Bhutan: Crack-down on "anti-nationals" in the east

Index Number: ASA 14/001/1998
Date Published: 1 January 1998
Categories: Asia And The Pacific, Bhutan

Recently AI has received reports of human rights violations in eastern Bhutan against the activities of the Druk National Congress (DNC), a political party set up in exile which campaigns for a democratic system of government. Violations include arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention without charge or trial as well as torture and incommunicado detention. AI recommends that the government of Bhutan should accede to relevant international human rights treaties, release those who have not been charged with a recognizably criminal offence and ensure fair trials for and treatment of prisoners amongst other measures.