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2/1/1992 - The Last Emperor by Carol V. Rose

NOT FOR PUBLICATION INSTITUTEOFCURRENTWORLDAFFAIRS Kathmandu Nepal February THELASTEMPEROR Carol Rose Secreted Himalayan mountains between India China world Mahayana Buddhist kingdom Bhutan It considered remaining unspoiled places Earth There extensive forests highest mountains world rivers flowing promise untapped energy The southern hills carpeted fields cardamom orange groves Ruled youthful King Jigme Singye Wangchuk Bhutan cultivated reputation Land Peaceful Dragon This tranquil image shattered years arrival neighboring India Nepal refugees escaping describe Bhutan policy ethnic cleansing Virtually those fleeing ethnic Nepalese whose families migrated Bhutan during centuries Most Hindus farmers terate They stories stripped their citizenship government coerced soldiers leave Bhutan under threat imprisonment beatings torture More these refugees crowded refugee camps Nepal eastern border Another refugees arrive daily They flimsy bamboo plastic roofing subsist United Nations rations We willmakeeveryefforttogohome saidTekBadu age40 afarmerwhowas Daifam village eastern Bhutan In early January local district administrator Daifam Badu family declared nationals government illegal immigrants The official Badu family leave Bhutan facearrest Wehadthreeacresofcrdamomandorangegroves butwehadtoleave everything behind Badu We earliest posible It could Bhutanese government officials called refugees belong Bhutan Instead camps illegal immigrants Nepal India deported Bhutan former Bhutanese citizens voluntarily forfeited their citizenship Nepalese terrorists plotting overthrow monarchy Bhutan Nepali dominated state King Wangchuk takes preserve Bhutan unique position Buddhist kingdom world He offered resign cannot Carol Rose ICWA fellow writing South Central Asia Since InstituteofCurrentWorldAffairs theCrane RogersFoundation hasprovidedlong termfellowships enable outstandingyoungadultstoliveoutsidetheUnitedSzatesandwriteaboutinternationalareasandissues Endowed bythelateCharlesR Crane theInstituteisalsosupportedbyconwibutionsfromlike mindedindividualsand foundations solution southern problem But resisted Bhutan National Assembly which noted proceedings session Without monarchy there willbe anarchy The forested hills southern Bhutan India THE INFORMATION GAP Unravelling truth about Bhutan hindered government controls information Criticism permitted National Assembly public There freedom speech assembly Bhutan retired Bhutanese government officials afraid speak foreigners Indeed Bhutanese defines treasonable If intention cause serious three elements King Kingdom Government correspondence conversation whatever topic persons within Bhutan foreign nationals supposed conversed Bhutan sNationalAssemblymembersserveathree yearterm Thereare151 representatives 105ofwhom elected indirect Twelve members elected Buddhist monastic establishment appointed Decisions reached consensus It considered treasonable Bhutanese citizen fails report hearing seeing anyone talking against King Kingdom government Bhutan The punishment treason ranges imprisonment death Bhutan obsession control information outside world government order dismantle television satellite antennas prevent people watching programs originating outside Bhutan Likewise entry foreigners Bhutan rigidly controlled government Only tourists allowed charged Visitors stick government delineated travel itinerary allowed visit southern Bhutan which populated largely ethnic Nepalese Human rights groups restrictions their attempts investigate reported abuses Bhutan Amnesty International allowed three investigators there Janu their request visit southern Chirang District where refugees denied grounds security A scheduled visit Bhutan Jurists Mission representing judges SAARC South Asian Association Regional Cooperation blocked minute confirmed seats Bhutanese airline suddenly canceled Bhutan rejected three requests visit United Nations High Commissioner Refugees Sadako Ogata although Bhutanese foreign minister agreed Geneva Despite these restrictions possible piece together present political situation Bhutan variety sources interviews present former Bhutanese government officials visits refugee camps Nepal West Bengal India Bhutanese border study Bhutanese government documents press clippings reports human rights groups THE POLITICS OF POPULATION Bhutan migrants Its current crisis understood context country ethnic divisions The ruling ethnic group Drukpa comprised Buddhists migrated Tibet 1600s They cleric named Ngawang Namgyal unified Bhutan fought encroachments Tibet He proclaimed himself spiritual temporal ruler Bhutan promising throughout appearing repeated reincarnations known Shabdrung After British defeat Bhutan Bhutan forced treaty ceding Darjeeling promising future cooperation British India In British their Bhutanese throne He Ugen Wangchuk penlop regional warlord Tongsa central Bhutan The British liked Wangchuk Following publication first newsletter Bhutanese political situation March formally petitioned Bhutanese government To receivl reply because assisted AFGHANISTAN PAKISTAN CHINA BHUTAN IBANGLADESH MYANMAR INDIA military campaigns against Tibet 1800s When Wangchuk became Maharajah Bhutan Shabdrung removed power retained religious title King Jigme Wangchuk fourth ruler Wangchuk BAY BENGAL AndomOnlslond F AMBODIA dynasty holds absolute power lacks theological legitimacy monarchs Nepal Thailand The present Shabdrung lives exile India after BHUTAN S LOCATION IN SOUTH ASIA predecessors Source Lonely Planet Guides mysterious deaths building other strangled scarf However Shabdrung still worshipped Buddhist Bhutanese The other major group Bhutan ethnic Nepalese known southern Bhutanese Lhotshampa Lhotshampa refugee leaders first Shabdrun Ngawang Namgyal encouraged immigration Nepalese Hindus Bhutan after signing formal agreement Ram Shah Gorkha King Nepal However there documentation prove agreement existed The government Bhutan denies But denies there thousands Nepalese settlers present Bhutan 1800s In account travels Sikkim Bhutan J Claude White British political officer wrote thousands Nepalese settlers southern Bhutan In Captain C J Marris Gorkha Regiment estimated there total Nepalese population southern eastern Bhutan Indeed until 1950s Nepalese laborers