Declaration By United Revolutionary Front, Bhutan

Declaration

After careful study of the manifestation of the political development in Bhutan and the future impact, we have come to the conclusion that all the new changes which so much is being hyped is just cosmetic and in reality is not going tobenefit all the Bhutanese except a small section. The King indirectly is consolidating the rein of power in the name of ushering in democracy.

The recent national council election showed clear evidence that how much people are interested. It is not that people are not interested in taking part in democracy as it gives them the supreme authority but simply they are Lacka daisical because they understand that it is just exercise to eyewash the innocent people and the outside world and retain the absolute power by the king. The denial of registration of third political party, Bhutan Peoples United Party (BPUP) is one instant of suppression and much against the spirit of the constitution in which it states that as many political parties as can register and take part in election at the primary level. In contrary let alone many parties registration of even third party with maximum educated membership was denied by the election commission on ground of lack of fulfillment of criteria as a ploy to protect and allow the only two political parties headed by the close relative and confidant of the King to contest so that the absolute power is strengthen and not challenged.

In view of the need of the society in this fast changing world politically, socially and economically and need of vibrant democracy and active participation of people irrespective of ethnicity, language, caste, creed, race, religion and sex, and abolish the absolute power of the king, a third force is required. And to abolish the autocratic power and establish peoples' democracy, we have to fight the regime and it is only through arm struggle as the King is so adamant to peace and reconciliation. Therefore, after thorough consultation with people of different section and the ethinic groups of the nation we formed the United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan (URFB) on 12th April 2007 to bring in changes in Bhutan that benefits all the Bhutanese and resolve all the national issues that scourging the country which the government and the political parties are alluding from addressing. The political parties are sideling the must pernicious issue and only making big cacophony of economic development which is already in the government plan. Therefore, the national

council election and coming national assembly election is farcical and we do not accept it. We want the election commission withheld the election and at the same time to two political parties and its candidate not to take part before resolving all the national issues especially the human rights, citizenship rights, political rights and the Bhutanese refugee problem in Nepal.

We also appeal to the international community, the donor countries to Bhutan and the country offering the resettlement of refugees especially the US which has offered to take about 60000 refugees to once again carefully review their gesture which of course is magnanimous but at the same time is not right decision by depriving the Bhutanese from their inalienable nationality and citizenship rights as enshrine in the chater of U N Declaration of Human Rights. The kind gesture should not set precedent and encourage the despot to evict the people who pose challenge to its authority and power. On the other hand, India our closest neighbor and supposed to be the largest democracy in the world, that espouse human rights and democracy cannot remain a silent spectator. So far it has been siding the King and aiding and abetting in creating human misery in Bhutan and destabilizing the country. It should side with the people as people are the supreme power and architect of the destiny of the nation and not help the single king with military might.

The URFB own the responsibility of serial blasts of 20th January 2008 in four districts of Bhutan as beginning of our struggle with the regime till we achieve the goal but feel sorry for any human casualty if any as we never intended to hurt any innocent public.

Lastly we call all the Bhutanese struggling for the rights and justice of the people of Bhutan to join hands with URFB and fight the regime.

Commander-in-Chief

Karma

United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan (URFB)

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