The Bhutanese authorities have also failed to respond to multiple UN requests for transparency regarding these political prisoners. International organizations have called on Bhutan to allow independent human rights observers into its prisons — a request that has been repeatedly ignored.

A panel of United Nations human rights experts has found that Bhutan continues to arbitrarily detain political prisoners, violating international human rights standards. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), in its latest opinion published in 2024, has urged the Bhutanese government to immediately release all individuals held in its prisons under politically motivated charges.

Bhutan, often hailed as a beacon of peace and happiness due to its Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy, hides a troubling reality behind its picturesque landscapes and progressive reputation. While the country transitioned to a constitutional monarchy in 2008, adopting democratic reforms and holding parliamentary elections, serious human rights concerns persist — particularly in the treatment of political dissenters. The Bhutanese government has long been accused of suppressing opposition voices, especially those from the country’s ethnic Nepali-speaking minority.

The latest findings from the UN’s WGAD expose the extent of these violations, highlighting cases of wrongful imprisonment, forced confessions, and severe mistreatment of detainees. Many of these political prisoners, primarily arrested in the 1990s and early 2000s, remain behind bars without any hope of release, despite Bhutan’s claims that no such prisoners exist. The UN report underscores the urgent need for reform and accountability, emphasizing that these detentions are unlawful under international human rights laws.

The global community is now turning its attention to Bhutan, urging the government to address these long-standing issues. With growing international pressure and renewed calls for justice, Bhutan faces a crucial moment: to align itself with democratic principles and human rights or continue down the path of suppression and denial.

As international pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether Bhutan will acknowledge its human rights violations or continue its policy of denial. For the families of those still imprisoned, however, justice remains long overdue.

A Legacy of Political Suppression

Despite its transition to a constitutional monarchy in 2008, Bhutan has persistently refused to acknowledge the existence of political prisoners. The UN report highlights that at least 35 individuals, primarily from the country’s ethnic Nepali-speaking minority, remain incarcerated under charges of “anti-national” activities or “terrorism.” These convictions, according to the WGAD, were based on unfair trials, coerced confessions, and lack of legal representation.

Many of these prisoners were detained between 1990 and 2008 during a period of heightened political repression when Bhutan expelled over 100,000 ethnic Nepalis in a mass campaign of ethnic cleansing. The government labelled any form of political dissent as a threat to national security, leading to a crackdown on activists and opposition groups.

UN Findings: Violations of International Law

The WGAD determined that Bhutan’s detention practices violate multiple international human rights provisions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Bhutan, notably, has refused to ratify the ICCPR, raising concerns over its commitment to fundamental human rights.

Among the most concerning findings of the UN report are:

• Denial of Fair Trials: Political detainees were systematically denied legal representation and were often convicted in trials conducted in languages they did not understand.
• Use of Torture: Former prisoners have testified that Bhutanese authorities used coercion and torture to extract confessions.
• Inhumane Prison Conditions: Prisoners suffer from malnutrition, lack of medical care, and are often deprived of family visits and basic necessities.

The WGAD emphasized that Bhutanese prisoners have “no prospect of release” unless granted amnesty by the King, highlighting the dire situation for those currently serving life sentences.

Voices from Bhutanese Prisons

The case of Madhukar Monger, a former political prisoner released in 2023 after 29 years in detention, sheds light on the brutal conditions in Bhutanese prisons. Monger stated that prisoners were provided inadequate food rations, forcing them to trade their meager supplies for essential medical care and clothing. He also reported that detainees were subjected to severe beatings and other forms of mistreatment.

Santi Ram Acharya, another ex-political prisoner, described how detainees were often convicted on baseless allegations and denied due process. He recounted that many of his fellow inmates were subjected to forced labor and lived under constant fear of retribution from prison authorities.

Bhutan’s Silence and Denials

The Bhutanese government has consistently denied the existence of political prisoners, insisting that all individuals incarcerated are either criminals or national security threats. However, human rights organizations, including the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) and Human Rights Watch, have provided extensive evidence contradicting this claim.

The Bhutanese authorities have also failed to respond to multiple UN requests for transparency regarding these detentions. International organizations have called on Bhutan to allow independent human rights observers into its prisons — a request that has been repeatedly ignored.

What Lies Ahead for Bhutan?

The UN’s findings have prompted renewed calls for Bhutan to release its political prisoners. Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union, have urged Bhutan to ratify international human rights treaties and align its policies with global standards.

The WGAD’s recommendations include:

• Immediate Release of Political Prisoners: The Bhutanese government must free all individuals imprisoned under politically motivated charges and provide them with adequate reparations.
• Legal Reforms: Bhutan must ensure fair trials, provide legal representation, and eliminate the use of coerced confessions.
• Independent Monitoring: The international community should be granted access to Bhutan’s prisons to assess human rights conditions.

While Bhutan enjoys a reputation as the “happiest country in the world” due to its Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy, the reality for its political prisoners tells a different story. The continued suppression of dissent undermines Bhutan’s democratic image and raises questions about its commitment to justice and human rights, say human rights experts.