Prospects Of Refugee Resettlement

Source: Nepalnews.com

By Indra Adhikari

At a time when Bhutanese refugees are busy expressing their interest and giving interviews to government representatives from the US and the Australia in Damak for resettlement to third countries, the country representative of the UNHCR for Nepal Abraham Abraham is wrapping up his five years of tenure in Kathmandu.

Abraham is leaving at a time when years of efforts for repatriation have failed, and the process for third country resettlement is beginning. He will be leaving Nepal for Canada - a month ahead of a section of Bhutanese refugees possibly leaving for western countries to start their new life.

In an interview with Nepalnews at the end of his tenure in Nepal, Abraham expressed hope that his dream of finding a lasting solution to the protracted Bhutanese refugee problem will come true in his absence as well.
Rizal's suggestion to resettle one member from a family was not taken into consideration.
Rizal's suggestion to resettle one member from a family was not taken into consideration.

On Sunday evening at Hotel Soaltee during his farewell party, Abraham in his most humble tone wished the top refugee human rights leader Tek Nath Rizal for early repatriation of Bhutanese refugees to their land.

The process of resettlement has moved ahead as planned by the UNHCR, to which the resettling countries have agreed and it has already been made public that family members would not be split when selected for resettlement.

To accelerate the resettlement process and to protect refugees willing to be resettled from being assaulted by the communist cadres, the Nepal government has deployed security personnel in all the camps at the request of the UNHCR. Alleging that the security personnel have been intimidating and harassing those refugees who advocate repatriation, Bhutan People's Party recently demanded removal of the security posts.

As usual, Abraham denied any straight comments on the demands but said that UNHCR is also mandated to find solution of the refugee crisis if host country and the country generating refugees fail to reach an agreement.

The UNHCR has already started distributing forms to refugees to express their willingness for resettlement. UNHCR office in Kathmandu and contact points in all the camps saw long queues of refugees filling the forms. But as interviews in Damak started, refugees looked confused on how the UNHCR selects people for interviews.

"It is first come first serve. We have no reason to discriminate any refugee," Abraham said.

The resettling countries interview refugees on the basis of the applications and family details forwarded by the UNHCR. The US government team has just completed its first round of interviews and the Australian team has started doing so from Sunday. Canada has informed the UN refugee agency that it will begin the process from 2009 while other countries who had earlier expressed interests to resettle the refugees like Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand are yet to say anything about the number of refugees they are likely to resettle.

Despite this, Abraham's initiation also received a fair amount of criticism, especially from the refugee leadership. Getting support from the refugee community was difficult without getting permission from the Nepal government, yet his humility towards the government for finally accepting the UNHCR proposal of resettlement remains high.

The major concern of the refugee leaders is the future of those refugees who would not be resettled. There are hints from Indian leaders in recent months that Bhutan might agree on repatriation once the population of the refugee becomes smaller. These statements are in line with the statement of Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee in June this year saying repatriation of over 100,000 refugees to their homeland will cause 'demographic imbalance' in that tiny kingdom.

UNHCR's attempts of getting support from the Indian government for repatriation did not yield any result. And now, the refugee leaders have accelerated lobbying among Indian leaders. In November, a number of senior journalists and parliamentarians on India during a seminar in New Delhi said they will soon visit Thimphu to push Bhutanese authority for allowing the refugees to cast vote in the upcoming elections and their early repatriation to avoid violent future in north-east India.

Under these circumstances, resettlement debates have overshadowed the repatriation agenda.
Euroepan Union also took interest in the refugee issue. EU lawmaker from UK visited Nepal, Bhutan and India as part of EU initiatie in finding solution of the refugee crisis.
Euroepan Union also took interest in the refugee issue. EU lawmaker from UK visited Nepal, Bhutan and India as part of EU initiatie in finding solution of the refugee crisis.

But Abraham claims, prospects of repatriation to homeland will not perish even after resettlement. "Refugees are guaranteed the right to return once environment is conducive in their country. At this time, the conditions are not conducive neither for repatriation nor to stay in camps further," he adds.