welcomed Bhutan clear plant dense malaria infested forests It until government banned ethnic Nepalese country It proclaimed Nepalese Bhutan owned Bhutanese citizens Since relative proportion major ethnic groups Bhutan become political issue The government Lhotshampa about third total population population comprised Buddhist Drukpa Sikkim Bhutan J Claude White A Sagar Book House India First published North East Refugee leaders ethnic Nepalese actually account total Bhutanese population sufficient majority ethnic group Bhutan Such ethnic dominance would significant Bhutan adopted person system democracy Complicating debate government tendency alter population estimates When Bhutan joined United Nations government provided estimate million people which supposedly based census But government later called figure inaccurate Two years King quoted saying official population estimate Refugee leaders population estimate should King Wangchuk leaving Bhutanese exile India Nepal In effect argue written nearly seventh Bhutan citizens The King insists those exile nationals never belonged Bhutan first place IDENTITY CRISIS Are refugees truly Bhutanese citizens Bhutanese officials The refugees either terrorists illegal migrants Bhutan search medical government sponsored education Our unique problem South Asia Bhutan shortage manpower Sonam T Rabgye First Secretary Royal Bhutanese Embassy Delhi We dependent labor outside especially construction Unfortunately projects completed Nepalese laborers refused Bhutan fered opportunities Besides employment there really fertile The government provides education subsidies farmers stress agriculture So price development The refugees spoke Bhutan their families lived there generations Most carried documents prove their point citizenship cards receipts medical marriage certificates dating 1940s Many showed their uniquely Bhutanese clothing And while illiterate uneducated could recite their village their block number their district Bhutan Camp registration statistics confirm findings Officials Nepal government United Nations High Commissioner Refugees UNHCR report percent refugees entering camps documentation showing citizenship residency Bhutan Desp findings Bhutanese government officials their insistence refugees impostors We reason believe refugees printing false identity cards Rabgye The identity government issued printed Calcutta would forge But Veerapong Vangvarotai program officer UNHCR Kathmandu unlikely thousands people would their identity If documents faked everyone would document Vangvarotai But deeds others receipts still others marriage certificates It possible large number people could claim Bhutan As refugees continued border government Nepal finally threw gauntlet identity issue On separate occasions submitted proposal Bhutanese government conduct joint survey determine status refugees Bhutan preferred invite UNHCR India A newly arriving refugee West Bengal India participate survey Shree displays Bhutanese national identity Kant Regmi Joint Secretary Nepal He family leaving refugee Ministry Home Affairs camps Nepal following Bhutan declined offers ONE NATION ONE PEOPLE Whatever exact ethnic break Bhutan population there doubt government pursuing program Bhutan culturally homogeneous through policy calls nation people This cultural purification policy consists series passed recent years culminating national dress national conduct uniform language requirements What follows description these Marriage Act Prior 1970s government Bhutan encouraged inter marriage between Lhotshampa D rukpa giving incentives couples married across ethnic lines Despite these attempts integration large numbers ethnic Nepalese married Bhutanese citizens across border India This primarily because religion Most Lhotshampa Hindus required marry other Hindus caste Finding spouse right caste relative Lhotshampa marry ethnic Nepalese India Nepal The Marriage attempted trend imposing penalties Bhutanese Lhotshampawhomarriednon citizens Lhotshampawhomarriednon Bhutaneseweredenied promotion government service They became ineligible medical treatment abroad study fellowships business loans grants given government government supplied agriculture inputs fertilizer These restrictions implemented against Lhotshampaandwere applied Drukpawho marriedwesternwomen Citizenship Requirements In government imposed further restrictions Lhotshampa population implementing Nationality Law significantly tightened requirements citizenship Prior Bhutanese citizenship determined Citizenship Law The granted citizenship anyone whose father Bhutanese citizen within Bhutan lived there years owned agricultural within kingdom The citizenship codified basis citizenship Bhutan proof residence Bhutan since before December The citizenship required parents Bhutanese citizens order transmit citizenship their children Residents could prove parents Bhutanese citizens retroactively declared illegal immigrants citizens under previous In effect these rules enable government claim refugees Bhutanese citizens reared Bhutan Bhutanese officials quick point people their citizenship under apply naturalization But first satisfy rigorous standards including fluency speaking reading writing Drukpa mother tongue tonal language similar Tibetan called Dzongkha Few Lhotshampas Indeed illiterate their mother tongue Nepali Naturalized citizens prove prior residency Bhutan years record having spoken acted against King country people Bhutan manner whatsoever Even these requirements fulfilled government reserves right reject application naturalization without assigning reason The effect government initiated census southern Bhutan The census determine citizenship status Lhotshampa categorizing people seven groups citizens F1 those declared F7 national The census provided justification expel people longer government criteria citizenship The Bhutan Tragedy When Will It End First Report SAARC Jurists Mission Bhutan May According December report Amnesty International situation southern Bhutan exacerbated government failure specify known advance would happen people southern Bhutan categorized under F7 declared nationals From these people someofwhomwereborn inBhutan andhadbeenresidenttherethroughouttheirlife apparently forced leave country Officially King Wangchuk outlawed forcible eviction Bhutanese citizens called ngolops terrorists