Peace Rally in Beldangi Marks International Human Rights Day; Bhutanese Refugees Renew Call for Safe and Dignified Repatriation
On December 10, 2025, Bhutanese refugees residing in Beldangi Camp observed International Human Rights Day with a peaceful rally that culminated at the SMC Beldangi office. The event highlighted the community’s decades-long struggle for justice and the right to return to Bhutan with dignity.
Banner and Message
The rally was held under the banner: “Appeal to all National and International Communities to Help us for Safe and Dignified Repatriation to our Homeland Bhutan.” Camp residents marched together holding placards and conveying their demand for a fair and humane solution to their displacement.
Speeches and Key Remarks
Former secretary D.B. Subba addressed attendees and emphasized the fundamental importance of human rights, urging authorities and international actors to prioritize a durable solution for the refugees. He highlighted that the right to return home must be recognized and protected.
Viren Magar, from SMC, spoke about the everyday hardships faced by the refugee community — limited livelihood options, restricted mobility, and challenges in accessing services. He appealed for sustainable livelihood support and targeted assistance to improve living conditions.
The former president of the Human Rights Organization of Nepal (HURON), Jhapa, also spoke at the event, underlining that the Bhutanese refugee situation remains a pressing human rights concern. He called for urgent, compassionate international engagement to ensure a safe and dignified repatriation process.
Community Response
Throughout the rally, refugees and supporters stressed non-violence and dignity in their approach. The event reiterated the community’s hope that peaceful advocacy and international solidarity will lead to concrete progress toward a just solution.
Why It Matters
International Human Rights Day draws global attention to rights that should be guaranteed to all people. For the residents of Beldangi Camp, the day serves as a reminder that their prolonged displacement is not only a political issue but a human-rights crisis that affects generations.
The rally’s main message is simple: the refugees seek a safe, dignified, and voluntary return to their homeland — a process that requires national will and international support.