The future repatriation of the resettled refugees will largely be determined by the future political developments in Bhutan. At least to this day, hints from inside Bhutan are not encouraging.

The rejection of Bhutan 's election commission to register a political party that has raised the issue of southern and eastern Bhutanese as its agenda for election has indicated that the Bhutanese regime continues to suppress the voices for equality from southern and eastern districts.

It remains to be seen if the resettlement will end the problem or will it lead to a situation where resettled refugees will help the cause of their fellow countrymen inside Bhutan, for instance by helping armed rebellions, about which some Indian leaders have already expressed fears. It can only be hoped that Abraham's departure will not disrupt the process initiated for finding the durable solution.

Refugees from Bhutan get first ID cards in Nepal's camps

Source: UNHCR

The government of Nepal and the UN refugee agency on Monday started a massive operation to distribute identity cards to the refugees from Bhutan living in seven camps in eastern Nepal, a move that will improve protection and assistance for some 108,000 registered refugees.

Issued by the Nepalese government, the photo ID cards are a follow up to the refugee population census that was conducted with UNHCR support in the camps from November 2006 to May 2007. All registered refugees aged 16 years and above will receive the free-of-charge cards.

The first cards were distributed on Monday in Sanischare camp in Morang district. A huge crowd of all ages gathered in the camp's playground to witness the watershed event.

"Although Nepal is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has been hosting refugees for decades on its soil," said Umesh Mainali, the home secretary of Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs. "The government of Nepal will always work for the right of refugees and the first step in this is the issuance of identity cards to the refugees in the camps. To have an identity document is the right of the refugees."

Abraham Abraham, UNHCR's representative in Nepal, added: "ID cards are an important protection tool, because the most basic element of refugee protection is to prove one's identity in order to be able to readily access protection and assistance services. The cards would also ensure efficient and accountable distribution as well as better monitoring of assistance, in that it reaches the right person."

Gajman Gurung was one of the first refugees to get the ID card in Sanischare camp. "I am happy that at least now I have an identity, although it is as a refugee. It is going to assist in my protection as well as that of my family," he said.

"I know that the ID card will be very useful to me and my family," said Nar Bahadur Sarki, a father of two in the camp. "The good thing is that my wife and each of my children have their own identity card. It is particularly helpful for my son who goes to college outside the camp. The card will facilitate his movement in and out of the camp."

The ID cards will be issued on a camp-by-camp basis over the next few months. Registered refugees living outside the camps will receive their cards once the camp distribution is completed.

By Nini Gurung
In Sanischare camp, Nepal

Refugee camps to remain: Abraham

Source: Kantipuronline.com

Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nepal, Abraham Abraham, has said that UNHCR will not pull out of the Bhutanese refugee camps but will continue working for those not opting for third country resettlement.

"Refugees who don't want third country settlement will continue receiving assistance as long as we receive aid from donors," said Abraham talking to the Post on Friday.

"Every single refugee counts for the UNHCR. We are recommending third country settlement only because there is no (immediate and feasible) solution to the refugee problem," he said.

Expressing concern over misinformation in the refugee camps, Abraham said, "It absolutely depends on individual choice. You can even board the plane and come back out saying you now want to stay behind," he added.

Abraham also said that the resettlement may go on for six or seven years depending on the response from the refugees and it is up to the refugees themselves to choose if and when they want to go to third countries.

The UNHCR representative refuted allegations that the government's failure to issue exit permits for the refugees is delaying the resettlement process. "The matter has been discussed at higher levels. It is already an agreed matter," he said.

He further said there would be no discrimination against those suffering from communicable diseases. They will receive medical treatment first so

that they don't transmit

disease to others during the journey, he said. "HIV positives too are eligible for resettlement," he said.

On the fate of the refugees in the third country, Abraham said government officials and non-government agencies would receive them in the new country and they will get residence, education and all sorts of care, as well as help in finding jobs. "And you can also choose to go back to Bhutan any time when the situation there gets better," he said.

