Mr. Tek Nath Rizal

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  www.globalyouthconnect.org/newstories/add_a_story.html - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 4/17/1999    Last Visited: 9/18/2000  

  After a couple of months, the RGOB abducted Mr Tek Nath Rizal, the Chairman of Peoples Forum for Human Rights-Bhutan, from Nepal with the help of His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMG-Nepal).
  
  On 21st of September 1990, the Bhutan Peoples' Party, Students Union of Bhutan and the Peoples Forum for Human Rights', organized a countrywide peaceful demonstration in which 90 % of southern Bhutanese took part.I was very active in that demonstration, coordinating over all Programs.On the street the peoples started chanting slogans demanding human rights and release of all the political prisoners including the chairman of PFHRB, Mr. Tek Nath Rizal and condemning the absolute monarchical system of governance.This was in reaction to the ethnocentric policy of the government that was designed to strategically depopulate the southern part of the country.More than 200, 000 peoples (farmers, students, women, children, government servants and youths) took part in it. but the government of Bhutan crushed the protesters with bullets.The result of the demonstration was awfully disheartening and tragic.It all ended in ruthless government atrocities and forced evictions of the southern Bhutanese.Demonstrations against the government policies in September 1990 were followed by :.

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  www.himalmag.com/2007/june/special_report_bhutanese_ref - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/1/2007    Last Visited: 5/31/2007  

  Frustrated with the prioritisation of the humanitarian cause, Tek Nath Rizal, chairman of the Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee and long the public face of the Bhutani movement for repatriation, retorts: "Don't tell me about human rights.Is not the protection of your property a human right?Is not return to the land of your birth, the country of which you are a citizen, a human right?"Though Rizal, like others, had rejected resettlement in the wake of the offers last autumn, he too no longer publicly opposes it.

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  www.nepalassociation.org/html/nancevents/Teknath.htm - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/17/2004    Last Visited: 2/4/2006  

  The Bhutanese Refugee's leader, Tek Nath Rizal is due to arrive in Bay area today - Thursday, Jan 6th.Mr. Rizal has spent many years in Bhutanese Jail under a very harsh condition for speaking against the Bhutan government for systematically forcing (ethnic cleansing) out the Bhutanese citizens of Nepal origin.Since 1990, over 134,000 of Bhutanese citizens of Nepali origin have been forced out of their country.These refugees are currently living in eastern part (Bhadra Pur and Biratnagar area) of Nepal and many of whom are living in a sub human condition.Bhutanese government's refusal to repatriate the refugees has exasperated everyone and has created a helpless situation.In recent months, Mr. Rizal has met with the European, U.N and American leaders to garner support in refugees favor.
  
  NANC would like to invite you to meet Mr. Rizal, a champion of the Bhutanese refugee's cause, and understand the refugee situation first hand.

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  ::PeaceJournalism.com - The Peace Media Research... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 12/13/2004    Last Visited: 5/21/2005  

  Mr. Tek Nath Rizal, a renowned Bhutanese refugee leader as well as founding father of the Human Rights and democracy in Bhutan, is schedule to visit Washington DC.

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  <::- Welcome to AZEECON-LWF Online ::-> - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/3/2004    Last Visited: 8/4/2004  

  An interview was arranged with Mr. Tek Nath Rizal of Human Rights Council of Bhutan.

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  Bhootan.org :: Bringing Bhutan Closer To The World - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 7/30/2005  

