Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley has tagged exiled citizens as “hordes of economic refugees” stating that the Lhotshampa were or are not Bhutanese, that they came.
PM Thinely
Speaking to reporters in New York on Thursday claimed that Bhutan became an attractive destination to people driven from their homes by ecological issues, economic and political instability, mostly coming from one particular country, Nepal, online edition of Inner City Post reported today.
Thinley further told reporters that that it’s “showing signs of a durable solution, Nepal and Bhutan are engaged in dialogue on how the should share the responsibility over those people located in refugee camps in the event these people have no options.”
Meanwhile, in a surprising tone, Thinley finally admitted that many including himself are not happy inside Bhutan, contracting the actual slogan of Gross National Happiness (GNS) that claims that the entire population of the country is happy.
He was addressing one of the UN press meet programs when he acknowledged the other side of the GNS, saying that remaining happy was not an easy task.
“Because of the frustrations and challenges that I face in a country with limited resources, with all kinds of constraints and where a good section of our population tries to survive in conditions of poverty, it is difficult to be happy,” the Businessweek quoted Thinley as saying.
: At a time when most of the exiled Bhutanese in Nepal have lost their hopes for repatriation by choosing to resettle in the west, Bhutan has demonstrated yet another foul play against the actual sentiment of refugees’ rights to return home with dignity and honour. If what the King-appointed Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley commented to mediapersons in Thimphu on March 1 was sincerely correct, some refugees from UN-administered camps will have chance to go back. However, it is an undeniable fact that the Bhutanese authority has been blindfolding every one in the name of accepting citizens back home from the very start of high-level bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan. Thus, still hopes are very shadowy.
According to the claim made by the Bhutanese Prime Minister, genuine citizens would be repatriated, but returning of those people will only be based on the criteria set by the Joint Verification Team (JVT), which verified refugees of Khudunabari camp in 2001. Surprisingly, the JVT tagged even children born in refugee camps as criminals and categorised 2.5 percent out of 12,500 refugees as genuine Bhutanese. The criteria are such that no refugees will accept the so-called home-going package. How can refugees accept to remain in a transit camp in Bhutan for two to 20 years before the authority starts verifying the returnees’ eligibility for acquiring citizenship identity cards? In fact, no returnees would be granted citizenship cards even after spending years in such transit camps since the existing citizenship act of the country requires all individuals to speak Dzongkha compulsorily. The fate of younger generations would be more severe since most of them were born or brought up in the refugee camps. Therefore, there is no any seriousness in Thinley’s assurance for repatriation. His government must understand explicitly that no refugees from the camps would be ready to accept the fabricated criteria set by the JVT. Indeed, they don’t want to become refugees one more time in their own soil, likely to happen if Thinley’s version of repatriation is ever materialised.
Majority of refugees in camps have taken the Thinley’s remark as spin-off of series of bomb blasts on various occasions inside the country. The recent explosion at the gateway of Bhutan definitely added more fuel to the fire. This is why the regime has lately accepted that the longstanding refugee crisis is one of the biggest problems that has been a threat to peace and stability in the country. The government has also admitted that it is the refugee issue that has taken century old Bhutan-Nepal relationship into ransom. According to Nepalese historian Dr Suman Dhakal, Bhutan’s relations with Nepal were established in the beginning of the sixth century AD. While, the formal cordial tie between Gorkha and Bhutan was established in 1624 when Bhutan accepted some Nepalese families for permanent settlement in Bhutan. Thus, Bhutanese definition of “genuine citizens” should not ignore the fact that Nepali-speaking citizens, who were forced into exile in late 1980s and early 1990s, have carried a long history of over 370 years in Bhutan.
Unlike in his past statements concerning repatriation of exiled Bhutanese, Thinley has given some new pitches this time as he remembered to mention that “whatever the status, background or the rights or the lack of rights of the people might be, the fact is because Bhutan is directly associated with the huge population in the camp, it has very strong security and political implications for Bhutan”. However, the method of criticising the Nepalese side for not being serious enough in cooperating with bilateral talks to resolve the refugee imbroglio has remained unchanged, and will do so till he continues to remain in the power. But, the good thing to note here is that the world has gradually started analysing his stalwart art of lying, thanks to the international community for helping refugees to spread the stories of suppressions against them in global arena. Thinely, who has been thanking the resettling countries for accepting his fellow countrymen, will in no time understand the other side of gross national happiness.
On the other hand, the opposition leader Tshering Tobgay has sternly stood against Thinley for speaking on the favour of Bhutanese refugees, saying that the government even doesn’t have any basis of identifying whether a refugee from the camp in Nepal is a genuine Bhutanese or not. This fellow, who has just two seats in the National Assembly, irrationally commented that if repatriation was not possible 10 years ago, in spite of the best efforts of the governments of Bhutan and Nepal, how could it be possible to accept refugees in new democracy.
