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Start of Crackdown in Bhutan

By Steve Allen

A correspondent reports that, as in the early ninety's, the Royal government of Bhutan (RGOB) has started a crackdown in Bhutan. On 16th February 2008 a team of Royal Bhutan Police with arms searched the house of All Abrader Chetrum. Chetrum was arrested in May/June 2007 on allegations of being a Communist Party of Bhutan (CPB-MLM) member and he is still in jail.

After that, his son Devil Abrader chetrum of village Kotare, Humanely block, Sam chi district was called to the house of the village headman and was arrested. The reason for his arrest is unknown. Reportedly, he is in Samchi jail. The Human Rights Organization of Bhutan (HUROB) is very concerned for the safety and security of the prisoners.

As in the past, the prisoners might be facing inhuman tortures and cruel treatment. Prisoners are kept incommunicado until they are convicted. Also, there is no fair trial. The court gives a unilateral verdict as there is no system for defendants on the victim's side. If the crackdown continues, there will probably be another exodus of people as they start fleeing for the safety and security of their life and of their families.

Indirectly, it is also an opportunity for the Royal Government to evict non-Bhutanese people, who currently number about 80,000.

S.B.Subba, the Chairman of the Human Rights Organization of Bhutan has requested all concerned parties to raise the issue with the Royal Government without delay, asking them "to stop arresting people on doubts of being affiliated to a political party and believing in particular ideology. So that people live and enjoy peace without fear and trepidation and another phase of human misery is not created."

Human Rights Organization of Bhutan (HUROB)
Office: Damak-13, Jhapa, Nepal.
Ph: 00977-23-583134