Update on April 16,  2004

fifteenth MINISTERIAL JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING

thimphu, october 20-23, 2003

Joint Press Release

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The leader of the Nepalese delegation expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

5. The Nepalese delegation called on H.E. Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan on 22 October 2003.

6. 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.

7. 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).

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 12^th 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.

11. 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.

12. It was agreed that the MJC will be briefed on the returnees after their return to Bhutan.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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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NEPAL-BHUTAN

FOURTEENTH MINISTERIAL JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING

KATHMANDU, MAY 19-22,2003

Joint Press Release

1. 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

2. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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 10^th, 12^th & 13^th  MJCs and the harmonized positions achieved during the 12^th MJC (Annex-I). The two Ministers commended the efforts of the JVT in carrying out important responsibilities. 

6. 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. 

7. 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. 

8. 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. 

9. 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. 

10. The fifteen MJC meeting would be held in Thimphu from August 11 to 14, 2003. 

11. 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. 

12. 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. 

13. They expressed mutual satisfaction with the progress achieved during the 14^th MJC which was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere. 

14. 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.

Annex-I

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 

1. Those who have emigrated shall be dealt with in accordance with the Citizenship and Immigration Laws of the two countries.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

**

Please also see Kuensel dated May 24, 2003

http://www.bhutannewsonline.com/

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Thirteenth MINISTERIAL JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING

Thimphu, 24-26 March 2003

Joint Press Release

1. The Ministerial Joint Committee (MJC) of the Royal Government of Bhutan and His Majesty’s Government of Nepal held its thirteenth meeting in Thimphu from 24-26 March 2003 to review the work of the Joint Verification Team (JVT) on the categorization of the people in Khudanabari camp into the four agreed categories.

2. H.E. Mr. Narendra Bikram Shah, Minister for Foreign Affairs, led the Nepalese delegation that included Mr. Madhu Raman Acharya, Foreign Secretary, and other senior officials.

3. H.E. Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, Minister for Foreign Affairs, led the Bhutanese delegation that included Dasho Ugyen Tshering, Foreign Secretary and other senior officials.

4. The Foreign Minister of Nepal expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

5. His Majesty the King of Bhutan granted an audience to the leader of the Nepalese delegation on 25 March 2003. The Nepalese delegation also called on Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji, Prime Minister of Bhutan.

6. The two Ministers 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.

7. The two Ministers commended the efforts of the Joint Verification Team in carrying out their important responsibilities. In this regard the MJC issued further clarifications for carrying out the work of categorization. The MJC also agreed on the codalities for the implementation of the outcome of the Joint Verification/Categorization exercise of the Khudanbari Camp.

8. The next MJC has been scheduled for 11 May 2003 in Kathmandu.

9. The two Ministers exchanged views on several areas of mutual interest to further promote and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries. They also noted with satisfaction the growing interactions between their two countries including those between the private sectors.

10. They expressed mutual satisfaction with the progress achieved during the thirteenth MJC, which was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere

Thimphu, 25 March 2003

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs HMG Nepal

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TWELFTH MINISTERIAL JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING

KATHMANDU, 5-7 FEBRUARY 2003

Joint Press Release

1. The Ministerial Joint Committee (MJC) of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal and the Royal Government of Bhutan held its twelfth meeting in Kathmandu from 5-7 February 2003 to discuss the harmonization of positions of the two governments and the resumption of work by the Joint Verification Team (JVT) towards finding an early and lasting solution to the problem of the people in the camps in eastern Nepal.

2. H.E. Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, Minister for Foreign Affairs, led the Bhutanese delegation that included Mr. Daw Penjo, Officiating Joint Secretary and other senior officials of the Ministry of foreign Affairs.

3. H.E. Mr. Narendra Bikram Shah, Minister for Foreign Affairs, led the Nepalese delegation that included H. E. Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Bhutan, Mr. Madhu Raman Acharya, Foreign Secretary, and other senior officials.

4. The Foreign Minister of Bhutan expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation by His Majesty’s Government of Nepal.

5. His Majesty the King of Nepal granted an audience to the leader of the Bhutanese delegation on 6 February 2003. The Bhutanese delegation also called on the Prime Minister of Nepal, Rt. Honourable Lokendra Bahadur Chand.

6. The two Ministers 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.

7. The two Ministers commended the efforts of the Joint Verification Team and the two Ambassadors in New Delhi in carrying out their important responsibilities to the mutual satisfaction of both the governments.

8. The two sides harmonized their positions on the four categories. It was agreed that the JVT would resume its work in Bhutan from 24 February 2003 to undertake the work of categorization.

9. It was agreed that the next Ministerial Joint Committee meeting will be held in Thimphu from 24 March 2003.

10. The two Ministers exchanged views on several areas of mutual interest to further promote and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

11. They expressed mutual satisfaction with the progress achieved during the twelfth MJC, which was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere.

Kathmandu, 6 February 2003

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs HMG Nepal

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