Sept 13: Exiled political parties and human rights bodies have expressed their deep concern over the mushrooming growth of unruly activities inside Bhutanese refugee camps in eastern districts of Nepal.
Balaram Poudel, chairperson of a political coalition of three parties National Front for Democracy in Bhutan (NFD) has shown serious concern about fragile security system in camps. NFD’s concern follows the brutal murder of one KB Khadka recently.
General Secretary of People’s Forum for Human Rights in Bhutan DP Kafle has stated that there have been rise in the unruly activities inside refugee camps. Kafle has further appealed the authorities concerned for the management of security to refugees in camps.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Organisation of Bhutan (HUROB) has shown serious concern over the brutal killing of social activist Khadka on September 8 near Beldangi refugee camp in Jhapa Nepal.
“The ghastly murder of Khadka has shocked everyone in the Bhutanese community. The motive behind the cowardly murder is not known as he had good rapport with everyone in the camps and also with the people outside,” reads the press statement.
HUROB has also said that Khadka was one of the responsible persons to play crucial role as Camp Secretary in early 90s to establish the camp and rehabilitate the refugees.
Terming Khadka as a strong justice, the human rights body also said that the death of Khadka is a great loss to entire Bhutanese community.
HUROB has concluded that the incident has instilled fear in the mind of the refugees and insecurity of life.
“Every refugee comprehends that the murder is a well planned action by some ruthless murderer. The whole refugee community is mentally disturbed and anguished. The Nepal government should take note of the increasing trend of murder in the camps and accordingly strengthen the security measures for other refugees,” added the statement.
Condemning the murder, HUROB has urged the Nepal Government and UNHCR to take appropriate steps to find the culprits and bring before the law.
HUROB has also extended its heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and relatives of late Khadka.
Executive Chief of the Bhutanese Refugee Durable Solution Coordination Council Hari Bangaley, who is now in New York in USA, commenting on the incident upon the request of BNS demanded that the murderers should be fallen in police net.
“The nature of the incident is very sad and condemning,” said Bangaley over telephone, adding that the culprit should be given strong punishment.
Bangaley, a close friend of late Khadka during the activities and various technical programs launched by the Bhutanese Refugee Technical Education Centre (1998-2003) for refugees in camps, said that killing human being is entirely against norms of human rights.
“I have been hinting on the fragile security system in camps for the last few years and not to an exception now the situation in camps is as it was before,” added Bangaley.
According to Bangaley, the UNHCR has to come up with additional programs for the protection to refugees in camps, in his own words, he has raised this issue for quite sometimes. “The government of Nepal should come forth with strong measures to stop unruly activities prevailing inside camps,” said Bangaley, who termed late Khadka as one of the good leaders for social justice within Bhutanese refugee community.
He also stated that it is the right of refugees to exercise their right to live in fearless atmosphere in the host country.
“Anyone who are in such wrong steps should be given good lessons by the authority that they are not comfortable in doing so anymore and for others it should be a guideline to get to respect human being and their right to live as the first and the most important among all”, added Bangaley.
Demanding security for Khadka’s relatives in camps, Bangaley also extended his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.
