Leaders in exile stress repatriation
Bhutanese leaders in exile have again raised the issue of their repatriation with “honour and dignity” to Bhutan. Addressing a press conference in Kathmandu on Friday, leaders of the Druk National Congress (DNC) and the Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP) demanded that Nepal government and the international community respect their right to return to their homeland.
The leaders also urged the international community to help Bhutanese political parties and human rights organisations in exile integrate in Bhutan’s political process.
Human Rights leader Tek Nath Rizal said, “This problem should be resolved soon. The international community, including the US, India and Nepal, should play a proactive role to resolve the matter as early as possible,” he said, adding that Bhutan is responsible for the problem and that the issue is linked to the country’s internal politics.
According to him, around 2,000 to 2,500 Bhutanese people have sought refuge in Jhapa and Morang-based camps even after the closure of the refugees’ registration in 2012.
BNDP Acting President DNS Dhakal said that they have urged the Bhutanese government to grant citizenship certificates to around 28,000 ethnic Nepalis, and 10,000 individuals from other communities, whose applications are awaiting royal prerogatives.
DNC Vice-president Pema Tenzin demanded release of all political prisoners, estimated to be around 50, and recognise all resettled refugees as non-resident Bhutanese nationals.
The five point demands put forward by the two parties:
1. Repatriation of Bhutanese refugees with honour and dignity.
2. Integration of exile political parties and human rights organisations in the political
process of Bhutan.
3. Granting citizenship certificate to some 28,000 Lhotshampa and 10,000 individuals
from other communities, whose applications are awaiting Royal prerogatives
4. Granting of Non-Resident Bhutanese (NRB) status to the resettled Bhutanese by the
Government of Bhutan.
5. Unconditional release of all political prisoners in Bhutan who have been serving
prison sentence on political grounds.