His Majesty the King of Bhutan
Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
Your Majesty,
On the auspicious occasion of the 117th National Day of Bhutan, a day of profound significance deeply rooted in the history and culture of the Bhutanese people, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty and all the citizens of Bhutan. This day, which holds immense importance in the hearts of the Bhutanese people, is a testament to Bhutan’s rich history and culture, a source of tremendous pride and honor. May the days ahead bring everyone a healthy, happy, and prosperous life.
On this auspicious occasion, I write with the utmost respect and formality on behalf of the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB). We bring to Your Majesty’s attention the urgent and pressing issue of political prisoners in Bhutan. This matter demands immediate attention and cannot be delayed.
It is a universal fact that Bhutan has become a democratic country with a constitutional monarchy. I commend you for your leading role in this. Yet, despite these political changes, more than 34 political prisoners are still languishing in Bhutan’s various prisons, urgently in need of your intervention.
Many of these political prisoners’ family members have already resettled in eight Western countries after spending many years in refugee camps in Nepal. Besides few, most of them have successfully gained citizenship in the countries they relocated to, and others are in the process. Some such families are still in Nepal’s refugee camps and desperately hope to reunite with their family members who are still serving sentences as political prisoners in Bhutan.
Despite living in economically developed countries and enjoying all necessary life amenities, the resettled families of the political prisoners feel incomplete and emotionally desolate. For decades, their loved ones have been serving prison terms in Bhutan, and they have remained disconnected for several years. The agonies of these families, Your Majesty, are more miserable and are challenging to describe.
The political prisoners are their dear husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and friends. It has become increasingly difficult for them to live a modest life, no matter where and how they live.
The parents of those political prisoners have started dying without their wishes to see the face of their beloved son being fulfilled. And the children of those prisoners who were just born when their father was arrested have great desires to see them. They have been waiting for decades for opportunities to live the rest of their lives peacefully together.
With a heavy heart, I request that your good office gracefully use the constitutional Royal Prerogatives (per Article 2.16.c of the Constitution of Bhutan) to provide amnesty to their beloved family members. I would be ever grateful to Your Majesty if my honest and sincere appeal is duly considered.
I humbly look forward to Your Majesty’s positive response to my appeal, which I believe will bring much-needed relief to these families.
Sincerely yours,
Ram Karki
Founder & Global Coordinator
The Global Campaign for The Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB)
The Hague, The Netherlands
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