Bhutanese delegation in Geneva

On 4th of December, many Bhutanese refugees gathered in front of the UN complex (Palais de Nations) of Geneva to press the Bhutan government on the issue of human rights and democracy. Some of the refugees dressed in Bhakku (national dress of Bhutan). One of the refugees carried a national flag of Bhutan. It was the day when Bhutan government was to present "Universal Periodic Review of the Government of Bhutan's Human Rights Report." "We want justice, human rights and inclusive democracy; stop human rights violations in Bhutan; Bhutan forcefully evicted 13,0000 citizens (20% of total population); repatriate Bhutanese Refugees with dignity and honor; Bhutan's Human Rights Report to Universal Periodic Review is False," were some of the quotes found in the play cards carried by the Bhutanese refugees. The review session began at 2 pm with the delegation team from the Bhutan government. The Bhutanese refugees who protested out side the UN complex were also present during the session.

On the other hand, Kuensel online, Bhutan's daily news site quoted Kinzang Dorji (Bhutan’s delegation co-leader, the former minister of works and human settlement): “The question of a just and durable solution to the issue is the subject of bilateral negotiations between the governments of Bhutan and Nepal. I’d like to reiterate the commitment of the royal government of Bhutan to finding a lasting solution through the bilateral process.” Also, Ambassador Yeshey Dorji said, “Whenever a conducive situation presents itself, we can work with Nepal to resume the bilateral talks."

More than 17 years have already passed and several rounds of bilateral talks between the governments of Nepal and Bhutan ended with no conclusion. Already more than 25,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal were resettled in various western countries. When will then real repatriation start? After all the refugees in Nepal are resettled in other countries? So when will that conducive situation come as stated by Yeshey Dorji? When will the words turn into action?

Simultaneously, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood on Wednesday (December 9) stated the refugee problem in Nepal will be solved itself when time comes. He also clarified that India would not interfere on the issue of Bhutanese refugees saying that it is the internal matter of Bhutan and Nepal. So what should be the role of Nepal government at this time when both India and Bhutan seem to be turning deaf ears on this issue saying that time will bring the solution. According to Sood India won't play any role in resolving the Bhutanese refugee problem. Let India not play any role. Then why would Indian police intervene when the Bhutanese refugees attempted march towards Bhutan through India? Why would India let the Bhutanese refugees in through the land of India to Nepal (easily) when thousands of southern Bhutanese citizens were forcefully evicted?

Currently, there is no symptom of bilateral talk between Nepal and Bhutan. Refugee issue has not been a major agenda for both the governments. Until and unless both the governments work together hand in hand, there's no easy way. Other wise, the voices of such delegations in front of UN will just be ignored and go unnoticed years and years. Bhutanese refugee issue can not be solved unless both Nepal and Bhutan governments seriously put effort together with the mediation of Indian government. Third country resettlement is not the only option of durable solution. It is only a part of solution. 

Bhutanese refugees during the demonstration and inside the UN distributed:

• Report of Human Rights Abuse in Bhutan, 2009 (From the perspective of the victims of Human Rights abuse by the Royal Government of Bhutan)
• Submission of a report on the Prevailing situation in Bhutan By the Druk National Congress (DNC) To the Human Rights Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of the Government of Bhutan's Human Rights Report
• Campaigning for Inclusive Democracy and Fundamental Human Rights in Bhutan (Geneva-4th December, 2009)
  

For more pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/aardeshar/BhutaneseRefugeesInFrontOfUNComplexInGeneva#

For more information on "Bhutan's Human Rights Report to Universal Periodic Review" 
http://www.apfanews.com/stories/bhutan-faces-tough-questions-in-upr-session/

http://www.apfanews.com/news-analysis/rgob-swims-naked-across-universal-periodic-review-a-review/

http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2009/12/11/Nation/Bhutan-rights-record--under-world-scrutiny/2945/ (by John Narayan Parajuli)

Over 25,000 Bhutanese refugees have been resettled in seven different countries during the last two years as one of the durable solutions. Seven core countries which are receiving Bhutanese refugees.

• United States- 22,060
• Australia (1,006)
• Canada (892)
• Norway (316)
  
• Denmark (305)
  
• New Zealand (299) and 
• The Netherlands (122)

Remained in the camps of Nepal- 86,739  (Source: http://www.unhcr.org/4b22462e6.html)