Bhutanese Refugees
Repatriation Still Elusive

By Uttam Maharjan

THE diplomatic relations between Nepal and Bhutan formally took shape in 1983. The two Himalayan Kingdom have their relations, both at official and popular levels, dating back to the 15th century. At that time, some Nepalese went to the Druk Yul at the behest of the Bhutanese government to promote arts, to help in administration and for religious advancement. The contributions of Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher and other Nepalese to the establishment of the hereditary kingship in Bhutan assume great prominence. Thus, the Nepalese contributions to Bhutan at social, cultural, economic and political levels are really something to be backoned with.

The cordial relations between Nepal and Bhutan have, however, shown signs of decadence since the early 1990s, when the mass exodus of the Bhutanese of Nepalese origin, known as the Lhotsampas, to eastern Nepal was precipitated by Bhutan. It may be noted that India facilitated the settlement of these refugees in our land since they came here via India.

Way back in 1993, Nepal and Bhutan held the first round of talks and agreed to categorise the refugees into four groups: bona fide Bhutanese, Bhutanese who emigrated, Bhutanese with criminal records and non-Bhutanese. This categorisation has since been used by Bhutan as a trump card. It has been insisting that it will take back only bona fide Bhutanese in sharp contrast to Nepal’s stand that Bhutan must take back all the refugees except the non-Bhutanese. The nine rounds of talks between the two countries unfortunately stonewalling was attributed to such a bone of contention between them.

The tenth round of talks held in Kathmandu in December 2000, however, struck a positive note that with burgeoning international pressure on Bhutan and what with somewhat thawing Nepal-Bhutan relations. As per the verification scheme mutually agreed to at the meeting, the verification of about 13,000 refugees sheltering in the Khudunabari camp was completed in January. But now, clouds of uncertainly have hovered above the refugees. When the varified Khudunabari refugees will be repatriated and when verification will kick off in other camps still lie in the womb of time. The growing desperation of the refugees may be judged by their request to the USA Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, to take the initiative in breaking the impasse, when he was on his Nepal visit (January 18-19). At a time when some refugees have been verified and just a modus operandi of repatriation is needed, such a request to the USA assumes greater importance.

Yes, the refugees’ frustration is not without any grounds. It is reported—and also confirmed by the findings of Habitat International Coalition, an international human rights organisation-that the land and houses belonging to the refugees have been distributed among the Bhutanese from the north and east. Although the Bhutanese government purports that such a move is meant for agricultural development and has nothing to do with the refugee imbroglio, what will happen if the refugees are repatriated to their homeland and claim their properties is really serious. If the refugees cannot responses their properties, which is most likely as they are bete noires in the eyes of the Bhutanese government, they will definitely end up as internally displaced people (IDPs). In such a situation, their fate will be no better than what it is now.

The so-called ethnic cleansing policy adopted by Bhutan is aimed at purging those who have non-Bhutanese languages, customs and religion. As such, the Lhotsampas were accused by the Bhutanese government of taking part in pro-democracy demonstrations in the 1990s.

Discrimination on the basis of ethnicity is a serious human rights violation and against international law. The apartheid policy of South Africa, under which whites used to dominate blacks, was officially renounced just a couple of years after the Lhotsampas were forcibly banished, that is in 1992, giving way to racial integration. Bhutan should have taken its cue from South Africa and assimilated the refugees into the mainstream of national development. A refugee population of around 100,000, which represents about 5 per cent of the total Bhutanese population, should have been optimally mobilised for development activities.

Bhutan should keep it in its mind that this is the age of democracy and such racial policy towards the Lhotsampas is not only undemocratic but also inhuman. The most dangerous outcome of the failure of the refugee problem will be the creation of a state of statelessness among the refugees. Rendering the refugees stateless cuts across international law and Bhutan will be solely responsible for it.

That Bhutan does not want any third party involvement in the solution to the refugee problem is corroborated by the formation of the Joint Verification Team without the involvement of even representatives from the UNHCR. A meeting between Nepal and Bhutan is being held sometime this month. In the context of India, which controls Bhutan’s external affairs as per the Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of 1949, washing its hands of the refugee problem and Nepal being faced with difficulties in solving the problem bilaterally, it will be judicious to solve the problem at international level in case the forthcoming meeting cannot break the impasse.

Poverty Affects Society

By Dutta Shree Duwadi

POVERTY is a great curse in the world. It is not only distressing but also demoralising and is perpetuated from generation to generation. Nepal is rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty but is one of the poorest countries in the world. In Nepal about 95 per cent of the poor are found in rural areas. Among them 82 per cent are agriculture labour. The average operated landholding per poor household in Terai (about seven family members on average) is about 1 hectare and in the hills (about six family members on average) it is 0.3 hectare. The per capita income of a poor in rural household in Terai is one-third of that of a non-poor household and in hills it is one half per capita estimated at $200 in 1995. A survey conducted during 1995/96 by the Central Bureau of statistics, Nepal living standards survey (NLSS) confirms that Nepal is a poor country over all. In 1995./96 average annual per capita consumption was about US$130 using the same exchange rates as for the GNP per capita figures.

Poverty is much higher in the remote western part of the country and the social indicators are low for all but especially for the very poor.As with economic measures of poverty there are deep differences in social indicators across geographic areas, socio-economic groups, and genders. All indicators are worse for remote areas, disadvantaged social groups, and women. However, some progress has been made on primary education but there is no human progress for the poor in Nepal. Female illiteracy rate is still high and they are deprived because of intra-household, social and legal discrimination against them. According to the UNICEF report on the status of women and children in Nepal, the gender disparity starts right from the birth and continues through the different stages of the girl’s life. The "Son Preference in Nepal is one of the highest in the world. Here in Nepal son is considered as an asset where as daughter as liability, even though female have 25 per cent more workload than males. The education, health and nutritional status of females are much lower than those of males and they suffer more from the consequences of poverty.

