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Statement Made
The Chairperson,
UN HUMAN RIGHTS SUB-COMMISSION
50TH SESSION ON AUGUST 19,
1998 AT 3:30 IM GENEVA
The Sub-Commission has been aware of the plight
of the approximately 90,000 individuals of Nepali ethnicity, the majority of
whom assert they had previously lived in Bhutan but who have been residing m
UNHCR-administered camps in eastern Nepal for as long as seven years as
well as others who are living outside the camps in and India. The Sub-Commission
is also aware that the actual status and origin of many of these people
is the subject of dispute should be sorted out by an appropriate verification
procedure. The Sub-Commission expresses its deep concern over the serious human
implications of this situations. The Sub-Commission is particularly concerned
about the ongoing re-settlement program in Southern Bhutan on lands that may
affect lands previously belonging the refugees. It therefore, urges the two
governments concerned to negotiate in good faith towards a peaceful solution
consistent with international human rights standards. The Sub-Commission
encourages the parties concerned to set up an impartial verification process and
to make more effective and urgent efforts to negotiate return of the verified
Bhutanese refugees, so that they can leave the camps voluntarily and
return home in condition of safety and dignity In these regards, the
Sub-Commission suggests that the governments involved avail themselves of
technical assistance from office of the High commissioner for Human Rights and
from the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, so as to facilitate a
fair and lasting resolution which takes into account representations behalf of
the displaced population and the principle of international law relating to
non-discrimination; the right to return; the right not to be arbitrarily
deprived of one's nationality; the reduction of statelessness; and the
fulfillment of Economic, Social, and Cultural rights.
The Sub-Commission calls on the
parties concerned to negotiate in good faith in the hopes of achieving
peace and protecting human rights. The Sub-Commission hopes by making this
statement to tribute towards the achievement of the protection of human rights
this context by considering this matter at its fifty-first session.
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