There was a time when Bhutanese refugees needed no introduction in Nepal. They were everywhere in Nepal- in guise or in disguise. That was between 1991 and 2017. The situation has changed. There are fewer refugees compared to the strength of 2006 when the Refugee organisations carried out a census with an intention to relocate them to third countries for good. Soon after the holistic census of 2006/2007, the Third Country Resettlement (TCR) of the Refugees from the camps to nine first world countries began- as planned by the UNHCR and the core group of Countries for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal (Core Group). Those left behind in the camps and in Nepal number be- tween four and ten thousand. This wide variation in the number is the core of the complexity that sustains problem infinitely.
Various sources claim that there are thirty-five hundred to four thousand residual refugees in two camps at Pathri and Beldangi. There are people who were once registered refugees but got deregistered if they missed the census without a reason. While a majority of the people in the small population are dedicated to repatriation regardless of other available options-whether they are gloomy or glittering, the one option at hand is a local solution. As long as refugees don’t ask for integration in Nepal, openly and convincingly, there is little the government of Nepal (GON) or UNHCR can do in that direction. However, significant steps on local assimilation are underway. The schools in the refugee camps are limited to primary level. For secondary level education refugee children are accommodated in lo- cal schools. The upcoming generation is growing up with Nepali syllabus and Nepali nationalism. For them, Bhutan is everything they see in the camp and learn in the local schools. The factors playing within the camp and with the refugees are as active as ever. The society is divided into fragments of all spheres. Adult literacy programs are done away with.
The camp administration carried out by three groups -representing refugees, UNHCR and the GON consist of people whose knowledge on Bhutan is news-based. On the pretext of donor fatigue, social benefits and sustenance are withdrawn compelling the campmates to move out of the camp for survival. Registered adult refugees are provided individual bank accounts. They can earn and safe-keep their earnings and withdraw with an ATM. The refugees who cannot sign or read digits have to visit the banks and deal over counters. It is not much a help to the old, sick and helper-less refugees. Whenever donors see a sunshine, they add some amount to the accounts. The beneficiaries can use the money as per their need. Gradually, the refugees can calculate their income and expenditure. There is no assurance to the end of the situation. But the temporary huts have a definite life. There are attempts to upgrade the huts to semi- permanent- with longer life and minimum impact on the land. The plan to electrify the camps is not public. Local markets are decorated with attractive and expensive gadgets. There is no easy money to ac- cess them. As the agencies are in a process of leaving behind the refugees on their own, the players of easier and lucrative money are al- ready experimenting their ideas in the camps. There are examples of the Drug trade and flesh bargain to mention. Given one more chance, most of the refugees aged between eighteen and sixty years or those are asked to make an independent living will opt for TCR.
RFID cards are provided to registered refugees. This identity card issued by the government of Nepal (Ministry of Home Affairs) on the recommendation of UNHCR reads “The bearer of this card is a refugee from Bhutan. Any assistance accorded to this individual would be most appreciated.” The cards are valid until mid of 2022. It doesn’t mention if the card can be used as a work permit in Nepal. No organisation- government or international – has mentioned the acceptance of refugees in Nepalese work market. However, the understanding is that the refugees can do taxable jobs in Nepal. Based on the card, refugees can apply for driving licenses. However, to start an organisation or an enterprise, Nepalese citizens must be incorporated too. Whether a refugee can work legally in Nepal or not; it’s no- where in black and white. However, Refugees are accepted for work at a personal level, based on the understanding and outlook of the employer.
The most expected options are the family reunion and the repatriation. The family reunion has been the most neglected and un- discussed issue. After the TCR, families are fragmented and scat- tered. Those who got resettled and earn well may be able to visit their relatives. Those in the camp are torn apart- some relatives are in Bhutan and others are in third countries. Many Drukpas are not registered as refugees in Nepal. They are either in Kathmandu or in Jhapa. They live on their own. But they have turned out to be state- less and document-less refugees. They cannot start a business, send children to schools or travel freely. They cannot even stay in hotels and guest houses that ask for identity cards.
