Families of Bhutanese political prisoners seek int’l support for their release

Published On: February 23, 2024 04:57 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Feb 23: Families of Bhutanese political prisoners, represented by Damber Kumari Adhikari, mother of one of the political prisoners, appealed for help in securing the release of their loved ones.

They handed over their plea to Deekshya Illangasinghe, Executive Director of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR).

The appeal, backed by research from Human Rights Watch (HRW), highlights the plight of 35 prisoners serving life sentences in Bhutanese jails for political activities between 1990 and 2008.

Despite the advent of democracy in Bhutan in 2007, their release remains elusive. The families have implored the Bhutanese King to grant amnesty, citing Article 2.16.c of the Bhutanese constitution.

SAHR, led by Illangasinghe, visited these families and former prisoners on February 21, 2024, listening to their grievances.

The initiative also received support from Nepali journalist Devendra Bhattarai and Bhutanese refugee advocate DB Subba. Additionally, GCRPPB's youth coordinator, Srijana Sapkota, voiced the issue at the World Social Forum 2024 in Kathmandu, urging international backing for the cause.