subjected to medical tests and later executed to supply China’s lucrative transplant industry.

A 2019 report by the China Tribunal, an independent London-based panel chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice, concluded that forced organ harvesting had been occurring on a substantial scale in China for years. The tribunal’s findings cited first-hand testimonies from former detainees, medical professionals, and researchers who documented unusually short wait times for organ transplants—sometimes as brief as two weeks—suggesting a vast and readily available supply of organs from non-consenting donors.

The newly passed Arizona bill, introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, seeks to address concerns about Arizonans unknowingly benefiting from unethical transplant practices abroad.  Arizona-based insurance providers will be required to deny coverage for organ transplants performed in regions with a high risk of forced organ harvesting, including China. This aims to discourage Arizona residents from engaging in ‘transplant tourism’ to unethical medical facilities.

The bill criminalises individuals and organisations that knowingly assist in arranging transplants involving organs obtained through forced harvesting. Healthcare providers and medical facilitators found guilty of participation may face legal repercussions, including fines and imprisonment.

The legislation mandates that hospitals, medical schools, and transplant centres in Arizona educate healthcare professionals and the general public about the risks of obtaining organs from illicit sources abroad. This initiative aims to raise awareness and prevent inadvertent complicity in unethical transplant practices.

The Arizona bill aligns with national initiatives, such as the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 2023. By reinforcing federal measures at the state level, Arizona strengthens the broader movement against organ trafficking and human rights abuses. The bill has received strong support from human rights activists, lawmakers, and members of the medical community who emphasise the need for ethical standards in global organ transplantation. 

Representative Mark Finchem, one of the bill’s sponsors, stated, “Arizona cannot turn a blind eye to atrocities that violate basic human dignity. This bill ensures that our residents are not complicit in these crimes, whether knowingly or unknowingly.” Human rights organisations, including the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC) and Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), have praised Arizona’s initiative. 

DAFOH spokesperson Torsten Trey commended the state’s legislative action, saying, “By passing this bill, Arizona sets an example for other states to take a stand against a barbaric practice that has no place in modern medicine.” However, the bill has also faced criticism from certain quarters. Some opponents argue that Arizona’s legislation could strain diplomatic and economic relations with China, a major trade partner for the United States. 

Business leaders and trade representatives have cautioned against policies that could lead to retaliatory measures affecting Arizona’s economy. Others, while acknowledging the severity of organ trafficking, question whether a state-level initiative can effectively combat an international issue.

Arizona’s decision to pass this bill reflects a growing international movement to address forced organ harvesting. Several countries, including Canada, Israel, Italy, and Spain, have already enacted legislation banning transplant tourism to regions suspected of unethical organ procurement.
In the U.S., similar bills have been introduced or passed in states such as Texas and Florida, signalling a nationwide effort to hold perpetrators accountable. 

At the federal level, lawmakers have pushed for greater oversight and restrictions on medical collaborations with institutions linked to forced organ harvesting. Additionally, the United Nations and the European Parliament have called for independent investigations into China’s transplant industry. 

Despite China’s denials and claims of reforming its organ donation system, international watchdogs remain sceptical about the transparency and ethical standards of its practices. The passage of Arizona’s bill is expected to influence legislative efforts in other U.S. states and beyond. 

Human rights advocates are urging more states to adopt similar measures to prevent American citizens from contributing to unethical transplant practices overseas. Furthermore, medical institutions in Arizona may now be required to implement stricter guidelines when collaborating with foreign transplant centres, ensuring that ethical concerns are prioritized in medical exchanges and research partnerships.

As the bill moves to the Arizona Senate for further consideration, supporters hope it will gain momentum and eventually be signed into law. If enacted, it could serve as a powerful precedent for other states and reinforce global efforts to combat forced organ harvesting. The Arizona House’s passage of a bill countering Beijing’s forced organ harvesting crimes marks a crucial step in the fight against human rights abuses. 

By prohibiting insurance coverage for unethical transplants, imposing legal penalties on facilitators, and promoting education on the issue, the legislation aims to prevent Arizona residents from inadvertently supporting a deeply disturbing practice. While challenges remain in enforcing such measures at the state level, Arizona’s initiative aligns with a broader international movement advocating for ethical medical practices and human dignity. As the bill progresses through legislative channels, its impact could extend far beyond Arizona, shaping future policies across the United States and reinforcing global condemnation of forced organ harvesting.