Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 5

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Southern Bhutanese Refugees.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

30 Mr. E. Byrne asked the asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question 59 of 2 March 1995, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that negotiations between Bhutan and Nepal regarding southern Bhutanese refugees have broken down; whether his attention has been further drawn to the concerns of Amnesty International in relation to the refugees; whether his attention has further been drawn to the concerns regarding the human rights situation within Bhutan following enactment of the National Security Act, 1992; in view of the breakdown of talks, the action, if any, the Irish Government will take, through the European Union, the United Nations or unilaterally to ensure that the Bhutanese Government encourages and accepts repatriation and guarantees the safety of its people who left Bhutan and fled to refugee camps in Nepal due to Government actions under the Security Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [

Mr. Spring

My information is that the negotiations between Bhutan and Nepal concerning the southern Bhutanese refugees are continuing. I am aware that the meeting, which took place in Katmandu from 27 February to 2 March 1995, between Ministers from Bhutan and Nepal, discussed the situation of the refugees but showed no signs of progress. However, both sides agreed that the next meeting will take place during the month of April.

I am conscious of the reports by Amnesty International on the refugees' situation. I am aware that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the UN Commission on Human Rights has visited Bhutan and expressed concerns about the National Security Act, 1992, to the authorities there. It is worth noting that the Government of Bhutan agreed to consider the proposals made to it by the UN Working Group which has welcomed that reaction. Although the talks between the Governments of Bhutan and Nepal have not broken down, I am aware how reticent the Government of Bhutan is about accepting the return of most of the refugees. The Irish Government, together with its partners in the European Union, will continue to follow those negotiations closely.