New Report Raises Serious Human Rights Concerns in Bhutan
A new report, State of Human Rights in Bhutan 2026, has raised serious concerns about ongoing human rights violations in Bhutan, including political imprisonment, restrictions on free expression, discrimination against minorities, statelessness, and forced displacement.
Published by The Bhutan Watch, the report documents conditions during 2025 and warns of a worsening climate for civil liberties and democratic participation.
The report states that at least 30 political prisoners remain detained in Bhutan, many held since the early 1990s, with several reportedly in poor health. It also records the death in custody of long-term detainee Sha Bahadur Gurung after 35 years in prison, linked to pro-democracy activism.
Serious concerns were also raised over press freedom. More than 80 per cent of journalists surveyed admitted avoiding sensitive subjects due to fear of reprisals, legal action, or official pressure. Bhutan’s position in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index fell from 33rd in 2022 to 152nd in 2025, and the just-released 2026 index slightly improved to 150, though still alarming.
The report highlights the continuing plight of Lhotshampa communities, many of whom remain stateless more than three decades after the mass expulsions of the 1990s. It documents cases in which deported former refugees were refused re-entry into Bhutan and expelled to India or Nepal, leaving them without legal status or protection.
Restrictions on civil society and peaceful assembly also remain severe. No new civil society organisations were registered in 2025, while rights groups faced increasing regulatory pressure and surveillance. Public demonstrations remained effectively banned.
The report further documents discrimination against religious minorities, barriers faced by LGBT individuals, widespread gender-based violence, and the displacement of families linked to the Gelephu Mindfulness City project.
It concludes by calling for the release of political prisoners, greater protection for freedom of expression and association, an end to discriminatory citizenship policies, and the establishment of an independent national human rights institution.