People living in remote areas belonging to the disadvantaged groups also have high rates of illiteracy. Ethnic groups such as the Tharu and Tamang and occupational castes (Kami, Sarki and Damai) all have illiteracy rates above 75 per cent. Illiteracy rates for the people above 15 years of age are lower than those for people above 6 years, some gains among the younger are groups. Due to the gender gap literacy rates for girl 6-15 are lower than those for boys of the same age.

Poverty is affecting the living condition of the vast majority of Nepalese household and live in structures where very few have a facility of electricity, piped water and toilets. The poor households have to fetch water often from a distance. Rural people use fuel wood or cowdung as fuel for cooking and as source of heating in stoves without exhaust pipes which cause a serious impact on respiratory diseases.

With the limited access to health care and due to poor hygienic conditions, the frequency of diseases is high. Immunisation rates for children living in rural areas are 60 per cent. Health indicators confirm that children, particularly girls are especially at risk. Immunisation rates for girls are 80 per cent. Girls get less medical treatment than boys due to gender disparities. Malnutrition remains high for all almost 50 per cent.

According to the World Bank’s "Country Assistance Strategy" of 1999-2001 poverty is increasing day by day. Half the percentage of people in Nepal live below the poverty line. Government poverty alleviation programmes have not reach to the poor people. Most of the poor people are involved in agriculture-self employed. The major cause of poverty is unskilled labour, low wages and low marginal productivity. Non-farm employment opportunities are few and the labour demand is highly seasonal in the rural area and there is also widespread indebtness among the poor. Only 8 per cent of people have taken institutional credit. Though gender gap is decreasing in education difference can be found between male and female.

Poverty is demolishing our society and also the various indicators of this society. Governmental as well as different non-government organisations must stop this. Let’s see how much the tenth plan can work for poverty alleviation.

The Cherished Dream

By Shreejana Uprety

I HAVE always stood in support of adventure and have a longing for trekking. Goaded by my inner desire I set out for a mountain trip sometime back. The rare feeling crept into my heart as I went inhaling the fresh air. The chirping of birds under the bright sky had a soothing effect. I became an alien in my own territory far from the hue and cry of city life. I found myself in my dreamland where I could savour the real beauty of nature. The tiring trek did not deter my youthful zeal to move ahead.

Enjoying the bliss of the mountain surroundings I kept walking. Exploring the wilderness is always filled with a mixed feeling of excitement and fear, as one is unaware of what is in store for you as you move ahead. It all happened suddenly and I traced a unique creature. I had never known about the creature before. Having seen it for the first time, I was kind of spellbound and was glued to my place and began to tremble. Gradually I got numb, my heart began to beat faster. I did nothing but had my eyes fixed on the creature like a statue. I felt as if I was encountering death .I pleaded for god’s mercy and promised to make offerings to him if he pacified my fear.

The situation got more and more dreadful as the time passed. Nobody accompanied me expect my fear. Even the once exotic nature appeared ominous with its ever-opening eyes. I could read the sinister eyes threatening me, which was followed by its mocking expression on my insignificant effort as if god were examining my patience and bravery to cope with the situation. In that terrific moment I could not help without welcoming my death any time it wanted. No idea struck my mind as to how I could overcome the fear in my young heart but suddenly I recalled the incidence of that story where the Lilliput ultimately proved to be the friend and not the foe; life not the death. Then my lips unconsciously became wider; heart leapt with joy; eyes overflowed with tear. But not the tears of sorrow but of joy and triumph. I even felt the gush of wind blowing with slight touch of caress on my body, which worked as an elixir to my long-numbed body. I could feel the circulation of blood in my veins; it was the circulation of my joy, joy to win the heart of my little fellow when it paid me a friendly glance.

Its glance was no longer ominous. A sort of love followed by sympathy could be read in its eyes. This uncanny being gradually became part of my joy.

But even in this pleasant moment I felt the miscommunication between us. There was no way to exchange our feeling expect through gesture. I lost myself into a state of imagination: what a nice moment it would be if I were its species. I could experience the real bliss of its world. Even this short-lived imagination seemed to be boring to my little fellow, which I could read on its face. .

As I was guessing and judging its nature it approached towards me in a slow pace.

Thanking its courage inwardly I welcomed it. Dark cloud of fear was no longer with us. The atmosphere was more and more friendly; friendly enough to enjoy its bounty. I unpacked the foodstuffs to quench our hunger, which was minutely observed by my humble and innocent fellow. I glanced on its eyes to ensure whether it relished on it or not and found my loving friend responding positively.

Then we shared our food with a feeling of togetherness. Being refreshed I prepared for my journey. It is said that time and tide waits for no man, I had to shoulder my burden .but tears started flowing from my eyes at the very thought of departure. I was in two minds, whether I should tolerate the bitter reality of parting with my dearest fellow, or head along with my responsibility. Unfortunately I was compelled to follow the latter unwillingly. Bitterly I stroke its body as a farewell with a promise to visit it if time allowed me to. Suddenly I heard my mother calling me. Then I came to know that I was just dreaming. But this dream is imprinted at the core of my heart, which haunts me frequently.