BHUTANESE REFUGEES' ISSUE A GLOBAL PROBLEM: PM OLI

BHUTANESE REFUGEES' ISSUE A GLOBAL PROBLEM: PM OLI


KATHMANDU, Nov 19: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the issue of the Bhutanese refugees was not only the concern of Nepal, but of the entire world.

In his address to a programme organised by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, commemorating the successful resettlement of the some 100,000 Bhutanese refugees in eight countries under the third country resettlement programme, PM Oli praised the contribution of foreign countries in sorting out the long-standing problem of Bhutanese refugees facing the country. He sought the resettlement of the remaining around 18,000 Bhutanese refugees taking shelter at different camps in eastern Nepal.
"Nepal wants the successful completion of the resettlement programme for the Bhutanese refugees, this is common problem of the world and we are ready to cooperate with the international community for the resettlement of those refugees," he said.

He reminded that when he was the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, several rounds of talks were held with Bhutanese government, but never yielded fruits, so a new concept of resettlement was floated. As a result, 100,000 Bhutanese refugees were resettled in the third countries.

The PM expressed happiness over the advancement of the humanitarian crisis of refugees towards resolution.

However, he said India could block the way through which Nepali speaking Bhutanese entered Nepal, but it did not. Nepal, however, on the basis of humanity gave shelter to Bhutanese refugees, the PM added.

On the occasion, Ambassadors of the US, and of Australia to Nepal, said it was a big success that 100 thousand Bhutanese refugees were resettled in the third country.

The programme however became emotional after Dilip Dahal resettled in the US after seven years, and Devi Maya Thapa flying imminently to the third country as resettlement, shared the stories on how they battled the odds as refugees.

As per the information, 84,500 Bhutanese refugees are resettled in the US while 6,500 in Canada, 5554 in Australia, 1000 in New Zealand, 874 in Denmark, 566 in Norway, 358 in the UK and 327 in Netherland. RSS

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