Bhutan spokesman Delhi Rabgye Bhutanese asked leave because declared nationals He however Lhotshampa reinstated citizens after being incorrectly stricken government citizenship rosters Others Bhutan voluntarily In contrast Amnesty International found departures involuntarily reporting dozens heads families among older forced write statements affirming their voluntary application leave Bhutan their families unsuccessfully tried appeal authorities about Refugees living camps eastern Nepal confirmed forced voluntary departure papers expelled nationals despite having Bhutan Monmaya Rai parents grandparents Bhutan Samchi district We compelled police documents saying leaving A southern Bhutanese looks fierce untarily Rai If wearing traditional Nepali khukri knife Butwhenhespokeofthehomeandfieldsheleft saidwewouldhavetopay1 000rupeesper behind Bhutan broke tears houses would Bhutan Human Rights Violations Against Nepali Speaking Population South Amnesty International December Proceedings Resolutions Session National Assembly Bhutan printed Kuensel November Amnesty International destroyed There families forced leave We because those before their houses burned Code Cultural Etiquette In Bhutanese government adopted policy Promote Distinct National Identity This known Driglam Namzha cultural etiquette This requires Bhutanese national dress women while visitin local offices monasteries government buildings schools The woolen suited climate southern Bhutan In contrast clothing southern Bhutanese slacks shirts while women dress cotton saris The Driglam Namzha etiquette dictates people should conduct themselves during various functions religious state ceremonies officials meetings lunches dinners It forth rules conduct informal social gatherings sending receiving gifts speaking superiors eating public places Failure abide Driglam Namzha punishable prison According Bhutanese officials implemented effort unify Bhutan nation people In Bhutanese government report entitled The Facts Behind Recent Developments Southern Bhutan government argued cultural diversity practical larger country diversity customs traditions culture enriches nation A small country Bhutan cannot afford luxury diversity which impede growth social harmony unity among people While larger country economic military strength safeguard national interests small locked developing country unity people unique character national identity always greatest strength promoting safeguarding security being sovereign independent nation Rabgye insists dress behavior attempt integrate southern Bhutanese rather exclude society Before introduced there referendum everybody supported Rabgye In vociferous support southern Bhutan They recognition being integrated Bhutanese society A different reaction common among Bhutanese refugees always heavy climate especially working fields Dhan Maya Samchi district At first agreed But later people petitioned government dress especially during Hindu religious The Facts Behind Recent Developments Southern Bhutan A Bhutan Government Report reprinted SAARC Jurists Commission Report Appendix festivals think because petition declared nationals forced leave The policy limiting cultural diversity extended language In speaking Nepali banned public schools Although schools English medium students allowed grade unless Dzongkha language regardless perform other subjects BACKLASH Far promoting integration nation people sparked series demonstrations southern Bhutanese In representatives southern Bhutan warned King Wangchuk census officials using harass Lhotshampa One those presented petition Tek Nath Rizal National Assembly representative southern Bhutan member King member Royal Advisory Council In confidential extremely deferential petition King Rizal warned census teams threatening citizens confiscating identity cards coercing illiterate people signing documents In response government imprisoned Rizal reportedly tortured expelled Royal Advisory Council grounds spreading false allegations inciting southern Bhutanese against government Rizal Bhutan Nepal where People Forum Human Rights He subsequently arrested Nepal prior Nepal democracy movement taken Bhutan capita Thimpu where remained prison years without trial access lawyer Government officials Rizal tried prior because treason under which charged carried mandatory death sentence After mandatory sentencing restrictions lifted goyernment scheduled formal trial Rizal January However trial suspended Amnesty International petitioned government provide legal council Rizal according AHURA human rights organization comprised former Bhutanese political prisoners Bhutanese government spokesman Rabgye characterized Rizal mastermind present problem There feeling nothing wrong course He played dirty games Rabgye On southern Bhutanese people government using census worry because would Then southerners fomenting rebellion worry because could Actually creating The government charged Rizal other committed treason writing publishing distributing literature critical government policy cultural integration The government guilty inciting people against government through misinformation campaign extorting money guerilla training CVR neighboring areas purchase terrorist activities trying damage relations India spreading false propaganda In Amnesty International declared prisoners conscience called their unconditional release Just prior arrival Amnesty investigative prisoners conscience The father Tek Nath Rizal imprisoned Thimpu Amnesty International declare Rizal prisoner released Rizal conscience remains imprisoned Anger Rizal imprisonment imposition Driglam Namzha erupted series public demonstration September Amnesty International reported demonstrators protest Samchi district alone But found evidence support testimony southern Bhutanese demonstrators killed during protest march The Bhutanese government quick crack demonstrators labeling ngolops terrorists nationals Hundreds arrested thousands stripped their Bhutanese citizenship Says Amnesty International The total number people arrested since early suspected involvement opposition activities thousands Following demonstrations government required No Objection Certificate NOC Nepali speaking people sought employment ssion schools trade licenses permission leave country official NOCs denied anyone family member suspected participating