Abraham, among other things, also clarified that enough care has been taken not to split refugee families. "We want the families to be together. We won't split them."

He confirmed that the first batch of refugees would be resettled in the USA by the end of January.

There are over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees languishing in the seven UNHCR-run camps in Morang and Jhapa districts ever since they were evicted from Bhutan in the1980s and early 1990s. The UN body is currently working to resettle them in Australia, the United States and other Western countries.

UNHCR distributes resettlement forms from Kathmandu office

Source: Apfanews.com

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has begun distributing forms for exiled Bhutanese who wish to apply for third country resettlement from its Kathmandu office as well.

Hundreds of exiled Bhutanese residing in Kathmandu for jobs or studies lined up in the UNHCR office from Wednesday asking the forms.

The UNHCR stated in the form that it was for expressing interest of those willing to be resettled.

The form can be obtained from the UNHCR office. Those reaching the refuge agency office to fill the forms said UNHCR instructed them to fill even the names of all their family members.

When the Bhutan News Service correspondent reached the UNHCR office to get reaction from the exiled Bhutanese registering their filled out forms, a few opposing the resettlement program had gathered on the way.

Two banners, that said UNHCR was acting against its mandates and principles, were hanged along the way that leads to UNHCR office.

Yet the number of exiled Bhutanese reaching the UNHCR office to register their willingness for resettlement seemed not decreasing. More than 10,000 exiled Bhutanese live in Kathmandu for job of studies.

UNHCR begins mass campaign, resettlement forms distributed

Source: Apfanews.com

UNHCR has formally begun mass campaign programs among the exiled Bhutanese for third country resettlement expected to begin early next year.

UNHCR officials launched campaign programs in Jhapa-based Goldhap and Khudunabari camp on Tuesday while similar programs are being launched in Beldangi camps on Wednesday.

It is reportedly learnt that the UNHCR has kept the forms, to be filled by the exiled Bhutanese to apply for resettlement in third country, at the health posts inside camps, Refugee Coordination Unit offices, Bhutanese Refugee Women Forum office, Disability Centers among few other proposed places.

It is also learnt that individuals above 18 years have to sign the form.

Process for third country resettlement of Bhutanese refugees begins

Source: Nepalnews.com

The process for large scale third country resettlement of Bhutanese refugees living in eastern Nepal has begun with the mass information campaign in all the camps, UNHCR today said.

The campaign is aimed at assisting the refugees to make an informed decision by providing them with accurate information, the UN refugee agency said.

This follows the decision of the Nepal government to allow those refugees who wish to opt for third country resettlement as an alternative solution to do so on the basis of an informed choice and acceptance by the resettlement country.

“UNHCR prefers to help refugees go back to their home countries when they can do so in safety and dignity, however, in this case, the only option currently available is that for resettlement in a third country for those refugees who wish to make this choice,” said Abraham ABRAHAM, UNHCR Representative in Nepal. He emphasised, “Resettlement to a third country does not in any way preclude the right of refugees to return to Bhutan.”

The UNHCR representative also urged the refugee leaders to respect the right of every individual to make informed choices and take decisions regarding his or her own future.

According to UNHCR, resettlement is the relocation of a refugees and their family from Nepal to a third country. This is done with the support and agreement of the resettlement countries as part of a burden sharing mechanism towards achieving a humanitarian solution so that refugees do not have to continue suffering in the camps.

On arrival in the resettlement country they will have legal permanent residence including the possibility for being citizens of that country in due course, if they so desire.

“The UN refugee agency together with the international community will continue its efforts to ensure that as many doors as possible are opened in terms of achieving lasting solutions to the plight of the refugees, including voluntary repatriation as and when return conditions permit,” the UNHCR release stated.

The United States has announced that it would resettle 60,000 refugees, and even more if required, while other members of the Core Group consisting of Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway have also expressed their desire to take in refugees. Canada has already announced its plan to resettle 5,000 refugees.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Government of USA and to all the other resettlement recipient countries as well as to the Government of Nepal for supporting third country resettlement as a humanitarian solution," said Abraham.

