Deteriorating health condition of D.k Rai, a political prisoner in Bhutan

Bhutan peoples' Party is writing you to express deep concern about the life of Mr. Dhan Kumar Rai who is a former General Secretary of Bhutan Peoples' Party. He hails from Pakha Gaon of Biroo Block under Samchi district. He was arrested by the government of Bhutan in the year 1991 from Thoday-Chisang, one of the boarders to India. He was one of the active leaders who had great interest for the welfare of the Bhutanese who were forcefully evicted by the government of Bhutan. But since his arrest in 1991, he is in the Chamgang central Jail in Thimphu Bhutan. He is now 44 years old. He was a healthy man before his arrest. But after his arrest he had been suffering from mental disorder and now has heart  complications.

He has undergone severe torture in the prison due to which he is mentally unsound. Due to his mental sickness he has lot of problems in the prison with other prisoners and even with the guards

His family members have been visiting him once a year with the help of ICRC. Last year he was visited in the month of July 2007. During our visit this time, his health was very good except his mental problem. But on the 11th of August 2007, a message was received from Biratnagar Red Cross Society which was relayed from Delhi Red Cross Society, stating that Mr.Dhan Kumar Rai is serious in the hospital and his relatives should go to visit him immediately. This message was sent to Delhi ICRC by the authority of Bhutan police.  

Therefore, on 13th of August, four of his family members visited him in the Thimpu General Hospital on the evening of 14th August 2007 and found out that he was lying on the bed with serious complications.

After consulting with the medical officials it was learnt that he had heart failure and was almost dead. In spite of his seriousness he was handcuffed. Though he overcame the first heart failure yet he is very serious and is struggling for his life.  

The treatment is obviously not adequate for him. He needs intense care and medication and free envoronment.  

BPP request your good office to kindly raise voice for his pathetic condition and if necessary make arrangements for his immediate release for his further treatment.