APFAnews Archive August 2008
Flood hits Beldangi-I camp (Brief)
Beldangi-I, August 29: Incessant monsoon in Jhapa since a few days flooded Ratuwa River inundating dozens of huts in Beldangi-I yesterday.
Youths in camp, Armed Security Force and local volunteers are assisting flood victims. Arjun Pradhan/Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 29, 2008 by Editor.
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Resettlement Vs Bhutanese Identity
Almost all refugees have desires to go back. Despite their desires—and despite numerous ministerial level talks between the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to resolve the refugee crisis over the past 18 years—Bhutan has not accepted a single refugee to return home. Still, local integration has not been possible for political reasons. Several experts of refugee issues opine that with neither repatriation nor local assimilation a pragmatic possibility for the great majority of refugees, resettlement to a third country, such as the United States, has come out as the only durable solution to long-standing problem.
Seeing a dim hope for repatriation, over 48,000 of Bhutanese refugees have declared their interest for Third Country Resettlement (TCR) in a safe country. When Bhutan is never positive to take refugees back home, TCR program as offered by Australia, America and some European countries, has become a Hobson’s choice– having no alternatives– for these refugees.
Within a short period of time, over 3,200 exiled Bhutanese have been resettled in various countries offering resettlement, their major number crossing 3,000 alone in various States of America. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), appointed as Overseas Processing Entity by the United States of America, has been processing around 100 cases daily. If security situation goes uninterrupted, it could be expected that around 12,000 refugees would fly to America by early 2009.
Bhutanese Identity
Will TCR program preserve Bhutanese identity of the refugees who choose to be resettled? This is an important question of concern for all the Bhutanese. Both the groups– those who have already resettled and those who are being processed by IOM– are not well informed of their legal status as well as the issue of Bhutanese identity after their relocation, be it on temporary or permanent basis.
Refugees, who have attended cultural orientation of the concerned country before their departure, are also confused regarding this issue. They even have fear that they would lose Bhutanese identity once they are resettled. If that happens, Bhutan- which has been accusing the refugees to be illegal immigrants migrated to Bhutan from Nepal and India- will be benefited more. The authority concerned, of all resettling countries, have been simply informing these folks that refugees can enjoy all the rights including right to citizenship, and have equal access to all opportunities–as enjoyed by the natives.
Such vibrant assurances to people, who have stayed without identity as stateless for several years, have certainly created excitement on them. That is why it is natural for the resettled refugees to build castle in air that very soon they would obtain the US Green Card (UGC) and the citizenship certificate subsequently.
Legal Status
There is no much difference of status between Bhutanese who reached the US prior to the TCR program and those who are going now. Bhutanese, who reached the US before TCR program, are called asylees and those under TCR program are refugees. Asylees are given an Alien Number after submission of application for asylum in the US whereas Bhutanese under resettlement package enter into the US in the status of refugees with the assigned Alien Number- meaning the status is granted prior to their arrival. Both asylees and refugees are entitled to get the same level of benefits, also for same duration, in the initial stage of their arrival in the US.
The US Green Cards
Both, the Bhutanese asylees and folks under TCR program have the same kind of conditions to obtain the UGC. According to Rajen Giri, president of Youth Organization of Bhutan, who reached the US in 2002 and is the recipient of the UGC, asylees are eligible to apply for the UGC a year after the date of approval of asylum whereas fellow-countrymen under TCR program can apply after one year from the date of their arrival in the US. The validity of this card for asylees and refugees is at least 10 years.
The exact number is unknown but Giri says that almost all who arrived in the US before 2005 have already obtained the UGC. After 5 years from the date of the green card issuance, one is eligible to apply for the US citizenship card. The US motivation is such that within the time frame of 10 years, usually but not necessarily, the government expects one to obtain citizenship card by passing exclusive citizenship interviews.
Open choices
There are no hard and fast rules for refugees to get the US citizenship. If they choose to stay as a refugee or with the UGC only- they can do that. It really depends on refugee individuals. People who have the UGC or the US citizenship are more likely to get better opportunity and easy travel outside the country. Most of the Federal States and even some city jobs require the employee to have these cards to be eligible. The intention of the US government is not only to shelter refugees there but also to make the use of their manpower in the US, which has vast geography, discouraging people to leave the country after they are granted the legal status.
It is an undeniable fact that in order to utilize the manpower, the US encourages these refugees to obtain the UGC and citizenship certificates to make them more responsible towards the country they live in. The interesting fact is that new comers are less likely to stay as an asylee or refugee in the US forever- it is how they design the resettlement plans and systems.
Conclusion
Actually, under the US laws one can have dual citizenship. Bhutanese refugees, who are moving from Nepal to the US, very well know that Bhutan doesn’t entertain its citizens to have this opportunity. On this regard, those who will obtain the US citizenship and want to repatriate to Bhutan when it accepts them, will have to surrender the US citizenship certificates. But, resettling refugees should never forget that they are resettled in such development countries simply because they are Bhutanese citizens. So, it is neither the US systems nor the Bhutanese government to preserve the Bhutanese identity but it is the resettling refugees themselves.
This entry was posted in Opinion on August 28, 2008 by Editor.
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Nepal-Bhutan talks (Reproduction)
By Narayan Sharma
Bhutanese prime minister Jigme Y Thinlay has reportedly expressed Bhutan’s desire to resume the derailed bilateral consultation with Nepal over the refugee issue. Bhutan has over the years, strategically, procrastinated the solution-seeking process and shifted the onus on Nepal. It has floated the propaganda that its seriousness over the refugee issue notwithstanding, Nepal’s political instability and vacillation in its refugee diplomacy pre-empted a solution. With a new government in place in Kathmandu with a secure numerical strength, Thimphu will have no immediate alibi to further forestall bilateralism. Should Nepal opt to evade the alleged culpability, it must resume bilateral exercise at the earliest.
Here are a few significant issues for Nepal to be cognizant of while engaging Bhutan in the future bilateral exercise.
Human classification
A series of Nepal-Bhutan bilateral talks held over a number of years were based on a wrong premise of human classification. This was in turn based on Bhutan’s maneuvering that there were non-Bhutanese in the camps. Bhutan’s intention has been loud and clear: To minimize the southern Bhutanese population to fit its sectarian nationalist agenda that warrants minimizing the southern Bhutanese strength. Refugee classification is an effort to preempt return of as many Bhutanese as possible. Classification as malafide per se is unambiguous, given its result that criminalizes scores of infants classifying them in the criminal category!
Any future engagement needs to undo these wrongs perpetrated previously.
Conditions imposed upon possible returnees
The post-classification Agreed Position on the Four Categories (APFC) unnerved the refugees as never before. The APFC required the perpetrator government to repatriate just the first category accounting to a paltry 2.5 percent of the total verified. Having thus diminished its responsibility through diplomatic haggling, the Bhutanese government imposed a series of conditions upon possible returnees to be considered worthy of citizenship, a status that was robbed of them years ago. The process lacked transparency.
