Europe leaders debate on exiled Bhutanese

Brussels, November 10: The top policy makers of the European Union (EU) held discussion on future of the exiled Bhutanese struggling for human rights and democracy on November 8 in Brussels.

Alongside the launch of the second Poverty Report of the South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) titled "Poverty in South Asia 2006: Civil Society Concerns," a strategic discussion on "Bhutan: Democratization amidst protracted Refugee Crisis" was also organized.

The event was organized in coordination with SAAPE's Northern partner, Eurostep and facilitated by the Europe External Policy Advisors (EEPA).

Dr D.N.S Dhakal, Vice-President of the Bhutanese National Democratic Party (BNDP) and one of the authors of the SAAPE Poverty Report 2006 presented it to Neena Gill MEP, Head of Delegation for relations with India in the presence of Jaromir Kohlicek MEP, Vice Chairperson of the Delegation for relations with South Asia; Ambika Luitel, Charge d'Affaires of Embassy of Nepal; Minister K. J. Francis representing the Embassy of India and other representatives from the European civil society.

Dr Dhakal said that it was a historic event in terms of a exiled Bhutanese voice getting the opportunity to be heard in Europe for the first time amidst key actors who are crucial for the successful resolution of the protracted crisis.

He strongly expressed that the upholding of the right to return only would provide justice to exiled Bhutanese who have been victims of legal ethnic cleansing since the last 17 years and advocated an inclusive people-led democracy in Bhutan. He appealed the EU to urge the government of India to engage with the royal government of Bhutan towards realizing national reconciliation and an amicable comprehensive resolution of the long-standing problem.

Neena Gill strongly expressed respect for human rights, equality, freedom of speech, free media and broadening of the political parties in Bhutan. Bhutan News Service