A group of women, who are without refugee status or official registration in refuge camps, submitted a memorandum to various local human rights groups, camp management committee and BRRRC (Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee) asking them to put pressure on the government authority to start official registration at the earliest possible time, Sunday.
According to Durga Devi Bista, Coordinator of the women group, the letter was submitted to those who had signed the “government commitment paper” in last November.
The local authority of Jhapa had committed to begin the registration process of all pending cases within April 2012. However, no progress at any level has been made to address the demands of asylum seekers and non-Bhutanese married to exiled Bhutanese, claimed Bista.
“We have been constantly trying to seek an appointment with the Chief District Officer to inquire about the progress,” She told Bhutan News Service adding, “The authority has been denying to listen at our problems.”
Bista also expressed sadness over the lack of progress regarding the resumption of registration process in the camps.
“Three months have already passed. We are really worried to get our status registered within the next two months.”
In last November, the group led a hunger strike of 12 days demanding refugee status and other facilities as enjoyed by their friends and relatives.
It is estimated that over 3,000 individuals have been deprived of official recognition. Of this some 1200 women are Nepalese or Indian nationals married to exiled Bhutanese.
