The Bhutanese Nepali refugees: Their history, struggle, and hopes through the ages
Author(s): Chhawang Subba
Abstract: The Nepali refugees from Bhutan, primarily ethnic Lhotsampas, represent one of South Asia’s most significant refugee crises. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bhutan's government implemented policies aimed at cultural homogenization, targeting Nepali-speaking communities through discriminatory citizenship laws, forced evictions, and human rights abuses. Over 100,000 Lhotsampas were expelled and resettled in refugee camps in eastern Nepal, where they lived in legal limbo for decades. Despite cultural ties, Nepal did not offer citizenship or full integration. Beginning in 2007, a large-scale third-country resettlement program relocated over 100,000 refugees to nations including the United States, Canada, and Australia. While many have rebuilt their lives abroad, issues of statelessness, identity, and trauma persist, particularly among those left behind. The crisis underscores broader concerns about ethnicity, state sovereignty, human rights, and the international community’s responsibility to protect vulnerable populations. Durable solutions remain essential for justice and long-term stability.
DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i11b.568Pages: 98-103 | Views: 140 | Downloads: 75Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Chhawang Subba.
The Bhutanese Nepali refugees: Their history, struggle, and hopes through the ages. Int J Hist 2025;7(11):98-103. DOI:
10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i11b.568
