Human Rights | The Bhutan Watch

Statelessness Among Former Bhutanese Citizens: A Public Issue of Concern

by Ram Karki March 8, 2022

Much has been studied and written on Gross National Happiness (GNH) and Bhutanese Refugee Issue in the past decades, but scholars and researchers are yet to write on the issue of statelessness among the former Bhutanese Citizens. In this article, I have attempted to study and analyze this issue to find the root cause of Bhutanese Citizens becoming stateless in their own country and in the diaspora. An attempt has been made to find the suitable answer of how a country that propagates the philosophy of happiness could revoke the citizenship of its people and escape from crime. This paper mainly focuses on the issue of statelessness among the former Bhutanese Refugees in their country of resettlement and studies the activities of respective community organizations to make the issue public for its resolution. The phenomenological approach was followed to write this article. Read full

Civics, Human Rights

Gender Violence Within Bhutanese American Community

by C M Niroula March 8, 2022

Gender violence is an old problem worldwide. It is not an exception in the Bhutanese Community. However, the severity of the problem has grown substantially within the Bhutanese American Community following resettlement. In most cases, the victims are women and girls. A deeper investigation and historical authenticity might require finding the cause – whether the problem has grown following resettlement, or it was subdued while living in exile. This research was aimed to dig out the causes of growing gender violence in a newly resettled community and seek solutions to the problem. An anonymous survey was conducted, and the author held a conversation with a number of community members and victims. Educating the victims to speak against their perpetrators while still providing social and other support would change the way the newly established community prosper. Dedicated service and support are required from local law enforcement agencies to encourage them to tell their stories. They need easy access to and guarantee of privacy and security from the police department, sexual assault hotline, medical practitioners, school and community organisations. Read Full

Human Rights

Interview with Father David Townsend

by Govinda Rizal March 8, 2022

Father David Townsend worked with the refugee education of the Bhutanese refugee students in Nepal. His contribution to the students deserves historical archiving. I P Adhikari and Govinda Rizal of Bhutan Watch approached Father David for a written interview. He has given insightful information of the education system in refugee camps in the final years of the 20th century and several other facts related to Bhutan and Bhutanese refugees. Read Full

Human Rights, Politics, Security

Mutiny or personal collusion

by I P Adhikari September 8, 2021

Introduction In a new ‘democratic’ Bhutan, a lady’s failed attempt to overthrow the army chief and influence the highest authority in the county’s legal system raised questions if the country has the capacity to deter future conspiracies that could be complicated and sophisticated than this. The story received massive public attention and stirred inconclusive debates purely because the country has liberalised politics and media industry, though in miniature form, exist. Many stories of this nature vanished in history and have become folklores. The latest scandal would have much bigger implications in public psychology had it been not shadowed by the COVID 19 pandemic. The story revolves around four individuals – Bomden Khandu Wangmo, former Royal Bodyguard (RBG) Commandant Brigadier Thinley Tobgay, Supreme Court Justice Kuenlay Tshering (Elephant Bench or Bench 1) and Pemagatshel District Judge Yeshey Dorji. The Thimphu District Court on 23 July sentenced these four individuals to a prison term ranging from five years to 10 years. Chief Operations Officer Batoo Tshering with RBG Commandment Thinley Tobgay The charge sheet of the Office of Attorney General (OAG) mentions, ‘as the offenses committed by the defendants are highly sensitive, grievous, most serious in nature and detrimental to the very core of national security, peace and sovereignty of the country, they must be given the maximum sentencing’. Though total sentences pronounced against them are much longer, the court agreed for concurrent sentences and some of them can pay Thrimthue[1] in lieu of imprisonment for certain offences and charges. Lead Lady The story revolves around Khandu Wangmo – a lady who whirled power in disguise in such a sophisticated way that caused a major stir in the national security and judiciary. Wangmo, 41, from Thimphu, started her career as an English teacher in Drukgyel School in Paro but left the profession early on. She worked in the Indian Embassy in Thimphu as a Social Secretary cum Liaison Officer between 2012 and 2016.…

Human Rights, Politics

Democracy and Political Prisoners in Bhutan

by Ram Karki January 16, 2021

ABSTRACT The uprising of 1990 in Bhutan was a wake-up call for the Bhutanese monarchy to reform. The King announced in 2005 that the country will have a ‘democratic’ government. He handed over his authority to his son to govern. The King and the country received a massive appreciation for initiating democracy. By nature, democracy should primarily benefit those who demanded it. Instead, Bhutan is the only democracy in the world where pro-democracy activists are still serving jail sentences. The international community remains a mute spectator to the sugar-coated Bhutanese democracy. Bhutan fooled them by taking advantage of their interest in geopolitics. This paper shall look at the story of dissidents behind bars, their families and response from the international community – including governments, human rights groups and the United Nations. Additionally, the major highlights of this paper will be to examine the implementation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution of Bhutan and to see if such fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution are real or a toothless instrument. Keywords: political prisoners, democracy, human rights, politics, justice, Read Complete Article

