RRCC objects PM's statement
Kathmandu, December 29: Refugee Rights Coordination Committee has objected the statement by Prime Minister Khandu Wangchuk that exiled Bhutanese are terrorists.
In a statement, chief coordinator of the committee N. B. Giri said, "Politically conscious people within Bhutan and outside favoring a multi–party system in Bhutan are committed to institutionalization of principal of rule of law."
"The loyalty of the exiled Bhutanese to the country is unmatched as they have never undertaken an armed reprisal against the Government of Bhutan even after sixteen years of eviction from country to a foreign soil to face humiliation and rejection. The magnanimous gesture of the exiled Bhutanese shows that they encourage non-violence to a peaceful transition to a democratic form of Government in Bhutan, the statement reads.
Bhutan is not concerned to solve the problem but sure to invite problems. Wangchuk "wants the exiled Bhutanese to raise arms against Bhutan Government," Giri said.
"The whole world knows that Royal Government of Bhutan is anarchist, undemocratic and against the U N Human Rights norms. Foreign Minister is a liar. He is unaware that the exiled Bhutanese are manned by International bodies like UNHCR, LWF, various INGOs and the Government of Nepal. How can a exiled Bhutanese think about armed revolution when they are living in the camps survived with the donated yet, meager foods for survival?"
"Exiled Bhutanese may be non–national, economic migrants and terrorist in the eyes of the Royal Government of Bhutan but not to the Bhutanese people and to the world. Forget about our repatriation, the royal government of Bhutan wants to bring more trouble to the exiled Bhutanese. They want us to starve to death. They want us to perish in the camps. They are even jealous of our resettlement in the US and other countries as it would mean peace and prosperous life to the Bhutanese refugees. The cruel Bhutanese minister wants to tarnish our image labeling us terrorist."
"We comprehend that repatriation back to Bhutan though is the principal solution it is not practicable as per the present situation. We cannot encourage repatriation nor can we advise or undertake any types of exercise, which would coerce the exiled Bhutanese to return to Bhutan making their life in danger. Above all, the statement of the foreign minister of Bhutan indicates total failure of peaceful repatriation."
"Although, resettlement is the last option, it is an extremely important protection tool as well as a durable solution under the prevailing situations with us. Thus, we would like to appeal the Government of Nepal not to waste any more time trying to negotiate with Bhutan for our repatriation as without concrete democracy and removal of monarchy from Bhutan our life cannot be secured in Bhutan. Exiled Bhutanese must not be kept as political card in the camps by any political institution. Exiled Bhutanese need a place to live a normal life before anything else." Bhutan News Service