While the Bhutanese government claims that the conditions were integral to bilateral diplomatic process, the Nepali side maintains that Bhutan imposed them without its acquiescence and contrary to the terms and conditions as agreed in the Ministerial Joint Committee.
The conditions include a compulsory probation period of two years wherein the repatriates’ “patriotism” would be tested. Other tenets of this weird examination are that one “must not be engaged in activities that contravene Bhutan’s laws, should be able to speak Dzongkha, must have good knowledge of the culture, customs, traditions and history of Bhutan, shall not be associated with activities of any anti-national organization/individuals, must have no record of having spoken or acted against the king, country and people of Bhutan in any manner whatsoever”.
Finally, the government reserves the prerogative of whether or not awarding citizenship status to the repatriates upon its subjective satisfaction of having fulfilled the criteria imposed. Any enquiring mind can fathom the mala-fide intention inherent in these set of conditions. Acquiescence to return under such constraints would leave the returnees at the virtual mercy of a very hostile government which precisely was the author of their misery.
And therefore, Bhutanese refugees cannot return under the terms of such draconian conditions. Any future engagement of Nepal with Bhutan must obviate such and other contingencies aimed to defeat the core reason and sanctity of the exercise. Repatriation must be undertaken with honor and dignity, not obviously under the government’s whims and fancies.
Simultaneous repatriation
Upon voluntary determination by refugees to return, the two governments must undertake instantaneous repatriation without delaying for the completion of their diplomatic vagrancies. That was one of fallibilities of the past bilateral exercise. Despite determination of their status, refugees’ return was delayed to eventually abort the process upon discovering a frail excuse. Bhutan is expected to continue its ingenious tactics of prevaricating the bilateral exercise and repatriation.
Reintegration in the original homesteads
The Bhutanese refugee situation is an expression of Bhutan’s homogenizing agenda in perusal of its meta-objective of cultural nationalism. It has not only excluded southern Bhutanese by physical eviction, but has simultaneously unleashed a cultural onslaught on their distinct culture, tradition, customs, religion and language. Even if it were to agree to repatriation, its design is to assimilate them within the Drukpa ethos and to obliterate their distinct identity. This remains a clarion call of the Bhutanese brand of “unique nationalism” propagated in the name of “One Nation, One People.” Nepal must raise this concern in any future engagement with Bhutan in right earnest.
Nepal’s stake
Nepal must remain cognizant of its stake in the Bhutanese refugee situation. If a durable solution is not found for all the refugees, the responsibility lies with Nepal as the host country. That does not, however, justify any action in haste. Nepal needs to approach cautiously and consistently until the last human being in the camp is integrated either by repatriation or third country settlement. Reintegration is considered the anchor of repatriation, which entails the inclusion of the repatriates in all fronts of the country’s mainstream. If that is not achieved, repatriation fails ensuring a holistic solution and remains a shift of venue.
Concerning Bhutanese refugees, repatriation sans Bhutan’s serious commitment might usher another influx given Bhutan’s ethno-politicking and India’s approach. In that event, Nepal may need to face a second brunt. That calls for a conscious approach in its refugee diplomacy. It should work to forge a composite agreement with Bhutan and the core countries that have begun resettling refugees in their national territories. That would bind Bhutan to honor its commitment and also address Nepal’s concerns for all the times to come.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, Kathmandu School of Law)
Source: The Kathmandu Post, Aug 28, 2008
This entry was posted in Main News on August 28, 2008 by Editor.
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Agriculture Minister and staffs to leave cars every Tuesday
August 28: Agriculture Minister Pema Gyamtsho finds a new method to challenge the increasing fuel shortage and souring prices as he orders his ministry staffs to walk along to go office.
On Tuesday morning, staff of the agriculture ministry walked to their officer leaving vehicles back in home. Minister Gyamtsho also walked along with his staffs.
Minister said the initiative was also meant for protecting environment pollution cased by carbon emissions.
The tradition will now be followed every Tuesday with the theme ‘Helping our Environment, Health and Economy (HEHE) aimed at reducing air and noise pollution, vehicular traffic, increasing public space, improving physical health and reducing costs to the national exchequer.
Half of the 250 staffs in the ministry own vehicles. Minister further said, “We must take it on ourselves to do what we can to mitigate this risk. I strongly feel that, as the green sector with major responsibilities to address both our economic and environmental concerns, we should show the way for others to emulate.” Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 28, 2008 by Editor.
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Two bombs exploded inside camp
Sanischare, August 26: Two bombs exploded yesterday at around 9 pm in Sector F inside Morang-based Sanischare camp.
The security post within the camp confirmed the serial blasts, which caused no casualty.
Camp secretary of the camp could not be reached for the comment. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 26, 2008 by Editor.
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BNS should work for networking
How do you evaluate the current resettlement process?
It appears now that the bulk majority of the refugees are looking forward to resettlement. This was not expected earlier. It is perhaps due to the feedbacks sent by those who are already resettled.
Does not it lead to identity crisis?
Unless the community leaders among the resettled refugees work hard to keep the folks engaged in cultural activities, the refugees could easily get overwhelmed by the western consumerism. That would be most stressful for the refugees who are old, adults or even those who past the teenage in the camps. Identity crisis is my real worry. We are being resettled there as Lhotsampa refugees. We should not lose this identity, including our goal to establish a democratic, multi-cultural, prosperous and more sovereign Bhutan.
What will be the legal status of resettled refugees in different countries of Europe, America and Australia?
As I understand the refugees have the option to keep their Lhotsampa identity intact while enjoying almost all the rights of a citizen in the resettled country. We should encourage the refugees to be honest, hardworking and productive people, ever grateful to the country, which has offered them the refuge. The refugees must work hard to establish first economically while focusing at education of their children. We should take the example of the Jewish community who, as refugees, has done very well in the resettling countries but in the meantime, jealously protected their Jewish identity and have not shred off their moral responsibility towards Israel.
What is your idea of building a network of political intellectuals/activists who can further strengthen the on-going struggle?
We should start thinking in two fronts. One is establishment of Non-resident Bhutanese networking and the other is consolidation of the activists groups in exile. We should aim at bringing a resolution in the Bhutanese Parliament some day giving non-resident Bhutanese status to all the refugees settled abroad. That will come through only with the establishment of genuine, inclusive democracy in Bhutan. That will immensely benefit the country in the long-run as well as get the resettled refugees connected with their motherland, Bhutan.
The Bhutanese people living in camps for so long maintained a bond of socio-cultural values and lived with a feeling of togetherness. After the resettlement, how is it possible to preserve that integrity?
Our collective interest while we were in the camps was to return to Bhutan with honor and dignity and to establish a democratic Bhutan. That interest together with cluster settlement in the UNHCR-organized camps in Nepal and the role-played by the community leaders in cultural and religious activities added strength to the feeling of togetherness. Now the refugees are being dispersed in four continents. The good part is that the refugees are moving to developed countries where education and internet connectivities are basic needs. We should be able to create social discussion forum, arrange to vote electronically for democratic consensus building on issues of our mutual interests, and share happiness at times of success and express solidarity at times of misfortune and difficulties. We are a nation in itself. We should be able to build that kind of a network since we have many talents around. It is just a question of putting our acts together and thinking ahead of time.
