Core Group concerned over increasing violence in refugee camps
The governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the United States, as members of the Core Working Group on Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal, noted their deep concern about attacks and escalating threats against Bhutanese refugees seeking third country resettlement and the humanitarian workers who assist them.
In a joint statement issued Friday, they referred to statements from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the World Food Programme (WFP) who noted in their May 22 statement that attacks against refugees and humanitarian staff endanger continued provision of aid to refugees in Nepal.
"Attacks by groups opposed to third-country resettlement reveal their fundamental disregard for the welfare of the people whose cause they claim to promote," Core group said calling on the government of Nepal to bring to justice the perpetrators of these violent attacks.
The Core Group also noted that many refugees seeking resettlement are not swayed by these threats but continue to seek resettlement consideration. "We recognise that resettlement to another country is not the first choice of most refugees, whose strongest desire is to go home. Third country resettlement should not bar refugees from returning to Bhutan in the future," the statement reads adding that members of the Core Group continue to urge the government of Bhutan to accept the repatriation of its citizens.
"Violence does not facilitate these efforts," they said.
The Core Group commended the courage of humanitarian workers who assist refugees despite threats of violence. "We also greatly appreciate the daily efforts of district officials and police to protect refugees and humanitarian workers," they said and expressed commitments to work with Nepal, the government of Bhutan, and the UNHCR towards a comprehensive and sustainable solution for this refugee population that best meets the individual needs of the refugees. nepalnews.com ia June 06 08
