Bhutanese refugee leaders announce unified move for democracy in Bhutan

Major political parties of Bhutan - Druk National Congress (DNC), Bhutan People's Party (BPP) and Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP) - and Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee (BMSC) Thursday announced that they would move ahead under the leadership of DNC's chairman Rongthong Kunley Dorji to consolidate democratic struggle of Bhutan.

Refugees' parties and BMSC leaders made the announcement as per the decision taken at their "crucial meeting" of August 22, according to a joint statement circulated today.

"We decided to go under the leadership of DNC since it has better hold inside Bhutan," said Dr. DNS Dhakal, chief of BNDP. He mentioned that resettlement package of refugees is just a temporary solution of the prolonged refugee crisis and that there is no option to repatriation to the homeland with dignity and honour.

Dorji expressed hope that India would support their democratic struggle in Bhutan. "India being the largest democracy in the region must listen to our concerns," he said.

According to Dorji, whose confinement within the Delhi territory was recently removed by Delhi High Court after 13 years, there are some "green signals" from the Indian side for their struggle.

Another exiled leader, Balaram Poudyal, the chairman of BPP, said that nothing could be expected with armed struggle since Bhutan has a different kind of geography.

"I am unaware of existence of Communist Party of Bhutan and its scope," he said refuting media reports saying that this party has been trying to fight against the Bhutanese monarch with arms.

Poudyal, who also heads National Front for Democracy (NFD) Bhutan that comprises three parties including his BPP, spoke out that his party would never trust the so-called democracy in Bhutan since the country's constitution places the King above it.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of BMSC and senior human rights leader, Tek Nath Rizal, said that it would never be possible to achieve political changes inside the country unless India becomes ready to listen to problems and rights of refugees.

"The refugee issue is no more a bilateral deal between Nepal and Bhutan," Rizal said, "Since refugees have scattered to various countries, the problem is a matter of international concern."

The refugee leaders also demanded reparation of Bhutanese refugees through national reconciliation to involve them in political activities and establish inclusive system of governance in Bhutan. nepalnews.com