How can this concept be materialized?
Bhutan News Service is doing a great job! Some young talents who are in Asia, North America, Europe, and Australasia should come forward and start non-resident Bhutanese networking. This networking should have a core-working group with a membership base. Those who become its member will have to pay some annual membership fee. We should create a sustainable organization on our own strength. The organization should be able to organize annual events, for example, such as rewarding achievers from our community, organize national convention of the non-resident Bhutanese, and it should always make effort to tie-up with people inside the country.
Today, we are thrown out from Bhutan because they felt that we are a burden to them. Tomorrow, if our children become educationists, medical specialists, business entrepreneurs, this perception will change. Bhutan will invite us back some day as Uganda has been doing today to many evicted Indians. The key is we should work hard to be successful and remain connected. Here is the role of Non-Resident Bhutanese Networking.
How can the leadership in exile coordinate between resettling Diasporas and the people in Bhutan to establish people’s democracy in the country?
The Bhutanese leadership in exile could not do much earlier because of the circumstances. The refugee situation was the main constraint. The leadership was always divided between the humanitarian aspects of the problem and the political agenda in Bhutan. The royal government has tried to deceive the Bhutanese people by giving pseudo political change. Now the leadership in exile should work hard to establish inter-connectivity with the refugees who are being settled and in the meantime try to consolidate the movement in exile. It should not be done in a hurry. We should do with meticulous planning and consultation. The leadership in exile should try to be a bridge between the dispersed Diaspora and the people living inside Bhutan. The leadership has a greater role than ever before. The opportunities are as many as the challenges!
From your experience on the American life style, can you share with us how hard would it be for resettling Bhutanese?
I have been a regular visitor to the US even after the completion of my postgraduate education. My experience is limited to academic environment, where life is relatively easy. Our people are going there to enter into entry-level job markets. They are bound to face difficulties and frustration when they have to do odd jobs. The brighter side is that work efficiency is recognized, and hard working people are rewarded.
I firmly believe that our people will gain financially in the US and take advantage of the quality education system for their children. It would have been great if these people were repatriated to Bhutan. In absence of that opportunity, we have to make best use of the opportunity available at hand and work collectively for our long-term goal.
This entry was posted in Interview on August 25, 2008 by Editor.
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Bhutan to get private bank next year (Economy)
New Delhi, August 24: India’s second largest public sector lender Punjab National Bank is likely to extend its branch in Bhutan by March next year. A memorandum of understanding for this work has already been signed with the local bank in Bhutan.
PNB, tying commercial relation with a major business house in Bhutan, is waiting an approval from the Bhutan government for operation. This will be the first private commercial bank in Bhutan.
The JV with the paid-up capital of Rs 30 crore has been named as Druk PNB Ltd, for which the bank has received regulatory approval from Reserve Bank of India.
PNB hopes to begin two to three branches in Bhutan at a time. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 24, 2008 by Editor.
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Refugee volunteer looted in America (Reproduction)
STONE MOUNTAIN, Atlanta: Inside the Stone Mountain headquarters of World Relief Atlanta, the doors and windows are open wide. They’re hoping for a summer breeze that still hasn’t arrived.
A look outside explains their hopes. Seven out of ten air conditioning units are gutted. Thieves stole all the copper Tuesday night. A HVAC maintenance man discovered the missing parts Wednesday morning.
“My first reaction was, oh no, not me,” World Relief Atlanta director Brian Burt said. “Then it turns to frustration. We feel like we’re doing a good thing in the community.”
Maybe those copper thieves didn’t know the faces of their victims the way Burt does.
World Relief helps refugees adjust to American life: find an apartment, get a job, and become self-sufficient.
Richard Crotteau is a World Relief volunteer. He’s been working with the Dahal family since they arrived in the United States about three months ago.
They are originally from Bhuta, a small land-locked nation in South Asia. They are among the 125,000 Bhutanese people forced to leave the country due to discriminatory practices of the current government.
The Dahal family spent 17 years in a Napal refugee camp. “We had no freedom,” one of the brothers explains. “We had to stay in the camp or be threatened.” They came to the United States as refugees and have already started building their American dreams.
The younger children are enrolled in Dekalb County schools. The older children are making plans to attend college next fall. All are taking English classes.
World Relief Atlanta estimates it will cost about $35,000 to replace the stolen air conditioning units. Insurance will cover some of the cost. Every penny spent there is money not spent on the refugees.
Burt said he’s seen the rash of copper thefts targeting schools, churches, and other non-profit groups throughout the summer: “That’s part of my frustration. It seems like those targeted by this crime seem to be doing some of the best work in the community, but we’re also the most vulnerable.”
Source: Copper Thieves Hit Refugee Help Group
This entry was posted in Main News on August 22, 2008 by Editor.
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Capital-Phuentsholing highway to close
Phuentsholing, August 22:The division of roads has notified all vehicle owners that Thimphu-Phuentsholing road will remain closed on every Monday and Tuesday from August 25, for seasonal maintenance and repair.
The division has asked all concerned to arrange their travel accordingly. The road has become very dangerous due to landslides in recent monsoon rains.
Meanwhile, residents of Gurung Basti in Samtse district have complained that main road linking the Basti and highway has not been repaired for several months. Gurung Basti is located 2 km away from the main highway. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 22, 2008 by Editor.
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Rongthong appeals Jr Jigme and PM (Politics)
New Delhi (India), August 22:Druk National Congress (DNC), led by Rongthong Kunley Dorji, has written separate letters to the King and Prime Minister drawing their attention towards exiled stalemate.
Congratulating both the King and PM for finalizing the constitution, DNC said, “While our Kingdom is embarking on a new vibrant journey, there are matters that still need attention to ensure an equitable democracy for our people.”
The denial of religion and cultural freedom had led to a religio-politico imbroglio in our beloved country. It seems a partial solution has been achieved by guaranteeing the freedom of religion and cultural rights under the Constitution.
DNC tells, however, the genuine intent and resolve of a new democratic Bhutan should be the release of all political prisoners at once.
The letter mentioned that it is the fervent prayer that unless the political differences are addressed, including with exiled political leaders, then long-term peace, stability, economic prosperity, and happiness of all Bhutanese would not be achieved.
“We are all firmly committed to strengthen the sovereignty and security of our beloved nation” said DNC appealing Bhutan work together with exiled leaders and international community to resolve all outstanding problems.Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 22, 2008 by Editor.
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Resettlement diary from NY (Reprint)
By Kazi Gautam, NY (USA)
At first we were taken to the Tribhuwan International Airport and we had to board the Etihat Airways (9 PM), the national airways of United Arab Emirate. After the journey of 4.5 hours, we landed in Dubai at 1.30 AM. Then we were again boarded by another Etihat Airways after half an hour to be landed in John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York. 17 hours journey as it was, you can easily figure out how tedious it was. Whatever we were served in the plane was almost sweet; so we could hardly eat anything. Up to Dubai, it was okay for they even gave us Nepali dishes (Daal Bhaat).
