The Hague – The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) has condemned Bhutan for its continued human rights violations and arbitrary imprisonment of political prisoners.
The UN report (Opinion No. 60/2024) highlights the representative cases of three Nepali-speaking Bhutanese citizens —Birkha Bahadur Chhetri, Kumar Gautam, and Sunman Gurung—who have been jailed since 2008 under inhumane conditions.
These cases are not isolated but represent a larger pattern of repression in Bhutan, where at least other 29 political prisoners remain unjustly detained. The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) has used unfair trials, fabricated charges, and severe restrictions to silence dissent, especially among the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community.
The WGAD has officially declared Bhutan’s actions a violation of international law and urged the government to immediately release all political prisoners, reform its legal system, provide compensation, and allow independent investigations into human rights violations.
Key Findings of the WGAD Report
The three detainees were arrested in 2008 without warrants and sentenced to life imprisonment under Bhutan’s National Security Act (1992). Their conviction was politically motivated, targeting them for their peaceful activism and criticism of government policies. Bhutan has provided no legal justification for their imprisonment.
The detainees were denied legal representation and forced to defend themselves in court. The trial was conducted in Dzongkha, a language they do not understand, with government-appointed interpreters, raising concerns about fairness. They were convicted without any evidence of violent intent, solely for distributing pamphlets critical of the government.
Bhutan falsely labeled them as terrorists under draconian national security laws. The National Security Act (1992) has been repeatedly used to target ethnic minorities and political activists. The WGAD confirmed that these individuals were imprisoned simply for exercising their right to free speech and peaceful activism.
Since 2017, Bhutan has completely denied political prisoners any contact with their families. The government falsely claimed in 2024 that family visits were still allowed. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) last visited Bhutan in 2012, and in 2022, families with official ICRC documents were denied access to their imprisoned relatives.
Bhutan ignored the WGAD’s request for information about these cases and failed to provide any legal justification for their detentions. This pattern of non-cooperation raises serious concerns about Bhutan’s lack of transparency and accountability.
GCRPPB welcomes the WGAD report
The Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) has welcomed the UN report and called upon the Royal Government of Bhutan to take immediate action to release all political prisoners and reform its laws.
GCRPPB has urged Bhutan to release all detainees facing similar injustices, provide full compensation for wrongful imprisonment, end the misuse of arbitrary detention, and allow international human rights monitors access to its prison system.
A systematic pattern of Human Rights abuses
The UN report confirms that Bhutan continues to suppress political dissent, particularly targeting the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community. The National Security Act (1992) has been weaponized to silence opposition voices, and Bhutan’s refusal to allow international monitoring raises serious concerns about the treatment of prisoners.
The WGAD’s findings go beyond these three individuals. They expose a broader human rights crisis in Bhutan, where at least 32 political prisoners remain behind bars under fabricated charges.
GCRPPB Expresses Gratitude to Supporters and Partners
The Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) has thanked its dedicated team members for their tireless efforts over the years to bring international attention to this issue including cooperating with WGAD.
GCRPPB has also expressed deep gratitude to the families of political prisoners for their cooperation and courage in sharing information and providing timely updates. “Their strength has been critical in advocating for justice,” said a statement issued by Ram Karki, founder and Global Coordinator of the Global Campaign for the release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB).
The GRCPPB has also thanked Human Rights Watch for their extensive engagement and support. “ HRW’s collaboration with GCRPPB has played a key role in bringing this issue to global attention including closely working with WGAD and making this success possible,” the press statement said.
“Bhutan’s ongoing human rights violations require urgent international attention. The United Nations, human rights organizations, and foreign governments must increase diplomatic pressure on Bhutan to comply with international law and release all political prisoners,” said Mr Karki.
The WGAD has officially determined that Bhutan is violating international human rights law. The Bhutanese government must stop persecuting political dissidents, allow independent investigations, and release all individuals detained under politically motivated charges, Mr Karki demanded.
The international community must take strong diplomatic and legal action to hold Bhutan accountable for its human rights abuses, the statement said.
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