Human Rights

Bhutanese Refugees: Past, Present and Future

by Govinda Rizal January 16, 2021

Professor Dr. Michael Hutt, who was until recently Professor of Nepali and Himalayan Studies, at the School of Oriental and Africa Studies (SOAS), University of London, is a renowned scholar on Bhutan studies. He has visited Bhutan, the Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal, and Bhutanese resettled in developed countries. He has closely studied the refugee saga from the beginning till date. He has authored books and articles in peer-reviewed journals on Bhutanese issues. I P Adhikari and Dr. Govinda Rizal of Bhutan Watch Team approached Dr. Hutt for a conversation on past, present and future of the former and current Bhutanese refugees. Read Complete Interview

Civics, Human Rights

Wamrong case: a litmus test for Bhutanese judiciary

by I P Adhikari July 5, 2020

You cannot question the authority for its actions. This was the primary principle of governance in Bhutan for centuries. Post ‘guided democratic’ changes, little has changed to diffuse the perception among the elite members of Bhutanese community that it is a void in democracy. Misuse of authority and privilege for abuse and personal gain is a culture in Bhutan. Only a handful of cases appear in the public domain whereas vast majority are socially and economically silenced. The incident that come in the public domain also fail to hold its presence or leave a mark in absence of conscious civil society, strong media and awaken citizens. The last instance of such event is from eastern district – wife of a judge in a subdivisional court abusing and assaulting her neighbour for reasons not known. The incident happened in the last week of April but came into limelight almost a month later. During this period, the victim was reportedly given pressure for compromise to settle the case outside the court and police. It is a traditional practice in Bhutan to settle cases outside courts or tribunals. In many cases, courts too encourage such practice obliquing its obligation of giving a verdict when case is registered for judicial proceedings. The Wamrong case drew public attention, increasing criticism of the judicial system, justice delivery, police behaviour and social hierarchy that is fuelling abuses and prejudices based on social status of an individual. The general sentiment that justice delivery is biased is ever increasing. The incident The case involved Tshering Yangki, 52, wife of a judge in Wamrong sub-divisional court under Trashigang district, who assaulted her neighbour Sonam Peldon, 38. Peldon’s husband works as sweeper in the Wamrong court. Yangki verbally attacked Peldon the moment she spotted her in the kitchen garden and demanded that she remain out of her sight. Media reports quote Peldon saying, “I did not say anything and instead stood…

Human Rights

Faltering – Annual Human Rights Report

by The Bhutan Watch February 18, 2020

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…

Human Rights

Rights Under Shadow

by The Bhutan Watch April 29, 2019

Status of Human Rights Report 2018 ACRONYMSFORWARDSUMMARYSTATE PROTECTION MECHANISMPOLITICAL FREEDOMRIGHT TO EXPRESSION & FREEDOM OF INFORMATIONRELIGIOUS FREEDOMMINORITY ISSUESWOMEN ISSUESCHILDREN ISSUESEMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RIGHTSLGBT RIGHTSPRISON SITUATIONSECURITY & CRIMECONCLUSIONANNEXURE FORWARDIt is my pleasure to be a part of the team to bring out an annual human rights report on Bhutan. Bhutan has adopted a controlled democratic set up which can be considered an outcome of our post 1990 political and human rights campaign. In 1998, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was compelled to reinstitute the power vested by his father King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck to the National Assembly of Bhutan. He further evolved the idea to “guided” democracy eventually declaring the country in 2008 as Constitutional Monarchy. Now, Bhutan has a written constitution. Because of this development Bhutan is freer than pre 1990 situation but yet it is a long way to go to achieve democracy as enjoyed in truly democratic system of governance. The checks and balances in the system are so weak that the “guided” democracy could easily turn into a permanent road block in the quest for true democracy in Bhutan. As a team member of this fresh initiative to publish the annual human rights report in Bhutan. We will cover cultural rights, civil rights, minority rights and economic rights of Bhutanese people as seen by people in the opposition bench. It is hoped that such reports will be useful for self-evaluation of the people in the government and the need to do more for opening up the country for better governance. I also congratulate the team members from the resettled Bhutanese communities for coming forward to join the publication team. We have a long way to go. There is a need for us to organise at global level a vibrant Bhutanese Diaspora which should not only be able to take care of its own interest but also help Bhutan and the Bhutanese people to make economic and…