We landed safely in the JFK at 8.30 next morning. It was at that place we had to wait till 1.30 PM. We had to complete some paper works and the fingerprint taken in the immigration section before we were rushed to another airport, to be taken to our respective destination. All the refugees were together up to JFK. We had to board the flight of US Air ways at 4.20 PM but it was delayed by three hours and we had to pass the whole time sitting on the chairs, with the IOM bag in one hand. It was really cold evening; where the sun sets at 9 pm in summer and we had no choice.
The tiredness we had been feeling so far was gone at least for some times when we happened to meet Hari Bangaley and others in the Syracuse International Airport. We were a bit nostalgic and felt homely when Maili Maiju, the wife to Bangaley served us hot rice with mutton and cheese-chilly (ema dachi).
The days that followed were somewhat busy since we were rushed to different places for the intake programs. Now we have got everything–Social Security Card, Benefit Card, New York State ID, Employment Authorization Card–needed for us to stay and work in the US.
They (the resettlement agencies) give each person, including children, the subsidy of $425 for the first month. It is the aid from the US government for the refugees distributed by the resettlement agencies. The subsidy is for the payment of the first month’s rent, security deposit, and other basic items needed to set up a household. If there is any money left, the resettlement agency is required to return it via check to the refugees. The agency assists each family in application for food stamps. The aforementioned benefits are adjusted depending on family size.
Match Grant and Public Assistance
After the first month, the refugee is kept either in the Match Grant (MG) or Public Assistance (PA) category, depending upon his/her physical or/and mental condition, and other necessary factors. Those who are able to work or those who are healthy shall be kept under MG. He/she must be ready to get into job at the earliest; or within four months as they will not be assisted further. This is a sort of risk but any one gets job as per his/her capability. The adult who is in MG is provided with $200 and the children are provided with $ 40 for three months.
Those who are sick or have some chronic diseases or any disabilities are kept under PA. The assistance provided to them continues for some more time, maximum for 60 months.
However, there isn’t much difference between PA or MG as the refugees under any program should get employed at the earliest.
Health Insurance
Medicaid (medical insurance) is federally mandated for 8 months regardless of employment and cash assistance from the state or from the Match Grant program.
But, after eight months one needs to pay for his health check up and all, which is the most expensive. However, it can be managed though health insurance that refugees need to start once they get to the job.
For Newcomers
The refugees who are longing to get resettled in the US should not worry about anything but focus themselves in learning English, advisably the spoken one, attend computer classes if and possibly get enrolled in the vocational courses. If your spoken English is good and you have knowledge of basic computer application (the office package), you are more likely to get good jobs. Then comes to learning to drive a car. That is an added advantage.
I found the beginning of the life in the US to be very tough—learning to talk, eat, walk, use the kitchen and bathroom, wash clothes and learn the culture. We really need to start from zero. But the people in the US are found to be very helpful. So this makes our life a little easier.
I advise those who are coming to the US to bring a pressure cooker for it is hardly found here. Even if found, it might be difficult to get at the beginning. I don’t think one needs to bring other stuffs save some clothes of the proper size.
It’s been a month that I have been resettled here and I have found everything–rice, vegetables (all kinds), milk, and meat, fruits and even gundruk and sinki. So there is nothing to worry about. If you just pack some warm clothes in your hand bag and set a journey to the US, you are done.
This entry was posted in Main News on August 21, 2008 by Editor.
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Bhutan congratulates Prachanda
Kathmandu, August 20: Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley has said that Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda’s election to the high post was a clear expression of the trust and confidence reposed in him by the people of Nepal.
Expressing confidence that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries would be further strengthened in the years ahead under Prachanda’s wise and able leadership, the Prime Minister has also extended best wishes for Prachanda’s personal well-being and for the peace, progress and happiness of the Nepalese citizens. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 20, 2008 by Editor.
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Tales of ‘refugee’ hearts
Nar Maya Dhakal, 41-year-old exiled Bhutanese from Beldangi-II camp, was suffering from Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) since three years. Diagnosed medically as RDH patient, she was having complications with both mitral and aortic valves, requiring replacement. Association of Medical Doctors of Asia- AMDA-Hospital-a local hospital, near refugee camp, looking after health of the exiled folks sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), denied her referral to a better hospital at the capital for surgery. The frequent requests, often tearful, for the referral rolled down in vein. When he learnt about the referral policy of the sponsoring agency, he had no way out than to raise fund from among the fellow-countrymen, well wishers and relatives outside camp–if any.
The trifling contribution from fellow citizens, who are tightly scheduled with donor’s ration, generated at least two-way bus fares and three-day-lodging at a charity house for the couple in Kathmandu. Doctors at Sahid Gangalal Hospital–the county’s biggest heart centre– asked him to collect some two hundred thousand Nepalese rupees for her valvular replacement.
Devi Charan then booked a pair of bus tickets to Jhapa where his ramshackle hut was waiting to get leakage repaired. He left no stones unturned to raise the fund. He even carried big sacks of pulses and traded in the local markets. He borrowed loan at interest rate much higher than market value and collected some sixty thousand. He even initiated small-scaled business and sold rations donated by UNHCR. Then he had eighty thousand rupees in hand and a hope in mind to get his wife treated.
Helped by the friends and relatives in camps, Charity Trust and the hospital, getting active initiative from the hospital management, Narmaya’s heart surgery was done successfully. She is now happy with her new life and feels relaxed.
This is not only Nar Maya’s story; it’s the story of an exiled Bhutanese whose heart is successfully treated at in personal initiative. However, all are not equally lucky. Very often they are compelled to hide the disease as they can not afford such expensive treatment and wait for the death. What else could they do?’ Its easy now’, you would say that they are treated for communicable diseases if they choose to be resettled. And, this is what we often hear from doctors and donors at first.
Resettlement is a complicated and specific program aimed at solving decade long impasse. All with or without such diseases may have to stand-on-line, but none are known to have been yet treated. Hearing the medical check up for all diseases before resettlement, Devi Charan also filled up a form showing his interest for resettlement. He did not dream for heavenly life in the US but to ensure his paradise– his wife would be treated free of cost– is not lost. He waited and followed up the process yet he was not called for interview. Now her damaged valve is replaced and another repaired.
What would they say if they are offered resettlement now? He has something to say but not denial. ‘I owe a lot of money that I have spent on treating my wife’, Devi Charan says adding, ‘I will beg them time until I can repay the debt off and would do whatever they say thereafter’ and puts his plan on his head.
Paryankush Pyakurel,24, of the same camp is another lucky refugee whose operation of the heart was successful at his own effort. As Devi Charan did, Dharnidhar Pyakurel, brother of Paryankush, toiled to raise fund for treatment. Helped by the community, relatives, educational institutes and Churches, Pyakurel managed a small fund.
‘Sahid Gangalal Heart Centre saved my life’, says Pyakurel gratefully. Only after successful operation, UNHCR helped Pyakurel with some money as compensation for bus fare and lodging at the capital.
