Exiled media bodies concern (JOINT RELEASE)
Joint statement
by
Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) Bhutan
Bhutan Press Union (BPU)
Third World Media Network (TWMN), Bhutan Chapter
Our attention has been drawn by the decision of the Nepal's local administration in Jhapa to file cases on criminal offense against those refugees trying to return to their country voluntarily during the recent Long March. For the last 17 years, the Nepalese government failed to find out the solution of the crisis and pursue the Bhutanese authority to take back its citizens. Refugees began their voluntary repatriation march failing to be convinced that Nepal would be able to purse the Druk regime to take back its citizens. Instead of extending support and solidarity to the efforts of the refugees, the local authority has clamped them criminal accusations. This is condemning, irresponsible and inexcusable act on part of Nepal. This proves that Nepal is not serious towards repatriating the refugees rather take suppressive steps upon them being indifferent to the pressure from Bhutan and Indian authorities.
On Tuesday, during the inhuman baton charge of the Indian security forces on the demonstrating refugee, president of Bhutan Press Union C. N. Timsina has been seriously injured. His left leg has broken and is undergoing treatment at the B. P. Koirala hospital in Dharan, Nepal. We condemn the act of Indian security forces of beating media persons so indiscriminately.
Likewise, the Indian administration has decided to file a case against a Nepalese journalist Daya Ram Dahal who had been in Mechi bridge to report the Long March of the refugees. We are very sad to hear the news. We condemn it and asked the concerned authority to withdraw the case against him immediately.
The leaders of the Long March have not yet returned to camps to inform the refugees about the agreements they reached with the Indian administration. They have not yet disclosed where they are staying now. Such irresponsible act of the leaders has disheartened the refugees. We urge the leaders to immediately return to the camps, inform the refugees about the agreement they reached with the Indian authorities and discuss and plan programs for next phase that they said would begin after 15 days if India did not respond to their plea.
A few refugees are still going missing after the demonstration. We ask the leaders, Indian authority and Nepalese authority to help find out these missing people and inform the families about their status. We also ask the Nepal government and the UNHCR to arrange for free treatment of all those injured in the scuffle.
Similarly, we ask all concerned to respect the right of individual refugees to choose whether he or she wants to live in Nepal, go back to Bhutan or resettle in third countries a proposed by the UNHCR.
I. P. Adhikari, president, APFA-Bhutan
Bhola Nath Puranaghare, general secretary, BPU
T. P. Mishra, president, TWMN-Bhutan Chapter