UN agency welcomes donation from EU to feed Bhutanese refugees in Nepal

Bhutan is a land of beauty, peace, and tranquility, and one much idealized (and for good reason) by the Western world for its proactive approach to the environment, development, and education. These are indeed great accomplishments, and Bhutan should be recognized as a leader on these fronts in South Asia. However, there is a sad, dark side to Bhutan's history and politics which is conveniently ignored.

In 1985, Bhutan implemented a new citizenship law declaring that any and all non-citizens must leave the country immediately. Subsequently, in 1986, the government passed a ruling on the definition of Bhutanese citizenship (titled One Nation One Culture), stating that only those holding a land-tax receipt dated prior to 1952. Sadly this meant goodbye for for more than 100,000 Nepalese who had lived in Bhutan for generations, as they were not granted the right to own land - and thus pay taxes on it - until 1952. With the stroke of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk's pen, thousands of Nepalese were driven from their homes and forces into exile in the destitute district of Jhapa in southeast Nepal. Many years later, the situation remains unchanged - Bhutan won't budge or change its policies, and the refugees continue to live in camps.

Interestingly, the Nepalese were initially welcomed in Bhutan, for they happily farmed the fertile lowlands of the country, lands which most ethnic Bhutanese - a people of Tibetan descent who are more accustomed to cooler climates - did not want to inhabit. Over many generations, the Nepalese immigrants became a part of the fabric of Bhutan: Nepali became the second language of the country, taught in schools and printed on street signs. The Nepali festival of Dashain even became a national holiday. Nepalese and Bhutanese lived side by side, with little conflict.

But, that all has changed, and sadly the situation for the Nepali refugees remains stagnant. It is nice to read (below) that the EU is making some efforts to ease the suffering. Hopefully there will be more to come, and an increase in pressure on Bhutan to right past wrongs and put an end to the refugee crisis.