Some Bhutanese in exile are leant to have returned in dismay from Kathmandu for not being able to produce minimum balance required for the treatment of heart diseases. The hospital has a quota for free valve but only for Nepalese citizen. Still the hospital tries its best not to return any patient visiting with the hope of survival.
Had there been no humanitarian assistance, initiated at Maidhar camp, number of exiled Bhutanese inviting deaths due to various diseases would be unimaginably high. The donor investments on some of the very sensitive sectors like maternal and child health cares, sanitation and public awareness programs are praiseworthy. However, expensive treatments are officially denied citing the cases to be terminal. There are over 200 tertiary cases which are denied of further treatments by the UNHCR sponsored AMDA-Hospital. The denial may be justifiable as it has to look after billions of global refugees and internally displaced people. However, countries willing to resettle these folks can not buy time to treat them as they are going to be the residents of the resettling countries, be it on temporary or permanent basis.
This entry was posted in Opinion on August 19, 2008 by Editor.
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Resettled folks celebrate Janai Purnima (Diaspora)
Oakland (CA), August 19: A dozen of exiled Bhutanese, resettled here a few months back, celebrated Janai Purnima on August 16, Saturday.
“We were happy to have Guru Hem Raj Mishra from Beldangi in the bay area”, said one of the exiled Bhutanese.
Mishra, who arrived here two weeks back, offered thread, janai and tika to those Bhutanese who gathered at the residence of Lok Nath Bastola.
Senior Bhutanese, who have been here for years, coordinated for the joint Janai Purnima celebration. Contributed by Uttam Gurung, CA
This entry was posted in Main News on August 19, 2008 by Editor.
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First mushroom festival in Ura, Bumthang (Economy)
Bumthang, August 19: Minister of Agriculture, Pema Gyamtsho inaugurated Matsutake Festival; pine mushroom festival sponsored by Royal Government of Bhutan, on August 14 at Ura, Bumthang.
Festival was jointly organised by the Ura Mushroom Conversation and Tourism Group, Thrumshingla National Park and Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Japanese professional chefs demonstrated the art of cooking the Matsutake, famous in Japan.
With the aim of managing Matsutake tourism package, the festival will be organized yearly for three to five days. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 19, 2008 by Editor.
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New families receive welcome (Diaspora)
Georgia (Atlanta), August 19: A senior Bhutanese citizen, Narayan Katel, dwelling in the United States of America coordinated a welcome event on last Sunday for new exiled families in Georgia, Atlanta.
Dozens of Indian volunteers associated with a community group, Sewa International, assisted in free transport of some 350 exiled Bhutanese from their locations to the Hindu Temple of Atlanta for the cultural welcome program.
In the event, Bhutanese youths performed cultural and typical Nepali and Hindi dances. Kazi Gautam/Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 19, 2008 by Editor.
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YOB raises exiled issue at UN Assembly
New York (USA), August 18: The president of Youth Organization of Bhutan (YOB), Rajen Giri raised the long-standing issue of exiled Bhutanese during the open session in the Annual Youth Assembly at United Nations, which concluded on August 14.
A statement issued by YOB said, Giri urged the youth delegates, 996 global delegates in the assembly, to pay attention at ethnic cleansing by Bhutanese regime expelling over one hundred thousand citizens.
He sought support and solidarity from the delegation members to note the sufferings of exiled Bhutanese, awaiting early and dignified repatriation since last two decades, and work to end the impacts it has rendered on the youths, women and children in camps. Kazi Gautam/Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 18, 2008 by Editor.
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Two arrested on forgery charge
Birtamod August 16: Police arrested three exiled Bhutanese from Anarmani of Jhapa, Nepal on the charge of forging signature to draw money from a local bank Thursday evening.
They are identified as Rup Narayan Poudel and Khagendra Baniya of Beldangi and Kamal Pokharel of Goldhap camp. They had been living outside the camps.
According to police Pokharel, carrying a cheque of Rs. 45,000 issued in the name of Bhupal Shiwakoti, reached Excel Development Bank Wednesday to draw money but fled when bank staff suspected foul play.
Pokhrel was arrested first and two others based on the statement he gave to police.
They admitted to police to have drawn Rs 180,000 from various individuals’ bank accounts forging signatures. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 16, 2008 by Editor.
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Dr Singh happy with democratic changes in Bhutan (Politics)
New Delhi, August 15: Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh expressed satisfaction in democratic changes taking place in his neighbors including Bhutan in the recent years.
In his address to the nation on the occasion of 62 Independence Day Dr Singh said, “We wish all our neighbors well. We welcome the strengthening of democratic forces in our neighborhood, especially in Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan.”
He further said “Our goal in South Asia is to seek a peaceful, stable and prosperous neighborhood,” Singh said in his traditional address from the 17th century Red Fort. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 15, 2008 by Editor.
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Whither refugees in S Asia? (Reproduction)
By Narayan Sharma
he 15th SAARC Summit has just concluded with the regional leaders reaffirming their commitment to address the identified and prioritized regional challenges in a spirit of cooperation. While, on the one hand, important issues bedeviling the region were identified, the issue of implementation of the past understandings, on the other hand, found its due place in their joint and several commitments. The notable issues raised in the summit were those of terrorism, poverty, SAARC food bank, energy security inter alia. While one does not cast aspersions as to the veracity of these issues, the SAARC leaders blundered once again by conspicuously overlooking the issue of refugees in the region.
While the refugee movements in the region are generally characterized by mass influx situations, most of the causative factors are state-manufactured, like human rights violations including all round discrimination and de-citizening, forced land colonization, population transfer, inter alia.
he refugee generation in the region is basically an expression of the post-colonial sectarian nation-building agenda of South Asia. Starting with the mammoth population movement from and to India and Pakistan in the aftermath of partition which has its roots in the nation-building agenda of the two states, the subsequent refugee influxes in the region are triggered by similar causes.
uring the 1971 Bangladesh war, over 10 million Bangladeshis fled to India’s northeast. The influx of Chakma refugees follows firstly assimilationist and later exclusionist policy of Bangladesh in its effort to build an Islamic state based on the culture of the mainstream Muslim Bengalis. The Kaptai Dam oustees are a victim of the economic face of the nation-building process of Bangladesh.
he revivalist cultural nationalism based on the culture of the Drukpa manifest in its “One Nation One People” policy has rendered over a hundred thousand southern Bhutanese refugees. The nation-building process in Sri Lanka based on the culture of majority Sinhalese is the central reason behind the political bedlam in that state and the subsequent refugee influx to India. The Rohingyas became refugees as they were deemed unfit for the nationalistic scheme of Myanmar.
