Following mounting pressure from various sectors and firm determination of women in the strike, finally the Government of Nepal decided to commit in written to start the official registration process within the next five months. This has at least saved the lives of 12 asylum seekers, who fasted-to-death for 12 days. This is the longest fast-unto-death from the Bhutanese community in exile, thanks to their courage and determination.
The local authority, which said it was helpless to fulfill the demands put forwarded by women until the 11th day, appeared to bring the hunger strike to an end at the end, but without a serious mood. The time period offered by the government to address the humanitarian issue is too long. Probably, this is the longest time ever achieved by the government in general practices. And, hunger strike of 12 days definitely had demanded a time period of just 15 days or a month.
Several exiled Bhutanese have taken the gentlemen’s agreement as ‘it is better to have something than nothing’. However, there always lies doubt in the implementation part of the government’s commitment. The government has also failed to bring last year’s commitment into reality except addressing the demand of those who were absent at the time of distribution of identity cards.
In the next five months, Jhapa district would witness transfer of the Chief District Officer at least two to three times. And, there might be a new government in the country. By that time the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is responsible for bringing the commitment into actions, will have many new secretaries. Thus, the gentlemen’s agreement was simply aimed at bringing the hunger strike to an end. It lacks serious exercise to address the issue on humanitarian ground.
The agreement could have included a few vital things. Distribution of ration and other facilities on temporary basis unless asylum seekers get their status, and thorough medical examination of 12 women, who suffered during the hunger strike, on government’s support would have made the agreement stronger and smarter. In their absence, the hungry souls will remain so at least for about a year, and thorough treatment and dietary supports for women is doubtful, although the AMDA Nepal did play a laudable role throughout the protest period.
