The Bhutan Reporter, February 2008 The BhutanMONTHLY R E P O R T E R Vol IV, No 40 February 2008 www.bhutannewsservice.com Pages 4 Rs 4 Highlight Bombs Rock 'Happy Nation', WFP Security Guard Shot MLM, URFB Own Responsibility An unidentified group shot a security guard of World Food Bhutan News Service eral secretary of CPB- Programmee (WFP) on Janu- Jaigaon, January 20 MLM, as saying that the ary 22 at around 4.20 pm dur- The Himalayan kingdom RBA Found Militant Camp party has begun launching ing his duty hour in Beldangi- has noticed series of explo- 'armed rural class struggle' Bhutan News Service was affiliated with Bhutan Ti- II extension camp. sions that rocked within a inside Bhutan to establish Jaigaon, January 27 ger Force. According to District Super- couple of weeks from Janu- people's government. A watch team of Royal RBA also reported that its intendent of Police Raj Kumar ary 20 until February 3 in- John further informed Bhutan Army (RBA) swapped patrol arrested Dal Bahadur Lamichane, Nepali citizen cluding the capital city, the BNS that the party fire with a militant group in Tamang on January 19, affili- Lok Bahadur Limbu, 59, sus- Thimphu. would launch program in Dhanessey of Tsirang district ated with the militant group. tained critical injury due to the Communist Party of three phases that include on January 16, said RBA Army report said that Boli bullet. Bhutan (CPB-MLM) led by resettlement of Bhutanese spokesperson. Bhawan was leading the team He was sent to BP Koirala Birat has owned up respon- people occupying the land RBA claimed that the group of militants who managed to hospital in Dharan for sibility to the explosion that and properties used by had come from camps of the enter Bhutan via Assam bor- treatnemnt. took place in Samtse dis- evictees of early 1990s, tak- exile Bhutanese in Nepal and der. Police arrested three includ- trict on February 3 while ing physical action against ing the camp secretary of the January 20 attack was those spying against their Central Committee Member Bhutan News Service (BNS) Beldangi-II extension claimed by a newly existed democratic struggle, and of the party who identified from undisclosed location Ghanapati Adhikari in con- United Revolutionary Front of deconstruction of government himself as 'John' over a tele- quoted a press release issued nection to the shooting. They Bhutan. infrastructures in rural areas of were released later after inter- phone conversation with on February 4 by Birat, gen- Contd on page 4 rogation. Police have intesified thier patrol and beefed up the secu- Indian Lawmakers Denied ‘No Education for Lhotsampas’ rity inside the camps after the Tri Vikram Adhikari leges, Kanglung College, after incident. Entry to Nepal Khudunabari, January 23 grade XII. “The seats are lim- In recent days, threats and Two Bhutanese students ited for Nepali-ethnic commu- attacks by unknown groups Bhutan News Service Delhi to accelerate the repa- (names withheld) studying in- nity students at this college in have become regular in the Kakarvitta, January 19 triation process of the exiled side Bhutan have stated that comparison to other ethnic camps despite stationing po- Sima Surakshya Bal (SSB) Bhutanese. students from Nepali-ethnic groups”, they added. lice posts. BNS of India barred a delegation of Biswas in a press conference Indian lawmakers from enter- in West Bengal after the inci- community are denied oppor- They are strictly monitored on ing Nepal to visit camps where dent said “India, Nepal and tunities to pursue their higher any talks on ‘refugee issue’ and the exiled Bhutanese have Bhutan should jointly solve the education despite their high if found discussing on it, the ad- YOB Polls been living under UNHCR score and better performances ministration slaps either jail protection. in examination. term or face physical punish- Convener of Bhutan Soli- The two girl students who ment, they said. They also said Adjourn darity and Indo-Bhutan have recently visited camps of that majority of Bhutanese from Bhutan News Service Friendship Society Mohan the exiled Bhutanese in Nepal Nepali-ethnic community, who Birtamode, January 29 Tamang, who is coordinat- have reported the annual fee in were denied the issuance of ID A central committee meet- ing the event, informed the school is at least Nu 20,000. cards and No Objection Certifi- ing of the Bhutan People’s Bhutan News Service that They claimed that students cate, were barred voting in re- Party-affiliated Youth Organi- the SSB personnel have from Nepali-ethnic community cent election. “Even our fami- zation of Bhutan (YOB) has stopped the delegation com- are not given chance to join the lies were among those barred decided to adjourn the sched- prising Debrata Biswas, gen- problem of the Bhutanese in country’s one of the best col- from casting vote”, they