For the First Time, 9 Senior UN Human Rights Experts Strongly Urge Bhutan to Immediately Release All Political Prisoners

GENEVA, 16 April 2025 – In a historic call, 9 senior most UN human rights experts, including heads of several working groups and special procedures, have strongly urged the Government of Bhutan to immediately release all political prisoners, particularly 32 individuals who have been unjustly imprisoned for decades. These prisoners were detained following their involvement in peaceful protests against the mistreatment of the Nepali-speaking Lhotshampa minority in Bhutan.

The experts, whose names include Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and members of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, including Ms. Ganna Yudkivska (Chair-Rapporteur), Mr. Matthew Gillett (Vice-Chair on Communications), Ms. Miriam Estrada Castillo (Vice-Chair on Follow-Up), and Mr. Mumba Malila, have raised grave concerns about the continued imprisonment of these individuals under vague and broad terrorism and national security charges.

In their statement, the UN experts emphasized that the prisoners, who have been serving sentences ranging from 34 years to life, are being punished for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, which is a violation of international law. “No one should be punished, let alone with such harsh sentences, for peacefully exercising their freedoms of assembly, expression, and the right to participate in political affairs,” the experts asserted.

The experts also raised serious concerns about reports of torture, denial of legal representation, and the lack of clarity regarding the charges against the prisoners. They highlighted the harsh conditions in which the detainees are held, including inadequate food, water, medical care, and communication with their families.

The UN experts called on the King of Bhutan to use his constitutional power to pardon and release these political prisoners. They pointed out that the King has previously granted amnesty to other political prisoners, including those serving life sentences, setting a precedent for compassionate intervention.

Furthermore, the experts urged Bhutan to amend its Penal Code and National Security Act to ensure that terrorism-related offenses are clearly defined and do not criminalize peaceful protests and political expression.

The protests that led to the convictions of these individuals were sparked by the longstanding discrimination faced by the Lhotshampa community in Bhutan, particularly regarding their political, social, and economic rights. The Bhutanese government’s violent repression of these protests, which included the forced displacement of over 100,000 refugees, has left lasting scars on the community.

The Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) has welcomed the historic call by the UN experts and expressed its gratitude for their continued advocacy on behalf of the political prisoners. GCRPPB’s founder Ram Karki stated, “We thank the UN experts for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to human rights. Their advocacy for the immediate release of all political prisoners is a significant step toward justice, and we hope it will lead to immediate action by the Bhutanese government.”

Mr Karki also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to support the work of these experts over the past several years. “We are deeply honored to have worked alongside the UN experts to amplify the voices of those unjustly imprisoned. This call marks a turning point in Bhutanese history, and we remain committed to fighting for the rights and freedom of those who have been wrongfully detained.”

The experts concluded their statement by urging Bhutan to embark on a meaningful process of national reconciliation and address these historic human rights violations through accountability and reparations.

The concerns raised by the UN experts have been formally communicated to the Bhutanese authorities, who are urged to take immediate action to release all political prisoners.