demonstrations Although NOC requirement dropped following negotiations between Bhutanese government Amnesty International Thimpu continues expel people grounds family member participated opposition movement In instances refugees entire families expelled country because relative participated September protests Amnesty International Report In government completed cadastral survey southern districts Although earlier surveys consisted merely estimates holdings government concluded thousands acres illegal landholdings seized property Some offered Drukpa particularly landless peasants Bhutan After demonstrations ethnic tensions arose between Drukpa Lhotshampa members civil service bureaucracy Thimpu The proceedings Bhutanese National Assembly illustrate distrust grown between ethnic groups Representatives southern districts submitted Genja legally binding documents signed people their districts vowing loyalty government King Kingdom In response Drukpa representatives Although Lhotshampa pledged their support loyalty times before sincere A Bhutanese refugee holds receipts difficult place trust taxes Bhutanese government confidence believe before being expelled January sincerity their Genja Under pressure sometimes surveillance threat arrest hundreds southern Bhutanese civil servants level eaucrats exile According National Assembly minutes civil servants Bhutan southern Bhutanese Since Lhotshampa appointed civil service while resigned absconded Bhutan We doctors educators lawyers former civil servant spoke condition anonymity saying feared reprisals against family Bhutan There Was little discrimination before We could reach ranks director level although policy making But today there single southern Bhutanese foreign The National Assembly called government speed transfer behind ngolops terrorists whohadabsconded afterthe1990anti national uprisingandthe landvacatedbytheLhotshampas legally emigrated Nepal should allotted landless people districts Proceedings Ibid ministr Druk Air service In But these trusted HUMAN RIGHTS AND WRONGS GROWING VIOLENCE IN SOUTHERN BHUTAN Amnesty International reported August number political prisoners detention Bhutan estimated between including known Amnesty International without charges having brought against since January In September Bhutanese government reported granting amnesty prisoners bringing total number political prisoners Bhutan around Amnesty International detailed reports torture Bhutanese prisons including shackles people reported being forced drink their urine denied water Other methods torture reported Amnesty International included suspending prisoner upside beating prisoners sides soles feetandontheachillestendon insertingacane intheanus Amnesty reported prisoners prison because denied access medical Moreover report added Concerns prisoners always treated accordance international standards heightened Bhutanese Government consistent refusal reveal places detention where prisoners grant regular access their relatives The visit Amnesty International positive impact status political prisoners Bhutan In addition releasing political prisoners government agreed discontinue shackles prisoners The government permitted visit January prisons International Committee Red Cross While welcoming these reforms however Amnesty International continues government immediately release prisoners conscience bring trial those recognizable criminal offenses measures revent torture treatment Among refugees living camps Eastern Nepal estimated victims torture suffering severe psychological problems Bhogendra Sharma medical director Center Victims Torture Nepal which treating torture survivors Sharma estimated another refugee women victims A number women borne children result being raped At least victims committed suicide Amnesty International confirmed reported testimony Bhutanese women raped often raped Bhutanese soldiers adding Amnesty International considers security forces torture Amnesty International Ibid executive summary In contrast human rights reports testimony refugees Bhutanese government terrorist attacks nationals responsible human rights abuses people Bhutan Ever since national activities launched terrorist perpetrated nationals integral their strategy mobilize funds force other Southern Bhutanese their terrorist movement Starting extortion dacoity assault against Bhutanese nationals inside Bhutan Indian during transit nationals graduated outright terrorism sabotage hijacking kidnapping murder Brutal torture mutilation decapitations victims become regular feature their terrorist activities Many women assaulted raped while killed terrorists during their frequent raids villages The people being coerced leave terrorists Rabgye They leave Bhutan inches shorter because And These people In response growing unrest southern Bhutan government augmented Army police force training volunteer citizen militia In years nearly Bhutanese civilians received government military training government strategy quell unrest southern Bhutan Around volunteer militiamen served southern districts According government newspaper Kuensel since least people hands ngolops terrorists There attacks ambushes security troops people kidnapped tortured terrorists The newspaper reports people injured households robbed trucks other vehicles damaged hijacked schools health centers damaged destroyed In September again August Bhutanese government released glossy magazines entitled Anti National Activiti Southern Bhutan Each magazine filled grisly color photographs showing mutilated bodies alleged victims national violence The magazines photographs letters signed leaders Bhutanese opposition parties requesting explosive devices saying decided resort violence Anti National Activities Southern Bhutan A Terrorist Movement Department Information Government Bhutan September Proceedings Session National Assembly Bhutan K ensel October Anti NationalActivitiesinSouthernBhutan AnUpdateonTheTerroristMovement August1992 Department Information Government Bhutan Bhutan arrested profile southern Bhutanese leaders allegedly committing serious violent crimes Last November instance former general secretary opposition Bhutan Peoples Party BPP D K Rai arrested eading inside Bhutan He tried found guilty murder treason sentenced imprisonment BPP leaders Nepal anyone their party involved violence insist charges against Rai