Bhutan: Fear of torture of 10 peple arrested

Case BTN 120897

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Bhutan.

Brief description of the situation:

The International Secretariat has been informed by reliable sources of
grave concern for the physical and psychological integrity of 10
persons allegedly arrested in eastern Bhutanese between 26th July and
1st August 1997. 

According to the information received, the persons (all male) detained
are: Tempa Rabgye, (29, from the district of Samdrupjongkhar, arrested
on 26 July 1997 in S'jongkhar town) a monk, Kinzang Dorji (37, from
the district of Pemagatshel, arrested on 27 July 1997 in Kheri,
P'gatshel) a monk, Zamtsho (30, from the district of  Mongar, arrested
on 28 July 1997 in Demetshi, Mongar), Dorji (32, from the district of
Mongar, arrested on 28 July 1997 in Demetshi, Mongar), Wangchuck ( 37,
from the district of  Mongar, arrested on 28 July 1997 in Demetshi,
Mongar), Sangye Wangdi (39, from the district of Tashigang, arrested
on 29 July 1997 in the district of S'jonkhar town), Karma Chogyel
(male, age unknown, from the district of Pemagatshel, arrested on 29
July 1997 in Kheri, P'gatshel) a monk, Yeshey (age unknown, from the
district of Samdrupjongkhar, arrested on 29 July 1997 in Kheri,
P'gatshel)a monk, Thinley Wangdi (56, from the district of Tashigang,
arrested on 31 July 1997 in Wamrong, T'gang), Karma Chogyel (26, from
the district of Mongar, arrested on 1 August 1997 in S'jongkhar town).


According to the information received, the 10 individuals were
arrested by the Royal Bhutan Police and are being currently held in
Samdrupjongkhar District prison. The reason behind the arrests are
thought to be  related to their alleged involvement with the Druk
National Congress and the United Front for Democracy. The Druk
National Congress and the United Front for Democracy are led by
Rongthong Kunley Dorji (an eastern Bhutanese dissident leader sarchhop
origin - an indigenous Bhutanese people) led political party
functioning from exile in Nepal. Rongthong Kunley Dorji has recently
been arrested by the Indian authorities and is facing extradition to
Bhutan.

The International Secretariat has grave concerns for the psychological
and physical integrity of the above mentioned persons and fears that
if they are still in detention they may be subjected to torture and
ill-treatment. 

Action requested:

Please write to the Bhutanese authorities urging them to:

i	guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the above
mentioned persons and provide access to family and independent legal
representation;

ii	order their immediate release in the absence of valid charges or,
if such charges exist, assure that the accused be brought before a
competent and impartial civil rights tribunal and guarantee their
procedural rights at all times;

iii	carry out an impartial and thorough investigation into the events,
identify those responsible and impose upon them the civil, penal
and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;

iv	ensure in all circumstances the full respect of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance 
 with international standards.
Addresses
His   Majesty  the  King  of  Bhutan's  Secretariat  (A&A),Secretary
to HM : Fax  + 975-2-22451/24272 His  Majesty  the  King of Bhutan's
Secretariat  (Welfare),Deputy  Director : Fax  + 975-2-22256/ The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs  Fax    +   975-2-22079/24259/22971/23240
Speaker of the National Assembly : Fax  + 975-2-22416/24210

Geneva, 11 August 1997
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the  code of this
appeal in your reply.

Ben Schonveld 
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph  4122 733 3140
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
         The World Organisation Against Torture

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.