ENVOY ON REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT: FEAR MUST NOT AFFECT CHOICES

June 15, 2007                                                         

U.S. Ambassador James F. Moriarty met today with Bhutanese refugee leaders and emphasized to them that it is essential that refugees have the freedom to make well-informed, independent decisions regarding their future without fear of threats or intimidation.  He discussed details of the American program, beginning this year that offers to resettle at least 60,000 Bhutanese refugees in America over the next four-five years.  

During the discussion, Ambassador Moriarty stated that:

• The Core Group of donor governments’ decision to offer third-country resettlement was based solely on our humanitarian concern for the well-being of the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal.  The resettlement offer was not made for political reasons.

• The U.S. supports the right of eligible refugees to repatriate to Bhutan and will continue to urge the Royal Government of Bhutan to fulfill its obligations in this regard.

• Third-country resettlement does not preclude the right of refugees to return to Bhutan should conditions there permit return at a later date.

Finally, the Ambassador called on all refugees to reject violence and respect each other’s right to choose their own future.  “Violence will have a negative and lasting effect on the refugee community and could harm the refugees’ future opportunities for repatriation to Bhutan," Ambassador Moriarty told the refugee leaders.