added. uled polls until February 25. eral secretary of Forward Bloc exile.” He said that he would President of BPP Balaram who arrived at Bagdogra air- take up the issue as a challenge Poudel informed BNS that the port via Indian Airlines at in the parliament. He also said party approved the decision to 11:35 am. Forward Bloc is part that India, being the immedi- NC Elections Completed hold the election on February 25. of the ruling UPA government ate neighbor has inevitable role Bhutan News Service Vice President of the party in India. to play to resolve the problem Thimphu, January 31 Jagirman Lama said there is Tamang further quoted the peacefully for which he was in The election of 20 people’s representatives to the National no reason to withhold the elec- officials at Indian local au- a mission. Council concluded on January 29 in the five remaining tion when majority of the cen- thorities as saying that the del- Heten Burman, Deep dzongkhags. tral committee members were egation was stopped at Sarkar, Ritish Bhatacrarya and The election was held on Thimphu, Haa, Tashiyangtse, willing for the election. Panitanki, Indo-Nepal border, Anand Swarup Verma were Lhuentse and Gasa. Poudel further informed that in accordance with Section prominent leaders in the team. There were no contesting candidates in Gasa, Lhuentse and Rajan Giri, Devendra Gautam 144 of the Indian Penal Code. Indian force also barred Nepali Haa, the people voted for yes r no to one candidate in each of and Tika Ram Rai have so far Indian parliamentarian media persons to attend the these districts. filed their candidacy for the Biswas has been playing im- press meet. Several organiza- The National Council, which will act as a house of review post of president of the youth portant role in mobilizing tions condemned the India’s will have 25 members, with the King appointing five persons wing. other parliamentarians in undemocratic act. to the council. The Bhutan Reporter, February 2008 Analysis By I. P. Adhikari lapse on the part of the Thimphu govern- Editorial ment. All in all, there were only nine inter- Fledgling Democracy national observers – three from the Indian Election Commission, one from Australia No Violence Bhutan’s first democratic election has was built on lengthy preparation. Not that and five from the United Nations Devel- produced a notably young band of lawmak- there had been no time. The country’s opment Programme (UNDP) office in ers for its upper house, the National Coun- democratic transition began a decade ago, Thimphu. Some raised questions about the Please! cil. The body, elected in the historic poll when then-King Jigme Singye Wangchuk Indian Election Commission sending ob- of 31 December 2007, is made up mostly replaced the longstanding cabinet with a servers, as it could have been seen as hav- Finally, Bhutanese soil is of Bhutanis in their 20s and 30s, and con- new one. At that time, in 1997, such ac- ing been an organiser of the polls. The other likely to see violence targeted at tains a number of fresh graduates, a few tions, including a rethinking of the king’s observers, meanwhile, seemed unable or establishing ‘democracy’ in the retired and working bureaucrats who re- autocratic rule, had begun to seem increas- unwilling to file much of a report on the signed to contest elections, and others with ingly necessary. Dissatisfaction among the proceedings, or they seemed impressed country following the launching military-family backgrounds. Indeed, the Sarchops of the eastern districts was high enough that the process was simply going of ‘Armed Rural Class Struggle’ oldest newly elected official is only in his and climbing, and even some high-level forward in the first place. The UNDP chief by Birat-led Communist Party of mid-50s. The main reason for this result officials within the royal government had in Thimphu, Nicholas Rosellini, visited a was the Thimphu government’s require- begun stepping out of line. Then there was few booths around the capital city, to con- Bhutan (CPB-MLM) with a blast ment that candidates have college degrees the decision on the part of the general-sec- clude that the polling was both smooth and in Samtse on February 3. Not to – a necessity that rules out much of the retary of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce fair. Election Commissioner Kunzang country’s populace. As could perhaps be to extend support to the demonstrations in Wangdi trumpeted similar claims. an exception, peaceful country- expected in a first-time democracy, these the east. the ‘Last Shangri-la’ began no- faces may be fresh, but each now appears In an attempt to win sympathy, King Council to Assembly ticing the commencement of vio- to lack political experience. Indeed, many Jigme subsequently brought into his fold a In the end, perhaps they were correct. lence