Indian experts begin consultation on Bhutanese refugee issue

Amidst two important incidents – third country resettlement of Bhutanese refugees and Bhutan's transition to democracy through recent elections – Indian experts have begun discussion on the protracted issue of Bhutanese refugees on Monday.

According to South Asia for Human Rights (SAHR), the day long consultation will draw a list of recommendations from the expert groups- academia/human rights group/ representatives of Bhutanese refugees on raising awareness on the issue and adopt an advocacy paper around it.

The consultative meeting in Delhi will also see deliberations on the present state of the Bhutanese refugees in India and Nepal and review of the elections to the National Assembly held on March 24.

Shiranthi Jayatilaka, Executive Director of the SAHR, former prime minister of India I. K. Gujral, chairperson of the SAHR, Hameeda Hossian, co-chairperson of the SAHR from Bangladesh, Syeda Hameed, Member of the Planning Commission of India, Dr. Devendra Raj Panday, Bureau Member – SAHR Nepal Chapter, Prof. M. P. Lama, Vice Chancellor Sikkim University, Kuldip Nayar, senior journalist, D. P. Kaphley of People's Forum for Human Rights Bhutan, Bhairav Acharya, Assistant Director of the PILSARC are among the high dignitaries that will attend the consultation.

The consultation is organised by SAHR. This is the first of such high level consultation on Bhutanese refugees held in India. nepalnews.com ia mar 31 08