Resettlement to the USA is organised by the US government, through its Overseas Processing Entity (OPE), the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM will process resettlement of refugees on the basis of referrals made by UNHCR, and only where expressions of interest for resettlement have been made known to UNHCR.

During her recent visit to Nepal, US Assistant Secretary of Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, Ellen Sauerbrey, had said that the first batch of Bhutanese refugees would land in the US by January 2008.

UNHCR starts providing info on resettlement

Source: Apfanews.com

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has begun providing information to the exiled Bhutanese on matters relating to third country resettlement, quoted Nepal's national news agency Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).

RSS has further stated that people in Camps are being invited to the UNHCR Office where they are briefed about the issue.

Everyday more than 20 individuals are being provided such information, according to the UNHCR sources, further quoted the RSS.

The Refugee Coordination Unit under the Home Ministry has also said that it would expedite the work of rehabilitation to the third country immediately after Tihar festival.

The Unit is preparing to provide the necessary form to the interested people in the camps itself.

UNHCR Begins Refugee Verification Task

Source: THT Online
Damak, October 2

The UN High Commission for Refugees has begun the work for verification of Bhutanese refugees living in camps here from the past 17 years.
The work of verification and interview with the refugees stareted a few days ago.
The UNHCR has started interviewing refugees living in the seven camps in Jhapa and Morang districts but has not yet disclosed the details of the work it is conducting.
Refugees in several camps said the verification and interviews began suddenly without consultation with the refugees' organisations.
Staff at the commission's office here carried out the interviews even during their day off. The refugees also declined to say why they were called or what sort of interviews were being taken. The commission is sponsoring the travel and food expenses to refugees coming to the commission office.

Government Of Nepal is responsible for security, says Abraham

Source: Apfanews.com

Kathmandu, September 20: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) country representative in Nepal Abraham Abraham has said that the UNHCR was seriously working with the government of Nepal for making security arrangements inside exiled Bhutanese camps.

In response to queries of T. P. Mishra of Bhutan News Service (BNS), Abraham on Thursday said the UNHCR has already taken initiative to create 'fearless' atmosphere for exiled Bhutanese following escalating violence inside the camps.

Abraham's response, regarding security in camps, comes at a time when an innocent refugee in Beldangi-I camp was killed by an unidentified armed gang on September 18.

Lok Nath Katel (47) of Beldangi-I camp under Sector D/1, Hut number 13/14 was killed by the gang at mid-night while he was trying to rescue neighbors from the gang's attack.

Informing that the security posts would be built by September 25 in Morang-based Sanischare camp, and by October 5 in all remaining six camps, Abraham, however said that security of exiled Bhutanese depended on government of the host country, Nepal.

He also informed that the UNHCR has already dealt the issue of security with what he termed 'high level' in government of Nepal. “UNHCR is hopeful that Nepal government will deploy security forces in camps soon after the construction of security posts”, said Abraham, adding the UNHCR has urged the government of Nepal to arrange 24 hours security vigilance in camps to ensure that people feel safe.

Indicating on the recent killing of an innocent people in Beldangi-I camp, Abraham also expressed the UNHCR's condolence, sympathy and grief to the bereaved family.

"This level of violence is senseless", said Abraham, adding that the UNHCR was committed towards bringing the perpetrator before the legal action of the host country. He also said that the UNHCR would leave no stones ‘unturned’ to bring such perpetrator before the court of justice.

Meanwhile, Abraham also urged all refugees to try to exercise a sense of mutual understanding for finding an outlet to the problem. He also informed that the UNHCR was seriously dealing with Nepal government in publicizing the report of Beldangi-II incident that claimed lives of two youths.

Confirming that a handwritten ‘pamphlet’ was also left in the name of ‘Cobra Group’ on September 18 that has threatened nine more people including the camp secretary of Beldangi-I D. P. Pradhan among others, Abraham said the UNHCR has already dealt with the government of Nepal concerning their security.

