Bhutan, often hailed as a beacon of happiness, hides a darker truth beneath its charming facade. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has unveiled shocking findings, revealing that the Bhutanese government has imprisoned individuals for life without parole for merely voicing their political beliefs. In 2023, Human Rights Watch and the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) reported at least 37 political prisoners, with five recently released after lengthy incarcerations.
A recent UN report investigated three notable cases of political prisoners: Birkha Bahadur Chhetri, Kumar Gautam, and Sunman Gurung. These men became refugees during the 1990 ethnic cleansing, which forced 90,000 Nepali-speaking Bhutanese to flee. Having returned to Bhutan in 2008, they faced arrest for distributing political pamphlets, ultimately being convicted of treason under the draconian National Security Act and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The UN Working Group identified four key instances of arbitrary detention that rendered their imprisonment illegal per international human rights standards. They found their arrest circumstances led to enforced disappearance and that their activism constituted a lawful exercise of their rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, the men were denied a fair trial, with their incarceration reflecting discrimination based on political opinions and linguistic identity, exacerbated by stringent visitation restrictions.
Reportedly, Human Rights Watch and GCRPPB described the inhumane conditions faced by remaining political prisoners; deprived of adequate sustenance, clothing, and medical supplies. Alarmingly, the Bhutanese government has remained silent, failing to address the UN Working Group’s concerns.
There is an urgent call for Bhutan’s international allies to pressure the government into releasing all political prisoners without delay. This isn’t just an appeal for justice; it’s a fundamental demand for human rights and dignity.
The UN Working Group has discovered that Bhutan is holding political prisoners illegally, shielding this reality with its ‘gross national happiness’ image. As of 2023, at least 37 prisoners are documented, following the unjust life sentences of three men who protested politically. Their detention violates fundamental human rights, including the right to a fair trial, with calls for international pressure on Bhutan for their immediate release.
In conclusion, Bhutan’s picturesque portrayal as a harmonious society is tarnished by stark human rights violations. The UN Working Group’s investigation sheds light on the plight of political prisoners who are imprisoned unlawfully for expressing their opinions. The findings underscore the urgent need for international intervention to ensure justice, dignity, and the release of all political prisoners in Bhutan.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