  Interview: Tek Nath Rizal, Political and Human Rights Leader of Bhutan speaks to The Nepal Digest: January 28, 2005 Recently, Tek Nath Rizal, the political and human rights leader of Bhutan met with The Nepal Digest (TND) team led by Ujjwal Bhattarai for an interview.
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  Interview: Tek Nath Rizal, Political and Human Rights Leader of Bhutan speaks to The Nepal Digest: January 28, 2005 Recently, Tek Nath Rizal, the political and human rights leader of Bhutan met with The Nepal Digest (TND) team led by Ujjwal Bhattarai for an interview.
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  Pressurise all actors to resolve the refugee problem(nepalnews.com) Bhutanese pro-democracy leader and president of Human Rights Council of Bhutan, Tek Nath Rizal, has urged the international community to actively engage itself in finding a durable solution to the Bhutanese refugee problem and to exert stronger influence on all actors, including Bhutan, Nepal, India and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
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  Rizal goes on hunger strike(thehimalyantimes.com) Tek Nath Rizal, the Bhutanese human rights activist, started an indefinite hunger strike today in front of the South Asian Regional Help Association office.
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  Rizal goes on hunger strike(thehimalyantimes.com) Tek Nath Rizal, the Bhutanese human rights activist, started an indefinite hunger strike today in front of the South Asian Regional Help Association office.
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  EU for intensified pressure on the Druk regime (www.thehimalayantimes.com) Tek Nath Rizal, formerly Amnesty International's prisoner of conscience, is threatening to go on an indefinite hunger strike to make Nepal and others see the imperative of "active and urgent" international involvement in finding an amicable solution to Bhutan's long-standing human rights and refugee problem.
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  Tek Nath Rizal: Indefinite Hunger Strike Mr. Tek Nath Rizal, the Chairperson of the Human Rights Council of Bhutan (HRCB), considering the total lack of progress in the resolution of Bhutanese refugees and the deteriorating human rights situation inside Bhutan, and in his effort to draw the attention of international and regional community for their greater involvement and practical intervention in finding a viable solution is staging an Indefinite Hunger Strike at an appropriate time at a suitable location in Kathmandu.
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  Rizal for int'l mediation on refugee issue(kantipuronline.com) KATHMANDU, Feb 23 - Bhutanese pro-democracy leader Tek Nath Rizal lamented that the Nepali side has not paid heed to his advice on how Nepal could help the Bhutanese refugees.
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  As Rizal put it, the Bhutanese refugee leadership is expecting the Nepali side to internationalise the plight of the Bhutanese refugees by issuing them the necessary travel document ~ ~ so that they can travel around the world to propagate their cause.

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  Global Vision News Network - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 8/21/2004    Last Visited: 6/28/2005  

  Morale [in the refugee camps] is very low," added Rizal.
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  "We are pinning our ultimate hopes on the international community," said Tek Nath Rizal of the Bhutan Human Rights Council, adding there was widespread frustration with the inability of Western governments to resolve the refugee crisis.

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  Human Rights Council of Bhutan [HRCB]: Bhutannewsonline - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 12/26/2003    Last Visited: 12/26/2003  

  Human Rights Council of Bhutan (HRCB) formed under the Chairmanship of Mr. Tek Nath Rizal, July 13, 2003.
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  "We strongly encourage the return of Bhutanese refugees and appeal to the international community to monitor the situation during and after the repatriation," Bhutanese human rights leader, Tek Nath Rizal, told this daily.Despite the decision, the Council has also accused the Bhutan government for trying to "mislead the international community" in the name of verification and categorisation.
  
  The decision came at a time when till recently the leaders and the refugees were demanding guaranteed citizenship before repatriation."We do not want to miss the chance," Rizal said adding the Council will continue to raise its voice on the issue till human rights is respected in Bhutan.The meeting also endorsed the Council's declaration today.The Council also discussed the current situation faced by the Nepali speaking (Lhotshampas) Bhutanese, Rizal said.The Bhutan government, some twelve years ago, had evicted the people by categorising them in seven groups - genuine Bhutanese, returned migrants, drop-out cases (absent during census), non-national women married to Bhutanese national, non-Bhutanese men married to Bhutanese women, adopted cases and non-nationals, Rizal said adding the number of categories have been reduced to four by the Nepal-Bhutan joint verification team.
  
