Nepal issues exit permits to Bhutanese refugees for third country settlement
The Nepal government has issued exit permits to Bhutanese refugees who have opted for third country resettlement.
This allows refugees to leave the camps in eastern Nepal for third countries once their cases are accepted.
In a statement on Monday, the UNHCR welcomed the Nepal government’s decision to issue exit permits to the Bhutanese refugees and stated that third country settlement is an important step towards finding solution to the refugee stalemate.
More than 107,000 Bhutanese refugees have been languishing in seven camps in Jhapa and Morang districts for 17 years.
However, the refugees are sharply divided over the resettlement issue. There have been frequent clashes between refugees opposing the third country resettlement and those in favour of it.
Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency has said the group resettlement process has been gaining momentum in the camps since it started late last year. “Thousands of refugees have expressed interest, and UNHCR has submitted the details of nearly 10,000 interested refugees for consideration by the resettlement countries. The refugees are currently in various stages of the process, ranging from interviews to extensive medical screening and cultural orientation before departure.”
The United States has offered to resettle at least 60,000 Bhutanese refugees and Canada has indicated it will accept up to 5,000. Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway have also shown their willingness to take in refugees.
The first batch of refugees is set to fly to the United States in March while larger numbers will be leaving Nepal starting in July. nepalnews.com mk Feb 04 08
