Following mounting pressure from various sectors and firm determination of women in the strike, finally the Government of Nepal decided to commit in written to start the official registration process within the next five months. This has at least saved the lives of 12 asylum seekers, who fasted-to-death for 12 days. This is the longest fast-unto-death from the Bhutanese community in exile, thanks to their courage and determination.
The local authority, which said it was helpless to fulfill the demands put forwarded by women until the 11th day, appeared to bring the hunger strike to an end at the end, but without a serious mood. The time period offered by the government to address the humanitarian issue is too long. Probably, this is the longest time ever achieved by the government in general practices. And, hunger strike of 12 days definitely had demanded a time period of just 15 days or a month.
Several exiled Bhutanese have taken the gentlemen’s agreement as ‘it is better to have something than nothing’. However, there always lies doubt in the implementation part of the government’s commitment. The government has also failed to bring last year’s commitment into reality except addressing the demand of those who were absent at the time of distribution of identity cards.
In the next five months, Jhapa district would witness transfer of the Chief District Officer at least two to three times. And, there might be a new government in the country. By that time the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is responsible for bringing the commitment into actions, will have many new secretaries. Thus, the gentlemen’s agreement was simply aimed at bringing the hunger strike to an end. It lacks serious exercise to address the issue on humanitarian ground.
The agreement could have included a few vital things. Distribution of ration and other facilities on temporary basis unless asylum seekers get their status, and thorough medical examination of 12 women, who suffered during the hunger strike, on government’s support would have made the agreement stronger and smarter. In their absence, the hungry souls will remain so at least for about a year, and thorough treatment and dietary supports for women is doubtful, although the AMDA Nepal did play a laudable role throughout the protest period.
Thanks Nepal government for atleast making commitment though may not be implemented and bringing the fast to an end which contributed to save the lives of dieing refugee women.Wonder why it took the government 12 days just to give them false assurance and address such a critical humanitarian issue.Pray for the better health of the women participated in the hunger strike.Congratulations!!!!!!!
Mr. Mishra provided a candid analysis of the gentlemen agreement and it is a matter of time that will testify if the agreement will be acted upon. But it is laudable that the Government of Nepal took note of this deteriorating humanitarian condition. The women who participated in the hunger strike not only deserve appreciation but created a channel of negotiation which would have been impossible otherwise. The organizations and medical authorities involved with the individuals’ health may have to take action by conducting a serious investigation to determine their good health as suggested by one of our doctors in the Diaspora (Dr. Laxmi Dhakal). We must also appreciate the concerns of Bhutanese Diaspora and its supporters for this humanitarian cause.
It is understandable that people are sceptic. History has proven that they are justly so. The truth of the matter is of course that it is not the Nepal government who pulls the strings of refugee status and resettlement. It’s the United Nations. And because the United States is the most influential country in the resettlement process, after all they started it off, it’s the US ambassador who should be addressed to back the Nepal governments statement.
As things are people with a refugee id can opt for resettlement. The agreement that had been signed potentially brings in another 4000 or some refugees for resettlement. And it might not end there. This will also mean the UNHCR target of ending resettlement in 2015 (according to their statements earlier this year on a conference in Kathmandu that was videotaped) will become problematic. The UNHCR number of around 10000 refugees left in 2015 who are probably not being resettled might very well increase because they simply never counted the unregistered.
It must be clear that the agreement makes it more difficult for the UNHCR to retreat their presence in 2015. It will also mean that in the coming months reevaluation of the operation is necessary. Question is of course wether the UNHCR will do that and if so if wether donor countries like the US will accept that. There is global financial crisis so more refugees means more funds needed, something that is hardly to be expected to be welcomed.
So, though the agreement might help some it might also very well make caring for the refugees in the camps, resettling some and integrating the rest in Nepali society at the end of the resettlement process more difficult. If not impossible.
Because of this problem it is in my opinion of the utmost importance to have international and independent monitoring human rights officials overlooking the handling of both refugee identification as resettlement of those who opt for that. It is exactly that what might deliver just enough pressure on both Nepal government as UNHCR to fulfill promises made my the local government representative.
I would very much like to convey these thoughts and ideas to local present human rights workers and responsible community leaders. But first independent reporting of the reality in the camps is needed. Therefore I hope to be able to visit the area sometime in December and file an observative report to global human rights organizations.
Alice Verheij
writer, film maker, human rights activist
Empowerment Foundation