others baseless But their former general secretary doing Bhutan Amnesty International confirms least allegations violence government opponents Its investigators Bhutan interviewed victims relatives victims reported incidents kidnapping beheading extortion torture other abuses opposition groups which occurred south mainly during However Amnesty International report conclude could confirm government reports numbers allegedly killed kidnapped opposition movement While attacks civilians southern Bhutan consistently attributed nationals Amne report always clear evidence exists indicate political motivation behind Sharma medical director torture center Kathmandu confirmed refugees mentioned beatings attempts extortion money opposition political parties But cases these incidents torture inflicted continuously people coming house demanding money beating people Sharma And cases number while cases report tortured government OPPOSITION MOVEMENT The nation people policy spawned multitude Bhutanese opposition organizations exile There fledgling political parties Bhutan People Party BPP Bhutan National Democratic Front BNDP There human rights organization Human Rights Organization Bhutan HUROB Association Human Rights Activities Bhutan AHURA The there Students Union Bhutan SUB Bhutan Women Association BWA Despite growing number political organizations majority refugees camps remain Bhutan uneducated villagers peace Not single refugee spoke belonged political party Nonetheless often happens refugee situations segment population typically educated become extremely politicized experience exile And longer southern Bhutanese remain camps politicized likely become Amnesty International Report To existing opposition movement described politely politically immature Especially damaging constant fighting between various groups notably BPP BNDP Both parties dedicated principles establishment constitutional monarchy Bhutan multi democracy independentjudiciary Bothpartiessaytheyareopposedto violence Andeachparty accuses other getting along We prepared unity talks BNDP R K Budathoki whose BPP party created June The BNDP bargaining They bureaucratic while activists Budathoki BPP planning Satyagraha Gandhi style civil disobedience movement entailing massive voluntary arrest effort Bhutan prisons spark crisis Thimpu However could specify undertaking might begin In addition being proclaimed activists BPP leaders describe their ideology democratic socialist along lines Congress I party India In contrast BNDP which founded former Bhutanese civil servants exile considered intellectual capitalist BPP Initially another political front exile simply clear where BPP philosophy stands BNDP president R B Basnet They democratic socialists their support Nepal West Bengal communist Basnet concerned Bhutan government reports terrorist attacks BPP members which totally condemn incidents violence Basnet And nothing integrating BPP Budathoki denied charge BPP involvement violence Basnet claim BPP links communist parties They leftist because enjoy majority support among Bhutanese people Budathoki below understand heart throb people The BNDP ideology matches Bhutanese government Budathoki suggested BNDP links Hindu fundamentalist Bharatiya Janata Party Indian People Party India The BJP riding Hindu sectarian support In following December destruction Babri Mosque Ayodhya Basnet worked years highest levels Bhutanese government rising Managing Director State Trading Corporation Bhutan before exile May After departure government Bhutan charged Basnet embezzling million government requested extradition Nepal Basnet denies charges noting director State Trading Corporation decided policy company actual transactions certified Bhutanese government accountants The government charges BPP President Budathoki fired corruption Similar accusations leveled other opposition political leaders A religious institution created BNDP banner Hindu religious festival December former Maidhar refugee eastern Nepal Budathoki They telling people BJP comes power India support BNDP The BPP wants secular Bhutan Basnet insists BNDP formal Indian political party would party closely affiliated Hindu fundamentalist element The Drukpa community concern being swamped Hindus extent fully sympathize We doesn happen perhaps reserving seats something Parliament But Nepal Basnet added This Hindu Kingdom Buddhism flourishing Bhutanese government leaders reject calls democracy political change During session National We really hypnotized Assembly Home Minister warned The democracy around Bhutan intentions ngolops terrorists government spokesman Sonam Rabgye revealed their demands These introduction multi party system government headed prime minister changing judiciary system changing citizenship abolishing Goongda Woola national labor system And system government changed demanded Home Minister continued ngolops would Bhutan politically Northern Bhutanese would reduced minority their country The Home Minister added Some other demands right culture language script freedom religion eedom press speech expression freedom formation unions associations political parties firstly repetition popular slogans international sympathy sUpport Secondly objective these demands dilute weaken unique national identity which always greatest pillar strength Bhutanese nation safeguarding promoting ereignty security Home Minister These demands calculated ngolops weaken Bhutan identity social fabric introduction unions associations political parties multiple religions languages cultures Bhutan spokesman Delhi Sonam Rabgye echoed democratic sentiment On question democracy hypnotized democracy around particularly region Rabgye The system functioning Bhutan worked THREAT OF GREATER NEPAL It absolute monarch South Asia particularly region dominated ethnic Nepalese Three times since King Wangchuk power Bhutan watched neighboring kings governments thrown power ethnic Nepalese demanding political power commensurate their growing numbers In neighboring former Kingdo Sikkim Buddhist distant relative King Wangchuk overthrown populist democracy movement Within India invited Sikkim Today Indian State Sikkim dominated ethnic Nepalese percent total population In 1980s Darjeeling subdistrict West Bengal India across border Bhutan besieged violent demonstrations ethnic Nepalese wrested local control Communist