Choosing Australia with Bhutan in heart

Source: Nepalnews.com

By Indra Adhikari

Bhawani's house in Bhutan shows that poverty was part of his life in that country as well.

Bhawani Acharya faced it twice when he had to change the way of his life. Two days before the festival of Dashain, he left Nepal for what he hoped as a wonderland.

In 1993, he was forced to flee his country of origin, Bhutan, to take asylum in Nepal – a country he had never seen before.

Acharya is among thousands of Bhutanese refugees to leave Nepal for resettlement to western countries, who have assured to absorb over 70,000 of them in the next five years.

However, this was, as the refugees themselves say, is not the solution of their choice but an alternative to get rid of their miserable life as refugees.

His eyes had welled up even though tears did not roll down the cheeks, when he talked to Nepalnews in Kathmandu before flying to his new homeland – Australia. The tears were reflection of his love and affection to his motherland, not of happiness, according to him. Bhutan, in recent years, talks of gross national happiness while over 100,000 of its citizens languish in Nepal, in UN-monitored refugee camps.

An illiterate, who was born in a remote village in southern Bhutan, Acharya had absolutely no idea what lies in store for him in a distant land, 'across the seven oceans' to borrow his words. Language barrier, culture shock, religious differences and separation from relatives have added woes to his elderly life.

Don't you like to be repatriated?

Wife of Bhawani (middle in red blouse) outside her hut in Khudunabari refugee camp in Jhapa, eastern Nepal, before her departure to Australia.

He frowned and replied, "What are you asking? Bhutan is my country and I have the right to go back there. If not me, at least my children will go there. This (third country resettlement) is not a lasting solution."

His son and nephew were smiling when Acharya spilled over the sentimental statement. Nephew Dhyanu added, “Yes we hope to get back to that land from where we came. Australia is not our choice.”

US, Australia and Europe have been craze among residents of many countries, yet Bhutanese refugees put priority to their own homeland. It has astonished many, like rights activist Tapan Bose, who in an interview with Australian radio some months back said he was amazed by the choice of refugees.

A nervous Dhyanu is all set to begin a new life in a new country

Dhyanu was merely seven years old when his family was evicted from Bhutan. He hardly remembers under what situation he lived or under what threats his family left Bhutan. Even though he grew up in Nepal, completed his Bachelors degree here, Dhyanu speaks of his affiliation and affection towards the land he was born to. He was the only one of his family to leave Nepal that day for Australia and was quite nervous from the separation.

Both these people can hardly imagine their life in an Australian metropolis. They are confirmed to be resettled in Melbourne, the second largest city of the Island-country. "I don't have any idea what I should do," Dhyanu says.

Nervousness had engulfed Bhawani more because he was not only illiterate but also has poor health and cannot do physical works. "Will I be a milkman?" he assumes about his work because he had little milk business while in camp that helped him buy vegetables and clothes for children.

"I will do anything that comes. After all, I have to live."

Dhyanu was a teacher in a boarding school while in Nepal. This has given no chance for him to acquire any professional skills that might be helpful for him in Australia. The orientation classes organised by resettling countries he attended made him more confused about choosing a profession. It was just like an information session on life and laws of that country.

Bhawani still hopes his children will be able to get back to Bhutan one day

What Dhyanu and other family members of Bhawani, since Bhawani personally did not attend, learnt from orientation classes was that Australia has stricter laws. Dhyanu assumes he would have a hard time to adopt with the situation because he has grown up in Nepal where freedom has superceded responsibilities.

Bhawani rests his hope to live a decent life compared to his days in Bhutan and Nepal. He is more hopeful about the future of his children who are growing up and likely to get acquainted with the Australian society faster.

Above all, they hope to get back to their country to overcome the suppression Nepali speaking people have been facing in that country since two decades like this song says – we shall overcome one day. nepalnews.com Oct 11 08

Exiled Bhutanese celebrate Dashain in Australia

Source: Apfanews.com

Adelaide, October 09: Bhutanese resettled in Australia recently have celebrated the Dashain, the greatest festival of Hindus, with merry making Thursday.