Refugee situations in the region have at least two primary dimensions. The first is the human rights and humanitarian dimension of the problem. With thousands of people coerced to leave their home, their fundamental human rights get flouted with impunity. Their life, livelihood, and liberty are threatened concurrently. Once refugees, there arises serious humanitarian concerns of the people. While refugee situations are theoretically considered an international concern thus justifying international solidarity in the phase of maintenance and quest of solutions, they are simultaneously considered a burden, and hence burden sharing, a term emerging out of the hatred towards refugees.
he second dimension of refugee situation in the region is its impact upon the bilateral and multilateral relationship between the states in the region. With the legalistic facet of the institution of asylum not at all institutionalized in the region, despite the regional claim of being refugee-friendly, refugee movements are indeed a defining factor of relationship between stake-holder states, especially between the state of origin and the refugee hosting states. Thus one does not fathom, Sino-Indian relationship without the issue of Tibetan refugees in India, neither does one comprehend the Indo-Sri Lankan relationship sans the issue of Tamil refugees stranded in India.
imilarly, Indo- Bangladesh relationship is marred by the movement of Chakmas to India and the alleged infiltration of a huge Muslim population to the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. The current Nepal-Bhutan relationship began in a state of animosity with the Bhutanese refugee issue coming to directly engage the two countries for the first time.
he hostility between India and Pakistan has its root in the bloody history of partition and the subsequent movement of refugees from India to Pakistan and vice versa. What, therefore, remains well-founded is that refugee situations in South Asia are indeed a concern and do deserve a considered attention of the states in the region.
here does SAARC stand in comparison to such an important concern? The SAARC charter excludes bilateral and contentious issues from deliberation. The charter also envisages the regional cooperation to complement all bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the states. While the rationale behind exclusion of bilateral issues might be pious, it is indeed bilateral animosity that is primarily responsible for the failure of SAARC, which is of course characterized by repeated commitments and simultaneous lack of implementation.
Living in limbo many refugee groups do not justify the desire of SAARC for peace, stability, amity and progress and the objective to promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia. They belong to South Asia, and their exclusion from the scheme of things does not justify the principles and the purposes of the SAARC charter. With repeated promises of peoples’ welfare and justice in successive summits while leaving a huge South Asian family under stringency of refugee-hood, our leaders only reveal our vileness and our ready-made double standards.
AARC leaders should realize that friends can cooperate and collaborate, not enemies. Relationships between states in the region are often marred by bilateral problems, the issue of refugees being one of them. The refugee issue at the same time is a doable one if the SAARC leaders begin in right earnest. They should forge an alliance to end human misery, especially those arising out of the omission or commission of the state or its instrumentalities. Apart from taking regional initiative to address these urgent human concerns, SAARC should work to institute a SAARC Human Right Court to remedy the wrongs perpetrated against human life, human dignity and values.
Source: The Kathmandu Post, August 13, 2008
This entry was posted in Main News on August 13, 2008 by Editor.
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The question remains (Reproduction)
By NIRA GIRI TAMANG
During the 14th SAARC Summit in Delhi in 2007, the then prime minister of Bhutan, Khandu Wangchuck defended the institution of the monarchy as if the king had come down from a heavenly abode. For commoners, SAARC is a platform to commit and demonstrate national and collective development goals. Lauding the monarch beyond limits reflects a farcical democratic transition. The leaders either have lost their conscientiousness or are overtly colluding with the king to defeat the legitimate aspirants of democratic change. Organizations that are working for democratic transition and banned by Bhutan have accepted the king as ceremonial head. There is no reason to feel insecure if one truly believes in democracy.
hutan has always downplayed the demand for human rights and democratic change. History will never excuse the monarch for embracing an ethno-centric policy in order to survive. They claim to have granted equal rights to all the people, but they have actually excluded all those of other ethnicities. The essence of multiculturalism, which is a democratic aspiration and value, is absolutely absent in Bhutan.
The 15th SAARC summit provided little hope to the people in the region. Greater connectivity between people, relaxation of customs duties and trade barriers, food security, global terrorism, climate change, South Asian University, SAARC Development Fund and good governance are some of the pertinent issues that the people wanted their governments to take up during the Colombo Summit held from July 17-20, 2008.
he Charter of People’s Assembly must be incorporated by the state machinery to make pro-people policies. Democracy can nurture the value of mankind and institutions that safeguard the rights of the people. South Asia has the potential for growth. The growth rate was 8 percent in the region. But the growth is uneven. The vast revenues generated are still used for the military while we continue to host half of the world’s poor. The energy crisis is another issue of immediate concern. In this context, Pakistan and Afghanistan can contribute significantly by relaxing duties and expanding transit facilities to connect with central Asia. And in order for this happen, the nuclear states must continue their dialogue.
s far as Bhutan is concerned, Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley made some positive remarks in Colombo. He has acknowledged the existence of terrorist activity in Bhutan. This acknowledgement proves that there is political unrest there. Bhutan has witnessed a series of low intensity bomb blasts in recent months. The United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan (URFB) has claimed responsibility for a number of them. The violence is a reflection of sheer frustration. More than 108,000 refugees have been languishing in exile in eastern Nepal for the last 18 years.
hutan continues to deny its multiethnic reality. No country can stamp out the cultural identity of any ethnic group in the name of a “one people policy”. Bhutan has forcefully imposed the dress of the ruling elite as the national dress at the expense of other ethnic groups like the Lhotshampas.
regional initiative for countering criminal activities has come up at the SAARC Summit – mutual assistance in criminal activities. But it is highly probable, as has been the tradition in Bhutan, that it might misuse this legal corpus to extradite dissident political activists. Bhutan entered into an extradition treaty with India in 1997 targeting persons whom they perceived as a threat. But the move proved futile because of the prompt response by social activists all over the world.
he present government must resolve the prolonged refugee fiasco. They must stop propagating “by the grace of the king… democracy has been handed over to people”. Is democracy the king’s private property? Democracy must develop from within and from the bottom up. The publicity that King Jigme Singye Wangchuck retired at the age of 51 to live in a log cabin is a sham.
his is a political gimmick. No one knows the truth about how he is embroiled in a power struggle with his four wives, 10 princes and princesses and an equal number of sisters and cousins. His abdication is mere eyewash. Both kings have shown their true colors with regard to racial discrimination when they used their prerogative (Article 2 of the Constitution) to nominate five members to the National Council. Not one was nominated from the Lhotshampa community.
ome of the remarks made by the Bhutanese prime minister at the SAARC Summit were both inspiring and discouraging. Bhutan does not possess the infrastructure to host a SAARC Summit, but the prime minister proposed to locate the secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund in the kingdom. There are many reasons behind this move. Bhutan is facing a severe foreign exchange crisis and needs Indian currency badly. A couple of months ago, it borrowed 200 crores from the State Bank of India, Hasimara, West Bengal by using US dollars as security against the loan. On July 17, Indian Prime Minster Dr Manmohan Singh assured 400 crores as assistance to keep the market stable.
iven the stringent visa regulations between India and Pakistan and the high levy on tourists in Bhutan, the best venue for the SAARC Development Fund is Nepal – a free state with an evolving history. Democracy must also be made a precondition for all member states and international communities before they enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements.
Despite all efforts to raise the refugee issue, it remains isolated in the minds of the South Asian heads of state. This has led Western countries to resettle them on their own soil on humanitarian grounds. Many refugees have left voluntarily for resettlement, and a large number of them are in the process of doing so. The question still remains: “Will resettlement bring ultimate justice to the refugees and lasting peace in the region?”
