Bhutanese Refugee Issue: Harka Sampang Draws Government Attention in Parliament

Beldangi, Damak — Honorable Harka Sampang has drawn the government’s attention in Parliament over the long-standing issues faced by Bhutanese refugees. He raised the concerns based on a memorandum submitted from the Beldangi refugee camp, presenting the key demands of the refugee community in the House.

According to the memorandum and relevant committee suggestions, three main long-term solutions have been proposed to address the refugee issue. These include repatriation to Bhutan, local integration in Nepal with the provision of citizenship, and family reunification through third-country resettlement.

While speaking in Parliament, Harka Sampang highlighted the demand of Bhutanese refugees for ensuring the opportunity of repatriation to their homeland. He also emphasized the need to open pathways for family reunification, as many families were separated due to third-country resettlement programs.

According to the refugee community, a large number of families have been resettled in countries such as the United States and Australia under third-country resettlement programs, leaving many families separated for years.

The Bhutanese refugee issue remains one of South Asia’s long-standing displacement challenges, with stakeholders noting that a comprehensive and lasting solution is still required.