HUROB asks PM to raise refugee issue with Bhutanese counterpart

Human Rights Organisation of Bhutan (HUROB) has asked Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to raise the issue of Bhutanese refugees with his Bhutanese counterpart during the sidelines of 15th SAARC summit.

In a letter sent to PM Koirala today, the organisation said, "Bhutanese refugees feel that it is well timed meeting and very significant to apprise the festering problem in the summit as serious regional problem and as well as to the Bhutanese counterpart who in the light of the American offer of resettling about 60000 refugees and other core countries agreeing to take other few thousands is confident of resolving the problem by itself which the two countries despite 15 rounds of bilateral talk and even verification in Khudunabari, one of the seven camps could not achieve."

HUROB further claimed that the resettlement is much against the majority of the Bhutanese refugees, adding that most still hold strong conviction on their rights to return to own homeland in Bhutan.

The organisation, as usual showed its displeasure over the 'unilateral decision' of Nepal to allow western countries take section of the refugees for resettlement.

"There are Bhutanese especially the youths who are determined to go back to own country and for that ready to sacrifice even their lives," the appeal added.

The organisation also warned that the young generation could take to armed rebellion as the last resort if there is no sincere political will to resolve the problem amicably through national reconciliation and understanding.

Before flying to Colombo Wednesday, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat also told journalists that the Bhutanese refugee issue will be discussed with Bhutanese political leaders at the sidelines of the summit.

Several rounds of bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan failed to find solution for the Bhutanese refugees, 110,000 in number, taking shelter in eastern Nepal since 1990. nepalnews.com ia July 30 08