Source: The Kathmandu Post, August 8
This entry was posted in Main News on August 11, 2008 by Editor.
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Second group arrives Australia under resettlement (Resettlement)
Adelaide (Australia), August 09: Some 38 exiled Bhutanese from eight families landed Australia on Friday as part of the resettlement program in which this country is also associated.
Of them three families landed in Lancheston, Tasmania and five families in Adelaide, South Australia. They were received at the airport by Immigration Officers, MRC Officers and Volunteers.
One of those, Purna Chhetri, on arrival at Lancheston told Bhutan News Service that he was very happy and set to being his new life in a new country.
“I even had not imagined in wild dream to arrive in such beautiful place,” he exclaimed.
It was little cold outside as it is winter here but the houses are well insulated and warm inside home, that are prepared for the exiled Bhutanese who arrive here for resettlement.
“People here are good and we were welcomed with big heart,” they said.
Birkha Samal, who landed at the Adelaide in South Australia, termed his new home to be a excellent place. Apartment allocated for his family is near the road and a shopping arcade, fully furnished with TV and all food stuff in refrigerator are ready.
Samal said journey was little stressed due to separation from the society in which he grew up but also said it was a good experience as he travelled in air this long distance for the first time.
The exiled Bhutanese expressed that their first priority in this new land would be the education for children. They hoped to being working shortly, after getting acquainted with the society. Bhutan News Service/Devika Adhikari
This entry was posted in Main News on August 11, 2008 by Editor.
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Bhutan to host SDF
Thimphu, August 08: Bhutan will be the host for SAARC Development Fund (SDF), agreed during the recent summit in Colombo that will be an umbrella financial institution for all SAARC projects.
Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley expressed satisfaction after the summit for being able to convince other leaders to place the fund headquarters in Thimphu.
SDF will finance the social, economic, and infrastructure development sectors in the region.
India’s contribution to the fund will be about US$300 million and Bhutan’s could be US$15-20 million. The ratio has not been fixed. There are possibilities of funding from World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
SDF will come into operation after all the member states of SAARC ratify the agreement in their respective parliaments.
SDF was first proposed by fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk in 1991. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 8, 2008 by Editor.
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Gelephu airport becomes a daydream
Thimphu, August 08: The government plan for construction of an international airport in southern town of Gelephu has seen uncertainties due hesitation by Indian side for investment since it costs heavy.
The government is in dialogue with Indian government for funding, yet no signs have been received.
The government also has not carried out the feasibility work on technical, topographical and economical aspects.
It was the proposal from Indian side. However, as usual, the Bhutanese government is reluctant to make more efforts for construction of big infrastructure in southern district.
The 10th plan proposes a minor airport with runway and small boundary.
The price of the land nearby the proposed site has soared up and many people have already bought land. They have been demanding early beginning of the construction works. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 8, 2008 by Editor.
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Bilateral talks likely to resume
Kathmandu, August 07: Bilateral talks between Bhutan and Nepal on finding a lasting solution to the issue of the exiled Bhutanese taking shelter in Nepal are likely to resume soon.
According to Kuensel, the government mouthpiece, the prime ministers from both the countries held talks on the sideline of the 15th SAARC summit in Colombo recently on possibility of restarting the bilateral talks.
Kuensel quoted Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley as saying that the two governments had agreed to continue the stalled talks.
Thinley further said he had told Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala that Bhutan was “looking forward to continue the discussion so that the problem could be resolved as quickly as possible”.
“I’ve reminded prime minister that we have been frustrated by the lack of a stable government in Nepal to continue the talks,” he said.
Nepalese PM said he expected full cooperation from “democratic Bhutan” to discuss the issue and that the new government in Nepal would work closely with Bhutan to solve the refugee issue as soon as possible.
The bilateral talks between the two countries stalled indefinitely when a few exiled Bhutanese pelted stones at the Joint Verification Team in Khudunabari camp on December 22, 2003, irked by the conditions put forwarded by Bhutanese government for repatriation of those categorised eligible after the verification process.
The 15 rounds of talks between the two governments failed to yield any results. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 6, 2008 by Editor.
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Bhutan’s humans rights conditions worse (Human Rights)
New Delhi, August 06: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) said Bhutan is one of the front runner of human rights violations in South Asian region in the year 2007. In the report published by the organizations recently, Bhutan has been ranked third in terms of rights violations among the seven nations in the region.
ACHR states that Sri Lanka (with 52 points) is the worst human rights violator in South Asia followed by Bangladesh (45 points), Bhutan (43 points), Pakistan (41 points), Maldives (23 points), Nepal (24 points) and India (24 points).
In 2007, Bhutan made gains over past years but the watershed development for allowing two-party guided democracy in Bhutan was discredited by the ban on 70,000 alleged “foreigners”, ethnic Nepalis, to participate in the mock elections held in 2007.
“On the judiciary, the King of Bhutan not only remained the absolute authority to grant pardon, appoint and dismiss judges but of the five new judges appointed in 2006, three were senior civil servants who have no legal background,” the report said.
The South Asian rights watchdog also points finger at the poor status of press freedom in the country. “On press freedom too, Bhutan was the worst performer. Bhutan allowed the registration of two private newspapers – The Bhutan Times and The Bhutan Observer. In June 2007, the “www.bhutantimes.com” website was blocked from viewing in Bhutan.”
ACHR says, India underwrites Bhutan’s racism. In May 2008, India prevented “Long March” of exiled Bhutanese to Bhutan at least one of them identified as Saha Bahadur Dewan was shot dead and at least 100 others were injured by India’s security forces.
ACHR said the indexing system is based on comparative assessment of nine thematic issues crucial for the enjoyment of human rights: political freedom, right to life, judiciary and administration of justice, status or effectiveness of national human rights institutions, press freedom, violence against women, violations of the rights of the child, violations of the rights of the minorities and indigenous/tribal peoples and repression on human rights defenders.
While Sri Lanka is the worst in the region, the report also underlines that all countries in the region have very poor records. The regional analysis also shows a high level of commonality in human rights patterns. Discrimination is endemic, institutionalised and in many cases legalized, the report stated.
The regional human rights watchdog suggested for reform of archaic and punitive criminal and penal laws and the regime of sovereign immunity for the government and its personnel and reform of the official mindset with regard to human rights.
However, it said, reform will not happen if human rights violations, committed both by the security forces and armed groups, are not promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigated and those responsible brought to justice, and if the system which allowed them to commit those crimes remains intact.
ACHR adds that south Asia is becoming increasingly a victim to internal conflicts as a result of the failure to reform where impunity to the security forces and the Armed Opposition Groups is the rule.
Apart from strengthening the national mechanism to address such violations, ACHR recommended to establish a working Group of Eminent Persons of South Asia to explore the possibility of drafting a South Asia Human Rights Convention with full and active participation of civil society groups and other stakeholders.
