All but a few hundred of the refugees from Bhutan are Lhotsampa, Bhutanese Hindus of Nepali origin who lived in the southern plains of Bhutan. Most fled to Nepal and India between late 1990 and 1992 to escape what refugee leaders called an "ethnic cleansing" campaign by the Bhutanese authorities. Bhutan, an isolated Himalayan kingdom, is ruled by Buddhist Drupkas who live mostly in the country's mountainous north. The Drupka historically excluded the Lhotsampa from the country's political and economic mainstream.

Asian Human Rights Commission - January, 2000

The most disturbing scene was the young and beautiful children. You could see so many messages written in their faces. They were beautiful and innocent faces. There was anxiety, despair written on those faces. You could see sincerity at the same time you could see that they were not happy faces. They smiled at me out of courtesy and hospitality. The only thing they could give me was their beautiful smile. Most of these children were born in the camps. etc.

Following the agreement to categorise the refugees into different groups, the two governments were to begin a joint verification of the refugees in order to determine who could return to Bhutan. However, this joint verification has not taken place. The Bhutanese authorities have cited the frequent changes in government in Nepal as an impediment in this regard. The Nepalese authorities refute this suggestion and claim that there is a consensus among political parties in Nepal on this question, and they accuse the Bhutanese of bad faith in the bilateral discussion process. UNHCR has repeatedly urged both governments to address the refugee problem expeditiously, and has offered to assist in the implementation of an agreement on repatriation. etc..