  He said a decision was also taken to initiate a peaceful movement to establish human rights and democratic values in Bhutan.He, however, did not elaborate.Rizal reiterated his demands for direct dialogue between the Bhutanese King Jigme and the Bhutanese refugees, which alone, he claimed, would help clear the differences.The 15th Nepal-Bhutan ministerial joint committee meet held in Thinphu had decided to repatriate the refugees of the Khudunabari refugee camp by February.The meeting was attended by prominent Bhutanese leaders in exile, including Tek Nath Rizal, SB Subba, Ratan Gazmere, Kishore Rai, Garima Adhikari, Rakesh Chhetri and Kamal Dhital.
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  Mr. Ratan Gazmere, Chief Coordinator of AHURA Bhutan; Mr. Suk Bahadur Subba, Chairman of BRRRC; Mrs. Garima Adhikari, Coordinator of BRWF; Mr. Rakesh Chhetri Executive Director of CEMARD-Bhutan; Mr. Kishor Rair, General Secretary of HUROB; Mr. D.P. Kafle, General Secretary of PFHRB; and Mr. Mukti Gurunng, Vice President of SUB, recognizing the great contribution made by Mr. Tek Nath Rizal to the human rights movement in Bhutan, unanimously elected him to the post of the Chairman of the Human Rights Council of Bhutan (HRCB).
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  Issuing a press statement, Rizal, who underwent rigorous imprisonment in Bhutan for almost a decade following the pro-democracy movement in 1990, announced the formation of the HRCB.
  
  He said the task had now befallen him to consolidate the various Bhutanese organisations to fight for the rights of the Bhutanese people.Various organisations, including the Association of Human Rights Activists of Bhutan (AHURA Bhutan), Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee (BRRRC), Bhutanese Refugee Women Forum (BRWF) and the Centre for Protection of Minorities and Against Racial Discrimination in Bhutan (CEMARD) have come forward to form the Council headed by Rizal.
  
  "The HRCB is the demand of the Bhutanese people within Bhutan and those languishing in Nepal and India as refugees," said the statement faxed to The Kathmandu Post from Siliguri, India.Rizal sought support from national, regional and international communities to resolve the refugee crisis peacefully.
  
  Meanwhile, Rizal has said that India and international communities could no longer treat the Bhutanese refugee crisis as a bilateral issue between Nepal and Bhutan, reports from Jhapa stated.

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  Hunger Strike of Tek Nath Rizal: Bhutannewsonline - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/30/2004    Last Visited: 6/30/2004  

  News compilation on hunger strike staged by Mr. Tek Nath Rizal.
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  by Mr. Tek Nath Rizal , Chairman of Human Rights Council of Bhutan (HRCB)
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  Government vows to protect Rizal
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  Rizal begins fast unto death
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  Rizal goes on fast-unto-death
  
  Rizal to go on fast today
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  The 58-year old Rizal, who suffers from diabetes and kidney ailment, has been admitted to the Bir Hospital for treatment.His condition is stated to be stable.
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  Rizal broke his fast in the presence of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal who went there to see him, by accepting a glass of juice from the leaders.
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  Rizal said he believed in the government's commitment in internalizing the Bhutanese refugee problem.Earlier today, the Cabinet discussed Rizal's protest and decided to assure him in writing.Significantly, the letter addressed Rizal as ‘Bhutanese human rights leader, currently in Kathmandu'.Rizal who had applied for refugee status in October last year has not been given that status yet.Krishna Pahadi of Human Rights and Peace Society, who was there at the time, said the Nepalese people had lent "unprecedented support" to Rizal.
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  Rizal broke his hunger strike on the third day after the government assured him of its support to resolve the Bhutanese refugee impasse.Rizal today ended his strike in the presence of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal by accepting a glass of juice from the leaders.Rizal said he believed in the government's commitment in internationalizing the Bhutanese refugee problem.Earlier the Cabinet discussed Rizal's protest and decided to assure him in writing.Rizal who is diabetics was admitted at Bir Hospital for treatment immediately after he broke his hunger strike. (yo). --------
  
