Repatriation
Now-a-days local authorities in Jhapa and Morang districts are restricting exiled Bhutanese from launching political demonstrations aimed at raising voices for the establishment of their rights. In fact, it is unfair and unjustifiable to restrict them from holding peaceful demonstrations in the name of controlling crime-related activities inside the camps. Undoubtedly, there has been a rise in crimes and unruly activities inside the camps. TBR is of the opinion that perpetrators should not be allowed going scot free, but it is not wise on the part of the local authorities to restrict innocent peaceful demonstrators from raising their voices for repatriation.
Following the option of Third Country Resettlement (TCR), other options, in particular the repatriation process of Bhutanese refugees, is getting overshadowed. In recent times, local authorities in Jhapa and Morang districts are clamping restrictions on peaceful demonstrations and protests in favor of repatriation inside the camps. Nepal’s frequent claim that it supports and gives priority to the repatriation process sounds contradictory. Actually, the Government of Nepal has failed to convince Thimphu to accelerate the repatriation process while the local authorities are opting measures to restrict the exiled Bhutanese from holding peaceful demonstrations inside the UNHCR-monitored camps.
The local authority’s decision to restrict peaceful demonstrations clearly shows its intention to suppress peoples’ sentiments to return to their home, Bhutan. This sort of behavior from the local authorities at a time when Nepal has already become a republic with a pledge to enter a ‘New Nepal’ leaves a number of unanswered queries. Moreover, people in camps have high hopes that their issue will be solved with the efforts and support from the Government of Nepal. Nepal should, thus, become ‘liberal’ and allow people in camps to at least demonstrate their feelings and demands through peaceful means.
Exiled Bhutanese should also ensure that they abide by the law of the host country while staging such peaceful protests. Any violent attempts from them to raise their voice - be it for repatriation, resettlement or local assimilation - would certainly be a criminal acts. Only in such cases the local authorities should try to disband their protests. Or else it is unfair not to allow peaceful protest programs. A sense of mutual cooperation and understanding between the divided opinions among exiled Bhutanese is a must to ensure that all possible options are unlocked. The authorities concerned should take urgent and necessary initiatives to address the demands of those raising their voice for repatriation.
Now-a-days local authorities in Jhapa and Morang districts are restricting exiled Bhutanese from launching political demonstrations aimed at raising voices for the establishment of their rights. In fact, it is unfair and unjustifiable to restrict them from holding peaceful demonstrations in the name of controlling crime-related activities inside the camps. Undoubtedly, there has been a rise in crimes and unruly activities inside the camps. TBR is of the opinion that perpetrators should not be allowed going scot free, but it is not wise on the part of the local authorities to restrict innocent peaceful demonstrators from raising their voices for repatriation.
Following the option of Third Country Resettlement (TCR), other options, in particular the repatriation process of Bhutanese refugees, is getting overshadowed. In recent times, local authorities in Jhapa and Morang districts are clamping restrictions on peaceful demonstrations and protests in favor of repatriation inside the camps. Nepal’s frequent claim that it supports and gives priority to the repatriation process sounds contradictory. Actually, the Government of Nepal has failed to convince Thimphu to accelerate the repatriation process while the local authorities are opting measures to restrict the exiled Bhutanese from holding peaceful demonstrations inside the UNHCR-monitored camps.
The local authority’s decision to restrict peaceful demonstrations clearly shows its intention to suppress peoples’ sentiments to return to their home, Bhutan. This sort of behavior from the local authorities at a time when Nepal has already become a republic with a pledge to enter a ‘New Nepal’ leaves a number of unanswered queries. Moreover, people in camps have high hopes that their issue will be solved with the efforts and support from the Government of Nepal. Nepal should, thus, become ‘liberal’ and allow people in camps to at least demonstrate their feelings and demands through peaceful means.
Exiled Bhutanese should also ensure that they abide by the law of the host country while staging such peaceful protests. Any violent attempts from them to raise their voice - be it for repatriation, resettlement or local assimilation - would certainly be a criminal acts. Only in such cases the local authorities should try to disband their protests. Or else it is unfair not to allow peaceful protest programs. A sense of mutual cooperation and understanding between the divided opinions among exiled Bhutanese is a must to ensure that all possible options are unlocked. The authorities concerned should take urgent and necessary initiatives to address the demands of those raising their voice for repatriation.
2 comments:
I really stand on the side of this editorial. would like to praise the TBR team for blogging the paper's content. Thank you
A GOOD EDITORIAL. KEEP UP YOUR SPIRIT UP.
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