The ongoing allotments of lands and farms in the southern belt, which was previously owned and occupied by Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees, to landless people from other districts, clearly explain what the Thinley’s repatriation package looks like. So far, 5,088 people have been resettled, between 1997 and 2008, on the lands abandoned by exiled Bhutanese. But, this number could be higher. Officially, the government claims that resettlement in various six districts in the south was completed in 2008. However, internal land allotments still continue.
If repatriation ever happens as claimed by Thinley, there will be two owners for the same farm, violating the basic principles of right to property restitution – as promoted universally by the Pinheiro Principles. Article 10 of this principle states, “states shall allow refugees and displaced persons who wish to return voluntarily to their former homes, lands or places of habitual residence to do so. The right cannot be abridged under conditions of state succession, not can it be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful time limitation”. Therefore, Bhutan should be well prepared in respecting the real sentiment of repatriation making it acceptable to all returnees and international community if the Thinley’s government is positive at bringing the two-decade long ethnic cleansing to a logical ending at the earliest.
Senior citizens have demanded dignified repatriation stating that the ongoing third country resettlement would never be an amicable solution to bring the two-decade long refugee imbroglio to an end.
File photo : Children display a banner demanding repatriation in Beldangi-II camp
Submitting a petition to the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Harka Jung Subba and Santa Bir Ghale of the Senior Citizens’ Group, asked President Barack Obama’s administration to pressurize the Bhutanese authority for accepting exiled Bhutanese back home with dignity and honor, Tuesday.
“We urge the United States of America and other resettling countries to press the Government of Bhutan to open doors for repatriation,” the duo said in the petition letter.
The petition also claimed that the resettlement program has demoralized the actual sentiments of repatriation.
The petition further mentioned that the resettlement package was just a temporary solution of the crisis.
“We are sad to mention that the ongoing resettlement has distracted the long struggle for democracy and human rights in Bhutan,” they added.
A delegation led by a women group, which has been fighting for registration of all pending cases in the camps, met Chief District Officer (CDO) of Jhapa on Monday and pressed the district administration to resume registration at the earliest.
Durga Devi Bista
The group led by Durga Devi Bista called on the CDO as the deadline committed by the government in last November, assuring to resume the installed registration process within the next five month, would end by April.
“We were finally granted an audience after several attempts. We have requested the government through the chief of the district administration to address our demands at the earliest,” Bista told Bhutan News Service, after the meeting.
However, she expressed blues over not having any progress to address at their sufferings.
“We came to know that nothing has been done so far. It looks that the registration process might not begin within April,” added she.
Meanwhile, Bista also mentioned that the CDO even warned them not to operate agitation programs like fasting-to-death even if the government fails to address the issue within the deadline committed.
“It is too early to announce our programs if the government fails to meet the deadline. However, we will not sit idle simply waiting for another fake assurance.”
The women group led a hunger strike of 12 days in last November demanding immediate address of issues related to mix-marriage, asylum seekers and new arrivals in the refugee camps.
The family of 10 year old Buffalo boy is suing for $50 million in damages, reports Wivb.com, Monday.
Late Darpan Niraula
The report mentioned that a lawsuit brought by the family’s attorney states that the Greater Works Deliverance bus company was negligent in the accident that took the life of Darpan Niroula, a resettled Bhutanese boy.
A press release issued by attorney Frank Bogulski states that bus should not have been operating with bad brakes, added the report.
“The only way that a deterrent message will be sent is if that punitive damages award is granted so that other reckless actors, such as Greater Works, do not operate buses in such poor mechanical condition as the Greater Works bus,” Bugalski said.
Darpan was walking home from a from a friend’s house with his brother on Buffalo’s West Side when he was struck by the daycare van in last December.
The attorney further said, “The Western new York community should be outraged by Philadelphia Insurance who denies responsibility for the accident.”
Maintaining their cultural identity, raising occupational skills and helping Bhutanese women get their drivers’ licence are just some of the issues discussed at the first joint meeting of the Bhutanese Societies of New Zealand.
Resettled Bhutanese in New Zealand ( Picture courtesy : Bhutanese Community of Nelson, NZ)
Representatives from Nelson and Palmerston North were hosted by the Christchurch Bhutanese community in late February, with the discussion chaired by the President of the Bhutanese Society of Christchurch, Bashu Dev Mishra, said a circular issued.
The group passed twelve resolutions covering current concerns and common issues for Bhutanese people settling in New Zealand.
Chairman of the Nelson Bhutanese Society, Govina Regmi says some of the resolutions will be worked through within the Bhutanese community, however many of them require external assistance, added the circular.
“For instance we need to develop more intercommunity communication, so we have resolved to share items for a newsletter and teaching materials for our Nepali language classes,” Regmi said. “However, there are several areas where we need to enlist the support of various agencies, both government and non-government.”
Bhutanese refugees approved for residency fall under the Refugee Quota Programme, and in 2008 New Zealand made a commitment to resettle 750 Bhutanese refugees over a five-year period. That number has almost been reached, so the group has passed a resolution appealing to the government to review the situation.
