The Bhutanese government did not accept the Bhutanese refugees deported from the USA and sent them back to Nepal.
On Saturday, three newly arrived Bhutanese refugees were arrested after entering Nepal. This incident has raised concerns among refugees in the Beldangi camp that the decades-long Bhutanese refugee issue may resurface.
The three individuals, who were arrested from Beldangi camp in Jhapa, had been deported from the U.S. After Donald Trump was re-elected as president, his administration has implemented stricter immigration policies, leading to the deportation of immigrants from various countries, including some Nepalis.
In this context, the U.S. government had deported 10 Bhutanese refugees and sent them back to Bhutan via India. However, the Bhutanese government refused to accept them, despite their official repatriation.
Bhutan’s Rejection and Forced Return to Nepal
Thirty-five years ago, the Bhutanese government forcibly expelled Nepali-speaking Bhutanese citizens, stripping them of their nationality. This time, the 10 deported refugees faced the same fate. Upon landing at Bhutan’s Paro International Airport on Friday, they were denied entry, given food, and then taken to the India-Bhutan border at Phuentsholing. From there, they crossed into Nepal via the Panitanki border point.
Three of them reached Beldangi camp on Friday night.
Refugees’ Testimonies and Bhutan’s Stance
Dil Bahadur Mahat, a refugee in Beldangi camp, shared that the deported individuals were told by Bhutanese authorities: *"You have no land, no relatives, and no right to stay here."* Instead, they were instructed to go to Nepal, where some of their relatives might still be living.
This incident highlights that Bhutan’s discriminatory attitude toward Nepali-speaking communities remains unchanged.
International Concerns and Future Risks
Mahat emphasized that since the U.S. deported them to Bhutan, it internationally confirms their Bhutanese citizenship. Yet, Bhutan still refuses to recognize them. *"This is a matter of human rights that should concern the international community,"* he said.
These refugees had previously been verified by the UN and resettled in the U.S. under a third-country resettlement program. Their forced return to Nepal raises questions about the UN’s role in protecting their rights.
Fear of More Deportations
The biggest worry now is that more Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees could be deported in the future. *"If the Trump administration continues deportations, and Bhutan keeps sending them back to Nepal, what will happen?"* Mahat questioned.
He urged the Nepali government to take diplomatic action, pressuring Bhutan to accept its citizens and prevent a resurgence of the refugee crisis.
Police Action and Security Measures
The three arrested refugees—36-year-old Ashish Subedi, 31-year-old Santosh Darji, and 36-year-old Roshan Tamang—are under investigation by the Jhapa District Police Office.
DSP Khagendra Khadka stated that security has been tightened at border points to prevent further illegal entries by Bhutanese refugees.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the unresolved plight of Bhutanese refugees and the need for urgent diplomatic intervention. If Nepal fails to address this issue proactively, the refugee crisis—which had persisted for over three decades—could re-emerge as a major humanitarian challenge.
Comments
Post a Comment