Damak, July 30:

Bhutanese refugees, actively assisted by the Bhutanese political parties, have started drafting a “parallel constitution” against the existing draft of a statute prepared by the Bhutanese government. According to political sources in Bhutan, the statute draft prepared by the Bhutanese government and presented to people last March was against the interests of the Bhutanese refugees. Hence, the endeavour for a parallel statute. President of the Bhutan People’s Party Balram Poudel said a draft writing committee (DWC) with active initiative by a joint forum of three political parties, including the Bhutan National Front (BNF) for Democracy is being formed. Poudel added the DWC, which includes experts on international constitutions has already started selecting “Acts” and “Suggestions” for the parallel constitution. Besides 25 members, the DWC includes representatives of political parties of Bhutan, Bhutanese social organizations, human rights organizations and organizations concerned with Bhutanese refugees, according to Poudel. After the draft of the parallel constitution is ready, it will be sent to the general meeting of the Nepal-based Bhutanese refugees camps for open discussion.