Parliament discusses Bhutanese refugee issue
The parliament in Bhutan briefly discussed the Bhutanese refugee issue on Friday’s sitting. This part of formality fulfilled by the government to inform the parliament regarding updates on Bhutanese refugee issue.
Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley addressing the parliament appreciated the initiative taken by the western countries for resettlement as part of the solution for this protracted crisis.
He did not forget to mention that Bhutanese government has been working closely with Nepal to find an amicable solution.
Bhutan resisted in sitting for bilateral talks with Nepal, and rejected any trilateral or multilateral talks on refugee issue, after the 2002 incident in Khudunabari where the refugees pelted stones on verification team members. The refugees were irked by the tough conditions put forth by the Bhutanese team for repatriation.
Bhutan had been long looking for excuse to opt out from the talks. The incident proved to be appropriate. Bhutan had no options than to raise this excuse since over 70 percent of the verified refugees tabled documents to prove their Bhutanese nationality. Taking advantage of the political instability in Nepal, Bhutan in recent years has been blaming Nepal for not sitting for bilateral talks.
When most refugees have been relocated in the western countries, there is no need for Nepal to sit for talks. It is now the onus of Bhutan to talk back all those who still wish to go.