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CONTENTS
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15th
Ministerial Joint Committee Meeting (MJC),
Thimphu Bhutan October 20-23, 2003,
Joint Press Release
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15th MJC
meeting agree on a number of issues, Kuensel
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14th Nepal Bhutan
Ministerial Joint Committee (MJC), Kathmandu, Nepal May 19-22,
2003 Joint Press Release
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Agreed Position on Four Categories Joint Press Release
( 14th MJC meeting)
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13th MJC meeting March 24-26, 2003
Joint Press Release
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12th MJC meeting February 5-7, 2003
Joint Press Release
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Joint Verification
Team
1. Fifteenth
Ministerial Joint Committee Meeting, Thimphu
Bhutan,
October 20-23, 2003
Joint Press Release
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The Ministerial
Joint Committee (MJC) of the Royal Government of Bhutan and His
Majesty's Government of Nepal held its fifteenth meeting in
Thimphu from 20-23 October 2003.
-
The Nepalese
delegation was led by H.E. Dr. Bhekh B. Thapa,
Ambassador-at-large, His Majesty's Government of Nepal. Mr. Madhu
Raman Acharya, Foreign Secretary, and senior officials comprised
the other members of the Nepalese delegation.
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The Bhutanese
delegation was led by H.E. Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Minister for
Foreign Affairs. Ms. Neten Zangmo, Foreign Secretary and senior
officials comprised the other members of the Bhutanese delegation.
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The leader of
the Nepalese delegation expressed appreciation for the warm
welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation by the Royal
Government of Bhutan.
-
The Nepalese
delegation called on H.E. Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, Prime Minister
of Bhutan on 22 October 2003.
-
The two leaders
expressed their firm resolve and commitment to arrive at a lasting
solution to the issue of the people in the camps in Nepal through
the bilateral process.
-
The two leaders
commended the work done by their predecessors in developing the
principles and procedures for arriving at a just and lasting
solution. They also commended the very difficult work undertaken
by the Joint Verification Team (JVT).
-
The MJC
considered the appeals against their categorization submitted by
the people of Khudunabari and finalized the categorization
outcome. It was agreed that the appeals submitted by people in
Category 3 will be reviewed by the JVT by the end of January 2004.
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The two leaders
noted the concerns about the treatment of family members in
Category 4 - Bhutanese who have committed criminal acts. In this
regard, it was agreed that the innocent family members of persons
in Category 4 who do not have charges against them will not be
prosecuted upon return to Bhutan.
-
It was agreed
that people in Category 1, Category 2 and Category 4 who
voluntarily apply to return to Bhutan will be repatriated as per
the harmonized position on these categories. Likewise, His
Majesty's Government of Nepal will deal with people in Category 2
who do not wish to return to Bhutan as per clause 2 (d) of Annex-I
of the Agreed Minutes of the 12th MJC. The terms and
procedures for repatriation/reapplication/application for Bhutan
and Nepal will be as prescribed by the two countries as per their
respective laws, which will be mutually respected.
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The MJC agreed
on a schedule for implementing the outcome. In this regard, the
JVT will meet in Damak, Jhapa in the last week of November 2003.
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It was agreed
that the MJC will be briefed on the returnees after their return
to Bhutan.
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The MJC also
selected Sanischare as the next camp for verification and directed
the JVT to explore ways and means of expediting the verification
process in the remaining camps.
-
The two leaders
exchanged views on several areas of mutual interest to further
promote and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation between
the two countries. They noted with satisfaction the growing
interactions between their two countries including those between
the private sectors.
-
They expressed
mutual satisfaction with the progress achieved during the
fifteenth MJC, which was held in a very cordial and friendly
atmosphere.
Thimphu, 22 October
2003
Source:
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, HMG Nepal
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2. 15th
MJC meeting agree on a number of issues
Kuensel Oct 23, 2003
 The
15th ministerial joint committee (MJC) meeting between Nepal and
Bhutan on the refugee issue concluded yesterday in Thimphu. Described
as a ‘historic’ and major breakthrough, the meeting ended on a happy
note with both the sides agreeing on a number of issues.
