Bhutan: UN Experts Call For Release Of Long-Term Political Prisoners

Geneva, 16 April 2025

UN human rights experts* today called on the Government of Bhutan to release 32 individuals imprisoned for decades after reportedly protesting against the mistreatment of the Nepali-speaking minority in Bhutan.

Following incidents in the 1990s and 2010s, the detainees were convicted of vague and overbroad terrorism and national security offences and received lengthy sentences from 34 years to life in prison.

“No one should be punished at all, let alone by such harsh sentences, for peacefully exercising their freedoms of assembly and expression and the right to participate in political affairs under international law,” the experts said.

“In these circumstances, their detention appears to be arbitrary and violates their right to liberty under international law,” the experts said. In 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also found the detention of three of the prisoners to be arbitrary.

“We also express our deep concern at reports of detainees being severely tortured, both to extract confessions and to punish them,” the experts said. Torture is absolutely prohibited under international law.

The experts expressed grave concern that many of these “political prisoners” were reportedly denied access to legal representation, lacked a clear understanding of the charges, and were unable to effectively challenge the accusations and the evidence presented in court.

The conditions of their detention have been and continue to be dire, with inadequate water, food, heating, bedding and warm clothing. The detainees also lack meaningful access to doctors and are prevented from communicating with their families, compounding their suffering and isolation.

"We call on the King of Bhutan to exercise his constitutional power to pardon and release these 32 political prisoners," the experts stated. The King has previously granted amnesty to dozens of political prisoners, including those serving life sentences, setting a precedent for compassionate intervention.

“We implore Bhutan to refrain from prosecuting peaceful protests and expression in line with international human rights law”, they said.

“We also urge Bhutan to review and amend its terrorism and security offences under the Penal Code and National Security Act and ensure that terrorist offences are sufficiently precise and only address conduct that is genuinely terrorist according to international standards,” they added.

The protests that led to the convictions arose in the context of significant discrimination against the Nepali-speaking minority in Bhutan, known as the “Lhotshampa” community, including in relation to their political, economic and social rights. Despite positive reforms in Bhutan, elements of discrimination remain to this day.

The protests were met with a campaign of violence and repression by the authorities in the early 1990s, including the forced displacement of over 100,000 refugees.

“In the interest of justice and national reconciliation, we encourage Bhutan to embark on a meaningful process of accountability and reparation for these historic rights violations, in line with Bhutan’s international obligations,” the expert said.

The experts have communicated their concerns about these cases to the Bhutanese authorities.

*The experts: Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and Ms. Ganna Yudkivska (Chair-Rapporteur), Mr. Matthew Gillett (Vice-Chair on Communications), Ms. Miriam Estrada Castillo (Vice-Chair on Follow-Up), and Mr. Mumba Malila,Working Group on arbitrary detention.

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