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Round Table Meeting for Bhutan
Thimphu, 7-8 November 2000
Statement by the Kingdom of Denmark
Your Excellencies, Madame Co-chairman, distinguished delegates
First of all I would like to express my appreciation of the great hospitality of the
Royal Government of Bhutan and the excellent arrangements made for the Round
Table Meeting. The Meeting provides an excellent opportunity for a policy dialogue
between the Royal Government of Bhutan and its development partners and for
review of Bhutan’s development strategies. Through open and constructive
discussions, we can together address important challenges facing your
country and
the role of development partners in tackling these challenges.
Denmark believes that there are five main challenges facing Bhutan.
First, the presence in South Eastern Bhutan of armed Bodo and ULFA groups from
Assam. This is probably the most serious problem facing Bhutan. We are aware that a
peaceful solution is His Majesty’s and the Government top priority, but that Bhutan
has not ruled out a military intervention.. We know that the Government has well
understood the very serious implication a military intervention may have for Bhutan.
We also know that His Majesty has entered into an open and frank discussion with
the people of Bhutan on this important issue. We urge the Government continue the
dialogue with all concerned parties to find a peaceful solution to this problem, if at all
possible.
Second, the people in the refugee camps in Nepal Denmark welcomes the initiatives
taken by Bhutan as well as Nepal in the past two years. We also welcome the initiative
taken by UNHCR and urge Bhutan to positively consider the UNHCR
proposal for verification. When an agreement - hopefully soon- has been reached on field
verification, Bhutan and Nepal should continue their efforts on harmonisation of
positions regarding the four categories. In this connection I would like to reconfirm
Denmark’s offer of humanitarian assistance to relieve the refugee problem once the
parties have reached a negotiated settlement.
Third, the challenges of good governance, democratisation and respect for human
rights.
Bhutan has seen good progress in these areas in recent years. In particular, we have
noted the significant steps taken towards the devolution of power initiated by His
Majesty the King in 1993. We also note with satisfaction the positive developments in
the judiciary. At the same time, this is a process that should be taken further towards
introduction of modern democracy in Bhutan, with the legislative, the executive and
judiciary systems each playing their proper role. We are convinced that the coming
years will see further progress in these areas. In this connection, Denmark would like
to urge Bhutan to accede to the main international human rights instruments in order
to strengthen Bhutan as a full member of the international community.
The fourth challenge has to do with the difficult and sensitive issue of minorities. I
trust that the Royal Government of Bhutan will appreciate that I make these
comments as a true friend of Bhutan - after all a true friend sometimes tells you what
you might not want to hear.
There is a growing perception among Bhutanese of Nepalese decent — so-called
Lhotshampas - that they are treated as second-class citizens. We hear complaints that
Lhotshampas were retrenched from government service only because they were
relatives of so-called Ngolops or anti-nationals. There are also complaints that in
recent years young Lhotshampas are not being issued citizenship ID card, that others
are denied education, government employment or trade licenses because of the lack
of security-clearance. Several other instances of alleged discrimination are being
mentioned. This gives rise to concern.
Please note that I have referred to perceptions and complaints. I would be happy if
the Government could confirm that these are indeed only perceptions, not facts.
Bhutan is a multi-ethnic society. It is important that the National Assembly and the
Government eliminate discriminatory laws and practices, if any, so that all permanent
residents of Bhutan can be fully integrated — also psychologically - into Bhutanese
society. If this does not happen, there is a real danger of Bhutan one-day being torn
apart. We know that these are difficult issues. In my own country we struggle to
integrate the growing number of immigrants from other ethnic groups into our
society.
Buddhism plays an important role in Bhutanese society. One of the cornerstones of
Buddhism is compassion. Compassion and tolerance — in words as well as in practice
- should be the guiding star in dealing with minorities. Not only in Bhutan, but in all
societies and countries.
Challenge no. five concerns Bhutan becoming a sustainable, independent economy.
Bhutan has achieved impressive results in the past 25 years and the welfare of most
Bhutanese people has improved dramatically. However, the dependence of foreign
assistance continues to be very high and needs to be reduced. Taking into account the
very low level of taxation in Bhutan, a significant increase in revenues from higher
personal taxes and from charges for electricity, water, sanitation and other public
services could diminish dependency on foreign assistance and ensure a more equal
distribution in society of the wealth generated from Bhutan’s continued period of
economic growth. Redistribution of wealth can be a dynamic element in the
development process, as a means towards growth with equity.
In this connection, Denmark regrets the continued delay in the introduction of
Personal Income Tax, including tax on incomes from leasing out of houses. If the
National Assembly and the Government do not very soon take steps in this area it
may be difficult to justify the continuation of the high level of Danish assistance to
Bhutan. It becomes a political problem for us.
Denmark has increased the volume of its assistance to Bhutan in recent years and last
year our disbursements exceeded USD 14 million. Denmark has been a partner
of
Bhutan in the past. So it is at present. And so it will be in future.
Finally I would like to invite the Government together with the UNDP and other
partners to seek ways to strengthen aid co-ordination. At the policy level more regular
Round Table Meetings with shorter intervals would seem like a good idea. Also at the
local level more should be done to bring about a transparent and efficient co-ordination of efforts, ideally with the Government in the leading role.
Thank you
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