predicted by many after would do well with some rapid inculca- small number of influential eastern The lapses detailed above are only to be tion of democratic culture and norms. Bhutanis. Thereafter, under pressure from expected in the first-ever exercise in con- the regime absconded from de- As Bhutan’s first democratic institution, the easterners, a plan for democratic tran- ducting a countrywide poll. Though there livering solution, through peace- the new National Council boasts a rela- sition was put in place. It would also have is much work to be done in the interim ful means, as demanded by sup- tively skewed representation of the to be said that the demands for democracy between the 31 December National Coun- country’s major communities. Of the 15 and representative politics from the cil elections and the upcoming 24 March pressed pro-democracy elected members, six are from the Ngalop Lhotshampa of the south was met with the National Assembly elections, Bhutanis Bhutanese since the last two de- community, the ruling elite; six are from boot. It was this suppression that ultimately have reason to be optimistic that the pro- cades. the Sarchop community, of the east; two led to the flight of a hundred thousand refu- cess of a peaceful transition from absolute are from the Lhotshampa community, the gees, who today live in UNHCR-overseen to constitutional monarchy has gotten un- MLM rebellion came just af- Nepali-speakers of the south who make up camps in southeast Nepal. derway. ter two weeks of serial bombings 30 percent of the country’s population; and On the evidence of the recent elections, This is perhaps best illustrated by the that rocked at four different one is from the Kheng community, hailing Bhutan’s transition to democracy still has fact that, in the month since the polls, there from the centre of the country. Among some hurdles to cross. According to the has not been a single formal complaint filed places including the capital city, them, just three are women. country’s draft constitution, released in at the Election Commission against the re- Thimphu. Messages of likely vio- The end result notwithstanding, the early March 2005, the National Council polls sults. In fact, most of the losing candidates lence, even in the days ahead, reports on 31 December showed that the road were not to have been politicised. Rather, themselves have expressed satisfaction to democracy would not be without bumps. On it is not until the elections to the lower with the outcome. The attempt to can be read between the lines if the whole, voter turnout was lower than had house, the National Assembly, currently democratise an absolute monarchy itself is Druk oligarchy still turns deaf been forecast, despite the royal government’s slated for 24 March 2008, when the appreciable – not least with regards to the ears towards resolving the cur- public urgings, and the two rounds of mock country’s few nascent political parties will erstwhile absolute monarch himself. In elections in April and May 2007. The atten- technically be able to openly take part. But time, Bhutan’s case may well set a new rent political problem in the dance on polling day appeared even less than the politicisation of the National Council example for absolute rulers regarding the country. the fairly dismal 55 percent claimed by the elections is now being seen by some as re- option of progressive transformation. Besides, this violence can un- Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kunzang flective of insincerity on the part of party That said, the movement towards the Wangdi. In Trashigang, Bhutan’s easternmost leaders and the monarch. In Trashigang and National Assembly will not be nearly as doubtedly be termed as a ‘result’ district and the stronghold of the Sarchops, 47 Zhemgang, for instance, party workers easy for the country as was the National of India’s, one of the big democ- percent of the 18,109 registered voters turned openly lobbied for their desired candidates, Council elections. Two months before the racies of the world, continued in- out to vote. In Wangdue Phodrang, in the cen- and met with no disciplinary action from lower-house polls, there are still just two tral part of the country, there was a 61 percent the Election Commission. This was in di- legally registered political entities, the tension to keep absolute Druk turnout. rect contradiction with the Commission’s People’s Democracy Party and the Druk regime under its armpits. Nev- These figures, however, do not necessar- sternness in the southern districts, such as Phuensum Tshokpa. Both of these entities ertheless, violence doesn’t nec- ily reflect actual turnout, as problems also Chhukha and Sarpang. In these areas, have stated that their ideologies are based persisted at the polling booths themselves. Lhotshampa candidates