Karki receives Dutch nationality

Hague, March 20, 2009: Ram Bahadur Karki Chhetri, a Netherlands based Bhutanese refugee, who runs business as well, has been awarded citizenship certificates by the Dutch government during a naturalization ceremony held on March 13 at the Hague municipality building.

Chhetri, who had been living in The Netherlands since November 2002 as a asylum seeker, fulfilled all the criteria required to become a Dutch national.

“You are the first ever Bhutanese that has acquired Dutch nationality in The Hague  “ said Robijn Baldewsingh, Head of integration and population at the Hague municipality while awarding certificate.

“I feel very proud for being able to gain a citizenship status after being rendered  stateless by the autocratic regime in Bhutan for around two decades” said Chhetri while thanking Dutch government for being too generous in awarding him a citizenship. 

Born in Chengmari, Bhutan in 1970, Chhetri left the country in August 1990 and was active in the Bhutanese movement for Human Rights since then. 

He said as a naturalized citizen of The Netherlands, he will continue his best to build a strong public opinion in the western world against the discriminatory policies of Bhutan and work actively for human rights and democracy.