Bhutanese Refugee Problem

Bhutanese Refugee Problem

Introduction

1          More than 100000 Bhutanese refugee who were compelled to leave their country with the introduction of ethnic cleansing policy by the Druk regime are still living with a very uncertain future in Seven UNHCR maintained camps in eastern Nepal. Now it has became one of the neglected and protracted refugee crisis in the world. Following the instruction of 15^th round Bhutanese-Nepal Ministerial Joint Committee (MJC) the Joint Verification Team (JVT) began briefing to 12000 refugee the condition and modalities of repatriation but the incident of 15^th February, 2004 at Khudunabari camp raised the tension between Bhutanese officials and refugee resulted break off of the whole process for indefinite period. The Nepalese government has been seeking every possible means to restore the repatriation process but any tangible result has not been found yet.

Background

2          Bhutan in 1986, introduced the code of conduct "DEGLAM NANJA", which implemented compulsory Drukpa culture, which the Druk regime justifies a step to conserve its ethnicity. The Druk regime also announced that the persons, who immigrated to Bhutan after 1958, will not be considered as a Bhutanese citizen. This move nullified the Bhutanese citizenship of many people of Nepalese origin, who immigrated to Bhutan as construction workers in late sixty

3          In 1990, Thousands of LHOTSAMPAS (people of Nepalese origin) were expelled after harassment. 100000 refugees arrived in Nepal and were kept in seven refugee camps in eastern Nepal.

Current situation

4          The first round of Nepal-Bhutan MJC meeting on Oct 1993 agreed on categorization into four groups, Bonafide, Bhutanese who willingly migrated, Non-Bhutanese and Bhutanese with criminal records.

5          3^rd  MJC talks in Apr 1994, agreed to constitute a JVT.

6          10^th  meeting in Kathmandu decided to undertaken field verification by JVT

7          13^th meeting in Thimpu discussed n modalities of implementation of JVT's categorization.

8          14^th MJC meeting in Kathmandu stated that who have been verified by the JVT, would be taken back to Bhutan and those who have not been identified as genuine Bhutanese refugee would have a last time to prove their bonafides.

9          15^th MJC meeting in Thimpu on Aug 2004, discussed on Condition and Modalities rest of the six camps and agreed to begin repatriation.

Rise of present crisis

10        There was genuine concern on refugee categorization process, member of a single family had been put on three different categories which was strongly denied by the refugee. They were not sure, on their repartition, where they will be settled?  What will be nature of their settlement and who will monitor their status.      

11        On the day 15^th Feb 2004, The Bhutanese team leader Dr Sonam Tdnzing was briefing the refugee regarding terms and condition for four different category. it was strongly denounced by the refugee. Even it was not expected from Nepalese team. The refugees also asked why were expected to accept such irrational terms and conditions for return to their own country. The Bhutanese team leader only cared to say 'inconvenient to reply'. When the refugee sought additional information from the Bhutanese side one of the Bhutanese team member began to insult the refugees using vulgar and degrading language, a common practice in Bhutan.

12        Bhutanese democratic leader Tek Nath Rijal on his way to put international pressure to sought out refugee crisis.

Comments

13        Having seen all these different courses taken by the Bhutanese side, Bhutanese government showed its delaying tactics from the very beginning. After the pressure from the donor countries, Bhutan was forced to look after the issue but Nepal could not make full use of the international pressure.       

           

(a)                Nepalese government should seek every opening to continue the stalled communication with the Bhutanese counter part

(b)               Bhutan first of all must leave its delaying tactics.

(c)                There should be transparency in categorization of the refugee and must not forget human value.

(d)               There must be a forum to hear refugee's version, emotion and sentiments and take appropriate action to negotiate with the Bhutanese government.

(e)                The Nepalese government should seek international forum to solve protracted crisis in the presence of international community.

(f)                The Nepalese government should take diplomatic action to draw the attention of Indian government to solve this problem.

(g)               Presently villages, jungles vicinity to camp area are largely affected by the growing population of refugee. Day by day their working fields have been expended. Lacks of employment opportunity have caused poor living of the indigenous people. Transformation of unhealthy culture have affected the neighboring villages.

According to Article Two of the 1949 Indo-Bhutan Treaty, Bhutan agrees “to be guided by the advice of the Government of India in regard to its external relations.