who failed to re- on Bhutan’s ‘Gross National Happiness’ essarily hammer on the exact According to eyewitnesses, many voters ceive tickets from political parties were agenda, while the former has also ‘point’ to establish democracy as encountered ‘unsupportive behaviour’ from barred from contesting in National Coun- emphasised the environment, and the lat- has been observed around the election officials while attempting to vote, cil elections, and tshokpas (local-govern- ter the preservation of ‘culture’. But the and ultimately went home without having ment village representatives) of inevitable complaints and counter-com- globe. cast a ballot. In Trashigang District alone, Lhotshampa origin were terminated from plaints between these two parties could CPB-MLM should admit the hundreds of people were forced to walk their positions for attending party meetings. well mar the fairness of the next democratic fact that peaceful struggle will again and again between two polling sta- This supposed non-politicisation of the exercise, not least by souring the experi- tions located two hours apart, trying to find National Council election process proved ence for the people themselves. Despite the moreover garner support and soli- their names on voter lists. a bugbear until the end. Despite the time calm surrounding the National Council darity from international commu- In Zhemgang, Trashigang and devoted to preparations, voter education, elections, the Election Commission has al- nities in comparison to what they Pemagatshel districts, large numbers of vot- which would seem to have been considered ready received more than five dozen com- ers never received the necessary voter-iden- a priority in the context of Bhutan’s em- plaints from both sides in the lead-up to launched ‘Armed Rural Class tity cards, which only months earlier had bryonic democratic process, left much to the 24 March polls. Struggle’ as an alternate means to been made mandatory. Still others arrived be desired. Leaving aside understanding the Even outside of the public political establish people’s democracy in assuming that they would be allowed to vote crucial difference between the upper and arena, things have been heating up. On 20 with only their standard identity cards, a lower houses, until just before polling be- January, the kingdom was rocked by a se- Bhutan. The absolute Druk re- confusion that was evidently fuelled by the gan the electorate was even confused about ries of bomb blasts in four places across gime, on the other side, should fact that such cards had been acceptable whether it was voting for a party or a can- the country, including Thimphu. With the own up responsibility for greeting months earlier, during the mock polls. Al- didate. people of Bhutan now fearing that inad- ready by lunchtime on 31 December, the The actual process of voting seemed just equate arrangements have been made for violence in the peaceful country number of voters had shrunk, and polling as fraught. Despite the use of sophisticated public safety, observers have warned that by underestimating the genuine booths in many districts were going empty. electronic voting machines, many voters la- the attacks could further impact on voter demands raised by suppressed Those who were still around seemed to lack mented either not being able to see the pho- interest and turnout. Given the lower-than- much enthusiasm for the elections: while tos of the candidates on the ballot, or were expected participation the last time around, Bhutanese people. leaving the polling booths, observers re- still unsure as to which button corresponded the government could face even higher Bhutanese government should ported that there tended to be little talk about with which candidate. Some expressed out- hurdles in bringing the public to the poll- initiate urgent measures to sort who the voters had selected, and very little right uncertainty over whom they had voted ing stations in late March – particularly if comparing of notes. Some voters appeared for. Others reported having simply tried cor- the situation on the ground gets increas- out peaceful solution before vio- grumpy that polling officials had asked them relate their favourite candidate with the ingly tense as campaigning goes on. lence gets matured thereby leav- to spit out their doma, or paan. colour of the gho (the national dress for Meanwhile, preparations for the Na- ing adequate space to see blood- Bhutani men) being worn by the figures in tional Assembly polls remain far behind. Procedural lapses the ballot photos. To learn from the experience of the Na- bath situation in the country. No Despite claims to the contrary, Bhutan’s The absence of observers throughout the tional Council elections, there is a press- violence please! first polls were not an accomplishment that country