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VOL. 27, NO. 39, June 13 , 2008 (Jestha 31 2065 B.S.) |
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Concerned Over Violence
Core groups expresses concern over the violence in Bhutanese refugee camp
By A CORRESSPONDEN T
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 recognize 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.
MAHARA’S NORTHERN SOJOURN
Visit With Purpose
Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara concluded his visit
By A CORRESSPONDENT
A senior Maoist leader has expressed his party's firm support to China's stance on Tibet-related issues. According to news report by Xinhua, the Minister for Information and Communication and senior functionary of Maoists, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, expressed 'CPN-M's firm support to China's stance on Tibet-related issues' and vowed to 'prevent any force from doing any anti-China activities in Nepal.'
He said so when meeting with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, last week, in Beijing.
During the meeting, Wang said that CPC and the Chinese government and people respect the Nepalese people's choice of social system and development path suited to its own conditions, the Xinhua report said.
Wang voiced his congratulations on the success of the first meeting of the newly elected Nepal's Constituent Assembly (CA) and hoped that parties concerned, including the CPN-M, would continue to push forward the peace process in Nepal so as to ensure peace, stability and development in the country as early as possible.
Wang spoke highly of the Nepalese government's and different parties' consistent position on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, hoping that the Nepalese side would continue to follow a friendly policy toward China. Wang said China and Nepal are neighbors and enjoy a traditional friendship.
The CPC had maintained friendly exchanges and contacts with major Nepalese parties and it would further relations with them, said Wang. Wang also briefed Mahara on China's fight against the severe earthquake that hit southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12, and expressed his appreciation for the Nepalese side's concern and sympathy. Mahara expressed deep condolences to the victims in the devastating earthquake on behalf of Prachanda, chairman of the CPN-M.
The two sides also exchanged views on party-to-party relations, the report adds.
