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The Hague – As the European Union and the Government of Bhutan prepare for the 13th EU–Bhutan Annual Consultations in Thimphu on Tuesday, the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB), a Bhutanese human rights group, has called for these talks to serve as a crucial platform to address long-standing human rights concerns in Bhutan.
“This high-level diplomatic dialogue is a vital opportunity for the EU to engage Bhutan on urgent matters, including the release of political prisoners, the plight of displaced Bhutanese citizens, and ongoing human rights violations within the country,” said Ram Karki, Founder and Global Coordinator of GCRPPB.
The GCRPPB strongly urges the EU delegation to prioritize the following during the consultations:
- Immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Bhutan, many of whom have endured unjust incarceration for over three decades. This should be followed by full rehabilitation, financial compensation, and family reunification. Victims must receive comprehensive support to recover from the physical and emotional trauma of wrongful imprisonment.
- Repatriation of Bhutanese refugees who continue to live in camps in Nepal, many of whom are descendants of ethnic Nepali Bhutanese expelled during the 1990s.
- Fair treatment of Bhutanese citizens deported from the United States and subsequently denied reentry by Bhutan.
- Addressing systemic human rights violations against the Lhotshampa and other marginalized communities in Bhutan.
- Issuance of visas for resettled Bhutanese citizens with foreign passports, allowing them to visit family and friends in Bhutan. Many have lived in exile for decades and deserve the right to reconnect with their homeland.
Currently, at least 32 individuals—mostly ethnic Nepali Bhutanese—remain imprisoned under Bhutan’s 1992 National Security Act. According to GCRPPB, these individuals were convicted following unfair trials, often based on coerced confessions, and are held under inhumane conditions in prisons like Chamgang and Rabuna, without access to parole or meaningful legal review.
On 4 April 2025, UN Special Rapporteurs issued a joint communication urging the Royal Government of Bhutan to release these political prisoners. The UN experts noted that some individuals have been imprisoned for over thirty years following trials that failed to meet fair trial standards and may have involved torture or ill-treatment. They emphasized that continued detention could constitute arbitrary detention in violation of Bhutan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
These concerns were echoed in a 14 April 2025 letter from the European Parliament to Bhutan’s Prime Minister, signed by key committee chairs. The letter stressed that Bhutan’s future cooperation with the EU—including trade privileges under the GSP+ scheme and engagement through the Global Gateway Strategy—must be rooted in respect for human rights and democratic values.
“While the EU values its partnerships with Bhutan, these relationships must reflect a genuine commitment to protecting fundamental rights,” the letter stated.
In a joint statement issued on 15 April 2025, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International also called on the European Union to press Bhutan for meaningful action on human rights. They urged the EU to use its leverage to end practices of arbitrary detention, forced expulsion, and violations of basic freedoms.
“The GCRPPB fully supports these calls and believes that the EU has a critical role to play in holding Bhutan accountable,” said Mr. Karki. “This is a pivotal moment for Bhutan to demonstrate political courage and moral leadership. We urge the Royal Government of Bhutan to act decisively by reviewing and releasing all political prisoners and acknowledging the right of return for exiled citizens. Let the 13th EU–Bhutan Annual Consultations be a turning point—toward truth, justice, reconciliation, and dignity for all Bhutanese.”
