Bhutan

Inception Workshop Human Rights and Buddhism Project

9.45-9.55 am: Opening remarks by UNDP Resident Representative

ILCS

Hon'ble Chief Justice of Bhutan, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye
Hon'ble Members of Parliament,

Ven. Rimpoche

Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso, Director ILCS

Dashos

Other Distinguished Guests,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Firstly, I would like to thank our host, the Institute for Culture and Language Studies (ILCS), for inviting me to attend this event and to deliver a few remarks. This workshop offers an excellent opportunity to reflect on the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and the respect for basic human rights in the context of Bhutan.

UN and Human Rights

Since 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been the most important and far-reaching of all United Nations declarations, and a fundamental source of inspiration for national and international efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

There is perhaps no other purposes that unify all of the UN system so firmly and permeate the Organization's mandates as those enshrined in the Human Rights declaration.  

Human rights are fundamental to development and poverty reduction, yet their importance is not always fully understood.  When their rights are respected and protected, be they political, civil, social, economic or cultural rights, people have a better opportunity to contribute to the social and economic progress of their society.  

A human rights-based approach to development recognizes equal worth and dignity of all people and promotes well-being and freedom, as set out in the international human right treaties and conventions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Human rights in Bhutan

Let me take this opportunity to commend Bhutan's strong commitment to two core United Nations Human Rights conventions which the Parliament has ratified; the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the two Optional Protocols, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This is consistent also with the Government's strong commitment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, which embody a rights-based approach to development and indeed, as has been mentioned in the introduction, address not only the development of people but also of their environment.  Furthermore, Bhutan successfully completed the Universal Periodic Review last December.

Bhutan must also be commended for having a Constitution that recognizes fundamental rights and provides for their enforcement in a court of law. Existing laws and policies are  being reviewed and new bills are being drafted in line with CRC and CEDAW.  For example  the Adoption and the Child Care and Protection Bills are under consideration at the National Council.  Furthermore, the National Assembly has established a Human Rights Committee to raise awareness on Human Rights issues among parliamentarians, to monitor and investigate the Human Rights situation in the country and to give advice on any matter related to the protection of Human Rights. Another institution which is relevant in this regard is the NCWC, which also plays an important role in the promotion of the right of women and children. 

This being said, there are still a number of international Human Rights instruments that Bhutan has not ratified, as highlighted in the December UPR recommendations, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.  Beyond the guarantees provided in the Constitution, and we recognize that many of these principles are reflected in the Constitution, and beyond the legitimate concern not to overburden the Government with reporting obligations, there are still issues that may be worthy of consideration.

Another area that received broad attention in the UPR recommendations is the discrimination against women, particularly the elimination of stereotypes that are discriminatory against women, as highlighted by the CEDAW committee.  While welcoming the adoption of the written Constitution, the Committee called on Bhutan to consider enacting proper national legislation, containing a prohibition of both direct and indirect discrimination and violence against women. Bhutan has moved forward also in this area. Currently, a Bill on Domestic Violence is in its final stage of completion.  The bill has been in preparation for some time.  We hope it will be reviewed, adopted and most importantly, implemented in a short period of time.

In a democratic, fair and just society, no vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, the disabled persons with HIV/Aids, should be facing discrimination or barriers in accessing the opportunities to which they are entitled.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Human Rights and GNH

In committing ourselves to protecting universal Human Rights, it is also critical to recognize the character and values of Bhutan. We can ask ourselves whether the concept of human rights as promoted by the UN is appropriate in a Buddhist context.  I would like to make the argument that Bhutan's values and character and the philosophy of GNH introduced by His Majesty the Fourth King  are fully compatible with the values and principles enshrined in the Universal Human Rights Declaration and the international human rights instruments. Allow me to elaborate. The unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness encompasses peace, security and happiness which are at the heart of the Declaration of Human Rights. Values such as respect for others and compassion to all are principles of Buddhism deeply rooted in the Bhutanese society and also central to the GNH philosophy.  

Gross National Happiness, in turn, is reflected in the Constitution and the Royal Government of Bhutan is committed to creating the necessary and conducive conditions for it to flourish among the people and society.  As stated by the Hon' Prime Minister in his Keynote Address at the High Level Sensitization Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming, the Constitution of Bhutan articulates the inspiration to "create a democratic nation that met and would uphold the full rights of its people, enshrining the rights, freedom and dignity that every Bhutanese must enjoy irrespective of ethnicity, religion or gender".

Therefore, both the concept of Gross National Happiness which encompasses Buddhist values and the concept of Human Rights want to secure for every human being, freedom, well-being and dignity. 

The UN system in Bhutan is fully committed to continue its support to strengthen the protection of human rights and deepen the shared priorities that exist between the pursuit of Gross National Happiness and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today, we have the privilege to contribute to the reflections on how Bhutan's rich norms, values and beliefs can contribute to deepening the integration of a universal rights based approach into all spheres of governance in Bhutan, governance pertaining both to people and to their physical environment. I would like to commend the endeavours of the ILCS in this regard.

In concluding, I wish the organizers, speakers and participants very fruitful deliberations and a successful outcome of the workshop.

THANK YOU AND TASHI DELEK