state government after years clashes Led Subhas Ghising Gorkha National Liberation Front GNLF demanded Gorkhali language which Nepali included official language Indian Constitution Ghising called Greater Nepal would extend present Nepal across West Bengal Sikkim Assam Presumably Greater Nepal would include southern Bhutan Most recently people Nepal itself streets Kat hmandu demanding democracy It weeks public protest before Nepal agreed become constitutional monarch Nepal first multi party democratic elections See ICWA report CVR Bhutanese officials insist there between Bhutanese political parties exile Nepalese leaders West Bengal Sikkim eager establish greater Nepal There nexus between people acting violently southern Bhutan these people REFUGEE MIGRATION FROM Gorkha Rabgye Look Bhutan BHUTAN TO NEPAL From Himal Proceedings National Assembly Bhutan angle country whose entire population could football stadium surrounded million Nepalese India across border So there danger being swamped outsiders This phenomenon people seeking bette illegal immigrants happens world added But Bhutan large assertive ethnic group seeking It happened Sikkim short population reduced minority And happened again Darjeeling Despite these concerns there never calls greater Nepal Lhotshampas within Bhutan Moreover could evidence exiled Bhutanese political parties links Nepalese dominated ethnic groups West Bengal Sikkim The government greater Nepal bogey ensure A southern Bhutanese woman dressed Government Nepal traditional Nepalese dress sells bangles undue support India refugee Nepal concerned Basnet For align Gorkhaland movement would facilitate Bhutanese government propaganda Our argument isthatweareBhutanese sowedon twanttheRoyalGovernmen ofBhutan think movement spearheaded illegal immigrants Nepal Indian states Nepal government officials links Bhutanese opposition parties plans create greater Nepal region Nepal ceremonial Nepal Home Ministry spokesman Regmi India defeated Pakistan China Do think Nepal going fight India That implied greater Nepal Perhaps direct statement greater Nepal issue recently retired Bhutanese government official generally refused comment because remains loyal But raised issue Bhutan Nepali movement official looked That complete bullshit PALACE POLITICS Some people suggest Bhutan nation people policy palace politics regional threats Generally speaking there major groups vying power within ruling class Wangchuk traditional royal familythe Dorji family royal family Buddhist monastics Although often related blood marriage these groups compete control political economic resources Bhutan The Dorjis traditionally advisers Wangchuk kings Based Kalimpong present West Bengal acted Bhutan liaisons British Their economic always southern Bhutan associated opening southern hills Nepalese labor Their fortunes began Jigme Palden Dorji Prime Minister assassinated There prime minister Bhutan present As Dorji family influence Thimpu royal family relatives King wives expanded their political economic Palace Their Majesties Queens sisters married Since owerful emerge ruling oligarchy members royal family These include Foreign Minister Dowa Tshering Home Minister Dago Tshering Army Lt General Gongloen Lam Dorji Social Minister Tashi Topgyal The Joint Secretary Planning Commission Queens elder brother Their youngest brother final determining Bhutanese citizenship The King father retail merchant benefitted financially marriage according D N S Dhakal former economic adviser Bhutanese Ministry Trade Industry currently General Secretary opposition BNDP The Gedu Plywood Project built 1980s Nu million million grants UNDP loans Kuwait International Development Fund Yab Ugen Dorji father King discount percent value wrote Dhakal August issue Himal magazine Dhakal detailed King father contract import business owned operated until Bhutan Ministry Finance although offered royalties government other bidders Yab Ugen Dorji recently contract young forest plantations southern slopes Siwalik hills Indian border Overall writes Dhakal Yab Ugen Dorji family Singye Enterprises Dhendup Enterprises Bhutan Engineering Corporation Lakhi Cement Project Bhutan Tourism Corporation The Yab economic competition Dorji significant explaining problems south writes Dhakal It Dorjis helped southern Bhutan inviting Nepali speaking settlers The Yab followers brief settlers expelling would weaken their Dorji competition Economic Blueprint South Asian Dragon D N S Dhakal Himal Jul Aug Despite these suggestions Bhutan economy Lhotshampas hostagetpalace politics newroyalfamily maybemotivatedbymorethanmoney For royal family desire money which enough ensure continuation monarchy Queens children BNDP president Basnet They basically balance Bhutan demographics because sooner later democratic changes They ensure democratic reforms unduly position ThemostromantictheoryaboutwhyKingWangchukhasallowedtheexpulsion Lhotshampa revolves around marriage sisters sired handful children before marriage This highly unusual nuptial arrangement conservative Bhutanese society leadingsome tosuggest KingWangchukwas forced tomakeadeal traditional Buddhist monastic leaders exchange their blessings Royal marria The institution monarchy always suffered sense insecurity Basnet Two Shabdrung murdered third evacuated India intelligence services To matters worse Buddhist traditionalists along uncomfortable Nepalese Hindu factor southern Bhutan By falling these marriages added The King forced monastic institutions enter southern Bhutanese TOWARD A DURABLE SOLUTION REPATRIATION OR RESETTLEMENT No country frustrated stalled negotiations Bhutan crisis Nepal which refugees camps eastern border another scattered throughout Nepal These refugees creating tremendous problems Regmi They cutting trees They metric firewood The camps foster prostitution gambling trafficking They leisure unsocial activities because UNHCR providing shelter Already there camps eastern Nepal another spring absorb influx additional refugees The World Food Program WFP distributed million worth foodstuffs refugees UNHCR spent million Bhutanese refugees allocated additional million which officials adequate light steady arrivals Officials United Nations agencies question international community continue finance refugees camps particularly there negotiations toward reaching durable solution problem Local