Protecting vulnerable refugees

A failure to prosecute the culprits in the fake Bhutanese refugee case may tarnish Nepal’s image.

The institutionalisation of corruption in politics and government has derailed the value of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Nepal. One such instance is the recent controversy over the making of fake Bhutanese refugees by misusing state mechanisms and with the direct involvement of high-level government functionaries. Such actions not only damage the integrity of Nepal’s political system but also erode the faith of the national and international agencies in the country. Additionally, it undermines the government’s role towards its citizens and refugees. As we observe World Refugee Day today, we must consider how the recent fake Bhutanese refugee scam has tarnished the image of refugee communities worldwide and why it is a serious crime.