Dozens of exiled Bhutanese from Jhapa-based Beldangi camps rallied on December 10 demanding dignified repatriation to Bhutan. The rally was organized coinciding the International Human Rights Day.
Over 300 Bhutanese refugees took out a rally in Beldangi refugee camp appealing the various agencies and Government of Nepal to help them return their homeland.
Jointly organized by National Reconciliation Committee, Bhutanese Senior Citizen Groups and Camp Management Committee, the rally also called on various rights groups to take their demand for repatriation seriously, and accordingly put pressure on Government of Bhutan.
While addressing the rally as the chief guest, constituent assembly member from Province No 1 Arjun Rai blamed the Bhutanese authority of ignoring the basic rights of exiled Bhutanese. He also stressed for a need to continue all facilities to the refugee community from the donor agencies.
Meanwhile, former camp secretary of Beldangi-II Extension Camp DB Subba said that refugees’ right to return home shouldn’t be replaced by other options like resettlement or local assimilation.
Dozens of Bhutanese who took part in the rally carried placards reading, “Open doors for repatriation. Respect international statue of human rights.”
Following resettlement of over 110,000 of exiled Bhutanese, around 6,500 refugees are still living in Nepal. Most of them want to return to Bhutan.
Birendra Mongar reported this story for BNS.