integration question Jock Baker Head Field Office UNHCR Nepal eastern Jhapa district But question attempt maintain people camps indefinitely As refugees grows however Bhutan seems stiffen intransigence negotiating Nepal In January visit Delhi King Wangchuk reporters intention allowing Bhutanese settle Bhutan He accused Nepal making known intentions issue adding There tremendous contradictions their position The King regretted refugee camps established eastern Nepal On welcome refugees other complain about their presence Why contradiction King Wangchuk warned Nepal against pushing everybody claims Nepal government officials refugees metric firewood daily Bhutanese despite majority Bhutanese adding threatened reduce Bhutan satellite Nepal The King quoted saying refugees communis their return would create first history communist lobby The issue resolved bilateral level King We first Nepal wants Nepal government officials tried repeatedly negotiate Bhutanese government rebuffed At party meeting Nepal political leaders agreed adopt three stage strategy Bhutan First would attempt quiet diplomacy Bhutanese government If failed Nepal would request India assistance Finally failed Nepal would internationalize issue SAARC failed expectations Bhutan King Kamalijeet Rattan The Economic Times January We attempts bilaterally Bhutan Regmi We their Foreign Minister Jakarta Prime Minister Thimpu their Foreign Minister We showed honest desire resolv problem Bhutan there perceptual change Bhutan policy evasion Regmi added solution possible through concerted efforts friendly governments create atmosphere conducive peaceful return refugees their country dignity honor But Regmi solution requires direct involvement India Without India nothing resolved And Nepal India tacit approval before issue before United Nations If repatriation seems remote present about option resettling refugees permanently Nepal After refugees share common language religion customs local Nepal people No Regmi It would create major difficulties Nepal We enough people accept Bhutanese The sentiment local people quite negative The nternational community understand Nepal newly democratic nation added We trying manage people raise poverty This situation creates tremendous instability within Nepal threatens democracy Far accepting refugees their citizens Nepal insisted refugee camps located Jhapa district Bhutanese remain clustered border The government pressing camps enclosed barbed effort refugees moving freely within Nepal To UNHCR opposed proposals fence refugees inside camps Not surprisingly refugee leaders resist attempts resettle permanently Nepal If India wants Nepal gives suppose could happen Basnet But doesn movement We agree settle Our country Bhutan Ultimately refugees cided Nepal Bhutan dominant country South Asia It comes India Baker India wants forced something perhaps refugees allowed return Bhutan INDIA BUYING TIME There silence emanating India Bhutan issue In visit Kathmandu October India Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao insisted crisis resolved laterally through Nepal Bhutan But Nepal government officials negotiations forward unless India getsinvolved Ifwearetosolvetheprobleminbothournationalinterests thenwewillneed India support Regmi After foreign policy Bhutan conducted India Bhutan India signed Treaty Friendship under which Bhutan ceded India right conduct foreign policy India trains Bhutan posts Indian Army troops Bhutan northern border China In exchange India permits Bhutan export products Indian territory important concession light Bhutan locked position Despite these treaty obligations Bhutan accusation refugees northeast India New Delhi taken public stance refugee crisis But India allow United Nations provide refugees territory which effectively pushes poorest refugees Nepal Nor India forced Bhutan negotiate Nepal regarding repatriation refugees There myriad reasons India might avoid involvement Bhutan crisis First among these India besieged internal problems sectarian rioting Ayodhya Bombay separatist movements Kashmir Punjab various ethnic nationalist movements Assam Moreover New Delhi think having pliable monarch throne Bhutan preferable dealing messy multi party democratic government Thimpu India economic incentives keeping quiet Bhutan Foremost among these India electric power generation Bhutan tremendous potential generating hydro electric power Bhutan latest Five Year Plan signed dominated Indian built power industrial projects Specifically India agreed provide financing megawatt Kurichu Hydroelectric Project megawatt Bhunakha Reservoir Project megawatt Tangsibji Hydroelectric Project enormous megawatt downstream Chukha II Chukha II integrated power generation system It finance construction Nanglam Cement Plant By signing these agreements India Bhutan seems reversing previous policy attempting diversify sources foreign investment technology confining itself heavy reliance India Indeed under Bhutan latest Five Year Plan India doubles contribution Bhutan providing million million total budget India continue finance train Bhutanese military million annually The Indian Border Roads Task Force spend another million maintain Bhutan major highways King Wangchuk seems going India politically In January visit Delhi primarily express country friendship solidarity support India Dhakal Recently expelled refugees Bhutan traveling through India their Nepal India closest friend Bhutan would never found wanting friendship towards India during difficult times King He added Ayodhya dispute internal problem India should raised SAARC summit He regretted criticism unpleasant developments neighboring region following Ayodhya riots The article which King remarks appeared added Though King Pakistan Bangladesh clearly hinting countries Basnet other former Bhutan government officials India stance could price Thimpu Indian silence southern Bhutan crisis The King ruling oligarchy desperate acting strongly India Basnet But worked King years Throughout strongly Indian Early 1980s example King National Assembly arouse popular support against India effort Indian border crews Also advocated policy diversification annoyance Delhi Now these projects carried totally Indian laborers several thousand Indians Bhutan added Basnet These industrial projects serious The Economic Times implications Bhutan environment