on polling day was another notable Contd on page 4 The Bhutan Reporter, February 2008 Exile Voices From Regime Eight Leave BACC to Join ABA Govt Forms GNH Commission Bhutan News Service Bhutan News Service the cabinet secretary as vice- try will have its own Bhutan California (USA), January 15 Thimphu, January 19 chairperson. All government Development Index (BDI), A group of Bhutanese American Community Center (BACC) The government formally secretaries and chief of the being developed by the CBS to defected from the organization to join Association of Bhutanese announced the formation of a national environment commis- measure the progress in devel- in America, chaired by D. P. Basnet. commission on Gross National sion secretariat will be the opment. But ABA said it is not necessary to defect from an organiza- Happiness on Friday, which members of the commission. A press statement by the PMO tion to join it. Ananta Gurung of BACC told Bhutan News Ser- will combine the functions of Present planning commission said, all ministries will have vice that the defecting members have not tendered their resig- the National Planning Com- secretariat will be transformed GNH committee chaired by sec- nation formally, while Hari Acharya of ABA did not clarify if mission and the Committee of into the GNH commission sec- retary, the directors as members this organization has accepted membership of defecting mem- Secretaries to streamline the retariat. and the chief planning officer as bers outside BACC. principles of GNH in national The Center for Bhutan Stud- member-secretary to the com- Dick Chhetri, Sunita Chhetri, Rajen Giri, Rita Giri, Phal Rai, plans and policies. ies (CBS) will develop practi- mittee. Similar committees will Mamta Giri, Kiran Pradhan and Anup S. Lepcha left the BACC The new commission will be cal and target-oriented indica- also be formed at the dzongkhag to join ABA. The defecting group accused BACC being ‘fac- chaired by prime minister with tors for GNH while the coun- and gewog level. tional organization’. The defecting BACC members denied plea from establishment group to reconsider their split. Candidates Ready For Contest Nepal Issues Exit Per- Bhutan News Service scheduled for March 24. dates to just win the elections Phuentsholing, February 02 A statement by PDP said its but the party has to win for The two political parties – executive committee meeting the country and the true win- mit, UNHCR Welcomes People’s Democratic Party held on January 30 finalized ners must be the people of Bhutan News Service 107,000 exiled Bhutanese who (PDP) and Druk Phuensum the names of the candidates. Bhutan. Kathmandu, February 01 have been in Nepal for 17 Tshogpa (DPT) said they have After the nominations, its The other party Druk The United Nations High years’. finalized their candidates for president Sangey Ngedup in- Phuensum Tshokpa also said Commissioner for Refugees As the resettlement process 47 constituencies for the Na- structed the candidates that it it has finalized its candidates (UNHCR) has welcomed gets momentum, first batch of tional Assembly Elections is not enough for the candi- in all the 47 constituencies. Nepal’s recent decision to is- the exiled Bhutanese are ex- sue exit permits to exiled pected to leave Nepal early Bhutanese so they can be re- next month. settled in third countries. “While resettlement offers a Resettlement Vs Child Psychology The Nepalese government welcome solution for those had decided to issue exit permit who voluntarily choose this By T P Mishra for the exiled Bhutanese will- option after 17 years in the ing to resettle two weeks ago. camps, the UN refugee agency “Tesro muluk haina hami In a statement, the will continue to advocate for UNHCR’s spokesperson Wil- the option of voluntary return Tesro muluk haina hami liam Spindler said, the move to Bhutan for those exiled Aphnai desh janu parchha is ‘an important step towards Bhutanese who wish to do so,” Bharat hudai Phuntsholing hudai hami finding solutions for over Spindler said in the statement. Bhutan chhirnu parchha hai ta?” old the horses of your Children’s Himagination. This is Meaning: just an accurate extraction from a poem written by one “We should go to our own country Difficulties of my relatives of just 12- Not to third countries, Today, many children in Bhutan News Service years-old, at the end of her Through the routes of India- refugee camps simply opine Kathmandu, January 17 letter, delivering an explicit in the exact ways how Devi Bhutanese children in exile message not to opt for the Phuntsholing may expresses. They are even identified that economic diffi- option of Third Country Re- We should enter Bhutan” mentally disturbed on whether culties to study beyond grade to give continuity to their stud- 10, lack of citizenship, the cur- settlement (TCR) floated by