Bhutanese political prisoners to speak publicly after 18 years in prison
Summary
Former Bhutanese political prisoners Hasta Bahadur Rai and Chatur Man Tamang will speak publicly about their 18 years in detention, their release and the challenges of rebuilding their lives. The virtual event will be hosted by the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan on October 10.
Key Points
- Former Bhutanese political prisoners Hasta Bahadur Rai and Chatur Man Tamang were held for more than 18 years before being released on June 1, 2026.
- Human Rights Watch said they were sentenced to life imprisonment for treason after trials without defence lawyers and were severely tortured in army custody.
- The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found their detention arbitrary and called for an effective remedy and reparation.
- The Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan will host a virtual conversation on October 10 for the two men to share their experiences.
