Chetan Adhikari

Nearly two-thirds of the Bhutanese refugees have already left for countries like the US, England, Canada, Australia, Denmark and New Zealand under the third country resettlement scheme, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said.

According to the UNHCR, 66,351 refugees living in camps in Jhapa and Morang are already resettled in eight host countries. Among them, 55,756 are in the US alone. The UN agency hopes to complete the resettlement programme in the next two years. 

There are 47,511 Bhutanese refugees in four campsites at Beldangi of Jhapa and Sanischare of Morang. Among them, 37,077 have expressed their interest towards third country resettlement programme.

A UNHCR official said 10,434 refugees have not signed up for the resettlement.

Among those who have not applied for the resettlement programme are refugees who wish to be repatriated to Bhutan and are loathe to the resettlement programme.

Dr Bhompa Rai of the Bhutanese Refugees’ Repatriation Committee said it was unjust of the UNHCR and the Nepal government towards the refugees by denying us our right to return to our homeland. 

He said the refugees should also have the option of returning home.

Published on: 3 July 2012 | The Kathmandu Post