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We have lost our father : Rizal

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Tek Nath Rizal in deep look. File photo/TP Mishra
Tek Nath Rizal in deep look. File photo/TP Mishra

Exiled human right leader Tek Nath Rizal, who is agonized with news of passage of the former Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, said he has lost his father second time. Vidhyapati Mishra talked to him shortly after the formal announcement of Koirala’s death by Central Committee meet of Nepali Congress

. Excerpts:

How do you comment on the sad this sad news?
Actually, I am unable to speak following this news. I am really sad that I have lost the strong supporter of our struggle, no less than my father. I pray to God that his soul rests in peace in heaven.

Besides playing vital roles in bilateral talks when Koirala was head of government, he used to say that he was also a founding member of Bhutan State Congress. What is your evaluation on his contribution to our struggle?
I met Girija Babu only after I came to Nepal. I met him on several occasions and we did exchange our views. I cam to know from him that long time ago he travelled to Sarbhang via Padgaun. Also, I was informed that along with leaders like B.P. Koirala, they contributed for democractic struggle in Bhutan. He was well informed our refugee issues. As you have asked, his party Nepali Congress other parties have also contributed. However, Koirala helped me for my personal as well as political issues. Many times he rendered his feedbacks and supports to me. As he looked our struggle through close vicinity, we shall remember him forever. His dedication would remain immortal.

Do you think his absence would paralyse our issue?
Every individual has his own access and capability. With whatever stand Nepal was working for finding a solution to our issue, I hope the same spirit will never fade away. I hope that all political features will follow his path to repatriate Bhutanese refugees.

When did you last meet him?
I met him some four months back. Any momorable moments that you spent with him to share? He used to tell me that he would read Bhutan on me each time he saw me. He was always with the say that one day I would achieve success in Bhutan and work for welfare of the Bhutanese citizens.

He suggested me not to work only for those outside the country but also to work for poors dwelling inside. He advised me to study political changes in Nepal and apply for democratic struggle in Bhutan. As an old personality, he used to discuss political issues.

He even released one of your books? How do you remember him now?
I am extremely heart-grieven with loss of this personality. I can’t speak any longer. This is the second time that I have become parentless in my life.

(Breaking News -12:35): GPK passes away

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Kathmandu, March 20 : Former Nepali Prime Minister cum President of Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala has passed away at 12: 11 noon today according to Nepal FM Network, Kathmandu.

File photo: Koirala with Rizal and Nepalese PM Madhav Kumar Nepal/Vidhyapati Mishra
File photo: Koirala with Rizal and Nepalese PM Madhav Kumar Nepal/Vidhyapati Mishra

One of the founding members of Bhutan State Congress formed inside Bhutan, 87-year-old Koirala played crucial role in hosting exiled Bhutanese in Nepal.

His government held several rounds of bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan on the Bhutanese issue.

Human Rights leader Tek Nath Rizal was wordless when Bhutan News Service contacted him for comment.

“We are without a leader now. We have lost our father,” he said.

According to the FM station, formal announcement of his death is yet to come from doctors or Congress sources.

BAF concludes mission Geneva

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March 19, 2010: The Bhutanese Advocacy Forum – Europe concluded its campaign in Geneva on Thursday finally attending the 13th session of Human Rights Council where resolution on UPR human Rights report on Bhutan was adopted.

BAF Europe delegation members from left Tej Man Raya, Durga Giri and Ram Bahadur Karki
BAF Europe delegation members from left Tej Man Raya, Durga Giri and Ram Bahadur Karki in front of the UN building, Geneva

Before the session begun, the BAF delegates made intensive lobby and distributed appeal and testimonies of torture victims from the Bhutanese refugee community to the representatives of member states and the participating members of the civil societies.

Of the 99 specific recommendations made by the member states on Bhutan in the UPR meeting on December 4, Bhutan agreed to accept almost all the recommendations. However, Bhutan expressed its inabilities to accept few of the recommendation with the reason, keeping at par with the existing laws of the country. But the country expressed its commitment to keep close consideration on those recommendations as well.

Despite limited time, member states like Algeria and United States of America made their responses urging Bhutan to commence the repatriation of the exiled Bhutanese willing to return and asking for non discriminatory treatment on the Bhutanese citizens of ethnic Nepali minority.

Amongst the other members of civil societies Peter Prove, a high official from LWF’s international Affairs and Human Rights section, made a strong statement on Bhutan’s commitment on the return of the exiled citizens. He stated, ”Bhutan has repeatedly declared its commitment to finding a lasting solution to the refugee crisis through a bilateral process of negotiation with the government of Nepal. Bhutan has in fact participated in a joint verification process in one of the seven refugee camps as a result of which hundreds of verified refugees, even on the restricted basis on which the verification was conducted, should have been allowed to return to Bhutan. But still today, not a single refugee has been able to return home”.

Prove further said it is now time for Bhutan to demonstrate that it is actually prepared to assume its responsibility for repatriation of genuine exiled Bhutanese who are willing to return in conditions consistent to international norms and practices.

With the adoption of UPR resolution, BAF Europe has expressed its optimistism that RGOB shall hold its commitment made in the international forum and go for wide rectification on its discriminatory national policies.

The BAF delegation comprised of Durga Giri, Ram Bahadur Karki Chhetri and Tej Man Monger.

Bhutan-Nepal trade talks

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Mar 17: Bhutan and Nepal are set to hold bilateral trade talks Wednesday in Kathmandu.

According to reports, the Joint Secretary level talks will be focused on a Bilateral Trade Agreement, proposed by Bhutan some eight years ago.

