ADF to Bhutan: Respect religious freedom

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday is conducting its regular review of the nation of Bhutan, a country that regularly engages in religious persecution. A U.N. summary includes Alliance Defending Freedom recommendations, which urge the Bhutan government to adopt several religious freedom reforms to more greatly respect the human rights and dignity of its citizens.

The council conducts a “universal periodic review” of each member nation once every four years.

“No one should be targeted for violence, inhumane treatment, and religious discrimination simply because of their faith,” said ADF Legal Counsel Tehmina Arora. “Religious freedom is a basic human right that belongs to all people, and that includes the people of Bhutan.”

The ADF report to the U.N. explained that “Bhutan has enacted several laws which restrict the fundamental rights of its citizens, especially the freedom of association…and the freedom of religion and belief of individuals.”

The report also explained that “Christians in Bhutan are unable to freely profess, practice or propagate their religion due to legislative hurdles, in spite of several provisions in the country’s constitution which recognize and affirm basic human rights including the freedom of religion and belief.”

As one example, the ADF report noted “instances of violence and arbitrary action against the minority Christian community in the nation of Bhutan. On July 30, 2012, a government official beat and threatened to kill a Christian pastor Pema Sherpa. The independent pastor was hit on his forehead and chest after being asked by the official not to conduct worship service in his home.”

“ADF recommended that Bhutan take all necessary action to promote and ensure freedom of religion and belief for individuals of all faiths by repealing relevant provisions in the constitution and the penal code which restrict the religious freedom of citizens of Bhutan,” the U.N. summary states.

The summary adds that “ADF recommended that Bhutan make suitable amendments to the Religious Organizations Act of 2007 to ensure that all persons, religious denominations and institutions are able to freely associate and practice their religious beliefs.”