ACHR also urges the National Human Rights Institutions in South Asia to emulate the role of their counterparts in South East Asia to establish a South Asia Sub-Regional human rights mechanism. Bhutan does not have any national human rights institutions. Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 5, 2008 by Editor.
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Question of defeating miserable life
Existentialism says humans are free and responsible for their own actions in a world without meaning. But it has been a great failure in case of the people living in the Bhutanese refugee camps. What a mystery it is! We never know what we will be reaping as a fruit of our toil. What we had as our dreams when we were settled in the camps 17 years ago no longer remain even as dreamiest today. It is true that we have to expect the unexpected. We never thought that we would be in a state of such miserable plight with respect to our hopes, aspiration and ambition.
At the moment, we are no more than debris. But we should never give up hopes. Debris may prove to be good nourishment for the health growth of plant. We must be able to adapt with any sort of situation that entangles us. We should always survive the ray of hope. That is the only way to positivism and easy going. According to Eliot, the only way of expressing emotions is by finding objective correlative of emotion. Objective correlatives are a set of objects, a situation or chain of events which shall be the formula of that particular emotion. We are compelled to hold the stick of our well-wishers for our rescue, in particular not to leave the right track before it is too late.
Hence, at this critical moment I take it wiser to echo with Anatole France who says that man’s prudent who neither hopes for fears anything from the uncertain events of the future. Furthermore, a material thing is simply in itself but human is for himself. So we must try to live as a human with the fulfillment of at least the basic needs.
It is natural that every one of us with evident pride says that I belong to this country, I am going to be that personality and I am going to hold that material gain. Being born and brought up in a given country it’s our moral duty to be patriotic, committed and loyal towards our nation. But there are unpredicted circumstances that we have to face knowingly or unknowingly. We may be prepared or may not be for the cause of our nation, our pride. No man ever gives up his strength to belonging to one’s nation. He may be displaced by ruthless power holders in the course of history but that never defeats him. I believe a genuine patriot even reincarnates from the ashes like phoenix. Darwinian ideology stresses struggle for existence and survival of the fittest.
Of course, every one of us tried our best to contribute for the cause of southern Bhutanese but we were destined to be evicted as destitute by the dictatorial power holders who never had the knowledge of sights and privileges of the citizens. Our voice of truth, the message of god for humanity remained unheard. Instead we are forced to undergo bitter and inhumane life in the refugee camps in Nepal. Today it seems that the god had seen our plight, sacrificial penance for the salvation of our souls. It’s certain that the people languishing in the camps having requisites below the basic requirements for human existence are in an ambivalent state. Despotic regime might have taken that evicted people disintegrate, perish and deteriorate in the miserable situation they are in but this, though is my personal opinion, is an immature logic.
Languishing in the camps for at least a couple of decades in a plightless situation has made the people take any humanitarian aid at their reach for the better further prospect. And one of such aids is the opportunity for the people to opt for third country resettlement. Not to an exception, I have also taken this opportunity in my favor. I have never prepared myself to give up my struggle for returning home with dignity and honor. I, in person, participated in many of the programs for repatriation led by political leaders in exile. Despite our active and repeated involvement in this respect, we failed in our attempts due to Indian intervention. At this desperate dispersion, I feel I made wise decision to get resettled in the foreign land.
On the day I filled up the resettlement interest form, I was saddened and shattered by the sense of dislocation and loss of identity and unity. But I was destined to master courage to show readiness for the resettlement program. I was forced to give up everything that I had at hand. I had to give up my job, my studies, friends, relatives and even family members. I am happy to abandon all my possessions for abroad resettlement. It should not be misread here that I opted resettlement just for pleasure but I had no often to be the substitute to support my existence as a human being. As like those already resettled, I am leaving for abroad for my better future prospect with a heavy heart. I strongly believe that going abroad at any cost does not dismantle our ambition and passion for return to hometown, Bhutan. I suppose we will have better living standard out there leading to better thoughts and actions. Of course, it is enigmatically shocking to leave our station for an unknown destination.
It is painful to leave all our close relatives behind but in the globalized context one can easily get connected with the other one provided that they are spiritually and ideologically bound to fight for dignified return to Bhutan. One day or the other we may stay abroad until the day we are fully equipped materially and intellectually to combat with the ruthless regime that aborted us for its pleasure. Living in the poor condition in the camps for eternity, we won’t gain any degree of momentum to strengthen ourselves in any ground.
In the host country, our survival is questionable in any sense. We have no right for secured life, liberty and pursuit of hopelessness. Where ever we go out our ‘refugee tag’ invites ill fate. We may be exploited, ill-treated or segregated on the ground of refugee tag. This harassment has psychologically weakened, paralyzed and discouraged our existence as normal human beings. No doubt we are not less competent in any sense with the natives of our host country. This simply discourages, reifies and makes us feel always as failures.
In my opinion at this wretched juncture, taking option for third country resettlement at the cost of any loss that we are bound to bear may not prove us to treacherous traitor who betray his countrymen instead it may add vigor, zeal and new but better perspective in our attempt to fight for returning home. I do not think having settled outside with enjoyment of better privileges one can forget one’s country where he/she was born and brought up. Instead, our scattered resettlement in various parts of the foreign land may give us easy access to raise our pathetic voice to the world communities inspiring them for their immediate helping hands towards the solution.
In this regard, I think it is reasonable for any opposition groups to stop their protest against the people going abroad. Going abroad may breed better minds. This may be of great help for the country and our suppressed, subdued and discarded brothers and sisters residing in southern Bhutan expecting great help from us. Our mission should not be other than emancipating our siblings from prolonged slavery, exploitation and discrimination. And it has been crystal clear that quarrel and enmity among ourselves besides our joint effort for our safe return home in the camps and always a failure. We also have excess skilled people in the camps who are ever unemployed. This will breed frustration, desperation and self-degeneration. On the other hand, if they can be given way to foreign resettlement, they not only raise their living standard but also do something not only for the country but also for the whole humanity.
Though we live in miserable camps, we may be having scientists, artists and scholars who can contribute something for world provided that they are given better opportunities. We must try our hands at any privileges that come to our reach rather than debating and opposing each other.
To conclude, every individual must have utmost freedom to choose his/her option with dignity and honor. Neither the supporting agencies should be bias to give priority to the only option that adds certain gain to them nor should those opting for it take their pace with the drunkenness of jealousy, greed and illogical conclusion. Our choice must not intervene any one’s rights and privileges but should guarantee peace, prosperity and safety to the concerned.
This entry was posted in Opinion on August 2, 2008 by Editor.
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AMDA-Nepal initiates sanitation programs (Brief)
Beldangi, August 1: Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) Nepal, which looks after health and sanitation of exiled Bhutanese, has started public awareness programs on bird flu and viral fever.
Youth Friendly Centers in camps are running street-skits to raise awareness on vector control, bird flu and community sanitation.
The public campaign started when the number of patients visiting hospitals increased from the normal rate. AMDA-Birtamod has supports these programs. Arjun Pradhan/ Bhutan News Service
This entry was posted in Main News on August 1, 2008 by Editor.