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From Bhutan to Denmark: A Journey Towards Belonging and Citizenship
Over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees faced statelessness following expulsion from Bhutan in the 1990s. Denmark offered sanctuary to 845 of us, yet after over a decade, only 2% have obtained citizenship.
Read about our strory from Bhutan to Danmark
From Stateless Refugees to Hopeful Residents of Denmark
Inspiring tales of transformation
Dive into the amazing stories of strength and resilience displayed by Bhutanese refugees in Denmark.
Between Two Worlds
Lok Maya, a Bhutanese refugee recounts her tumultuous journey from ethnic cleansing in Bhutan to a life in Denmark. Despite gratitude for her new home, language barriers impede her quest for citizenship and belonging.
The Paradox of Refugee Camp
In moonlit nights of restless thought,
Nepal’s camp in memory is caught.
Stranger still, in Western life.
In developed lands, where comforts ramp,
Why yearn for the song of a refugee camp?
Nu kan de ikke få statsborgerskab
Between 2008 and 2015, Danish authorities agreed to receive quota refugees from seven camps in Nepal, with the aim of resettling 845 stateless Bhutanese people in Denmark. However, strict citizenship rules have prevented most from obtaining Danish citizenship, with language requirements proving particularly challenging for many who have not had formal education. As a result, only 2% of the original group have obtained citizenship, leaving the majority still stateless. ABC Denmark, an association of Bhutanese communities in Denmark, is now appealing to the Danish government to recognize their unique situation and facilitate their path to citizenship.
A Better Education for Everyone
Born stateless to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal, I was resettled in Denmark at 11, eagerly embracing the culture and language. Now, despite feeling Danish and defending its values, I remain stateless due to restrictive residency laws and paperwork. My provisional residency must be renewed biennially, and I possess a convention passport, not a regular one. European travel requires lengthy airport stays, and visa applications are mandatory for non-European countries. Danish citizenship is a complex, lengthy process, hindered by my temporary residency status. My brother, despite being an educated engineer, faces similar challenges. Denmark’s current legislation supports statelessness, contradicting its aim for a permanent solution for Bhutanese refugees.