The Tanka Prasad Acharya Memorial Foundation organized a discussion program on Friday titled “Prisoners of Bhutan Unseen by the World.” During the event, Ram Bahadur Rai, Madhukar Magar, and Man Bahadur Magar, who were imprisoned for 32, 30, and 20 years respectively, shared their harrowing experiences of life in prison and the challenges they face post-release.
These former prisoners have no identity or permanent place to live, and their families have been torn apart. They are unable to live happily due to the severe torture they endured. “I felt like a bird flying out of a cage when I was released from prison,” said Ram Bahadur, 63. He spent half his life in prison without seeing any family members, although he eventually reunited with his daughter. However, his two sons, who went abroad, are still missing.
Man Bahadur, who was released before Ram Bahadur and Madhukar, also shared his experience. As an unidentified refugee, he said, “We suffered a lot as there is no foundation in the camp.”
Madhukar is currently alone, as his wife and children were resettled in the US. He expressed happiness that people were listening to him but also shared his pain from the injuries inflicted by the Bhutanese authorities. “We don’t belong to Bhutan, India, or Nepal. Where should we go?” Madhukar asked. “There is no one to support us in this situation. If we consider treatment today, it feels like we might live a few more years.”
These prisoners were transferred from Bhutanese jails in India to Nepal. Similarly, in the 1990s, Bhutanese refugees were allowed to reach Nepal through India, but many staying in refugee camps in Jhapa were not permitted to return to Bhutan.
Representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, activists, and others expressed their concern after hearing the stories of the Bhutanese prisoners. “As a Nepali, sitting here today is a shame, and the situation of the Nepal government should not be like this,” said human rights activist Charan Prasai. Another activist, Subodh Pyakurel, added, “Bhutan is a terrifying, autocratic country. According to international law, no one can be deported. It is evident from the letter given to them by Bhutan that they have been deported.”
Sanchahang Subba, secretary of the Refugee Management Committee of the Bhutanese refugee camp in Beldangi, highlighted the painful situation of being in a state of anonymity due to the government’s policies, despite receiving humanitarian assistance.
