Kathmandu, July 27, 2006:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over the recent protests and demonstrations by some Bhutanese refugees over the issue of granting exit visas to 16 vulnerable individuals for their resettlement. UNHCR said the exit visas to the 16 vulnerable Bhutanese refugees for their relocation to the US and Canada were cases that merited special humanitarian treatment.

“These cases were submitted as special humanitarian cases and accepted for resettlement by the two countries due to their urgent protection needs,” said UNHCR, adding, however, that some protest programmes of Bhutanese refugees were seemingly “orchestrated” by some of their leaders and that these did not represent the views of the majority of refugees. “It is sad and unfortunate that these refugee leaders are manipulating innocent and helpless refugees,” said Abraham Abraham, UNHCR representative in Nepal.

UNHCR negotiated with the government of Nepal to grant exit permits to them as they are unable to find safety and protection within refugee camps, said a UNHCHR statement. “Resettlement of these individuals is extremely important for their future and for UNHCR as they can no longer be kept in the camps for reasons well understood,” said Abraham. “We are deeply concerned for their lives as they require specialised treatment and care which are not available in the camp environment or in Nepal,” he added. Pointing out that Nepal has yet to take any concrete decision on the issue of third-country settlement, UNHCR said the resettlement of the sixteen refugees was a “separate issue” from the possible resettlement of all Bhutanese refugees.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA), contributed $432,595 to the UN refugee agency’s 2006/2007 annual budget programme for Nepal. It also contributed $101,756 for the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons in Nepal, adding up to a total of $534,351. In a separate statement, UNHCR statement acknowledged the Australian contribution to programmes.

UNHCR said it would utilise this aid for the Bhutanese refugees’ health, nutrition and education. Part of the funding will be used for repair and maintenance needs of refugee shelters. The contribution will also go towards funding UNHCR’s protection and assistance programmes to internally displaced persons in Nepal, the statement added.