It was agreed that the appeals
submitted by the people in Category 3 would be reviewed by the joint
verification team (JVT) by the end of January 2004. People falling
under Category 3 are non-Bhutanese who are claiming to be Bhutanese
It was also agreed that people falling under category 4 (people who
have committed crimes against the people and country of Bhutan)
would be allowed to return and given a chance to prove their
innocence in a court of law. Their family members will not be
prosecuted on their return to Bhutan.
It was also agreed that people in
category one (people who claim they were forcefully evicted from the
country), two (people who emigrated on their own free will), and
four who have applied to return to Bhutan will be repatriated as
‘per the harmonized position on these categories.’ Those people in
Category 2 who do not want to return to Bhutan will be allowed to
apply for the Nepali citizenship.
The terms and procedures for
repatriation, reapplication and application for Bhutan and Nepal
will be as prescribed by laws of the two countries.
The 15th MJC has agreed to implement
the outcome of the meeting with the JVT deciding to meet in Damak,
Jhapa, in the last week of November this year. The MJC
has also selected Sanischare as the next camp for verification and
directed the JVT to explore ways and means of expediting the
verification process in the remaining camps.
Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said that the
meeting came to a fruitful conclusion and that it was a major step
forward for both the countries. The Nepalese foreign minister
said that the MJC meeting was the ‘end of talk and the beginning of
action.’
3.
Fourteenth Nepal Bhutan Ministerial Joint
Committee (MJC), Kathmandu May 19-22, 2003
Joint Press Release
-
The Ministerial Joint Committee (MJC)
of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal and the Royal Government of
Bhutan held its Fourteenth meeting in Kathmandu from May 19 to 22,
2003
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His Excellency Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan led the Bhutanese delegation
that included His Excellency Dasho Ugyen Tshering Foreign Secretary,
Dasho (Dr.) Sonam Tenzin, Director General, Ministry of Home
Affiairs, Mr Daw Penjo, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and
other senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
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Hon. Mr. Nerandra Bikram Shah Minister
of Foreign Affairs, led the Nepalese delegation that included Mr.
Madhu Raman Acharya, Foreign Secretary, Mr. Madan Kumar Bhattarai,
Joint Secretary, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sushil Jung
Bahadhur Rana, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and other
senior officials of His Majesty’s Government Nepal.
-
His Majesty the King of Nepal granted
audience to the leader of the Bhutanese delegation His Excellency
Lyonopo Jigmi Y. Thinely on May 21, 2003 at the Narayanhity Royal
Palace. The Bhutanese delegation also called on the Rt. Honourable
Lokendra Bahadhur Chand, Prime Minister of Nepal, on May 21, 2003 at
the Prime Minister’s Office.
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The MJC adopted the report of the work
of the JVT and considered and categorized the unresolved cases. The
Categorization was carried out as per the Terms of Reference and
guidelines agreed upon during the 10th, 12th &
13th MJCs and the harmonized positions achieved during
the 12th MJC (Annex-I). The two Ministers commended the
efforts of the JVT in carrying out important responsibilities.
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The MJC directed the JVT to undertake
the Verification and Categorization of the absentees of the
Khudunabari Camp within two weeks. Following this, the JVT is to
officially release and make public the results of the completed
categories at exercise on Khudunabari Camp.
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It was agreed that the terms,
procedures and facilities regarding voluntary
repatriation/reapplication and similar information for those seeking
to remain in Nepal would be made known to the camp residents
simultaneously by the JVT.
-
The implementation schedule on the
outcome of Categorization was also agreed upon. The schedule
provides the people to appeal against Categorization within fifteen
days after the release of Categorization results. The appeals will
be considered only upon the presentation of new material evidence or
determination of clear error in this process.