ing under the UNHCR-spon- rent political tensions and in- the United States. in camps’. ies. Resettlement process it- security in the camps are the It could be a theme of great sored camps in Nepal are When asked if he is re- self is a lengthy process. Be- major problems they have been concern as she inked yet an mentally disturbed due to sponsible for not clearing up sides, the TCR program is facing at this point of time. added two-lined much con- lack of reliable and adequate mental disturbances of her likely to happen spending an- In a new research carried sequential ‘slogan’- Tesro information on TCR. daughter on TCR, he pre- other few years with quiet a out by 29 children, coordi- muluk janey ko birodh Devi May simply knows sented himself ‘irked’ to- significant figures of refugees nated by an Oxford researcher garu, sahid haruko sapana that her country is Bhutan. wards concerned authorities opting for it. Hundreds of Roz Evans, revealed that some pura garu (meaning- Lets She even lacks refugee children like Devi children live in especially dif- oppose those going to third knowledge on Tesro muluk janey ko birodh Maya are new practitioners ficult situations. These include how Bhutan looks to swim in the rivers of con- children living without their countries and lets fulfill the garu, sahid haruko sapana like because she parents, in single parent fami- dreams of martyrs). pura garu (meaning- Lets op- fusions getting themselves was born and lies and with elderly and/or I immediately made her pose those going to third coun- mentally disturbed follow- disabled parents. telephonic inquiries if she grown-up in ing the lack of accurate in- A group of the child re- had known what ‘martyrs’ Nepal for almost a tries and lets fulfill the dreams formation on TCR. searchers, in a public presen- and ‘TCR’ mean because she decade. Devi of martyrs). Devi Maya’s slip-up and tation of their research in had not even seen Bhutan Maya’s father immature opinion, ‘Let’s Kathmandu, expressed their once. “I don’t know”, she who served in one of the including the UNHCR for oppose those going third coun- interest in moving to third replies with quiet a shiver- schools inside refugee camps not publicizing reliable infor- tries’, clearly reflects mental countries where they hope they ing voice where confusions as an assistant teacher for mation on TCR in an open disturbances within refugee will have a better future, with more than 7-year terms her way. “How can parents children. Aren’t concerned au- more rights, citizenship and could be easily read between daughter’s newly adopted access to good educational op- the lines of her expression. make their children aware thorities morally ready to own portunities but equally stressed Not only Devi Maya (Name style of penning letters as when they themselves lack up responsibility to clear-up their wish to return to Bhutan withheld), hundreds of just a ‘depiction of worsen- information on TCR”, he mental disturbances possessed as well. Bhutanese children languish- ing environment prevailing questions. by refugee children? The Bhutan Reporter, February 2008 but not probably from the staff their hearsays. Students who Blasts... Options For Refugees of UNHCR or of International have acquired various certifi- the country. Organization of Migration. cations and academic degrees A bomb had exploded be- When bilateral approaches By Vidhyapati Refugees attending inter- in Nepal have a fear that their in resolving Bhutanese refugee views are also confused. Some documents will turn into hind the Renewal Natural Mishra Resources (RNR) office in crisis failed, a group of coun- are called to the UNHCR and showpieces. Ghumauney gewog at the tries came forward with the others to International Organi- Third Country Resettlement midnight on February 3. It During Sauerbrey visit to zation of Migration, Norway or Travel loan Plan (TCRP). The United Goldhap camp, a few interest- Australia desks. Different The next confusion on the further said, two more States, Australia, Canada, ing things happened. She de- agents interview even refugees TCRP is travel loan. Different unexploded bombs were Denmark and Norway repre- livered her speech to refugees having same case or condition countries have different found in the area, one be- sent the core-group headed by gathered there and left the of vulnerability. Interviewees, schemes and facilities to the hind the RNR office and an- the United States. These coun- stage telling representatives who come to the UNHCR or refugees. From the very begin- other behind the office of tries vow that the resettlement from the UNHCR, Interna- International organization of ning, the US has been stating gup (head of village). offer is totally a voluntary and tional Organization for Mi- Migration, raise several ques- that refugees will have to re- Four