A total of 55 Bhutanese in Adelaide, Australia gathered at the residence of Bhanu Adhikari for the celebrations.

They received tika and blessings from the elder. This is the first big festival Bhutanese celebrated after being resettled to third country.

Lunch and dances followed. While of the dancing floor, one put it, “People used to tell us that it is not possible to celebrate our festivals in third country, but it was wrong. We are celebrating like we celebrated in Bhutan and later in camps. It is in fact better than festivities in camps, we have a house to be in but what we miss is only our relatives."

They jointly said, "We were celebrating yesterday, we are celebrating today and we will be celebrating in future too."

They also paid a visit to nearby Hindu temple on October 5 on occasion of Durga Puja to offer prayer and sing hymns.

Similar celebrations were performed in Tasmania, Melbourne, Albury and Sydney.

People gathered to one of the elders in the city to receive tika and blessings.

Resettlement In Australia

Source: The Rising Nepal

By: T. P. Mishra

The offer of Third Country Resettlement (TCR) for now has become an immediate solution to the protracted Bhutanese refugee issue. Even looking at it statistically, an escalating number of refugees are showing interest in the TCR. As many as 3,000 plus Bhutanese refugees have already been resettled in different countries, including the US, the biggest of the resettling core group comprising Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway.

Why the delay?

Majority of the refugees being resettled have reached the US. The other six countries in the core group have been a bit slow in expediting the resettlement process. The latest statistical data show that as many as 62 individuals among the 1,000 already interviewed have been resettled in Australia. The process for resettlement, particularly in Australia, is confusing to the people living in the different camps. A number of refugees, whose process for resettlement in Australia has been completed, have been frustrated by the delaying tactics opted by the Australian government.

Refugees who began the necessary process for resettlement in Australia following the visit by Ellen Saurbrey on November 1, 2007 are yet to get their confirmation date to leave Nepal for Australia. Ganga Woti Bhujel (name changed) of Sanischare camp began the process for resettlement in Australia in 2007. Ganga Woti says she was given assurances of resettlement within four months of undergoing her medical check-up in February 2008. What is interesting is that Ganga Woti will have to undergo more medical check-ups once the date crosses six months. Ganga Woti further says that she has been wearing the clothes and using other basic necessities which she intended to use after resettling in Australia. Like many others, Ganga Woti has also sold all her belongings after the medical check-up.

A number of refugees have already undergone numerous medical check-ups. A source very close to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), on condition of anonymity, says that the IOM usually carries out the medical check-ups for refugees to be resettled in Australia without wasting a single day once the file is received at the office. Thus it is only natural that those who have undergone medical check-ups should be greatly frustrated.

In comparison to the resettlement programme in the US, those applying or whose process is already underway, particularly for Australia, are in a sea-saw position, meaning they do not know whether to withdraw and apply for another country or wait and see for new developments, if any. There is no concerned authority stationed near the refugee camps where the refugees can put forth their inquiries regarding resettlement in Australia.

Many refugees complain that the staff at the Damak-based UNHCR office do not cooperate when the refugees reach the office for any inquiry. This unfair and unjustifiable trend should be immediately stopped. It is necessary on the part of the resettling countries to establish an inquiry office near the refugee camps. This will help the refugees to stay free of any mental harassment. The UNHCR must state clearly if it is capable of handling all these issues single-handedly.

It is worth drawing the attention to a case of one Raghu Bhandari (name changed) of Morang-based Sanischare camp. His brother has gone mentally ill following the delay in the resettlement process in Australia. He had undergone the medical check-up as early as January 2008.

Another Bhandari family (surname changed) in Beldangi-II camp regrets choosing Australia as their resettling country. "If it is possible, we want to withdraw our case from resettling in Australia," says the father who leads the family. The other problem is that the UNHCR gradually cuts off facilities for refugees whose resettlement process has begun. This family has had the bitter experience of seeing rude behaviour from the UNHCR staff while making inquiries about their resettlement process in Australia.

