Exiled Bhutanese irked with Nepalese PM
Kathmandu, June 08: Top Bhutanese human rights leader and chairperson of Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee Tek Nath Rizal said he was shocked by the Nepal government's inaction to raise the issue of Bhutanese exiled Bhutanese with India during the prime minister's visit.
Talking to Bhutan News Service on Thursday Rizal said, "It is astonishing that Nepal has ignored our issue."
Rizal further said he, however, was hopeful that the issue will get into the list of agendas as there is still one day left of the visit. "If the issue was not addressed, it would prove that Nepal is obstacle to finding the solution of the problem. This is irresponsible," he added.
Rizal also accused Nepali media for not giving wide coverage to their issue at such important time. "We are sad that very few covered our programme in Lalitpur as well," he said.
On Tuesday, 14 Nepalese human rights activists and intellectuals had submitted a memorandum to the prime minister before his departure to New Delhi and urged to raise the issue with Indian counterpart. Among others, the memorandum demanded a permanent commission to look after the refugee issue, security to Rizal, properties assessment of exiled Bhutanese left back in Bhutan or confiscated by the government, facilities for education and health, provision of exhibition center for the handicrafts made by exiled Bhutanese, appointment legal advisor regarding refugee issue and special identity card for them.
Meanwhile, exiled Bhutanese staging sit-in protest in front of the UN House at Pulchowk, Lalitpur since June 2 have begun face problems of lodging and food. In an attempt to gather the basic need to them during the stay, Rizal on Thursday asked the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) to support them with lodging and food. "I have submitted a request letter and am assured to get assistance," Rizal told Nepalnews.
Exiled Bhutanese are on indefinite sit-in programme demanding immediate international intervention into their issue and early repatriation of the verified exiled Bhutanese from Khudunabari camp. Bhutan News Service