  5. Rizal ends indefinite fast on government assurance
  
  Himalayan Times April 02, 2004
  
  Himalayan News Service Kathmandu, April 1: Bhutanese human rights leader, Tek Nath Rizal has called off his fast-unto-death.
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  "The government, however, is concerned about the issues raised by Rizal."Assuring Rizal of security in future, the spokesperson said, "His application for travel document is under consideration."Rizal, however, told the ministry spokesperson, "The government's commitment seems ambiguous...but I understand it will involve UNHCR and Human Rights Council of Bhutan in the verification and repatriation of refugees."The Bhutanese refugees' leader added, "If I am cheated again, I will return to this place as fast-unto-death is the ultimate means to resolve the problems of over 1,50,000 refugees."Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, who offered Rizal fruit juice for ending his fast, welcomed the government's recognition of his protest."The government's commitment to seek involvement of UNHCR and India is worth welcoming.Now, political parties will pressurise the government to fulfil its commitment," said Koirala.He added it was the duty of all political parties and even civil society to persuade Rizal to end his hunger strike in view of his fragile health.Rizal, who has spent over 11 years in Bhutanese jails, is a patient of acute diabetes, asthma and has kidney problems.CPN-UML leader Nepal, accusing the government of not being serious enough towards such a sensitive issue, said, "The letter given to Rizal is not clear but at least the government has expressed its concern, which is a positive development."
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  The Students Union of Bhutan (SUB) extends full support and solidarity to Mr. Tek Nath Rizal, prominent human rights leader and Chairman of Human Rights Council of Bhutan (HRCB) for his selfless endeavor for solving the Bhutanese refugee crisis through peaceful means.The indefinite hunger strike of Mr. Rizal is an instance to solve refugee problems peacefully despite the exiled life and hardships that people have to face for the last 14 years.We appeal to the International, Regional and Local communities to extend all possible help to Mr. Rizal in his effort to bring a permanent and amicable solution to the Bhutanese refugee problem.SUB strongly urges Government of Bhutan and Nepal to expedite the process in bringing early lasting solution to the refugee problem, before the situation in the camps deteriorates.SUB also urges the Government of India to facilitate the two governments, Bhutan and Nepal to help resolve the Bhutanese refugee crisis on the ideals of humanity and true democracy.To extend support and solidarity to the indefinite hunger strike of Mr. Rizal, the Camp Committee of Beldangi II and III has organized a mass relay hunger strike commencing from today (1st April 2004) at Beldangi camp in which Students Union of Bhutan (SUB) and Shit-Ryo Karate-Do Association of Bhutan (SKAB) are also participating.
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  "I feel a bit dizzy and I am cold," Rizal had told us three hours before he ended his hunger strike and was taken to Bir Hospital for observation.Rizal is said to have made the decision after getting an assurance from the Foreign Ministry that Nepal would take up the issue of repatriation with the UNHCR.Rizal also wants India and the international community to show more humanitarian concern and political will to resolve the crisis.
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  Madan Kumar Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sushil SJB Rana, joint secretary at the Home Ministry, met Rizal to inquire about Rizal's health condition.
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  10. Government vows to protect Rizal
  
