Refugee Impasse: A Diplomatic Failure
The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchhuk, was on an official visit to India from February 7-12. This was his first official visit to India after assuming his responsibility as the fifth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan on December 9 last year. The two countries have revived the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 1949, expected to serve each other's national interests through mutual understanding. But the most important point to be noted is that the king's visit did not discuss the long overdue refugee impasse.
The people in exile, who have always been hopeful about being repatriated, had anticipated much from the king's visit to India. As he had no plans to talk about his people in exile, the meeting wrapped up with the signing of the treaty. On the other hand, having waited for about two decades to see a dignified return of the Bhutanese refugees and observed the insidious effects of a long stay, some of the western countries have already made public their scheme of burden sharing. This little concern of the western communities, faction among the refugees and Bhutan's indifference to repatriate the exiled ones has given momentum to the issue. By declaring democracy in 2008 and abnegating the throne in favour of his son, Jigme Singye Wangchhuk has tried to swindle everyone.
When the Bhutanese were dropped at Kakarbhitta in trucks by India, Nepal voluntarily gave them shelter and urged the UNHCR to provide them assistance. Since then, beginning with the first bilateral talks with Bhutan in 1993, it has been trying to find a permanent solution to this crisis. However, none of the endeavours and policies formulated by the Nepalese government has yielded any fruit, instead they have only pushed the deadlock towards its optimum. Nepalese officials have been fooled by Bhutan till now as Nepal has little understand the genteel behaviour of their counterparts.
The evident raison d'?e behind the unsuccessful attempt to find a resolution has been India's indifference. Whoever formulates whatsoever policies to finalise the matter, no permanent way out can be found without India's involvement. Though the revival of the treaty has restored some of the rights, including the matter of foreign affairs to Bhutan, it is just another tactic of two strategic partners to divert international attention.
It is pellucid that without India's consent, Bhutan shall never give a second thought about accepting the exiled ones. Sadly, the former has been always apathetic since the inception of the issue. India's influence could have already solved one of the most complicated crises of South Asia.
According to Unveiling Bhutan, a joint work of T. N. Rizal and Thinley Penjor, the process of establishing democracy in Bhutan dates back to some 60 years when India was ruled by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The first step towards democratisation of Bhutan began with the establishment of the National Assembly in 1953, acceptance of the Nepali speaking community into the mainstream of Bhutan in 1958, separation of the executive and the judiciary by establishing a high court in 1968, formation of the Lhengye Zhuntshok (ministerial cabinet) in the same year and introducing a system of "No confidence vote" against the king and the cabinet ministers in 1969. But the assassination of Mrs. Gandhi proved to be a great loss to the Bhutanese in their aspiration to institutionalise democracy.
On one hand, Bhutan is said to be stepping towards democratisation, on the other, the people have been tortured and their property vandalised. It's ironic that a corruption-free country of Asia still practices inhuman acts. Human rights continue to be violated in Bhutan. The SAARC Human Rights Index -2006 ranks the Druk Kingdom second in terms of human rights violation.
Moreover, the people of Bhutan are politically less aware. Some section of the people who are conscious about their rights cannot raise their voice as the circumstances are not conducive. A large part of the population is not fully aware of what their kin in exile are fighting for. However, all the atrocities of Bhutan shall never be known to the outside world as the media is intimidated. The Kuensel, a mouthpiece of the Druk regime, speaks only the king's voice.
The steps taken so far towards solving the refugee issue have not borne fruit. Nepal's procedures were far too clumsy and of a hit-and-run nature. Some high-level officials have taken the issue only in terms of ethnic cleansing. There was, thus, a failure to analyse the crux of the matter. The initial approaches of the new king of Bhutan are meant to be read between the lines. He does not seem committed in any way to discuss the refugee impasse. Moreover, the rulers try to appear benevolent, but they are not ready to abnegate the throne easily. The history of the world speaks that there has always been a power struggle, and it is not restored to the people through mere negotiations.
Solution
In a nutshell, Nepal must have the gumption to act accordingly, keeping in mind the topical developments related to the Bhutanese issue. Having seen the plight of the refugees and the complication of the deadlock, and heard about the harassment given to the Lhotshampas residing in Bhutan, Nepal should change its method of approach. It should admonish the donor countries to stop the aid that Bhutan is getting. As it is felt that India's involvement in the ministerial level talks is a must, arrangement for trilateral talks should be made without further delay.
Nepal must also prepare for the involvement of the Bhutanese political leaders in the talks. Nepal may think that the American proposal of resettlement is praiseworthy, but it does not give a permanent solution to the issue. Special mention must be made to remind the international community that the Bhutanese political movement started with the clear objective of establishing democracy in Bhutan, and the refugees have been enduring all sorts of bereavements only to have a decorous repatriation to their motherland where they have shed their blood and sweat. Hence, if no concrete steps towards finding a solution to the deadlock are formulated, numerous problems shall be faced as the youths are already at their peak of frustration.
(Gautam is Editor-in-Chief, The Bhutan Reporter)