Solutions

Dissemination of reliable information is a problem, with which the refugees are getting impatient. The IOM is not the agency to deal with resettlement in Australia, and the UNHCR is unresponsive to the queries put forth by the refugees. To be honest, people in the camps say Australia is not the best country to be resettled. This might not be true, but the concerned authorities have the moral obligation to disseminate reliable information to the refugee community. They have the right to know why the delay in the resettlement in Australia.

Those refugees visiting the Kathmandu-based Australian Embassy quoted officials as saying that the Australian government would resettle only as many Bhutanese refugees as the Canadian Government does as agreed in the core group negotiation. The Canadian government has resettled a little more than a dozen refugees till date and has yet to resettle a considerable number within this year. The Australian government might be waiting to see what number of refugees the Canadian government would resettle this year and make its plan accordingly.

Many refugee students have already quit their studies after getting assurances from the Kathmandu-based Australian Embassy. But the same embassy has now been saying that further inquires need to be made directly with the New Delhi-based immigration head office. So the delaying schemes of the Australian government need to be read between the lines.

(The author is editor of Kathmandu-based Bhutan News Service)

Second group arrives Australia under resettlement

Source: Apfanews.com

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 Chhetr, on arrval 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.

New life begins in Australia, no Nepali speaking people in locality

Source: Apfanews.com

The first planeload of exiled Bhutanese who were flown to Australia under third country resettlement program stated they had started with new lives.

At least five families-- two from Beldangi, one from Khudunabari,, one from Sanishere and one from Goldhap reached Australia on May 13.

Bikram Adhikari, one amongst the resettled exiled Bhutanese, over telephone conversation with the BNS said that most of them were busy learning English-language classes. Bikram, a temporary resident of Beldangi-II extension, along with parents and two sisters had reached Australia under third country resettlement program.

Adult Migrant Education Program under Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Australia has been providing the 510-hour English-language classes free of any costs.

“This classes are mainly helpful for getting a better job here in Australia”, said Adhikari, adding that the exiled Bhutanese themselves have to bear the expenses if they wish to continue with the classes even after 510 hours.

Adhikari further informed the BNS that the resettled families are provided with one house each. He added that the government would pay rental charge of the house until one becomes able to stand on his/her own feet.

According to Adhikari, the government also provides them with the amount in cash to mange basic expenses for food stuffs among other necessities. “The amount we get from the government is enough for basic expenses”, added Adhikari.

Adhikari informed that he along with two younger sisters would join the University within a couple of months to pursue higher education.

“It is not sure when we would exactly begin a job but Job Network, an organization under the Australian government, will assist us to find suitable job after the completion of the language classes”, said Adhikari.

Adhikari also informed that most of the resettled Bhutanese were finding tough to pass the time due to absence of Nepali-ethnic people dwelling near the areas where they are resettled.

“At least we are hopeful that soon our relatives from the camps would be resettled near the place we reside”, said Adhikari, adding that the government has assured them of speeding-up the process for re-unions.

Aussie team to interview refugees

Source: Kantipuronline

Australia which is part of the six-nation 'core group' for resettling Bhutanese refugees in their

lands is sending a team of officials this week to interview refugees for the purpose.

"A team is visiting this week to interview refugees," Graeme Lade, Australia's Ambassador to Nepal told the Post here on Sunday. "They will be heading to Damak for the interview."

Ambassador Lade said about 225 refugees would be interviewed by Australian officials. The United States government has already begun the process of interviewing interested refugees.

Besides Australia, the United States, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway are members of the Core Working Group on Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal. Except Norway, the members of the group have expressed interest to resettle refugees over the years. The United States alone has said it would resettle tens of thousands of refugees. There are over 108,000 refugees in the seven camps in eastern Nepal, most living there since 1993 after allegedly being evicted by the Bhutanese government in the late 80s and early 90s.

‘175 refugees applying every day’

Meanwhile, outgoing Representative of UNHCR in Nepal, Abraham Abraham said on Monday about 175 refugees are applying for resettlement every day. In the past two weeks, 14,000 refugees have evinced interest in resettlement.

Abraham who is going to Canada as UNHCR Representative will be replaced by Daisy Dell. Dell is deputy director at

the Asia and the Pacific Bureau of the UN refugee agency. She is expected to arrive in Kathmandu next month.