Sir : [[ editors/newspapers are listed below ]]

On behalf of the Nepali prisoners in Thailand who are going through with lots of hardships for past 20 years, with unimaginable conditions in this hell, who are desperate to set their feet in their motherland the Kingkom of Nepal, and who are longing to reunite with their beloved family, it is my humbele request to you for your kind consderation to publish and relate our desperate outcry in the public and Government authorities.

Some relevant facts have been collected and stated for your reference.

My name is Ram Lal Gurung, born and brought up till my boyhood in Manang, but at present my family have been residing in Lamjung.

Being the only young man of the family, I was compelled to shoulder the entire responsibilities of the family, taking care of the aged parents and bringing up the only younger sister with better education, were among the major responsibilities.

With the countries very limited opportunities to meet the financial need, I had no other options except to leave the beloved ones behind for uncertain job opportunities overseas in the foreign lands. I had strong will and wish to bring cheerfullness on their innocent faces, but unfortunately fate has brought me to this hell, where hardships and sufferings have become an usual part of life, rather than supporting the awaiting family with great expectations. I wish the God is with them for what they had expected.

Most of the Nepalese inmates in here have similiar sort of stories, basically the prime outlines are as: ... ignorant, innocent ... financial burdon .. ?? !! .. unfortunate + less opportunityy ... c/o agents ... overseas employment ... used, lured, deceived ... charged with drug offenses ... no financial strength ... sentenced to LIFE, 50 years, 40 years , etc.

Since the beginning of Nepalese in imprisonment in Thailand ( approx. 20 years ), there seems to have [[not been]] any sort of support to the inmates or efforts as Prisoner Exchange Treaty (PTET) have neither been made by Royal Nepalese Embassy nor the ruling Governemnts , like many nations have signed the PTET with Thai Government because of their citizens.

Although many of the Nepalese were innocent, not guilty, lured or deceived, they had to accept the charge and plead guilty, because of insufficient funds to fight the case and unsupportive Government representation.

At present, the untimely visits of twice a year, at the most, by Embassy authorities are more over for fomalities, promised actions have never been taken, and always imply most of the Nepalese in Thai perisons are undergoing the prison terms for drug related offenses.

The harsh prison terms are beyond one's imagination. We are well aware that imprisonment of citizens in the foreign countries are, of course, of National disgrace. Our heartfelt apologies for being a part of it, under different circumstances, but safeguarding the citizens of their nation is amongst the Government's liabilities and responsibilities.

Without further actions, many of the Nepalese youths will have to end their lives in the aelians land. Previously Two of the Nepalese were deceased in Thai prison and our Government hardly noticed the circumstances.

Through this letter we are calling out for help !!! ( dui haat jodera ).
In no conditions we want to die in foreign land.
Rather we prefer to be in our motherland, no matter what conditions apply.

We are weak, both physically, mentally and psychologically. Especially when we watch as citizens from other countries go home after serving 4 to 8 years from their sentences and we know that we can have the same opportunities, like them, if only our Government will come to our aid and hasten every effort to secure the same PTET.

Mr. Ben Parks' efforts towards the Nepalese prisoners in Thailand has brought us "hope" from the darkness. He is a man to be honour. His extreme thoughtfullness and laudable initiation for the PTET must be co-operatewd from every possible directions. We sincerely thank to every single good soul out there who is supporting the PTET and the news media group who were well concerned during Mr. Ben Parks formal meetings in Kathmandu.

This [[next paragraph]] is in reference to Mr. Binta J. Shrestha's comment in the issue of 16 May 2002 in the Nepali Times.(please refer)

In the middle of July 1992 (two) Thai females along with a Nigerian male, were arrested in Kathmandu with possession of drug (Heroin). They were charged and sentenced for 15 years each in prison. Regardless of the sentence, the (two) Thai females were released after serving for only 5 years. The strong support from the Royal Thai Embassy was the reason for their early releases. Whereas Mr. Teo Jerry, the Nigerian, is still serving in Nepalese prison, possibly because of diplomatic relation and not having their Embassy in Nepal. Mr. Shrestha's lack of information and similiar publications may jeopardize the feelings of concern people.

Sir,[[editor]] once again your kind consideration in this matter will bring many hopeless lives into existance and charms to many who are well in concern. All this from perishing voices within the system in search of a satisfiable solution to remediate our predicamant.

Thanks enormously for your co-operation and kind consideration. Namaskar!

Yours Sincerely
Ram Lal Gurung

PS : If any body wish to correspond with us, this is our address:
     Ram Lal Gurung
     Klong Prem Prison Dan#4
     33/2 Ngam Wong Wan Road
     Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900
     Thailand  
      
this was Posted on 17 June - 2002 to :
     Nepali times
     The Rising Nepal
     The Himalaya Times



NOTE : [[contents contained in brackets added for clarity ]]
back to Ram's pen-pal application