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NFD-
Calls the Bhutanese People to join the Democratic Movement.
As a way to protest the pseudo democratic election which was
held in Bhutan on 24th May, 2008, NFD- Bhutan
strongly condemns the activities of the King, the absolute
dictator of Bhutan in the recent so-called democratization. NFD-
Bhutan, on 23rd June, 2008, had distributed leaflets
both in the refugee camps in Nepal and inside Bhutan in English
and Nepali languages appealing the general mass to be united and
calls to join with full dedication, utmost sincerity, and
commitments, pledging with physical, emotional and economical
resources for reach to the common destination. The leaflets says
"
we have to be united and launch series of democratic peaceful
programs within the country for the achievement of generation’s
aspired peace, democracy, freedom and justice. We are confident
that the days of draconian rule in Bhutan cannot be continued
and we could get enough support for our peaceful struggle for
democratic rights from the global community. For ending the
despotic rule of Wangchuck dynasty and achieving the rights,
equality and freedom of every Bhutanese people, we have now
accelerated our movement within the country more vigorously. "
The full text of the leaflets are as follows:
Call of National Front for Democracy in Bhutan
Dear Bhutanese Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters,
More than eighteen years have been passed now since the time of
our separation. The despotic regime thrown us out ruthlessly but
our patriotism to our nation, affection to our neighbours and
remembrance to our relatives never died down. We cannot forget
and forgive the gross violation of our fundamental rights
committed by the state arbitrarily when we first launched our
struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms in 1990 and
1997 in the districts of south and east respectively. We have
not forgotten rampant arrest, torture, plunder, rape, killing
and imprisonment of our fellow Bhutanese by the agents and
mercenaries of the regime. Owing to the inhuman torture given to
the innocent people, many are struggling for their survival of
their precious lives from the mouth of the death.
No stones were left unturned by the despotic regime to crackdown
our voice for civilian rights and freedom due to which we were
quite disappointed for sometimes. But now the situation has
changed. We are at the threshold of the 21st century.
We are confident that the days of draconian rule in Bhutan
cannot be continued and we could get enough support for our
peaceful struggle for democratic rights from the global
community. For ending the despotic rule of Wangchuck dynasty and
achieving the rights, equality and freedom of every Bhutanese
people, we have now accelerated our movement within the country
more vigorously. This leaflet in your hand is the message to you
about launching this movement.
By declaring pseudo democracy early this year in the country,
the king has been able to hoodwink the international community
successfully. Even before the adoption of the draft constitution
of vested interest, the elections for the National Council and
National Assembly has been conducted under its provisions
dramatically. Despite the order of the king for the formation of
political parties under the multi-party system, only two
political parties were finally registered with the king’s
election commission. This apparently shows that the King is
desperately trying hard to legitimise its hundred year’s
authoritarian rule in the country. Otherwise, what would be the
motive of debarring the elected members of parliament to partake
in sketching out the development plans at their respective
constituencies? Aren’t the MPs aware of this? Moreover, what is
most ridiculous is the position of the prime minister of the
first ever parliamentary democracy in the country who does not
have the ministry. What a drama? Nowhere in the world have we
seen such a tragedy in the democracy. Hence, it is the moral
duty of every justice and true democracy loving people of Bhutan
to be cautious against the royal conspiracies.
Until now, we remain like the yes-men of the kings stooges. To
link with the outside world, we contributed free labour for the
construction of Thimphu-Phuentsholing, Gelephug-Trongsa, and
Samdru Jongkhar-Tashigang highways. Our ancestors even scarified
their lives. We can even find the bones and fleshes of our
ancestors in the corners of caves and valleys even today. We
have toiled and sweated so hard for the development of our
nation, for developing the barren land of south and eastern
Bhutan into highly cultivating and productive land where the
cash crops like orange, cardamom, ginger and apple are produced
abundantly and enriched the national revenue growth of the
nation. Ironically, however, today our family are devastated and
by forcefully resettling the innocent people from the northern
and western part of the country in the lands of the refugees who
are still waiting for rightful repatriation, the government is
creating the situation like civil conflict in the long-run. Such
an injustice and oppression of the government cannot be
tolerated by the members of any race, religion or society in the
country. Hence, it is not the time for us to remain mute
spectator but to wake up to fight against the injustice and
tyranny collectively. There is no other option for us than to
launch mass based movement for achieving sustainable peace,
development and true democracy in Bhutan.
More than 20% of the aspirants for true democracy in Bhutan, who
raised their voice in 1990 and 1997, are today languishing in
exile while many are in the prisons. The purpose of retaining
ethnic Lhotshampa minority in the country is just to tell the
outside world that the government treats equally without
discrimination to all sections of society. But the fact is that
the people inside too have no guarantee of safety and security.
For instance, more than 80 thousand people were deprived from
their adult voting franchise citing various pretexts in the
recently held so-called general election in the country. Isn’t
the deprivation of voting franchise a serious threat for the
security of the citizens? At this juncture, it is essentially
important for us to understand the essence of democracy. The
need of true democracy is not for the monarchs, but for the
people. The need of constitution is not for the royal families,
but for the people. Without addressing the aspirations and
problems of the people there cannot be a true democracy. In
democracy the sovereign power of the nation belong to the people
thereby the sovereign rights of the people to decide their
destiny cannot be deprived. This it-self is the essence of true
democracy. There should be constitutional guarantee for every
citizen to live in a free and fair environment. But in Bhutan,
the constitution drafted for the kingdom is likely to be
confined within the papers and hardly in any practise. This is
an indicative to the decisions of the National Assembly where it
is decided that the constitution will be discussed thoroughly
not to change or alter it but to understand about it. Hence, it
is the matter which we will be experiencing very soon.
Therefore, dear Bhutanese father, mother, brothers and sisters,
the NFD-Bhutan cannot accept the recently held general elections
in Bhutan, which hallow and farce. Now, we have to be united and
launch series of democratic peaceful programs within the country
for the achievement of generation’s aspired peace, democracy,
freedom and justice. In this mission of our common interest, the
NFD-Bhutan calls all to join with full dedication, sincerity and
commitments, pledging our physical, emotional and economical
resources to make our venture a success.
Lets wake up and be aware to join in the nationwide movement for
justice, equality and freedom so that we can create a new and
glorious history for future Bhutan, where every citizens
irrespective of their race, religion and language remain fully
secured and enjoy complete peace, prosperity and happiness.
Balaram Paudyal
Date : 23 June 2008.
CHAIRMAN
National Front for Democracy in Bhutan
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