Overview of Human Rights in Bhutan

While Bhutan’s human rights record improved in recent years, there are still a few problem areas remaining. There has been limited capacity to change the government; however, serious shifts have been implemented to move the country in the direction of democracy.  Nonetheless, restrictions on the freedom of speech and press, assembly and association, and the freedom of religion continue to exist.

While there have been very few reports lately of house-to house police searches for dissidents, there have been some isolated cases of arbitrary arrest and detainment for those who speak out against the monarchy.

Discrimination against the Nepali minority continues to be a problem as well. Children in Bhutan, mainly those of Nepali origin or Christian background, face discrimination in their access to the educational system.

Note:

In March 2005, the government released a draft constitution that included provisions to protect the political, civil and human rights of citizens of Bhutan. Also in 2005, Bhutan abolished the death penalty as a form of capital punishment.  As well, the country's draft constitution, which was intended to transform its absolute monarchy into a two-party democratic system, included 34 articles on the respective roles of the monarchy, clergy and citizenry.  It also ended the royal decree of 1953, which accorded the king absolute power.  

On December 14, 2006, the king abdicated from the throne and was succeeded by his son.  His decision was intended to move the country away from rule by an absolute monarchy and towards increased democratization.  The country's first general elections in history are scheduled for 2008.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

135th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.