bombs that blasted humanitarian. gration and the United States tions on the TCRP. However, pay the travel cost. in between 11.10 am and A press statement issued by would answer all queries re- several interviewees are simply The US sources claim that 2.10 pm in four different the US Embassy on January lated to the TCRP. During the told that a particular host coun- the travel loan paid by the refu- dzongkhags on January 20, 16 highlighted that each question-answer session, the try taking them will answer gees goes into a fund that helps including one in the capi- refugee is entitled to make scene was quite funny. Refu- their questions. other refugees travel to the US. tal, Thimphu, left million his or her own choice, in an gees raised several questions If qualified for resettling The US system requires that worth properties damaged. atmosphere free from threats to quench their curiosity but country’s interview, refugees family members over 18 years One minor was reported to and intimidation. This shows answers given by the delegates will probably raise questions of age receive such a loan. have sustained critical in- that the third country re- made refugees crake jokes out but when conditions are unsat- Before a refugee travels to the jury in the blast that took settlement plan is voluntary. of them. The situation pointed isfactory, there is a chance of US, he will sign a paper called place in Chukka. Assistant Secretary of State that refugees lack enough in- withdrawing applications. a promissory note, promising Bhutan Press Union, As- for Population, Refugees and formation on the TCRP. They Nevertheless, UNHCR’s book- to repay the loan. A few sociation of Press Freedom Migration, Ellen R Sauerbrey have several questions and let on the TCRP clearly states months after a refugee arrives Activists - Bhutan and during her visit to refugee want the authority concerned that applicants withdrawing in the US, he must start repay- Third World Media Net- camps last November made to clarify them. their processing are not ing travel loan on a monthly work- Bhutan Chapter con- similar comments at granted the TCRP in the future. basis and must complete in UNHCR-administered demned the action. Simi- Rumors on TCRP This is more complex as it cre- maximum three years. How- Goldhap and Beldangi-I It is not that all refugees un- ates fear on voluntary process- ever, refugees are not informed larly, Druk National Con- camps. In her speech, she derstand what delegates of ing for the resettlement plan. of the exact figure of travel gress (DNC) led by stressed that the TCRP was UNHCR or core-group com- loan. Further, what happens to Rongthong Kuenley Dorji ‘voluntary’ and no one could municate. There are elderly Employment opportunities the loan if refugees do not get has categorically denounced force individual refugee to who regard that the TCRP to Sauerbrey informed refugees employment in the US is not the serial bombing. adopt it. the US or elsewhere is like a that selection of refugees wish- clarified. human going to the Moon ing to adopt the TCRP in the from the Earth. Youth have US is not determined by age, US military service some reliable information but sex, skill or education of indi- Several young refugees fear Fledgling Democracy they want more specifically vidual refugee. However, the that they need to join the US based on health, education US has not informed the refu- military services. The US sys- ing need for the Thimphu govern- In the Bhutani context, one par- and employment in the host gees about the system of em- tem asks male refugees over 18 ment to smoothen the process of ticular factor to watch out for in country. In this regard, infor- ployment once the refugees and below 25 to register with voter education, and to increase the upcoming months will be mation provided to the general reach there. the selective service. The se- the number of polling booths nepotism. Unfortunately, this in- mass is insufficient. Even The US offers three types of lective service is a government across the country. This would evitably became the basis for ac- ensure that more people are both quiring votes during the National means of information on the employment opportunities for agency that can call individu- willing and able to take part in the Council polls, with many voters TCRP is inaccessible to every- the refugees. First is the entry- als for military service, usually election, and would ease the bur- noting that the predominant fac- one at the camp. level-job which requires little at the time of war and all mem- den on villagers in remote places. tor in their choice for candidate The elderly and illiterate skill or experience such as ho- bers of US military are volun- With an electorate that is around had been their family’s proxim- refugees raise several ques- tel housekeeper, stewards