Surya Silwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce will head Nepal’s delegation whereas Sonam P Wangdi is leading the five member Bhutanese team.
Bhutan’s export to Nepal in 2008-09 stood at Rs 300 million whereas Bhutan’s import from Nepal amounted to Rs 200 million.

The one-day meeting is expected to scout possible avenues to bolster the bilateral trade.

CSOs object provisions in CSO Act

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Mar 17: Over a dozen civil society organizations (CSO) have spoken against the strict provisions in the CSO Act.

Despite the fact that CSO has significance role in good governance and democracy, Bhutan has remained tight on allowing them function openly.

CSOs are of two types mainly public benefit organization (PBO) and a mutual benefit organiza­tion (MBO).

In a gathering in Thimphu, the stake holders raised that memorandum of association (MOA) and articles of association (AOA) needs to be clubbed together since both the Acts are almost similar which will help them save time during registration.

The participants said rules and regulations were restrictive and they faced difficulties in fulfilling the requirements and demanded that other certified auditing agencies could audit the CSOs instead of Royal Audit Authority.

Drug trafficking increasing

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Mar 17: Illegal drug trafficking from across the border continue to rise despite government efforts to control.

The police generally seize such drugs that are brought through Phuentsholing main gate but major trading activities are carried out from other border points.

In January this year, a total of 45 arrests were made in the country in connection with drug trafficking. And 14 arrests were made in Phuentsholing. In February, 40 drug traffickers were arrested of which 12 in Phuentsholing.

In a period of three months, 291 capsules of Spasmoproxyron, 127 tab­lets of Nitro sun, 73 tab­lets of Relipen, 4 bottles of corex (100 ml) and 115 gm of Marijuana were seized by the police officials at the Phuentsholing gate.

Security tightened ahead of SAARC summit

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Mar 17: The government has tightened the security situation ahead of the scheduled 16th SAARC summit in Thimphu next month end.

The security personnel have be stationed in alert in major check points. Details of all people entering the country from borders are kept.

The foreign workers are restricted to travel to Thimhu until May 1. Labour ministry officials said this was necessary because among the construction workers could be some fanatics disguised as workers, who could pose a potential threat to any of the leaders attending the summit.

However, except for some neighboring districts surrounding the capital city, the rest will be allowed to bring in expatriate workers. Foreign workers with valid work permits will not be issued bus tickets from Phuentsholing to various destinations until May 1.

Dzongdas are instructed to remain in their respective districts during the summit to monitor and ensure maximum security and are advised to employ whatever necessary measures to strengthen security in their area until the end of the summit. All 20 dzongdags were called to Thimphu recently for briefing.

Import and use of construction explosives have been stopped. Bureau of law and order will send some officials to meet their counterparts across the border to brief them on security measures and to request increased vigilance.

BAF Europe reaches Geneva for lobby

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Kathmandu, March 17: Representing over one hundred thousand Bhutanese in exile, a four-member delegation of Bhutanese Advocacy Forum Europe (BAF -Europe) has reached Geneva earning this morning to lobby in the 13th Human Right Council meeting in Palis des Nations.

“We have received accreditation into the UN meeting with effect from 17th March until the session on Bhutan concludes,” said Durga Giri over telephone from Germany before leaving to Geneva.

The delegation is scheduled to meet the representatives of member states and appraise about the true human rights situation in the country, and will attend the session on Bhutan which starts at 18.00 hour on March 18.

Issue of Illegal immigrant as raised by the regime on the Bhutanese refugees in the Universal Periodic Review meeting is baseless, Giri said. “Our delegation will draw the attention of the international community to the real political issue of citizenship Act of 1985 which has disenfranchised tens of thousands of southern Bhutanese.”

 According to him, the team will lobby the possible international community on issues like establishment of human rights commission, inclusive democracy and governance, release of political prisoners, repatriation of exiled Bhutanese and international aids in Bhutan among others. (Download BAF-Europe appeal to member representatives)

Led by Giri, other members of the delegation included Ram Bahadur Karki, Tej Man Monger and Hem Rizal, who is also a former political prisoner of Bhutan.

Children demonstrate drawing skills

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By Jeetan Subba

Beldangi-I, March 10: Bhutanese Refugee Children Forum (BRCF) organized art competition among children of the camps this Sunday.

According to BRCF coordinator Indra Timsina, altogether 49 children including children with vulnerability took part in the competition.

Children demonstrated their drawing skills on world after 10 years, festivals, friendship, water and jungle among others.

Santa Raj Subba, Kilarang Gurung and Buddha Tamang were declared winners from Beldangi-I, II and Extension camps respectively. Likewise, other winners included Roshan Siwa (Sanischare), Shiraj Subba (Goldhap) and Lachi Maya Tamang (Timai).

Meanwhile, a three-day training that adopted annual programs for 2010 of BRCF concluded today .

Fire destroys 1000 acres forest in Trashigang

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Mar 10: A forest fire in the eastern district of Trashigang has burnt down an automobile workshop, three cars and 25 two-wheelers kept for repair there. The fire started on Tuesday and is yet to come under control.

Further the wild fire burnt down a sawmill, a house, makeshift labor camps at Kheri and damaged 150 disc insulators of the Chenari powerhouse when the store caught fire. A cow was burnt alive. Many vehicles and bikes were burnt.

Continued strong wind that started yesterday afternoon makes it difficult to bring the fire under control. Villagers, forestry, dzongkhag and Dantak officials, police and volunteers from Sherubtse college in Kanglung are on the field to control.

Volunteers stopped fire from spreading towards the dzong and catching to the only fuel station at Kheri.

Two firefighting engines are fighting the fires. Over 1000 acres of forest have been destroyed.

Preliminary investigation show that lit cigarettes thrown by car travelers would be the cause behind the fire but has not been confirmed.

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