Top Bhutanese human rights leader and chairperson of Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee, Tek Nath Rizal, said he was shocked by the Nepal government’s inaction on raising the issue of Bhutanese refugees with India during the prime minister’s visit.

Bhutanese human rights leader Tek Nath Rizal

Bhutanese human rights leader Tek Nath Rizal (File Photo)
Talking to Nepalnews on Thursday Rizal said, “It is astonishing that Nepal has ignored our issue.”

Rizal further said he, however, was hopeful that the issue will get into the list of agendas as there is still one day left of the visit. “If the issue is not addressed, it would prove that Nepal is an obstacle to finding the solution of the problem. This is irresponsible,” he added.

Rizal also accused Nepali media for not giving wide coverage to their issue at such an important time. “We are sad that very few covered our programme in Lalitpur as well,” he said.

On Tuesday, 14 Nepalese human rights activists and intellectuals had submitted a memorandum to the prime minister before his departure to New Delhi and urged to raise the issue with his Indian counterpart. Among others, the memorandum demanded a permanent commission to look after the refugee issue, security to Rizal, assessment of properties of refugees in Bhutan or confiscated by the government, facilities for education and health, provision of exhibition center for the handicrafts made by refugees, appointment of legal advisor regarding the refugee issue and special identity card for them.

Meanwhile, refugees staging sit-in protest in front of the UN House at Pulchowk, Lalitpur since June 2 have begun face problems of lodging and food. In an attempt to gather the basic needs during the stay, Rizal on Thursday asked the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) to support them with lodging and food. “I have submitted a request letter and have been assured to get assistance,” Rizal told Nepalnews.

Refugees are on indefinite sit-in programme demanding immediate international intervention on their issue and early repatriation of the verified refugees from Khudunabari camp.