Bhutan has become an example among South Asians and high achievers in donor’s expectations in the socio-economic sphere. There are several statistics and reports produced within the country that display tremendous development and efforts to maintain and preserve a pristine environment at the same time. The image of Bhutan as a mystic last Shangri~la and a carbon negative country in the world has garnered good admiration and soft power. Besides, the only country to have adopted Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product as a developmental index received international attention.
In May 2019 Bhutan participated the Universal Periodic Review of UN Human Rights Council. Bhutan was asked to ratify the core international Human Rights Instruments to which it is not yet a party. Bhutan rejected many of these recommendations citing technical and financial resources. Bhutan also rejected extending an invitation to all special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council into the country for regular monitoring.
Bhutan was asked to constitute a national human rights institution. Bhutan’s response was that it ‘…takes note of this recommendation. The Royal Government will study different options that may be best suited for the country taking into consideration the need and national state of preparedness.’
Bhutan received a total of 220 recommendations from the United Nations Member States. The government accepted 157 recommendations, and deferred 63 which are of paramount importance to upholding human rights in the country.
The joint Human Rights and Foreign Relations Committee in parliament has now been reduced to that of National Assembly only. Despite the appearance of its name, the committee has no permission to discuss or debate on any human rights issues or accept any complaints or applications from citizens related to human rights violations. This committee has never looked into any cases of human rights in over a decade.
The lack of any human rights groups or state apparatus means citizens have no options to seek justice if they feel their rights are being suppressed or denied. Social media becomes the ultimate platform for these people to spit venom against the government or its perpetrators. There are limitations on what people can express and if such voice ever reaches to the authority and are addressed. Large chunk of the population does not have access to the internet. Consequence is that they accept to live by whatever has happened. In addition, the public service employees have limitation on what they can express through social media and public forums. Disobedience of the order means harsher punishment and termination from the job.
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