Leaders are intimidating innocent Bhutanese: UNHCR

Kathmandu, July 27: United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) has accused that the leaders are possibly intimidating innocent and helpless refugees.

Irked by the recent protest in the camps in Jhapa and strong protest by the Bhutanese leaders against the agency’s plan to shift 16 exiled Bhutan to the US and Canada, the agency chief in Nepal Abraham said that the ‘protests are being orchestrated by some refugee leaders’ and does not represent the views of the refugees in general.

In a press release issued on Thursday, he said that the cases of 16 people were not the part of its project for third country settlement.

He further said these were submitted as special humanitarian cases and accepted for resettlement by the two countries due to their urgent protection needs.

“UNHCR negotiated with the Government of Nepal to grant exit permits to them as they are unable to find safety and protection within the refugee camps,” the agency said further.

“The resettlement of these individuals is extremely important as they can no longer be kept in the camps for protection reasons,” said Abraham adding, “We are deeply concerned for their lives as they also require specialized treatment and care not available in the camp environment or in Nepal.”

The refugee agency also clarified that the government of Nepal is yet to approve the proposal of third country settlement. The agency has been advocating for the last few years that a comprehensive solution of the crisis should be found at the earliest possible.

UNHCR vice commissioner Judy Cheng-Hopkins during her recent visit to Nepal said that these 16 ‘vulnerable’ individuals will be resettled in the US and Canada for which Nepal government has provided exit visas. Bhutan News Service