10 December 2023

The Hague, The Netherlands

To,

His Majesty the King of Bhutan

Tashichho Dzong,

Thimphu, Bhutan

Ref: Appeal to Release Political Prisoners

Your Majesty,

With due respect, on behalf of the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB), taking the auspicious occasion of 75th Human Rights Day, I am writing to submit my sincere request for your kind consideration.

It is a universal fact that Bhutan has become a democratic country with a constitutional monarchy in place. I commend you for your leading role in this. And yet, despite these political changes, more than 50 political prisoners are languishing in Bhutan’s various prisons.

Your Majesty,

Many of these political prisoners’ family members have already resettled in eight Western countries after spending many years in refugee camps in Nepal. Besides few, most of them have successfully gained citizenship in the countries they relocated to, and others are in the process. Some such families are still in Nepal’s refugee camps and desperately hope to reunite with their family members who are still serving sentences as political prisoners in Bhutan.

Despite living in economically developed countries and enjoying all necessary life amenities, the resettled families of the political prisoners feel incomplete and emotionally desolate. For decades, their loved ones have been serving prison terms in Bhutan, and they have remained disconnected for several years. The agonies of these families are more miserable and are challenging to describe.

The political prisoners are their dear husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and friends. It has become increasingly difficult for them to live a modest life, no matter where and how they live.

Your Majesty,

The parents of those political prisoners have started dying without their wishes to see the face of their beloved son being fulfilled. And the children of those prisoners who were just born when their father was arrested have great desires to see them. They have been waiting for decades for opportunities to live the rest of their lives peacefully together.

Your Majesty,

With a heavy heart, I request that your good office gracefully use the constitutional Royal Prerogatives (per Article 2.16.c of the Constitution of Bhutan) to provide amnesty to their beloved family members. I would be ever grateful to Your Majesty if my honest and sincere appeal is duly considered.

I humbly look forward to Your Majesty’s positive response to my appeal.

Sincerely yours,

Ram Karki

Coordinator

Global Campaign for The Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB)

The Hague, The Netherlands.

[email protected]

I have enclosed the Human Rights Watch (HRW) list of verified 35 Bhutanese political prisoners, their details, and the latest HRW report.