It is not easy surviving for 28 years as a refugee, and it gets tougher not knowing how much longer such a predicament will continue. Such is the mental anguish Bhutanese refugees have to go through, awaiting the future in the camps in Jhapa (‘A longing to return home, in safety and dignity’). The number of Bhutanese refugees being resettled in third countries should not make any difference for the remaining; the world should take the patience of the refugees as a sign of love for their country of origin and their wait for justice. This problem should be resolved once and for all.

The only accepted and durable solution is repatriation. It is high time that the Bhutan Government (as guardian), Nepal Government (as host country), UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other international agencies that speak of human rights come together to create a conducive environment for the Bhutanese refugees to return to their country of origin with dignity and honour.

Bhutan, being a Buddhist country, where peace and harmony are thought to prevail, should step up to resolve the problem and should not hesitate to negotiate directly with the refugee representatives. Justice delayed is justice denied.

DB Subba, Bhutanese Refugee Camp, Damak, Jhapa.