Civic space in Bhutan is rated as ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. There continue to be concerns about media independence, access to information and the chilling effect of defamation laws on journalists and critics. Further, there are political prisoners from the 1990s convicted under the draconian and vaguely-worded 1992 National Security Act (NSA), who are serving life sentences. Bhutan has yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or to establish an independent national human rights institution.
In recent months, there has been a proposal to increase controls over external funding for civil society organisations (CSOs), while UN experts have called for the release of long-term political prisoners. A media outlet licence was cancelled.
Association
Proposal to control foreign funding of CSOs
There are concerns that Bhutan may seek to control foreign funding received by civil society organisations (CSOs).
During the First Sitting of Parliament in June 2026, Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Jamyang Namgyel said that the PAC found a need to better regulate external funding received CSOs.
According to the PAC, several CSOs have been receiving funding directly from international donors without routing it through, or notifying, the designated regulatory bodies such as the Civil Society Organisations Authority (CSOA) or the Ministry of Finance.
Namgyel said this gap in oversight “creates a significant risk of misuse or misappropriation of funds, a lack of transparency and accountability, and potential funding of activities not aligned with national priorities or security interests.”
While the Civil Society Organisations Act of Bhutan 2007 requires CSOs to be registered and monitored, there is currently no formal mechanism to ensure that externally funded programmes and grants, especially those received outside budgetary channels, are disclosed, tracked, and audited.
Under international human rights law, the right to freedom of association includes the right of associations to seek, receive and use resources, including funding from foreign sources.
Vaguely worded provisions such as “national priorities” or “security interests” offer no meaningful clarity on how that would be assessed, or what activities could be considered inconsistent. Its broad and ambiguous language can create significant uncertainty for organisations engaged in human rights that may challenge official policies or expose government shortcomings. Requiring all foreign-funded activities to align with government priorities would also undermine civil society independence and could be used to restrict organisations whose work is critical of those in power, creating opportunities to suppress dissent and limit democratic participation.
UN experts call for release of long-term political prisoners
In April 2026, UN human rights experts called on the government of Bhutan to release 32 individuals imprisoned for decades after reportedly protesting against the mistreatment of the Nepali-speaking minority in Bhutan.
Following incidents in the 1990s and 2010s, the detainees were convicted of vague and overbroad terrorism and national security offences and received lengthy sentences from 34 years to life in prison.
The experts expressed grave concern that many of these “political prisoners” were reportedly denied access to legal representation, lacked a clear understanding of the charges, and were unable to effectively challenge the accusations and the evidence presented in court.
The conditions of their detention have been and continue to be dire, with inadequate water, food, heating, bedding and warm clothing. The detainees also lack meaningful access to doctors and are prevented from communicating with their families, compounding their suffering and isolation.
The protests that led to the convictions arose in the context of significant discrimination against the Nepali-speaking minority in Bhutan, known as the “Lhotshampa” community, including in relation to their political, economic and social rights. Despite positive reforms in Bhutan, elements of discrimination remain to this day.
Expression
Media outlet licence cancelled
In March 2026, Bhutan Today, a newspaper that was established as the country’s first daily newspaper about 17 years ago, saw its licence cancelled by the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) alongside 10 other businesses, including printing houses and an internet service provider.
Media outlets in Bhutan face stringent licensing requirements administered by the BICMA. The media regulator has five members that are directly appointed by the government.
The UN Human Rights Committee has repeatedly expressed its concerns at licensing requirements, holding that they constitute a violation of the right to freedom of expression.
Licensing schemes are problematic because they may easily be abused, for example, to prevent opponents of the government from voicing their opinions. This is particularly true if the scheme is administered by a non-independent body and there are no clear criteria for the awarding of licences.
Bhutan is ranked 150th out of 180 places in the 2026 Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index.