  Himalayan Times April 01, 2004
  
  Himalayan News Service.Kathmandu, March 31: The government has said it would provide security and health services to Bhutanese human rights leader, Tek Nath Rizal, who continued his fast-unto-death protest at Ratna Park today.
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  "Rizal's demands have been noted and will be conveyed to the concerned authority," Bhattarai said.
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  Earlier, MK Nepal visited Rizal and inquired after his health.
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  Rizal said that his non-violent protest was for the repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees.In a statement before the fasting he has asked the Bhutanese government, Nepal and the international community that the Bhutanese government should ensure that it would take its citizens back and that Nepal and especially the international community to pressurize Bhutan in this regard.The other demands made by Rizal include restoration of democracy and human rights in Bhutan, return of all properties confiscated from the refugees, appropriate compensation and release of all political prisoners in Bhutan.He has also demanded that the UNHCR and the HRCB be included in the verification process and the international community should continue relief package to the refugees living in the refugee camps in Nepal.
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  POST REPORT , KATHMANDU, March 30 - Tek Nath Rizal, leader of the Bhutanese Human Rights Council (BHRC), demanding the early repatriation of Bhutanese refugees and guarantee of human rights thereafter, launched an indefinite hunger strike at Ratnapark from Tuesday morning.Talking to reporters, Rizal said that his going on indefinite hunger strike was a last-ditch effort to pressurize the governments of Nepal, Bhutan as well as the international community for the repatriation of over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees languishing in seven camps in Eastern Nepal."I hope Nepal government and the international community will respond positively to the step I have taken," he said.According to him, neighboring India must also play a role to convince Bhutan to accept its expelled citizens."Unless India plays a supportive role and the Bhutanese King himself does something, refugee problem will not end," he maintained."If Nepal guarantees repatriation of refugees", he said, adding, "I will withdraw the hunger strike".
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  The fast unto death undertaken yesterday by internationally renowned Bhutanese human rights and pro-democracy activist, Tek Nath Rizal, does not augur well for the autocratic regime in Thimphu.
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  The Bhutanese refugee issue has taken a back seat, and thanks to our government's wise consul, Tek Nath Rizal was unable to attend the world human rights conclave in Switzerland, where he could and would have set the record straight.Rizal's fast unto death now poses new problems for this country as it does to Bhutan.Bhutan is unlikely to initiate steps towards democratisation and is unlikely to repeal ethnically discriminatory laws and regulations that forced so many thousands out of the feudal Himalayan kingdom in the first place.The government cannot obviously allow Rizal to attain martyrdom through his fast and it is up to Bhutan to take necessary action to help end the fast.
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  NEPAL HUMAN RIGHT NEWS :INTERVIEW - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 6/20/2005    Last Visited: 12/13/2006  

  Interview with Tek Nath Rizal
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  -Tek Nath Rizal
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  Tek Nath Rizal, a Bhutanese human rights activist and a refugee leader who has been continuously fighting for a dignified repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees for the last 15 years, expresses his views on how the situation can be solved.Excerpts:
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  Tek Nath Rizal: In the last 16 years what the United States has done for us Bhutanese refugees is undoubtedly commendable.
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  Rizal: I told you that I appreciate the US proposal wholeheartedly on humanitarian grounds only ...
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  Rizal: That's why I appreciate it.And we should not be discourteous to anybody or any government who has in the past offered so much help.But the point I am trying to raise is at a time when the repatriation process should have been initiated the international community, including the United States, should have put more pressure to repatriate the Bhutanese to their homeland.Such options do nothing but create a rift among the refugees and allow unwanted players to create chaos. Q: Who are you trying to indicate? Rizal: No particular group or individual.But you have seen that since the proposal, some problems have been raised by the refugees. Q: But what if the refugees accept the idea of third country resettlement, which will definitely help better their lives. Rizal: The ultimate fight will end when we fulfill all our aspirations.
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  Rizal: The foremost thing, which I have repeatedly put forward, is all the bilateral talks that have so far been held between the government of Nepal and Bhutan hardly bear any value, at least in terms of resolving the refugee crisis.
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  Rizal: Definitely.The refugee crisis is never going to end without India's involvement.Time and again even Indian leaders have been vociferous on this issue, but to no avail.The government of Nepal seems to have turned a deaf ear towards our demand that India's role is a must in resolving the crisis. Q: But why do you think this (Nepal govt not asking the Indian govt for any sort of assistance) is happening? Rizal: This is a million dollar question indeed.I believe there must be something behind the curtains which restrains the Nepal government and leaders here from talking to India and putting forward a clear view. Q: What is your assessment about India's part?Do you think India itself does not want this crisis to be resolved? Rizal: I am not sure and I don't blame the Indian government per se.But I do believe certain segments in India are playing dirty politics. Q: Can you name them? Rizal: It's too difficult to properly identify those segments… Q: But even then, with what you are saying, there must be something on your mind… Rizal: Maybe some from the bureaucracy… Q: One major issue that has come about with the US resettlement plan: How is it going to affect the democratic movement in Bhutan?Rizal: I have been repeatedly saying I cannot object to the US proposal.The resettlement proposal has disillusioned some of the refugees.
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  Rizal: The UNHCR has selected some people with the purpose to ease the distribution process in the refugee camps.
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  Rizal: There is nothing we can do except put more pressure to install democracy in Bhutan.

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