823 पटक हेरिएको 6 UN Special Rapporteurs Condemn Bhutan’s Persecution of Political Prisoners, Demand Immediate Release.A Landmark 6 UN Bodies Joint Report Exposes Systematic Human Rights Violations in Bhutan
The Hague – A landmark joint report released by six United Nations Special Rapporteurs has shed critical light on Bhutan’s long-standing and systemic human rights abuses, particularly its treatment of political prisoners. The report, praised by the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) and Human Rights Watch (HRW), presents compelling evidence of widespread violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, unfair judicial processes, and inhumane prison conditions.
Despite Bhutan’s global image as a peaceful Himalayan kingdom, the findings paint a disturbing picture of state-led repression, especially targeting members of the Lhotshampa ethnic minority. Many of those imprisoned were detained for simply advocating for democracy and basic human rights. The report documents how detainees are subjected to severe mistreatment, including the denial of medical care and access to legal representation, raising urgent concerns about Bhutan’s deliberate efforts to silence dissent.
The UN experts strongly criticized the Bhutanese government’s misuse of national security and anti-terrorism laws to persecute political opponents. They noted that detainees are often imprisoned for years without trial and are frequently forced to confess under coercion. The report also highlights how communication with families is heavily restricted, further isolating prisoners from the outside world.
“We implore the King to exercise His Majesty’s power to pardon and release these prisoners,” urged the UN Special Rapporteurs, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and adherence to international human rights standards.
Although Bhutan has not ratified major international treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), or the Convention Against Torture (CAT), the report stresses that the country remains bound by customary international human rights obligations. Bhutan’s failure to uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and recommendations from the 2019 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a matter of serious concern.
The report presents detailed documentation of 19 political prisoners—due to consent requirements—but it underscores that all 32 known political prisoners deserve the same justice and advocacy.
Ram Karki, Founder and Global Coordinator of the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB), expressed profound appreciation for the collaboration with Human Rights Watch and the support of UN bodies in making this report a reality.
“This report is a powerful validation of the injustices faced by political prisoners in Bhutan. Their voices must no longer be silenced,” said a GCRPPB spokesperson. “We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and will continue advocating until every political prisoner is freed.”
GCRPPB calls on the Bhutanese government to take immediate steps to release all political prisoners and align its policies with international human rights standards. The organization also urges the United Nations, democratic governments, and global human rights institutions to increase diplomatic pressure on Bhutan to end these ongoing violations.
There is hope that with continued international support, all political prisoners will soon be released, and meaningful rehabilitation measures will be taken to help them rebuild their lives with dignity and justice.
