Election is a ploy: DNC
Kathmandu, March 21: Druk National Congress said the National Assembly elections scheduled for March 24 is a ploy to hoodwink the international community and to quell the demand by democrats, both in Bhutan, and others in exile, for the establishment of genuine democracy and human rights in the country.
The party further said that fundamental human rights – the basic tenets of democratic practice is completely absent in the country. The arrests of innocent people are still rampant. No political parties other than the two royalist parties have been allowed to participate in the electoral process.
The recent election to the National Council was conducted in such a stifling atmosphere. Under the same environment, the regime is about to repeat the same exercise by holding elections to the National Assembly.
It further said, there is no indication by which one can accept this election as 'truly democratic, particularly when fundamental human rights are denied to the people and 80 percent of the population is legally excluded.
He party said, exile Bhutanese have the stake in the democratization of Bhutan because they also belong to Bhutan. “I have repeatedly warned that the present form of 'democracy' will be counterproductive to the institution of monarchy in long run,” Dorji said.
The party also welcomed the beginning of the third country resettlement of the exiled Bhutanese.
“Those who have opted for the resettlement program at the present moment will in future assert their right to return to Bhutan. Obviously there will be a legal ramification with regard to the genuineness of their nationality.”
“Therefore, prior to their departure from Nepal, every Bhutanese has the right to know the exact figure of bona-fide Bhutanese being considered for the resettlement program. The UNHCR and the government of Nepal must declare the number of genuine Bhutanese.”
The party also sad that third-country resettlement is not a permanent solution to the issue. Any unresolved issues on the nationality will affect democratic Bhutan in future. Therefore, before resorting to third country resettlement, the issue of the genuineness of nationality must be settled once and for all. Bhutan News Service