KATHMANDU, Sept 21: Former Bhutanese political prisoners Hasta Bahadur Rai and Chatur Man Tamang, who were released after more than 18 years in prison, are set to speak publicly about their experiences of detention, release and life after prison.
Rai and Tamang were arrested in February 2008 and held at Chamgang Central Prison until their release on June 1, 2026. Human Rights Watch reported that both were sentenced to life imprisonment for treason following trials without defence lawyers. The two men also told the rights group that they were severely tortured while in army custody after their arrests.
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The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in Opinion No. 11/2026, found their prolonged detention to be arbitrary under international human rights law. It raised concerns over their arrests, military detention without communication, lack of legal assistance and violations of their fair-trial rights. The Working Group called for an effective remedy, including appropriate reparation.
Following their release, the two men initially faced difficulties returning to Nepal because they lacked official documents confirming their release, according to The Kathmandu Post. They eventually returned to Beldangi Refugee Camp, where they had lived before their imprisonment, with support from local residents.
In August, the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) provided financial assistance to the two men at the refugee camp. They are now attempting to rebuild their lives after nearly two decades in detention.
GCRPPB will host a virtual conversation titled “18 Years of Silence — Now They Speak” on October 10 from 9 am to 11 am EST. Rai and Tamang will discuss their imprisonment, release and life after detention, with participants also able to ask questions.
The event will be held via Zoom. Interested participants must register by October 8 through the GCRPPB registration form. Registered participants will receive the access link.
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