Nepali rights groups growing active to the issue of exiled Bhutanese

Kathmandu, August 7: Human Rights Home (HRH), a Nepali rights group organized three-hour-long discussion on ‘Bhutan Refugees’ Problem’ yesterday in its office at Jawalakhel on the latest developments on issue of the exiled Bhutanese including fluctuating security situation in camps.

About a dozen of Bhutanese residing in Kathmandu including Ratan Gajmere (AHURA- Bhutan), Hari Adhikari Bangaley (Bhutanese Refugees Durable Solution Coordinating Committee) and Ashok Gurung (Bhutanese Refugees Rights Coordinating Committee) participated on the discussion.

Speaking on the program, Gajmere highlighted the need of policy paper of Government of Nepal (GoN) on exiled issue. “I really don’t understand why GoN has very feeble stands on long-standing refugee issue”, told Gajmere. He also called upon Nepali rights activists to constantly monitor the security situation in camps and make necessary recommendations to GoN.

Deep Ranjani Rai, an employee of South Asia Forum for Human Rights (SAFHR) questioned on existence of radical activities initiated by exiled Bhutanese on Nepali land. “Refugees must obey all norms and laws of the host country”, added Rai.

Gopal Sivakoti of INHURED International suggested for a common desk to address exiled issue. He also stressed that life after resettlement in the USA would be 500 times better than what refugees are leading in Nepal.

Bangaley opined for need of liaison contact person, probably from rights groups to address immediate need and issue on time.

Supporting Sivakoti, a noted Nepali activist Subodh Pyakurel stressed on need of a common basket for information dissemination. Pyakurel assured that he would be discussing issues on security in camps to Ministry of Home Affairs.  

The executive director of HRH, Hamenta Dahal discussed the crucial roles to be played by rights groups to facilitate activities of Oversees Processing Entity (OPE).

Several participants among Bhutanese community importantly showed their concern regarding security of those supporting or advocating for third country resettlement.

The HRH told that it also invite Tek Nath Rizal, Thinley Penjore and other senior Bhutanese. However, there were mostly Bhutanese citizens opting third country resettlement as an option for durable solution. Bhutan News Service/Vidhyapati Mishra