Bhutanese refugees to fly to the US soon

The process for third country resettlement of Bhutanese refugees languishing in Nepal for the last 17 years has finally begun with the mass information campaign in all the camps, a top UNHCR representative in Nepal today said.

UNHCR country representative in Nepal Abraham Abraham said that the UNHCR had preferred to help refugees return to their home countries when they can do so in safety and dignity.

"However, in this case, the only option currently available is that for resettlement in a third country for those refugees who wish to make this choice,” said Abraham at a press meet in Damak, Jhapa district.

Meanwhile, Abraham also said that resettlement to a third country does not preclude the right of refugees to return to Bhutan. He also urged the Bhutanese leaders in exile to respect the right of every individual to make informed choices and take decisions regarding his or her own future.

“The UN refugee agency together with the international community will continue its efforts to ensure that as many doors as possible are opened in terms of achieving lasting solutions to the plight of the refugees, including voluntary repatriation as and when return conditions permit,” said Abraham, adding that the UNHCR was grateful to the Government of USA and to all the other resettlement recipient countries as well as to the Government of Nepal for supporting third country resettlement as a humanitarian solution.

Resettlement to the USA is organised by the US government, through its Overseas Processing Entity (OPE), the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM will process resettlement of exiled Bhutanese on the basis of referrals made by UNHCR, and only where expressions of interest for resettlement have been made known to UNHCR.