The Druk National Congress –Democratic (DNC-D) on Friday asked the US Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, Maria Otero, to take strong initiative to find a comprehensive and logical solution of the Bhutanese refugee problem and human rights issue.
Addressing an appeal to Otero , who has today reached Bhutan from India in his two-day visit, DNC-D said, ” Though we fully admire and appreciate the decision of the US Government to accept a large number of Bhutanese refugees for resettlement, we believe it is going to be only a temporary as the refugees, even after their resettlement, are aspiring for exercising their right to return to their homestead with honour and security.”
The party further mentioned that there are still a large number of refugees in Nepal under the UNHCR protection and eagerly looking forward for a conducive atmosphere to go back to Bhutan with dignity and honour.
Meanwhile, the appeal highlighted that over 80 thousand people were deprived from exercising their voting franchise during the first general election held in 2008 in Bhutan.
“Only the political parties who ensured full commitment to work in the interest of monarchy were given registration with the royal election commission to contest the election.”
The party said it has sent the appeal to the visiting US Under Secretary through US Ambassadors to Nepal and India.
Ask for the time when Under Secretary is schedule to be at Nepal. If you are given the appointment than give a paper presentation through the delegates head. Give your documented report to the secretary after the proper briefing. I think this will be more effective than asking for third person to hand over the appeal. You need to demonstrate as a very responsible person giving some constructive suggestions with alternatives.
You too can give such presentations to all the foreign diplomats in the Ktm. periphery. You know the pros of such approach and this should function as goodwill mission.
Best of Luck
Does DNC have a large number of cadres in the United States, or did it conduct a survey among those who are resettled to forcefully say “Though we fully admire and appreciate the decision of the US Government to accept a large number of Bhutanese refugees for resettlement, we believe it is going to be only a temporary as the refugees, even after their resettlement, are aspiring for exercising their right to return to their homestead with honour and security.”
Or is it just the good old way of these political parties to speak for the ‘refugees’ without giving a hoot about what the refugees really want or think?
Do they even know that Bhutanese refugees in the US who have been here long enough are applying and receiving US citizenship as soon as they are eligible? Do they know that every Bhutanese refugee who has been in the US for a year is applying for permanent residence with an intent to apply for citizenship as soon as they can?
They should stop implying that all refugees want to just up and go back to Bhutan -UNLESS something really significant changes in Bhutan. As it is now, perhaps not a single Bhutanese would want to return.
Generalizing ‘refugees’ in the present context is unfair to a lot of resettled Bhutanese. A refugee resettled in a country doesn’t hold the title throughout his life time. Roughly about 5 years, one has to start preparing for “citizenship’ status.
Now, the question is ‘do people resettled in third countries opt out of this citizenship status to fight for so called ‘democracy’ in Bhutan? There are clearly two options for any political parties now; either dump the idea of generalizing the refugee issue or survey the general interest of the resettled people first. I believe majority of the youths resettled give a second thought to ‘repatriation’and a political battle is not fought with oldies and babies only.
So, let the resettled lot be left in peace for atleast a while so they can learn to stand on their own; we have begged for too long
I do agree with the above comment .One of the reasons why we failed for last two decades is that leaders do not seem to get feedback from the community and they do not base their actions on the needs and aspirations of the people they want to represent.I think these organisation are not very democratic as well.I have never heard of electione and principle based discussions .There is no room for oposition thought in the organisations .This has encouraged for birth of many organisations .
well ,we cannot change the past.But we should start thinking again .Do we really want to go back to Bhutan? or do we prefer to be a dual citizen ? or we just want to participate from outside in the process of bhutans transformation and developement?
if you ask me now -I have no answer .But I have a small desire to play my role for my motherland.
Hi All
I fully agree with the above two comments. I also believe that any political parties to advocate is absolutely their right. One thing what is missing is that each political party has to say where are their members and how much in each county and advocate for them and not for all they choose to which is sending the wrong meeasge to everyone. This should apply to DNC, DNC-Democratic, BBP, BNDP and any others.
Sending letterS to any US or other officials has become just a process where there is a vist and meetings in or outside Bhutan. The outcome has never changed and remain the same that is BHUTAN WILL/HAS NEVER BUDGED AND WILL NEVER IN FUTURE MORE NOW-Reason you all know well.
What is the result? There is no-one leader to advocate, the Bhutanese diaspora have failed to produce any leader that is acceptable to all and will never be one in years to come. This is all because we are blessed and gifted with LEG PULLING AND DAGGERING FROM THE BACK WITH A KNIFE- A culture All Nepalese carry, no matter which part of the world you come from. The result is that truth is bitter and that we have missed the boat with the current strategy and approach to take the movement forward with Bhutan has failed.
Now, it may well take another 20 years for many of our well versed and educated leaders to recognise. The only option is change has to come from within and by negotiation.
I have echoed many times but I will/have been an odd man out to talk which to many looks crazy.
Many of our leaders have the vision of dreaming the history of Girja Prasad Koirala returning to Nepal after generation of living in India to be a champion.
Why cannot we put the simple perspective and educate to young ones that:
For Bhutan we are no more citizens legally, no country has opposed this. We only claim from outside. Yes I know the history and the law they are there and the whole world knows and even then they have decided to resettle us.
We are resettling in the west to finish the refugee issue which is happening, I don’ think core group of country will invest so heavely to fly anyone back to Bhutan or Nepal.
Other than demonizing Bhutan and criticising all from the beginning we have not embrace any Bhutanese values except holding Bhutanese flags in some occasions and few putting up ghos (at the same time majority criticising putting of ghos) and repeating the saga of 20 years.
Yes, everyone has suffered, including me, my family and as many, many as others.
But what is benefit of this criticism now and on and on?
The whole world knows our perspective and also the RGOB is perspective and they are making neutral judgement.
So my friends, “the way forward” as said by Julia Gillard Prime minister of Australia is “move forward”, open up new era and stop dreaming the gate will open with big arms in Phuntsholing, Samchi and Gelphu and bhangtar
If possible develop friendship with everyone in Bhutan, mostly the young ones, offer charity in the poor regions, no matter what part of Bhutan it is, have a day in year to accept Bhutanese culture that makes the Bhutan proud and world will think and know that we love Bhutan by deed as well.
At the movement, it is all one way traffic hating Bhutan by hundreds of media and reports and scratching the old wounds.. Why? What you will gain from this? Just few thank you to writers and satisfaction to other and few $$s of attend the conference and training for individual gains. What else???
Just see Ang Sang Suchi- barely a week after her release she said, “I am open to dialogue with the Junta” This is where we have to learn from in my personal opinion.
Many of you will write off me for this comment but history will show everything, my friends, let us follow the path that works. After all most of the leaders have learned and achieved more from Bhutan than 20 years in Nepal. Our English standard and leadership quality has come from education in one of the best institutions in the world (for most of the leaders).
For all my comments to Bhutan I made, I feel we may have perhaps missed the boat guys…to bring Bhutan on the goodwill with us.
If you and I cannot do anything good to Bhutan, lets keep the doors open for our children who may oneday go back to visit their heritage.
Well reality bites! Isn’t it Mates????
Parsu
Melbourne