When asked if escalating ideological divergences within people was occurring in camps with the offer of third country resettlement, Abraham said “Indeed, it is increasing violence that has divided people in camps but not the offer of third country resettlement.”

Abraham also stressed on the UNHCR’s parallel concern on all three options viz repatriation, local assimilation and third country resettlement. “But the latest offer of third country resettlement has come up as a feasible solution lying on the table”, added Abraham.

Editorial : Abraham Abraham and the Refugee Refugees

Source: Bhutantimes.com

The tragedy of the so-called Bhutanese refugee crisis seems to be repeating itself. Those who have failed to understand the true nature of the tragedy now have another chance. Hopefully they won’t miss the irony either.

Against a tide of international criticism in the 1990s the government of Bhutan maintained that the mass exodus of Nepalese from southern Bhutan was not a result of government or military pressure on citizens, but was a result of the refugees’ own secret little plan. Leaving Bhutan in droves was Stage I of the Plan. Coming back to Bhutan in force of numbers and on their terms was supposed to be Stage II.

Many of the refugees-to-be wholeheartedly supported this plan. The concept of a Greater Nepal featured prominently in the delusions of the Nepalese diaspora those days, encouraged no doubt by the successes of the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Many of them relished the idea of Bhutan going the Sikkim way. Kanak M. Dixit, a prominent editor from Nepal even wrote a cover page article on Bhutan revealingly titled “House of Cards” that seemed to foresee imminent collapse in Bhutan (Kanak Mani Dixit: House of cards: fearing for Bhutan. Himal Vol.7 No 4, July/August 1994.). Such sentiments had to be carefully hidden however and not surprisingly were heatedly denounced as some RGOB bogey.

Not all refugees were so excited by this delusion and many had to be coerced through threats and intimidation to cooperate. There was a militant wing among the refugees that offered to shorten by 6 inches anybody who did not cooperate. Translated bluntly, this was an offer of a beheading. Since the refugees were shrewdly trying to craft a picture of a persecuted minority, this fact too had to be denied. The refugee leaders cleverly deflected the blame for the exodus on a ‘despotic kingdom’ dabbling in the ‘ethnic cleansing’ of a ‘peaceful minority’. Now which self-respecting headline reader could resist buzzwords as catchy as these?

Having successfully created the critical mass of refugees and successfully set up their camps in Nepal (which incidentally was made possible only after a Long March and a standoff with the Nepalese police over the Mechi bridge), the plan began to stumble. The refugee leaders had never reckoned with Bhutanese bureaucratic obduracy and for 16 years Stage II has been in limbo. They’ve had to struggle to keep people focused on why they left Bhutan and what the next step was. Sadly for them, international sympathy for their humanitarian situation did not translate into international belief that the refugees were all Bhutanese citizens.

Finding lessons for Bhutan from the happenings in India and Nepal has been a habit among the Nepalese leaders in Bhutan. Their agitations in Bhutan in 1952 and 1990 following the successes of the uprisings against the British in India and against the monarchy in Nepal respectively bear this our. So it was no surprise that in the successes of the Maoists of Nepal the refugee leaders found inspiration and they promptly created their very own Maoist group. Unfortunately in their excitement they forgot about the US’ penchant for overreacting to anything communist or even the colour red. Not surprisingly the US became unduly alarmed by this and decided enough was enough and offered to clear the camps with a sweeping offer of resettlement in the USA.* Most of the refugees jumped at the offer as they saw it for what it was – an opportunity of a life time.

In this happy solution however the refugee leaders have found despair. Who will they lead is the main question. What will become of them as leaders? These hard questions have triggered the return of their hidden true nature and despite the risk of losing their hard earned image of peaceful refugees, they have once again resumed their old role of ‘guiding’ the people. According to them, the US offer is simply no good. No doubt being six inches shorter has something to do with it. Reports from Nepal describe a rapidly worsening situation as the Bhutan Communist Party and the Bhutan Tigers’ Front intensified their ‘campaign’ against third-country resettlement.