A few but influential political leaders are left behind in Nepal. With- out a strong base, support from other countries, support from inter- national figures, their activities are reduced to the consolation of remaining refugees. To name a few, TN Rizal, Dr. Bhampa Rai, Balaram Powdel, Dr. DNS Dhakal, Rinzin Dorji, Kesang Lhendup, NB Giri etc. seem convinced to land up in Bhutan. Some of the above leaders themselves or their close relatives are sick. Many of the leaders don’t have their children with them for physical support. Their travel outside Nepal is limited. The travel document is one of such limitations. I am used to the hassles involved in the process of acquiring TD. Through experience, I have found some smoother ways to acquire TD. In 2016 it took nine months to acquire the TD. In 2017, it was possible in less than two months. Dr. DNS Dhakal, NB Giri, and Balaram Poudyel have appraised the officials involved in the process regarding the hassles. Their influence has worked to some extent. One of the major concerns of TN Rizal is that he is deprived of his travel outside Nepal for medical treatment.
The leaders have become the target of grievances and accusation of resettled folks. They are still a big source of hope to the people inside Bhutan and in the camps. Even after all the refugees are gone from the camp, the GON will have the onus to take care of the political leaders who are determined to stay in Nepal until their wish for honourable repatriation is fulfilled.
Besides the unregistered and de-registered refugees, there are refugees who have criminal records and had served sentences. People who were behind bars on criminal charges were culled out of the process for TCR. Despite their interest in TCR, many of their re- quests were repeatedly rejected. They have already served their sentences in Nepal, but their guilt doesn’t seem redeemed. The resettling countries continue to consider them criminals and treat them as such. Many people who originated from Bhutan but were never accepted as refugees make a frequent visit to the refugee-related offices for a consideration.
Some Bhutanese refugees who had acquired Nepalese citizenship have had to renounce their Bhutanese citizenship or refugee status or both. It isn’t an open window practice. The local leaders aware of the trend ignore the new citizens as long as they are not their hindrances. There has been no formal call or guidance for the refugees to acquire Nepalese citizenships. The voice of the refugees seeking Nepalese citizenship is too weak, if at all.
The resettled folks periodically visit camps and they come with extra confidence to travel further until Bhutan. The refugees in the camp have become the guides to guide the folks to Bhutan or establish links with the people inside. The people inside generally ignore a few visitors and the government has neither accepted nor repelled its for- mer citizens- now in disguise. The number of money transfer agencies which had mushroomed in the camps, following the TCR, that later appeared in the border towns have now moved into Bhutan.
Although the refugees continue to receive misguided and misleading information, the issue has not lost its impetuous existence over years. The fate of the Bhutanese people depends on the interplay of the Government policies of Nepal and Bhutan, an interest of Indian leaders and international organisation on the issue, the stand of the refugees, support of the resettled folks and reaction of the local populations of Bhutan and Nepal. The refugee’s struggle is now confined to the limited population in the camp and the struggle for justice is in limbo. When the relocated folks are celebrating a decade of TCR- an option most elites appreciate now- the residual refugees in Nepal is the only link that connects the resettled folks to Bhutan. The official and diplomatic influence on Bhutan is yielding little result worth for news. The refugee generator Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) was for long accused of evading the issue. In Bhutan, the government has changed but the system and people in the system have not. The government has agreed to revisit the issue after the 2018 election to conclude the refugee saga in the most logical way. The few political parties contesting the 2018 election are too meek to talk about the issue. They have no mandate from the throne to speak. The core group of countries are in a wait and see the reaction- situation. The visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to shape the election result in Bhutan is also expected to influence the RGOB’s stand on the refugees. The refugees adamant on repatriation are either age-worn or are without support. The RGOB has assured the international community including the USA and other members of the core group and friends of Bhutan, to take back all its people who can prove their roots in Bhutan and agree to return on the basis of the earlier (1993 – 2003) agreements Between Bhutan and Nepal. It has asked for assurances from the government of Nepal, following the repatriation which is expected to be a rational, rapid, and re- warding repatriation, to close the chapter for good. The UNHCR is said to have worked on a list of about sixteen hundred people for repatriation.
The Bhutanese refugees are expected to be back home within mid- 2019 if not the refugee issue will have to hunt their luck elsewhere.