Bhutanese nationality law: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 04:06, 4 October 2010
The Bhutanese Citizenship Act was introduced in 1985 by the former ruler of Bhutan, King Wangchuck.[1] The act was implemented as part of the new national policy of driglam namzha, national customs and etiquette, also known as the 'One Nation, One People' act. The various requirements of the Citizenship Act, rooted in the driglam namzha customs, include the ability to be proficient with the national language of Bhutan, Dzongkha, and having never acted against the king or country.[2]
Implementation
The first nationwide census was implemented from 1988. The largest group within the country affected by the enforcement were the Lhotshampa people; this group, a generalized term for those of Nepalese descent, comprised 43% of the total population of Bhutan in 1988 including all illegal aliens. Bhutanese security forces moved through the southern regions of the country, home to most of the Lhotshampas, forcing them from their homes and across the southern borders into Nepal. Because most of the people exiled did not speak Dzongkha, they were classified as illegal aliens, thus able to be removed from the country.[3] In total, between 100,000 and 150,000, 1/6 of Bhutan's population in 1988, ended up in Nepal.
Aftermath
Nepal did not have adequate resources to independently deal with the inflow of refugees resultant of the citizenship act. With help from the United Nations , seven refugee camps were established in Nepal, within which 97% of occupants were Lhotshampas from Bhutan. Conflict arose between the two countries when the government of Bhutan would not admit liability for the situation, claiming that all the people in question were Nepalese citizens and thus for Nepal to handle.
External aid, provided by other governments besides that of Nepal, provides subsistence for the majority of refugees. Furthermore, several countries, such as the United States and Canada, agreed to resettle a percent of the Lhotshampas under asylum status.
Current situation
A 2003 agreement was reached between Bhutan and Nepal, allowing for Bhutanese refugees still remaining in Nepal to return home with full rights of citizenship.[4]
However, this has gone largely unnoticed due to shifts occurring with Bhutan's political makeup. The century's old monarchical country, beginning with King Wangchuck's abdication in 2006 and his son's taking over of the throne, is transitioning to a constitutional monarchy and democratic state.[5] Amidst this ordered chaos, the status of the Lhotshampas has been pushed further back on the political agenda.
Notes
- ^ Baird, Vanessa. "Bhutan's King Turns a Blind Eye." New Internationalist
- ^ "The Bhutan Citizenship Act, 1985". SATP. 1985. www.satp.org
- ^ Giri, Brenda. "Mourning the 15th Anniversary of Crisis." Journal of Asian and African Studies, 2004.
- ^ Spiegel, Paul. "Forgotten Refugees and Other Displaced Populations." Lancet, July 2005.
- ^ cnn.com
References
- A Kingdom Besieged, Jigmi Y. Thinley 1993
- A View from Thimphu, Kinley Dorji
- Baird, Vanessa. "Bhutan's King Turns a Blind Eye." New Internationalist
- "The Bhutan Citizenship Act, 1985". SATP. 1985. www.satp.org
- Giri, Brenda. "Mourning the 15th Anniversary of Crisis." Journal of Asian and African Studies, 2004.
- Spiegel, Paul. "Forgotten Refugees and Other Displaced Populations." Lancet, July 2005.
- cnn.com
- Illegal Immigration in Bhutan
