January 25, 2010: Despite hurdles and challenges posed by new experiences after the resettlement program, Bhutanese Diaspora tends remain lively, organized and widening for rights. The latest updates are Europe and Australia.
The Bhutanese in Europe have recently announced the formation of Bhutanese Advocacy Forum Europe, with representatives from all European countries where Bhutanese reside.
This is the first continental level organization in Europe formed by Bhutanese. A statement issued reads, “Bhutanese living in various parts of Europe have come under such a platform following serious need to raise a single voice against atrocities of the Bhutan regime.”
Durga Giri, the forum’s coordinator said, “The Bhutanese in Europe have come together to give continuity to advocacy programmes such as one they did in Switzerland last month when Bhutan presented its first human rights report in the international forums to make the Bhutanese regime realise the moral obligation to respect the human rights instruments and civil liberties.”
Ram Bahadur Karki Chhetri, Suren Ghalley and Ramesh Gautam have been named as country coordinators for The Netherlands, Germany and Norway respectively.
“The forum has received commitments for active participation from many Bhutanese across the European countries,” said Giri adding, “It shall supplement and compliment the Bhutanese advocacy works in all the other continents.”
The statement further reads, “The forum is working for the 13th Human Rights Council meeting scheduled for March 2010 in Geneva where Bhutan is responding to the queries raised by various country representatives in the last December. Forum is beginning its International campaigning in Europe scheduled to start from early next week.”
The BAF Europe also plans to organize awareness programs in Europe to garner solidarity from the European people towards the long-standing refugee imbroglio.
Similarly, the Association of Bhutanese in Australia (ABA) in Sydney held election to name new executive committee. The association formed on August 26, 2007 has now expanded with more resettlement taking place.
The election held on January 23 named Om Dhungel as its new chairman with Tulsi Ram Katel as the general secretary and Dukka Pokharel as treasurer.
Similarly, Dr. Om Dhungyel and Dr. Naresh Parajauli have been elected as advisor of the association, Damber Kumar Dhungyel as youth coordinator. Yadhu Pati Dhungyel as public relation officer, Narapati Dhimal as cultural coordinator, Pabitra Kafley as women coordinator and Hari Khatiwoda as welfare coordinator.
The association currently has 169 members. It has formed Kirtan Samathi (members meets last Saturday of every month from 5pm to 8pm at Alpha Hall Blacktown that is given free by Blacktown City Council for hymns) and a soccer club named Druk FC (Players meet every Saturday morning at 7.30am for practising and usually play the game with other Nepalese community soccer teams).
The executive committee has two-year tenure.
Further, reports from Tasmania say the Bhutanese resettled in that part of Australia have celebrated their resettlement anniversary with festivities.
Good developments. When you guys were near to the problem area, living on Indo-Bhutan border and on Indo-Nepal border you did nothing concrete to bring in changes in Bhutan. Now far away, very very far away in distant lands where even in your dreams you cannot reach Bhutan or its border or interact with people you are supposed to work for, you have created new organizations one after another creating further divisions among the small Bhutanese refugee population abroad. The so called advocacy forum in Europe is led by BPP fellows and ABA is by BNDP members.Well good luck guys!
Let us Congratulate ABA (Australia) for successfully naming its Chairman and filling up other portfolios in the organization.
However, as an outside observer, I did observe that the Committee does not reflect the communal diversity inherent in the southern Bhutanese culture. Balance also has been lost as it does not include recently arrived refugees who have better leadersip qualities. Their inclusion in the ABA would help consolidate an ABA in a true sense.
I am certain that the ABA Committee will try some corrective measures, so that the organization will reflect diversity and a balance worthy of its name.
Rp Subba.
Virginia, USA
So you all excluded Ratan Gazmere, Gogen Gazmere, Parsu Lautal. That is too bad!!!
Parangkush
Congratulation all of you.Go ahead with a cool mind.
Thank you.
NP Subedi
Arizona,USA
This is the “GREAT Job” done by the Bhutanese in abroad. We are happy to read this hot hot news either that is done by Bhutanese or done for the Bhutanese. Pease encourage all the Bhutanese to unite wherever they are this is the time of do something not to struggle for the position But for all of us. I do not have more idea about the situation of Bhutanese in Europe and Australlia but I know something about the situation of the bhutanses in United States because I have settled in here. It is the good news that the organization in Arizona, I also know that the organization in Kentucky (Luiesvelle). In the same way unite all the Nepali Speaker Bhutanese and Unite on an Organization and lead with the central idea.
In Europe I hope bhutanse organization is including the recent settled Bhutanese too.
Devicharan Adhikari
Lexington, Kentucky
Email:- devicharanadhikari@yahoo.com
I think this is not wise to lure our innocent Bhutanese fellow country mate in this kind of Diasporas coz this dont work after some years and somebody calling chairman and chairperson will end up buying his/her flat in one of the main cities where they are resettled…. so give our brother/sisters a chance to work and make their living and get integrated and leave them alone….don`t interfere in their private life
Be it in America, Austrilia or Europe, the mentality of of the refugees will not change. Caste system is still rampant, and those who consider themselves as brahmans, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras will never allow other people to come to leadership.