Association of Press Freedom Activists(APFA-Bhutan) Dated: December 16, 06 Press Release Bhutan witnesses one of the most emotional moments in Bhutanese history. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck has abdicated the throne on December 9, which was announced formally on Thursday, December 14. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has succeeded his father as the fifth monarch of this … Read more
As I had announced during the National Day celebrations last year about my abdication, and also briefed the Lhengye Zhungtshog on this decision, the time has now come for me to hand over my responsibilities to Trongsa Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. While we prepare ourselves for parliamentary democracy in 2008, we must all pledge … Read more
Thimphu, December 15: His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne on December 9, formally announced on Thursday, December 14, at the age of 51. HRH Trongsa Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has succeeded his father. On Thursday, in a special meetng of the sitting of Council of Minister (Lhengye Zhuntshog) in presence of National … Read more
After the US offered for the third country resettlement, there has been divided opinion among the exiled Bhutanese. Debate continues whether the option is a measure for durable solution of the crisis. On the other side majority of Bhutanese leaders in exile have strongly criticized the US offer. In midst of this T. P. Mishra … Read more
Thimphu, December 12: Bhutan and India have formally demarcated their 699-km border on Wednesday signing the final strip maps, 45 years after the process for settling the boundary began. Officials of the two countries Tuesday signed the 'mutually demarcated border' maps at a meeting in Thimphu. 'This is indeed a landmark agreement as the two countries had mutually … Read more
New Delhi, December 13: Bhutan has been ranked No. 2 violator of human rights because of the absolute denial of political freedom, independent judiciary, press freedom and violations of the rights of minorities and undeclared ban on the human rights defenders, a newly released report said. "If absence of reports on human rights violations were … Read more
Kathmandu, December 13: One senior Indian journalists Kuldip Nyar warned that further 'mishandling' of the issue of the exiled Bhutanese could set a wrong example in the entire South Asian region. Nyar has bee in Nepal visit to gather views on what could be done to solve the problem at the earliest. "If the crisis … Read more
Phuentsholing, December 13: Indian security forces feel that the ULFA has been running temporary training camps inside Bhutan after they were flushed out from there three years ago. NDTV crew found that the camps would probably be located on the Indo Bhutan border crossing over to Bhutan from Bharaibkund. Jintu Kalita of ULFA was arrested … Read more
By Sriram Khe To understand ethnic and religious tensions in faraway places such as Iraq, Lebanon or India, we need look no farther than our own northern neighbor – Canada. The Canadian parliament recently acted to formally recognize the Francophone province, Quebec, as a nation within Canada. Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced the motion, which … Read more
Beldangi, December 13: Cold weather is affecting exiled Bhutanese living in seven camps in Jhapa and Morang districts. Children and senior citizens have been hit the hardest. "Life here has become more troublesome ever since the cold spell began on Monday," Hari Bangale, secretary of the Beldangi refugee camp, said. He added, "Children and senior … Read more