Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of US, Kelly Clements has completed her five-day visit to Bhutan and Nepal to discuss humanitarian protection and assistance issues for refugees and other vulnerable populations in the region.
During the visi,t Clements met Bhutanese government leaders to urge Bhutan to take tangible immediate steps to help resolve the protracted refugee situation in Nepal as a sign of Bhutan’s commitment to democratic values and human rights.
During these discussions, the government of Bhutan reiterated its April 2011 offer to the government of Nepal to reengage in bilateral discussions as soon as possible on the modalities for voluntary return and reintegration of refugees with legitimate citizenship claims to Bhutan.
In Nepal, Clements expressed the appreciation of the US government to the Government of Nepal for cooperation on resettlement and support for efforts to find durable solutions for all refugees in the camps. She also highlighted the Nepali government's commitment to ensure the safe transit of new arrivals to India and to respect the basic rights of Tibetan residents in Nepal, adds the release.
In addition, Clements stressed that the US government and the international community are ready to help the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to support a process to manage the return and reintegration of refugees, once agreements are reached.