Bhutan
As of early 2026, Bhutan is often celebrated for its "Gross National Happiness" (GNH) philosophy and its successful transition to a constitutional monarchy. However, international human rights bodies like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International point to a "hidden" crisis involving long-term political prisoners and the unresolved status of the Lhotshampa (ethnic Nepali) population.
The following are the primary human rights issues in Bhutan:
1. Long-Term Political Prisoners
A major focus for international advocacy in 2025 and 2026 has been the "forgotten" prisoners from the 1990s.
Inhumane Conditions: At least 32 to 34 political prisoners remain in detention, some serving life sentences without parole. Recent testimonies from released inmates describe prisoners surviving on meager rations, using rice sacks for bedding, and lacking access to medical care.
Coerced Confessions: Human rights groups allege these individuals were convicted in the 1990s and early 2000s based on confessions extracted through torture, without access to defense lawyers.
Pressure from the EU: In April 2025, the European Union and UN experts intensified pressure on the King of Bhutan to use his power of pardon to release these individuals, calling their continued detention a "major stain" on the country’s democratic reputation.
2. The Lhotshampa Refugee Crisis
The legacy of the "ethnic cleansing" of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese in the early 1990s remains unresolved.
The "Remaining" Refugees: While over 100,000 Lhotshampas were resettled globally (mostly in the U.S.), approximately 6,000 to 10,000 refugees remain in camps in Nepal.
Right to Return: Bhutan continues to deny these individuals the right to repatriate, effectively maintaining their statelessness.
Discrimination: Those Lhotshampas who remained in Bhutan still report challenges in obtaining "Security Clearance Certificates," which are required for government jobs, higher education, and business licenses.
3. Freedom of Expression and "Obstructed" Civic Space
While Bhutan is rated as "Free" by Freedom House as of 2025, its civic space is categorized as "obstructed."
Media Self-Censorship: Bhutan’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has fluctuated significantly, dropping as low as 152nd in 2025. Journalists report high levels of self-censorship, particularly when discussing the monarchy or religious institutions.
Defamation Laws: The government continues to use criminal defamation and libel laws (carrying up to three years in prison) to silence critics.
Civil Society Restrictions: New financial requirements introduced in 2024/2025 require NGOs to maintain high endowment funds (up to Nu 3 million), which has forced several smaller civil society organizations to dissolve.
4. LGBTQ+ Rights: Decriminalization vs. Social Reality
Since the historic decriminalization of homosexuality in 2021, the landscape has slowly evolved:
Legal Gains: In 2024 and 2025, the government integrated LGBTQ+ concerns into its National Gender Equality Policy.
Ongoing Stigma: Despite legal progress, there is still no recognition of same-sex marriage or civil unions. Transgender individuals can change their legal gender, but the process remains burdensome, requiring a psychiatric medical diagnosis.
Political Progress: In a 2025 survey, over 80% of Bhutanese parliamentarians expressed that "LGBTQ+ rights are human rights," marking a significant shift in political discourse.
5. Rights of Women and Minorities
Political Underrepresentation: Women remain significantly underrepresented in Parliament, making up less than 10% of candidates in the most recent election cycles.
Religious Freedom: While the constitution protects freedom of religion, local authorities have been known to harass non-Buddhists. Christian groups, in particular, often struggle to obtain official registration, which limits their ability to build places of worship or hold public gatherings.