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The two Ministers expressed their firm
resolve to find a lasting solution to the issue of the people of the
camps in Nepal through bilateral discussions.
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The fifteen MJC meeting would be held
in Thimphu from August 11 to 14, 2003.
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The Two Ministers expressed their
gratitude to previous leaders of the MJC from Nepal and Bhutan for
their contribution towards the progress that has been achieved so
far.
-
The two Ministers exchanged views on
several areas of mutual interest to further promote and strengthen
friendly relations and cooperation between two countries and
expressed satisfaction that cooperation between private sectors
specially in the fields of trade and tourism was growing
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They expressed mutual satisfaction
with the progress achieved during the 14th MJC which was
held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere.
-
H.E. the Foreign Minister of Bhutan
expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended
to his delegation by His Majesty’s Government of Nepal. He also
extended a cordial invitation to Hon. Narendra Bikram Shah, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, to visit Bhutan to attend the
Fifteenth MJC in August. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.
May 21, 2003
Kathmandu.
Source: Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, HMG Nepal
Annex-I
4.
AGREED POSITION ON THE FOUR CATEGORIES
1. Category 1: Bonafide Bhutanese,
if have been evicted forcefully
The Royal Government of Bhutan will
take full responsibility for any Bhutanese found to have been
forcefully evicted from Bhutan. People under this category shall be
repatriated to Bhutan.
2. Category 2: Bhutanese who
emigrated
a. Those who have emigrated
shall be dealt with in accordance with the Citizenship and
Immigration Laws of the two countries.
b. If any Bhutanese who has
emigrated is found to have been forcefully made to leave the
country, such persons will fall under Category 1 (forcefully
evicted) and shall be repatriated to Bhutan.
c. In a liberal interpretation
of the Bhutanese Citizenship and Immigration Laws, people falling
under this category and desiring to return, will be given the
option to re-apply for citizenship.
d. Likewise, people under this
category, who do not wish to return to Bhutan, will be given the
option to apply for Nepalese citizenship in accordance with laws of
the Kingdom of Nepal.
3. Category 3: Non-Bhutanese People
Those persons found to be citizens of
countries other than Bhutan and found to have come from other
countries must return to their respective countries.
4. Bhutanese, who have committed
criminal acts
Repatriation of people under this
category shall be in keeping with the laws of the two countries.
These people will have full opportunity to prove their innocence in
the court of law in Bhutan.
Source: Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, HMG Nepal
AGREED POSITION ON THE FOUR
CATEGORIES ( KUENSEL May 24, 2003)
Category 1: Bonafide Bhutanese, if
(they) have been evicted forcefully
The Royal Government of Bhutan will
take full responsibility for any Bhutanese found to have been
forcefully evicted from Bhutan. People under this category shall be
repatriated to Bhutan.
2. Category 2: Bhutanese who
emigrated
a. Those who have emigrated
shall be dealt with in accordance with the Citizenship and
Immigration Laws of the two countries.
b. If any Bhutanese who has
emigrated is found to have been forcefully made to leave the
country, such persons will fall under category 1 (forcefully
evicted) and shall be repatriated to Bhutan.
c. In a liberal interpretation
of the Bhutanese Citizenship and Immigration Laws, people falling
under this category and desiring to return, will be given the option
to re-apply for citizenship.
d. Likewise, people under this
category, who do not wish to return to Bhutan, will be given the
option to apply for Nepalese citizenship in accordance with the laws
of the Kingdom of Nepal.
3. Category 3: Non-Bhutanese People
Those persons found to be citizens of
countries other than Bhutan and found to have come from other
countries must return to their respective countries.
4. Bhutanese, who have committed
criminal acts
Repatriation of people under this category shall be in keeping with
the laws of the two countries. Those people will have full
opportunity to prove their innocence in the court of law in Bhutan.
Source:
Kuensel May 24, 2003
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