| Bhutan Kingdom of Bhutan Druk Gyalkhap Joined United Nations: 21 September 1971 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Updated 22 August 2012 |
Article 7
Fundamental Rights
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to life, liberty and security of person and shall not be deprived of such rights except in accordance
with the due process of law.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech, opinion and expression.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. No person shall be compelled to belong to another
faith by means of coercion or inducement.
There shall be freedom of the press, radio and television and other forms of electronic dissemination of information.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to information.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to vote and the exercise of adult franchise.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of movement and residence within Bhutan.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to equal access and opportunity to join the Public Service.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to own property, but shall not have the right to sell or transfer land or any immovable property to
a person who is not a citizen of Bhutan, except in keeping with laws enacted by Parliament.
A Bhutanese citizen shall not be deprived of property by acquisition or requisition, except for public purpose and on payment of fair
compensation in accordance with the provisions of the law.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the
author or creator.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to practice any lawful trade, profession or vocation.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to equal pay for work of equal value.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, other than membership of
associations that are harmful to the peace and unity of the country, and shall have the right not to be compelled to belong to any
association.
All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal and effective protection of the law and shall not be discriminated against on
the grounds of race, sex, language, religion, politics or other status.
A person charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
A person shall not be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
A person shall not be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence nor to unlawful
attacks on his honour and reputation.
A person shall not be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.
Notwithstanding the rights conferred by this Constitution, nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from subjecting reasonable
restriction by law, when it concerns:
(a) The interests of the sovereignty, security, unity and integrity of Bhutan;
(b) The interests of peace, stability and well-being of the nation;
(c) The interests of friendly relations with foreign States;
(d) Incitement to an offence;
(e) The disclosure of information received in regard to the affairs of the State or in discharge of official duties; or
(f) The rights and freedom of others.
The right to initiate appropriate proceedings in the Supreme Court or High Court against the State for the enforcement of the rights
conferred by this Article shall be guaranteed.
Article 8
Fundamental Duties
A Bhutanese citizen shall preserve, protect and defend the sovereignty, integrity, security and unity of Bhutan and render national service
when called upon to do so.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the duty to preserve, protect and respect the culture and heritage of the nation.
A Bhutanese citizen shall foster tolerance, mutual respect and spirit of brotherhood amongst all the people of Bhutan transcending
religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities.
A person shall respect the National Flag and the National Anthem.
A person shall not tolerate or participate in acts of injury, torture or killing of another person, terrorism, abuse of women, children or any
other person and shall take necessary steps to prevent such acts.
A person shall have the responsibility to provide help, to the greatest possible extent, to victims of accidents and in times of natural
calamity.
A person shall have the responsibility to safeguard public property.
A person shall have the responsibility to pay taxes in accordance with the law.
Every person shall have the duty to uphold justice and to act against corruption.
Every person shall have the duty to act in aid of the law.
Every person shall have the duty and responsibility to respect and abide by the provisions of this Constitution.
Fundamental Rights
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to life, liberty and security of person and shall not be deprived of such rights except in accordance
with the due process of law.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech, opinion and expression.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. No person shall be compelled to belong to another
faith by means of coercion or inducement.
There shall be freedom of the press, radio and television and other forms of electronic dissemination of information.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to information.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to vote and the exercise of adult franchise.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of movement and residence within Bhutan.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to equal access and opportunity to join the Public Service.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to own property, but shall not have the right to sell or transfer land or any immovable property to
a person who is not a citizen of Bhutan, except in keeping with laws enacted by Parliament.
A Bhutanese citizen shall not be deprived of property by acquisition or requisition, except for public purpose and on payment of fair
compensation in accordance with the provisions of the law.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the
author or creator.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to practice any lawful trade, profession or vocation.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to equal pay for work of equal value.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, other than membership of
associations that are harmful to the peace and unity of the country, and shall have the right not to be compelled to belong to any
association.
All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal and effective protection of the law and shall not be discriminated against on
the grounds of race, sex, language, religion, politics or other status.
A person charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
A person shall not be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
A person shall not be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence nor to unlawful
attacks on his honour and reputation.
A person shall not be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.
Notwithstanding the rights conferred by this Constitution, nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from subjecting reasonable
restriction by law, when it concerns:
(a) The interests of the sovereignty, security, unity and integrity of Bhutan;
(b) The interests of peace, stability and well-being of the nation;
(c) The interests of friendly relations with foreign States;
(d) Incitement to an offence;
(e) The disclosure of information received in regard to the affairs of the State or in discharge of official duties; or
(f) The rights and freedom of others.
The right to initiate appropriate proceedings in the Supreme Court or High Court against the State for the enforcement of the rights
conferred by this Article shall be guaranteed.
Article 8
Fundamental Duties
A Bhutanese citizen shall preserve, protect and defend the sovereignty, integrity, security and unity of Bhutan and render national service
when called upon to do so.
A Bhutanese citizen shall have the duty to preserve, protect and respect the culture and heritage of the nation.
A Bhutanese citizen shall foster tolerance, mutual respect and spirit of brotherhood amongst all the people of Bhutan transcending
religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities.
A person shall respect the National Flag and the National Anthem.
A person shall not tolerate or participate in acts of injury, torture or killing of another person, terrorism, abuse of women, children or any
other person and shall take necessary steps to prevent such acts.
A person shall have the responsibility to provide help, to the greatest possible extent, to victims of accidents and in times of natural
calamity.
A person shall have the responsibility to safeguard public property.
A person shall have the responsibility to pay taxes in accordance with the law.
Every person shall have the duty to uphold justice and to act against corruption.
Every person shall have the duty to act in aid of the law.
Every person shall have the duty and responsibility to respect and abide by the provisions of this Constitution.
In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual
subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy
was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in
Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed
by independent India after 1947.In March 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck unveiled the
government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold
a national referendum for its approval. It was formally ratified on 18 July 2008. Fundamental Rights are
stated in article 7 of the draft and conform with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 8
concentrates on Fundamental Responsibilities. Following are those terms specifically related to human
rights. For a full English translation Bhutan's constitution, click here.
subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy
was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in
Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed
by independent India after 1947.In March 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck unveiled the
government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold
a national referendum for its approval. It was formally ratified on 18 July 2008. Fundamental Rights are
stated in article 7 of the draft and conform with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 8
concentrates on Fundamental Responsibilities. Following are those terms specifically related to human
rights. For a full English translation Bhutan's constitution, click here.