UNHCR refutes news report

Kathmandu, March 08: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representatives in Nepal Abraham Abraham has refuted the news published by a Nepalese daily that he asked the exiled Bhutanese to make application who wants to adopt third country settlement.

UNHCR statement on Thursday quoted Abraham as saying, "The news report has drawn my attention as it contains inaccurate information which needs correction to avoid misleading refugees and others."

"I have not appealed to the Bhutanese refugees to submit applications if they wish to go for third country resettlement. UNHCR has always advocated for a comprehensive solution, and third country resettlement is now also available as a solution. As things stand, UNHCR has not started processing cases or accepting applications for third country resettlement as a solution, pending approval of the Government of Nepal."

"UNHCR continuously works in the best interest of refugees and remains committed to finding permanent solutions for refugees and will do its best to work towards the aspirations of each and every refugee," he added.

Earlier, it was reported that he asked the exiled Bhutanese to apply if they wanted to go for third country, especially to the US, during his visit to Khudunabari camp. Bhutan News Serive