Don't cajole

Source: The Kathmandu Post

The third-country resettlement of the Bhutanese refugees, which is supposedly underway, leaves a number of questions unanswered. Those interested in the third-country resettlement option are waiting for the call for interview. While the officials concerned allegedly reiterate that the interview is on “first-come-first” basis, those who have been expressing willingness since the beginning are yet to receive the call.

The concerned officials have remarked that those registered outside the camps do not fall under the “vulnerable category”. Well, being a refugee in itself is being vulnerable, isn't it? The mental, psychological or physical pressure those living outside the camp face in trying to make a living cannot be ignored. Some may have opted for staying outside the camps out of choice but I'm sure many have a logical reason to do so.

Does remaining in the shanty alone make one vulnerable? Fear of being out of job anytime, having to compromise with harassing situations at the work place, and trying to help the relatives financially for higher studies or health etc, among others, are but only a few problems those living outside the camps face. One may wonder why they continue to live outside if they have problems. Well, if they had opted for living in the camps, the educated refugees would have acquired several mental disorders. Let us not forget that those living outside the camps have been contributing to the humanity at large in various capacities.

Agreed that the refugees living in the camps are being given priority and it is appreciated. But isn't it important that those living outside, too, be considered refugees and equally vulnerable?

If the third-country resettlement is viewed as a durable solution, then wouldn't it be swift if those willing be given priority rather than cajoling those who are reluctant?

Totadri Sharma

Kathmandu

39 refugees likely to fly to US by January

Source: The Himalayan Times

The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) today has taken 39 Bhutanese refugees to Kathmandu, citing security reason. The refugees of Beldangi Camp are expected to fly to the US within the first week of January.

Earlier, they have been provided special security after an unknown group shot at Arjun Subba two weeks ago in Sangam Chock and their huts were destroyed. 10 family members of Chhabilal Thapa, 11 of Arjun Subba, and 13 of DB Moktan of the camp and five of Dilliram Gautam of Morang’s Shanischare camp have been taken to Kathmandu.

In a bid to resettle Bhutanese refugees in America, the IOM said it had interviewed refugees of the camps and resettlement processing of over 3,000 refugees is going on. Some other refugees have been submitting their applications for resettlement in America.

Refugees of pro-America resettlement plan have said some 72,000 refugees of Jhapa and Morang have applied for resettlement in America. Meanwhile, Bhu-tanese CPN-Maoist has been forcing refugees to reject the resettlement offer in the US, threatening of giving physical action against those who support opt the resettlement offer.

Bhutan party admits shooting of refugee

Source: The Rising Nepal

The Bhutanese Communist Party (Maoist) has taken responsibility of shooting Arjun Subba, a refugee at Beldangi I camp. The Bhutanese Maoist party chairman Surya in a statement Friday said Subba was shot as per the plan of the party.

He said the resettlement in America was a plan to obstruct the repatriation of the Bhutanese to their homeland. "This action (shooting) was carried to foil the resettlement," the statement said.

"Anyone supporting and advocating for the third country resettlement would face similar consequence, the statement read.

Subba was shot at Sangam Chowk of Damak December 13. Two others CL Thapa and DB Moktan who was with Subba had escaped the shooting. All three of them are supporters of resettlement in the United States. Subba is undergoing treatment at Lifeline hospital, Damak.

Police have arrested three persons on charge of shooting. After the incident most of the Maoist leaders and their supporters have left the camps.

Camp secys irked over resettlement, appeal GoN to help stop hut-to-hut campaign

Source: Apfanews.com

At a time when violence are erupting inside exiled Bhutanese camps, camp secretaries of all seven camps have appealed to Government of Nepal (GoN) to urge the UNHCR to stop motivation by hut-to-hut campaign for third country resettlement.

In an appeal issued to the prime minister of Nepal, camp secretaries have demanded for early repatriation to Bhutan.

“Government of Bhutan must not be allowed to withdraw from its own proposals of categorization and verification process as proposed by government of Bhutan and verification must be continued in the speedy manner”, reads the appeal.

The camp secretaries, however, have extended their gratitude to the UNHCR for providing humanitarian assistance to exiled Bhutanese community.

“But since last six years onwards we found that UNHCR is only working for third country resettlement though it always keeps on telling that repatriation is the best option. Before repatriation of verified Bhutanese and rest of the refugees to Bhutan, UNHCR brought the proposal of third country resettlement for Bhutanese refugees, which is unjust and illogical”, reads the appeal, adding that the UNHCR has instigated many NGOs to support for the third country resettlement of exiled Bhutanese.

The appeal has further accused the UNHCR of splitting the nuclear family in the name of third country resettlement.

The appeal has further stated that the Beldangi incident of May 26 and 27 was a worst conflict between divided people when third country supporting small group backed by the UNHCR and a big group supporting and opting for repatriation when Mr. Hari Bangaley started advocating for third country resettlement openly.

“The UNHCR is giving protection to Bangaley, who is the main culprit of the devastating incident. So far no action is taken against him and no hearing is given for those who lost lives by the concerned authorities”, the appeal reads, adding “UNHCR has intensified its campaign for third country resettlement by hut to hut visit accompanied by armed security forces of Nepal. It certainly reminds the Bhutanese refugees about their past when they were evicted by the government of Bhutan at the gun point”.

The camp secretaries have also made their stance clear that they would not object any individuals who opt for third country resettlement without any motivation.

Meanwhile, the appeal has also demanded GoN to help deliver justice to two innocent youths of Beldangi-II, who lost their lives in the struggle for justice and order for a thorough investigation. Further, it demanded GoN to direct the local authority and the security forces to stop all kinds of harassments, tortures, arrests, and detentions of the people in camps without valid proofs.

Communist Party of Bhutan (MLM) denies shooting

Source: Apfanews.com

Kathmandu, December 14: The Communist Party of Bhutan (MLM) has denied the charge that it shot Arun Subba of Beldani-I quoted Nepalese daily The Himalayan Times.

Subba over a telephone interview with Saranarthi Sarokar from hospital bed has claimed the involvement of CPB (MLM) in shooting. “The incident was the result of the warning that we received in last pamphlet” he told.

His condition is out of risk. Security chief of UNHCR, representatives of aid agencies and chief district officer, Jhapa have visited the LifeLine Hospital to inquire the condition of Subba.

The daily quoted that in a press statement today, in-charge of the party’s rehabilitation coordination committee Muna refuted the charge levelled against the party.

The release said that the incident was the “extreme injustice meted out by the Nepal government and UNHCR on the refugees.” The release alleged that the UNHCR was responsible for the worsening situation in the refugee camp. Regretting the shooting incident, Muna said the party was formed to wage a struggle in Bhutan.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in all three camps in Beldangi.

Pamphlets, claimed to be posted by the Communists Party of Bhutan (CPB-MLM)-affiliated All Bhutan Revolutionary Students Union and Bhutan Republican Youths Organisation in Beldangi-I camp in Novermber 'blacklisted' at least 12 individuals and carried warning to take people's action against them. Subba was one in the list.

The pamphlet had also issued ultimatum that the accused ones should either leave camps within 15 days or apologies before CPB-MLM.