culture It entirely against government Bhutan Shangri Concerns about environmental impact Bhutan industrialization plans echoed Bhutanese National Assembly where peoples representatives warned Chukha Hydel Dam proposed construction between Bunakha Chena Tshen Pachu Wangchu river posed serious villages sides river The smoke Bhutan Calcium Carbide factory affecting nearby villages afforestation program Department Forest Geley affecting pasture general public The King dismissed these concerns assurance feasibility studies consultations would conducted proposed projects Young Bhutanese alongside bamboo shacks Baldungi refugee eastern Nepal Proceedings National Assembly Bhutan It should noted World Bank report estimates Bhutan timber extraction times ecologically sustainable limit million cubic meters annum See Dhakal THE MISSING LINK HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO BHUTAN With India silent Nepal unable compel Bhutan address refugee issue may_require pressure international community bring parties together Although Bhutanese refugees provided parallel censure Bhutan government policies against ethnic Nepalese initiated international donor nations Despite reported human rights abuses Bhutan offered international financial assistance absorb It posed problem donors Bhutanese government spokesman Rabgye In round table donors public assistance groups there large increase assistance The Netherlands Britain Australia Switzerland Germany Canad development volunteers active Bhutan Private international organizations working Bhutan include Save Children U S U K Helvetas Switzerland Bilateral development agencies DANIDA Denmark GTZ Germany FINNIDA Finland The World Bank Asian Development Bank started programs Bhutan United Nations Development Program sponsors projects there Major projects completed years include Chukha power project Penden Cement Plant Gedu Plywood Project Bhutan Calcium Carbide Project Bhutan Particle Board Project Apart Chukha Penden which built Indian funds other projects bilateral international sources Nor there apparent international Bhutan received highest package Friendly countries other India pledged million U N organizations promised million Bhutan Five Year Development Fortunately donor government officials Austria Denmark Japan rejected proposal years Bhutanese government create kilometer environmental greenbelt forest along Bhutan southern border The Bhutan government tried environmental conservation program In creating greenbelt would allowed Bhutanese government Lhotshampas international expense It clear international community continues money Bhutan despite documentary evidence Amnesty International SAARC Jurists Commission report others there severe human rights violations taking place there Dixit Ibid Proceedings National Assembly Bhutan You development agencies great satisfaction working Bhutan because manageable small country small bureaucracy virtually corruption fairly efficient guess satisfaction Rabgye So difficulty getting assistance In becoming rather choosy about accepting In unusually assistance pledged Bhutan amounting about capita using official population figure suggests Bhutan Western donors degree leverage Bhutanese government ignoring principle linking development human rights Should international donors withdraw threaten financial human rights would compel Bhutan either change policies heavily India economic support SELF FULFILLING PROPHECIES The irony Bhutanese political crisis policies adopted King WangchukarecreatingtheVerydangerstheKingsayshewantstoavoid Priortothemid 1980s example there almost political agitation Bhutan Today there opposition political parties widespread calls multi party democracy Prior nation people policy Bhutan enjoyed ethnic harmony among diverse peoples Today there widespread distrust animosity between Drukpa Lhotshampa Likewise potential threat greater Nepal movements Sikkim Darjeeling increased rather diminished expulsion ethnic Nepalese Although there available evidence Bhutanese opposition movement linked Nepalese forces continued refusal Bhutan government acknowledge responsibility toward refugees undoubtedly elements opposition movement toward greater extremism Thimpu seems traded control environment economy India silence refugee issue Bhutan presents itself model developing world claiming economic development istine environment Now adopted rapid industrialization policy seemingly satisfy India demands construction materials cement timber hydroelectric power generation By doing Bhutan control natural resource spoil environment Bhutan disproportionate reliance India assistance technology labor markets gives New Delhi extraordinary political leverage Indeed there economic Sikkimization Bhutan historical parallel worries Bhutan rulers But there lessons learned Sikkim experience One political oppression quell popular democratic movements In Sikkim ruling Chogyal attempted throne force By doing popular support toppled subjects backed India King Wangchuk would better follow father King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ruled Bhutan The King introduced major political reforms creation national assembly abolition serfdom beginning development programs In return former Bhutanese revered subjects Drukpa Lhotshampa alike Given loyalty there threat Bhutan unique identity monarchy It King Wangchuk reverse policy reliance India human rights abuses He embrace instead Bhutan future protected promoting diversity economic ethnic The King still enormous reserves goodwill among subjects including majority those exile He terms India He widely admired International Community The thing stopping acknowledging aspirations diverse subjects negotiating solution refugee crisis seems historian Barbara Tuchman describes The March Folly ooden headedness The overall responsibility power govern reasonably possible interest state citizens A process informed information judgement resist insidious spell wooden headedness If enough perceive given policy harming rather serving interest confident enough acknowledge enough reverse summit government Good advice seems King Wangchuk become Bhutan emperor The March Folly From Troy Vietnam Barbara W Tuchman Alfred A Knopf Inc NewYork Photographs Thomas Harrington Jr Institute CurrentWoddAffairs 4WestWheelock street Hanover NH 03755 Received Hanover March U S A