'Resettlement doesn't deliver justice'
Dr. Tara Niraula is the President of New York based America-Nepal Friendship Society established in 1983. Dr Niraula, also the general secretary of Nepalese Americas Council, an umbrella organization for Nepalese societies in the North America, is one of the strong advocates of the issue of the exiled Bhutanese since early 1990s. During his recent visit to Nepal, he talked to Thakur P Mishra of Bhutan News Service on contemporary situation of the crisis and possibility of getting it solved. Excerpts:
BNS: When did you start advocating for exiled Bhutanese?
Dr. Niraula: I have been in the touch with them since early 1990s. Especially, during the 1990s we launched a number of programs in the US and have even handed over several appeals and memorandums to the government as part of lobbying. We demanded for dignified repatriation of the exiled Bhutanese to their home.
BNS: The crisis is getting protracted. Who do you think is responsible for this?
Dr. Niraula: No doubt, Bhutan is responsible for this prolongation. The exiled Bhutanese are the genuine citizens of Bhutan. So, it is Bhutan's greatest failure not to take them back before it was too late. And I think the problem would have already solved if India had shown interests.
BNS: Is not Nepal responsible for failure of 15 rounds of Nepal-Bhutan talks?
Dr. Niraula: Nepal has its weaknesses. Nepal at all didn't sit for bilateral talks with enough homework. It would have exerted pressure over Bhutanese counterpart if adequate preparations were made before each round of talks. Nepal didn't take the issue responsibly as it is engulfed in its own interim political turmoil. In reality, Bhutan is ahead in spreading propagandas than Nepal. The other reason of talks failure is the inability to include India in the talks, who controls Bhutan's foreign policy.
BNS: Could India be a catalyst towards resolving of this crisis?
Dr. Niraula: In my personal view, India's role is most significant since all exiled Bhutanese came to Nepal via Indian soil. And many Bhutanese are still languishing in different states of India as undeclared 'refugees'. Thus, India should show its serious concern in finding a lasting solution of the crisis.
BNS: Is the US offer of resettlement an amicable solution?
Dr. Niraula: It isn't an extra thing for the US to allow 60,000 people live on its soil on humanitarian ground but I think this doesn't furnish entire justice to Bhutanese struggle towards establishing democracy and human rights inside Bhutan. The problem is not only of these 60,000 people. There are other thousands of Bhutanese in different parts of India and Nepal waiting for repatriation. I think it would be wiser if those who are willing to opt for third country resettlement extend their help at this movement towards dignified repatriation. This option is just a solution only for individual.
I think it would be impossible to think of lobbying on the issue from the US and other countries. There, you would be busy at building your personal career as like that of other exiled Bhutanese friends who are now in the US. Even those who were in touch with us like Bishwonath Chhetri, Bishnu Pradhan and others are currently out of contact.
On the other side, I suppose that those who are willing to opt for resettlement do not represent majority's voice.
BNS: What role can friends of exiled Bhutanese in the US play for comprehensive solution?
Dr. Niraula: We can make the Americans aware of this issue. Lobbying American Senator to build pressure on Bhutan and Indian government for repatriation of the exiled Bhutanese can be possible from our side. We did this earlier as well. However, Bhutanese friends in America must show active participation and serious concern.
BNS: What you expect from 16th round of Nepal-Bhutan talks?
Dr. Niraula: It is a good indication that Nepal and Bhutan are sitting for bilateral talks next month. However, it shouldn't be like those in the past. As Nepal is surmounted by its own problems, there are no possibilities on its side to grasp any reasonable outcomes. If Nepal is truly serious, then it should give emphasis on repatriating the exiled Bhutanese to their homeland. It would be better if Nepal could work towards including representatives from the Bhutanese community in exile in the talks. I think, if this talks fails, it would certainly multiply frustrations in exiled Bhutanese. Nepal must expedite the process of repatriation without any further postponement.