Such is the level of fear and intimidation that has gripped the refugee camps that dozens of families have fled the camps for their safety. Many refugees now find safety in the surrounding villages.

If there is one thing that is worse than becoming a refugee, it is for a refugee to have to seek refuge FROM a refugee camp. Abraham Abraham, the Country Representative of the UNHCR camps in Nepal must answer up to this incredible failure.

And it is high time that he and the UNHCR organization acknowledge the sinister role played by the refugee leaders in the creation of the refugee tragedy.

------------------------------------------------------------------
*This is but one possible explanation for the generous US offer.

UNHCR Concerned About Security Scene in Refugee Camps

Source: The Himalayan Times
Ishwar Khanal
Kathmandu, August 26

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the US have expressed concern over the security situation in the Bhutanese refugee camps, which has affected their preparations for resettlement process of the refugees.
UNHCR has been administering the refugee camps and the US is a member of the core group to announce absorbing 60,000 Bhutanese refugees.
The UN agency is ready to start identifying and referring cases to third countries for resettlement, but the process has not started because the UNHCR has said it wants continued political, logistic support and security measures from the Nepal government to initiate it.
The UNHCR feels the need for the government to announce its policy on third country resettlement of the Bhutanese refugees in the camps.
UNHCR Representative in Nepal, in an email response to queries forwarded by this daily, Abraham Abraham said that they are "deeply concerned" over increasing incidents of violence, threats and intimidation in the refugee camps.
Similar views came from a US official working on Bhutanese refugee affairs. "Security is the main problem to begin resettlement process," the official told this daily insisting anonymity.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as the Overseas Processing Entity (OPE) is yet to establish its office in Damak of Jhapa. It will start operating as soon the agreement is signed with Nepal soon.
Prior to beginning the process, the UNHCR would organise a mass information campaign to update all stakeholders about the process and inform the refugees about resettlement and all three durable solutions to enable them to make an informed choice about dealing with their future, Abraham said.
He also stated that the UN agency is confident that Nepal government has prioritised the refugee issue and is working to find out a permanent solution of the protracted problem.
The UN refugee agency, however, feels that the government has started stepping up security to prevent the outbreak of more incidents.
"We fully recognise and respect the many difficult political and security issues the government has to deal with, but we are confident that the refugee issue is high on the agenda of the government, and this is vital in finding permanent solutions for the refugees," he concluded.

Three Nepalis register as refugees in Beldangi camp

Source: Nepalnews.com
Three Nepalis have been reported registered as refugees in Beldangi II camp during the ongoing census carried out jointly by the UNHCR and Nepal government.

According to apfanews.com, a news portal run by the refugees, assistant chief of the Refugee Coordination Unit (RCU) of the camp Shat Kumar Pokhrel registered three Nepalis under a family whose three members were absent during the earlier round of census.

Editor of the news portal TP Mishra told Nepalnews that three Nepalis were registered under the Sigdel family of Sector I-4 of the camp.

The census team is also reported to have agreed for interviewing the three members of the family on May 5 after prolonged debate and discussion. The three Nepalis were registered on January 28.

The report said the RCU official tried to bribe the Sigdel family with Rs 5,000 pleading not to leak out the issue.

The Sigdel family was shown only the photos of those Nepalis who were registered but not allowed to see their names and other details because of which they were unable to identify the persons.

The UNHCR said investigation into the issue has already begun.

The census is due to end on May 11.

1278 census cases pending

Source: Apfanews.com
The official census jointly conducted by UNHCR and government of Nepal has kept 1278 cases pending.

These cases are termed as ‘Census Pending.’

As per the study conducted by Association of Human RIghts Activists (AHURA-Bhutan), the number os such pending cases are 186 in Beldangi-I, 392 in Beldangi-II, 146 in Beldangi-II Extension, 249 in Sanischare, 29 in Goldhap, 125 in Khudunabari and 151 in Timai camp.