6 UN Experts Jointly Condemn Bhutan’s Persecution of Political Prisoners, Demand Immediate Action
6 UN Special Rapporteurs Condemn Bhutan’s Prolonged Persecution of Political Prisoners, Demand Immediate Action
The Hague – A newly released joint report AL BTN (1.2024) by six UN Special Rapporteurs has brought global attention to Bhutan’s severe human rights violations, particularly its prolonged persecution of political prisoners. The findings, welcomed by the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB), expose alarming abuses, including arbitrary detentions, torture, unfair trials, and inhumane prison conditions.
For years, Bhutan has cultivated an image of a peaceful Himalayan kingdom, yet this report paints a starkly different reality. Many political prisoners, especially from the Lhotshampa ethnic minority, have been unjustly imprisoned for advocating democracy and human rights. Subjected to degrading treatment and prolonged suffering, these prisoners are denied medical care and stripped of fundamental legal protections, highlighting Bhutan’s systematic efforts to silence dissenting voices.
A Pattern of Systematic Repression
The report highlights that Bhutanese authorities have misused anti-terrorism laws and vague national security provisions to target political opponents. Detainees often face prolonged imprisonment without trial, forced confessions obtained under duress, and severe restrictions on communication with their families. The UN experts write, “we implore the King to exercise His Majesty’s power to pardon and release from prison.”
The UN Special Rapporteurs have raised serious concerns about the political prisoner cases, particularly regarding torture, lack of fair trials, violations of fundamental human rights standards, and inhumane prison conditions.
Bhutan’s Violations of International Law
Despite not being a party to key international treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Convention Against Torture (CAT), Bhutan is still bound by customary international human rights law. The report highlights Bhutan’s failure to align with international obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and previous recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2019.
This report has mentioned the cases of 19 political prisoners out of 32 because only those 19 families were available for providing consent, but the other 13 are very much included in the report. GCRPPB thanks its partner Human Rights Watch (HRW) for working hard together with GCRPPB in coordinating with UN bodies to make this outcome possible.
GCRPPB, together with Human Rights Watch, is pleased to present the outcome of its years of hard advocacy.
“This report is a powerful validation of the injustices faced by political prisoners in Bhutan. Their voices must no longer be silenced,” said Ram Karki, founder and Global Coordinator of GCRPPB. “We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and will continue advocating until every political prisoner is freed.”
Here are the names of 32 political prisoners that GCRPPB and HRW are tirelessly advocating for their release:
Rinzin Wangdi, Tenzin Gawa Zangpo, Kinley Gyeltshen, Kinley Penjor, Ram Lal Rawat, Bishnu Rai, Madhulal Budathoki, MB Bhujel, Lok Bahadur Ghale, Sha Bahadur Gurung, Kumar Rai, Prem Rai, Ganga Ram Dhakal, Bhakta Bahadur Rai, Moni Kumar Pradhan, Prakash Mongar, Harka Bahadur Gurung, Dambar Singh Pulami, Yogi Prasad Subba, Kumar Gautam, Hasta Bahadur Rai, Suk Man Mongar, Birkha Bahadur Chhetri, Govinda Niroula, Nandalal Basnet, Om Nath Adhikari, Khagendra Khanal, Aita Raj Rai, San Man Gurung, Chatur Man Tamang, Chandra Raj Rai, and Bhim Bahadur Rai.
A Call for Global Action
GCRPPB urges Bhutanese authorities to immediately release all political prisoners and comply with international human rights standards. The international community—including the United Nations, human rights organizations, and democratic governments—is called upon to increase diplomatic pressure on Bhutan to end these abuses.
GCRPPB remains committed to justice, democracy, and fundamental freedoms in Bhutan, calling for urgent intervention to end the prolonged suffering of political prisoners and ensure a future where political participation is not met with persecution.