and teers at present. The US has 400,000-strong, this should be ity to the contender. More than tions to literate ones or refu- factory workers. Welcome to been telling that this is a vol- relatively easy to accomplish anything else, this is perhaps gees staying outside the the United States, a guidebook untary scheme to refugees. within the next two months. Ad- one of the most crucial reasons camps. What can they expect for refugees writes that these Nevertheless, there is hidden ditionally, the Election Commis- that Bhutan’s new slate of Coun- from those who also lack de- jobs do not require a high level secret that people who do not sion critically needs more person- cil members is relatively short tail information on this issue? English and many refugees register might find it difficult nel, both permanent and volunteer, on pertinent experience and ex- The responses to such ques- willing to resettle in the US to get permanent residency and to educate the electorate about the pertise. tions have made them more find these jobs comfortable. citizenship if they wish to make importance of adult franchise in a Ultimately, as has been proven confused when answers differ Second is the skilled-labor-job the US their permanent home. new democracy. time and again in Southasia and In addition, the voter-education from one person to another. requiring higher education or Thousands of Bhutanese, around the world, simply holding When these sorts of details are certain level of skill. But these who fled their country for safety campaign must not focus solely on polls is far from enough to declare passed to a third person, many kinds of jobs require licensing and security in the late 80s and the immediate elections, but in- a democracy. In particular, a crease its scope. It will need to edu- democratic transition powered in things go added or subtracted. or membership of a union. The early 90s also, filled up a so- cate the people about the role of part by outside forces – whether Finally, it becomes a source of guidebook has clearly men- called voluntary form, which voters specifically in a parliamen- India, the US or the World Bank confusion and rumor. tioned that licenses possessed described that they would never tary democracy, as Bhutan aims to – would undoubtedly face complex by the refugees in the host return to Bhutan or undergo become one. As things currently contradictions if it does not match Country selection country are not accepted with- rigorous imprisonment if they stand, for instance, draft constitu- local aspiration and public senti- The refugees are not in- out the US certification. The do so. That has become a great tional provisions in Bhutan require ment. More troubling, in bypassing formed on what basis a fam- third type is professional job, tool for the Druk regime and an interim government, led by a the massive number of ily or individual refugee is which needs college degree often it utters that the refugees chief justice, to come to power 90 Lhotshampas evicted during the chosen. When country selec- with advanced English and left their country voluntarily. days before polls are held, vested early 1990s, while also restricting tion is granted to refugees, high level of skills in the field. Again, after 17 years of unpro- with the sole responsibility of over- a similar number still within there are questions on volun- Refugees have no idea as to ductive stay in the camp an- seeing the electoral process. This Bhutan from casting votes, the tary resettlement. The ques- what type of jobs they get in other voluntary offer — the requirement has yet to be high- Thimphu authorities have injected tions refugees have on the the host country. If they are third county resettlement plan lighted, prompting speculation that an unneeded tension into the TCRP are related to the host clearly mentioned about the — is knocking doors of ram- the eventual power centre might country’s fledgling democratic pro- countries. Therefore, refugees type of jobs, hourly wages, shackle huts. not adhere to the country’s consti- cess, just as it is taking its first steps. tutional provisions, even after pro- (Himal South Asian, February anticipate clarifications from house rents and the like they (Source: The Kathmandu mulgation. 2008) agents of concerned country can create a true judgment in Post)

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Special Correspondent: Jeetan Subba, Bel-I: Ganga R Kalikotey/Arjun Pradhan, Bel-2: Puspa L. Adhikari, Bel-3: Yadhu Nath Neopane, Sanischare: Hema Dhungana, K/bari: Ganga Ram Adhikari, Goldhap: Tika Ram Lamitarey, Damak: Pabi Maya Rai, Birtamod/Bhadrapur: Kedar Niroula/Trivikram Adhikari, Biratnagar: Devi Pokhrel, Dharan: Tek N Mishra, Siliguri: Dhana Pati Acharya, Delhi/Kolkatta: Purna P. Siwakoti, Bhutan: Binod Sanyashi/Sangay Oendray