March 19, 2010: The Bhutanese Advocacy Forum – Europe concluded its campaign in Geneva on Thursday finally attending the 13th session of Human Rights Council where resolution on UPR human Rights report on Bhutan was adopted.
Before the session begun, the BAF delegates made intensive lobby and distributed appeal and testimonies of torture victims from the Bhutanese refugee community to the representatives of member states and the participating members of the civil societies.
Of the 99 specific recommendations made by the member states on Bhutan in the UPR meeting on December 4, Bhutan agreed to accept almost all the recommendations. However, Bhutan expressed its inabilities to accept few of the recommendation with the reason, keeping at par with the existing laws of the country. But the country expressed its commitment to keep close consideration on those recommendations as well.
Despite limited time, member states like Algeria and United States of America made their responses urging Bhutan to commence the repatriation of the exiled Bhutanese willing to return and asking for non discriminatory treatment on the Bhutanese citizens of ethnic Nepali minority.
Amongst the other members of civil societies Peter Prove, a high official from LWF’s international Affairs and Human Rights section, made a strong statement on Bhutan’s commitment on the return of the exiled citizens. He stated, ”Bhutan has repeatedly declared its commitment to finding a lasting solution to the refugee crisis through a bilateral process of negotiation with the government of Nepal. Bhutan has in fact participated in a joint verification process in one of the seven refugee camps as a result of which hundreds of verified refugees, even on the restricted basis on which the verification was conducted, should have been allowed to return to Bhutan. But still today, not a single refugee has been able to return home”.
Prove further said it is now time for Bhutan to demonstrate that it is actually prepared to assume its responsibility for repatriation of genuine exiled Bhutanese who are willing to return in conditions consistent to international norms and practices.
With the adoption of UPR resolution, BAF Europe has expressed its optimistism that RGOB shall hold its commitment made in the international forum and go for wide rectification on its discriminatory national policies.
The BAF delegation comprised of Durga Giri, Ram Bahadur Karki Chhetri and Tej Man Monger.
Good news! Bravo.
To my infactuation brain, the barbaric government with jungle rule has slowly changed its stance and subdued its hollow head with steady external momentum. The culture of hatrage, mistrust, biasness do still remained in the formulation of country’s plan and policies.
One important stigma is, some inside media started to cover some of the exile news in some cutpaste fashion, which is a positive step for mitagation.
Democracy is not a nightmare dream. The pompus thinking of absolutism must be wipeout. For instance, JYT after the landside victory, dedicated his victory to king Jigme and he never moved his lips for people. Afterall that was people who helped him to reach in that position. People are the highest emblem in a democracy.
Public welfare should be the motive of government of Bhutan and not the Royal welfare.
Anyway, this is very positive news and we in totality appreciate the extended hands by our welwishers.
Team, can you please write the thanking notes in a formal way to all the representives irrespective of support. This will help to keep our relationship and garner the further support.
Well a peace of bread is better than none.
To bring our issue on the international forum is not at all a easy task.We go thre once in a blue moon whereas Bhutan has kept their representative to lobby the International community at Genev permanently.They are their for all four seasons distributing gifts and offering khadas.How big the country is but its being represented by few members only.Bhutan was pity successful to lobby but now things are changing.
Our continues effort to take our issues to this forum is a must.
BAF is doing a tremendous job by taking our issues to such forum. Next upcoming session we have to go for passing resolution.So lets work in hand to hand with the member countries and let them work in passing strong resolution in coming session.
We all Bhutanese around the world must lobby our own country in which we are today.
Atleast our kids are going to school today…..
1) all are learning computer
2) most of them are already have cell phones.
3) they speak good English and many of them can speak Spanish and French too.
But you guys have to look back and see what your friends/brothers/sisters at Bhutan are doing.
Check …if all schools are reopened in Bhutan or still its a army barrack.
check….whose kids are those at the road side in labour camp in Thimphu- Phuntsholing hwy.
Don’t give me a wrong.The change is taking place.I am not sure its happily or forcefully but HINDU DHARMA is back to life in BHUTAN. Check the news at Kuensel.
Last but not the least…..lets extend our support to BAF so that they can visit Geneva more often.At the same time friends in New York must wake up since the UN headquater is just few minutes walk from you.
Tashi Delek.
This is good news for us…we need action then commitment from the government of Bhutan.If she really whats harmony and appreciation she should be positive towards her exile families who are waiting her to see for more than two decates.
This is good news for us…we need action then commitment from the government of Bhutan.If she really wants harmony and appreciation she should be positive towards her exile families who are waiting her to see for more than two decates.
Great Job BAF Team,
Finally the regime bowed down in such international forum.Bhutanese people are deprived of their due share by the regime for ages.
Kudos to the whole team for your effort in the mission.
What ..you guys think? Is it that we will implement or put into action whatever we have committed in Geneva? Never…this sort of false verbal commitments have been going on for a while. So what if we have to bitter our relations with faraway Nations…!!!! We have GIANT INDIA as NEIGHBOUR. A huge MARKET for our export, POWER.
And should even INDIA falter, CHINA is just next step. We have already started some sort of compromise from (land) border issues.
Congratulations to the Bhutan Team of Durga Giri, Ram Karki and Tej Bhai. Your achievements are taller than you are. Slowly and slowly, the world is getting aware of the actual situation in Bhutan. Your contribution to that end is unparalled so far. Keep doing. Congratulations again.
Rp Subba.
Algeria asking Bhutan to repatriate refugees?. How about repatriating their own refugees? How about Algeria working to end their own bombing and suicide attacks? how about ending discrimination against Berber-speaking minority? How about asking their own president to divorce from military and decentralizing power to the parliament? How about asking their president to accept that we was once a corrupted individual who went into self imposed exile to escape corruption charges