Introduction on Bhutan 

Wedged between the two Asian giants, China to the north and India to the east, west and south, Bhutan is a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious Himalayan nation. Its present population figures at 700,000 plus, in the 46,500 sq. km area and lies between 88 deg 45' east to 92 deg 10' east in longitude and 26 deg 40' north to 28 deg 15' north in latitude. It stretches roughly 150 km north to south and 300 km east to west.  The terrain is among the most rugged and mountainous in the world, as most of the country lies along the Himalayan range. The land rises from the plains of India at about 100 meters above sea level in the south to more than 7500 meters above sea level in the north. This great range of altitudinal zones and varied climatic conditions makes it possible to have the most diverse flora and fauna. The World Wildlife Fund has marked Bhutan as one of the ten global "hot spots" on Earth.  

Politically, Bhutan is an absolute monarchy; established in 1907, practically autocratic, primitive, despotic and feudal. The present king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the fifth hereditary monarch of the kingdom.  Economically it is one of the least developed countries of the world.  Bhutan has no written constitution to protect fundamental political, human rights or Bill of Rights. The king commands as the living constitution of the country. The judiciary is also not independent of the King. There is no people's represented legislature or assembly though there is National Assembly which works as a rubber stamp legislature of the government. The present council of ministers is headed by annually rotated Chairman (often say Prim minister)  directly controlled by the king.  King himself is the head of the state and the government. The King exercises strong, active, and direct power over the Government.  Citizens do not have the right to change their government. The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) is 2,500 strong and is assisted by the  7,500 strong Royal Bhutan Army (including those assigned to the Royal Body Guard). Together they maintain internal security of the country. 

There is no political right.  Freedom of religion is also restricted. No  political parties, unions or associations that subscribe to the values of democracy and human rights as understood in the outside world are permitted in the country.  Any opposition to the government policy is termed as an act of treason.  There is no freedom of expression.  No one is allowed to express his or her opinion against the system of government.  Bhutan has no freedom of press and media. "The Kuensel" published twice in a week (Saturday and Wednesday)  is the only publication, which acts more as His Majesty's Voice rather than a media for the peoples.  It is mostly circulated among the diplomatic agencies and popularly known as a mouthpiece document apt for keeping in the files only. 

Bhutan's economy is basically agrarian. Majority of the people are engaged in agriculture, livestock farming and forestry. Over 97% of the populations are farmers. The economy is predominately a government-controlled economy. It is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90 percent of the population and account for approximately half of the gross domestic product (GDP). Agriculture largely consists of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Citrus fruit, cardamom, and other spices are the leading agricultural exports.  Timber, Cement, Dolomite and Electricity are the other important exports.  There are no industries except a few small scales units. Strong trade and monetary ties link the economy closely to that of India. Income distribution remained very unequal, with the approximately 12 % of the population receiving about 70 percent of the national income. Hydroelectric power production potential and tourism are key resources, although the Government limits tourism in the name of inadequate infrastructure and environmental and cultural concerns. Tourist arrivals also are limited by a requirement that tourists purchase a high priced minimum daily rate holiday package before visiting the country.  

The Royal Family and other elites exploit the national resources including the foreign aid assistance for their personal benefits. The lucrative government contacts and businesses are handed over to them on the pretext of privatization and economic reform. Members of the Royal Family bought many government enterprises at throwaway prices, e.g., Tourism Corporation and monopoly on duty free business that were until recently wholly owned by the government.  The government repays even the loans of these industries. 

Seventeen years after joining the United Nations, the Royal Government of Bhutan in 1988 began an outright infringement of Citizen Rights in Bhutan.  Since then, the Bhutanese people are continuously suffering under the rule of the repressive regime both inside and outside Bhutan.