The Voice for Change, a Bhutanese women organization has welcomed the initiation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to resettle the 16 most vulnerable refugees into third countries.
The refugees welcoming Aurther E. Gene Dewey, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Migration and Refugees during his visit to Beldangi II Camp in 2004. Photo source: Voice for Change
The refugees welcoming Aurther E. Gene Dewey, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Migration and Refugees during his visit to Beldangi II Camp in 2004. Photo source: Voice for Change
In a statement on Friday, the organization said that this was the start of practical measure to resolve the crisis. It has also welcomed the government of Nepal’s decision to grant exit visas to these people.
“The ineffectiveness of the bilateral negotiations between Nepal and Bhutan, the verification results and the conditions set by Bhutan for repatriation have indicated clearly that repatriation is not only the feasible option for every refugee to keep waiting for another decade for solution,” the statement reads. The organization further said, “Although repatriation would be the primary solution for all Bhutanese, there are now fewer prospects left for all refugees to return home in the immediate future and the situation demands exploring all options.”
The statement has come at a time when a number of demonstrations were organized in the camps against the UNHCR and Nepal government’s decision. This is the first organization from the refugee community to welcome the UNHCR move.
The refugee agency had announced that 16 individual refugees will be resettled in the US and Canada during the recent visit of UNHCR vice commissioner Judy Cheng-Hopkins to Nepal. Refugee leaders have also criticized the relocation of the 16 people.