The Hague,
The Netherlands.
Date:-04-04-2025

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 newly released joint report by six UN Special Rapporteurs has brought global attention to Bhutan’s severe human rights violations, particularly its prolonged persecution of political prisoners. The findings, welcomed by the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) and Human Rights Watch (HRW), expose alarming abuses, including arbitrary detentions, torture, unfair trials, and inhumane prison conditions.

For years, Bhutan has cultivated an image of a peaceful Himalayan kingdom, yet this report reveals a starkly different reality. Many political prisoners, especially from the Lhotshampa ethnic minority, have been unjustly imprisoned for advocating democracy and human rights. Subjected to degrading treatment and prolonged suffering, these prisoners are denied medical care and fundamental legalprotections, highlighting Bhutan’s systematic efforts to silence dissenting voices.

A Pattern of Systematic Repression

The report details how Bhutanese authorities misuse anti-terrorism laws and vague national security provisions to target political opponents. Political detainees often face prolonged imprisonment without trial, forced confessions under duress, and severe restrictions on communication with their families.

In their report, the UN experts state, “We implore the King to exercise His Majesty’s power to pardon and release these prisoners.” The Special Rapporteurs raise serious concerns regarding the use of torture, lack of fair trials, violations of fundamental human rights, and inhumane prison conditions.

Bhutan’s Violations of International Law

Despite not being a party to key international treaties such as:

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

The Convention Against Torture (CAT)

Bhutan is still bound by customary international human rights law. The report underscores Bhutan’s failure to uphold international obligations, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2019.

This report documents the cases of 19 political prisoners—out of a total of 32 prisoners—due to consent requirements, but it acknowledges that the remaining 13 are equally included in the call for justice.

GCRPPB extends its deep gratitude to Human Rights Watch (HRW) for its collaboration in coordinating efforts with UN bodies to bring this report to fruition.

List of 32 Political Prisoners Advocated for Release

Rinzin Wangdi
Tenzin Gawa Zangpo
Kinley Gyeltshen
Kinley Penjor
Ram Lal Rawat
Bishnu Rai
Madhulal Budathoki
MB Bhujel
Lok Bahadur Ghale
Sha Bahadur Gurung
Kumar Rai
Prem Rai
Ganga Ram Dhakal
Bhakta Bahadur Rai
Moni Kumar Pradhan
Prakash Mongar
Harka Bahadur Gurung
Dambar Singh Pulami
Yogi Prasad Subba
Kumar Gautam
Hasta Bahadur Rai
Suk Man Mongar
Birkha Bahadur Chhetri
Govinda Niroula

Nandalal Basnet
Om Nath Adhikari
Khagendra Khanal
Aita Raj Rai
San Man Gurung
Chatur Man Tamang
Chandra Raj Rai
Bhim Bahadur Rai
A Call for Global Action
GCRPPB urges Bhutanese authorities to immediately release all political prisoners and comply with international human rights standards. The international community—including the United Nations, human rights organizations, and democratic governments—is called upon to increase diplomatic pressure on Bhutan to end these grave human rights abuses.

“This report is a powerful validation of the injustices faced by political prisoners in Bhutan. Their voices must no longer be silenced,” said [Spokesperson’s Name], spokesperson for GCRPPB. “We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and will continue advocating until every political prisoner is freed.”

We fully hope that global support will continue until all political prisoners are released and proper rehabilitation arrangements are made to help them start their new lives.

Read the full UN report here:
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29588

Ram Karki
Founder and Global Coordinator
Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB)
www.gcrppb.org
[email protected]