“We feel we are the minority of minority groups and because we are such a small group in New Zealand, we are worried about our extinction,” added Regmi.
Another concern is the preservation of the Bhutanese documents, such as citizenship cards, land tax receipts and so on, that refugees bring to New Zealand. An archive is to be set up for this material so it will be available for future generations if they want to search where they came from.
Regmi further said that the period of mourning within Bhutanese culture also requires greater awareness, especially by employers.
“The mourning period may span from three to thirteen days,“ he says, “and while we are not asking employers for more paid bereavement leave than is legally allocated, we would like some flexibility around using annual leave or leave without pay.”
Other resolutions made by the group appeal to the government for more on-the-job training, flexibility in payment options for New Zealand Citizenship applications and initiatives to encourage young Bhutanese to become involved in sporting activities.
New Zealand has had an annual refugee resettlement quota of 750 places since 1987. Quota refugees are given permanent residence on arrival in New Zealand and spend their first six weeks at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre.
It has been confirmed lately that security personnel on duty at Bhadrapur Airport looted cash amounts carried by various resettling folks on March 6.
IOM bus loading resettling exiled Bhutanese as their friends and relatives gather to see them off
One Upreti family Khudunabari informed the Bhutan News Service that the Mechi Zonal Police Office , which has already started departmental action against two personnels by seizing the looted cash, returned Rs 1160 looted from two of its family members, Sunday.
“When my brother and family, who were flying to Kathmandu from the Airport, complained of such kind of misconduct from police, we immediately informed the police office. The security persons on duty were immediately followed and arrested,” Binod Upreti told.
According to his claim, the accused police looted a cash amount of Rs 4200 from various individuals. However, except the Upreti family none of those who were looted disclosed the case.
Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohan Sharma of the Mechi Zonal Police Office claimed that those involved in looting would face “stern actions”. However, he didn’t elaborate.
DSP Sharma also mentioned that the security system in the Airport has become more effective after the case came into the notice.
A 13-year-old teen from Dewathang has given birth to a girl last week, reports the government-run Kuensel, Thursday.
According to the gynecologist Dr Yu Yu Lwla at the Dewathang Military Hospital, the teen-mother underwent a cesarean for the delivery. She is reportedly recovering from an infection in her womb.
The 13-year-old could not breast feed the baby. She complained of pain in her breast. Her mother, in her late 30s, who also has a month and a half old baby, in the mean time is breast feeding the granddaughter, added the report.
The eldest among the five siblings in her family, the teen-mother is a victim of rape and was studying in grade four at the time of the ill-fate. However, the family could file a report at police only after five month of pregnancy, according to the report.
The rapist, who immediately married another woman after the crime, was kept in custody for two weeks and released.
“We could not continue fighting the case then and requested police that we would follow up after the delivery,” her mother lamented, adding, “The child’s father is now refusing to accept the child.”
Standing against the recent move of Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley, who stated that the Right to Information (RTI) bill was not in a priority, Member of Parliament from Gasa, Sangay Khandu, has dared to challenge the PM as he prepares to sponsor the bill lonely in the Parliament.
MP Khandu ( Picture courtesy : The Bhutanese)
MP Khandu submitted a draft of the bill to the Chairman of National Council on Friday.
“Earlier today (Friday) I submitted the draft bill on Right to Information to the honorable Chairperson of the National Council with the objective of fulfilling a constitutional provision articulated under article 7 which states right to information as a fundamental right of every Bhutanese citizen,” Khandu wrote in his blog.
According to him, the RTI bill would be privately introduced as an NC MP and not as a representative of any state agency.
The constitution grants both the Houses of the country’s Parliament to endorse laws, empowering individual or group of MPs for sponsoring bills.
“I am introducing the RTI Bill because the last few discussions in the parliament have been on transparency and accountability, both of which enhance democracy, the constitution provides for RTI as a Fundamental Right and to implement such a provision we should have laws to fulfill it, and RTI will also lead to a more vibrant democracy and open government,” online edition of The Bhutanese quoted MP Khandu as saying.
With the NC Chairman accepting the bill, it will be introduced for discussion first in the 9th session of the National Council in May 2012, he further added.
The MP has made the draft of the RTI bill available in his blog and requested Bhutanese to pass their feedbacks.
As the country awaits to see the second so-called general elections in 2013, three more political parties are reportedly processing their registration at the Election Commission (EC).
A local election poster promoted by the EC
Of the three name of one political parties has not been released yet. Other two parties under the process of registration included the Social Democratic Party and the Druk Mitsher Tshogpa.
Meanwhile, the Commission said it was reviewing the procedures for granting registration to new parties in the country that entertained bi-party system, commonly practiced in the United States and England.
There are even chances that the EC might decide to deny registration to new parties citing various reasons before.
The EC has given a deadline of June 30 for the existing two parties to present their financial status for review and audit, the Kuensel reports Saturday.
