Human rights defenders in Nepal express grave concern over the mysterious death of 65-year-old prisoner Sha Bahadur Gurung, a resident of Chirang, Bhutan, who had been incarcerated for 35 years on charges of activities against the state. Gurung died on 29 Mangsir 2082 (15 December 2025) at Chamjang Central Jail in Thimphu.
Gurung was serving a life sentence solely for his participation in peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations. Arrested in 1990, he was one of the 31 prisoners detained that year. He was initially held in the notorious Rabuna Prison before being transferred to Chamjang Central Jail.
According to his family, Gurung repeatedly endured mental and physical torture, as well as other forms of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment throughout his imprisonment. They report that decades of abuse, sustained neglect of his health, and a delay in medical response after he was found unconscious in prison on the morning of 15 December directly led to his death. This incident is deeply alarming and reflects the Bhutanese government’s disregard for human rights, its repressive practices, and its persistent efforts to silence democratic voices.
Every individual has the fundamental right to live with dignity; to be protected from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and to exercise the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. These rights are affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). As a Member State of the United Nations, Bhutan is obligated to uphold these rights and the principles of customary international law prohibiting torture and inhumane treatment. The death of Sha Bahadur Gurung constitutes a serious violation of these universally recognised human rights standards and stands in clear contradiction to the commitments Bhutan has repeatedly affirmed before the United Nations, including during its Universal Periodic Reviews at the Human Rights Council.
The circumstances surrounding Gurung’s death also raise serious concerns about the safety, security, and human rights of other prisoners in Bhutan, particularly prisoners of conscience detained for their beliefs and political opinions.
We strongly urge the Government of Bhutan, the Government of India, the United Nations, and relevant members of the international community to use their influence and engagement to ensure a credible, independent, and impartial investigation into the mysterious death of Sha Bahadur Gurung and to ensure accountability. We further call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners held in Bhutanese prisons.
We also call on the Government of Nepal to stand firmly in defence of human rights and to use all available diplomatic avenues to protect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Bhutan, without bias or discrimination.
Human Rights Advocates and Related Organizations:
- Charan Prasain, Human Rights Activist
- Babu Ram Giri, CIRAN
- Bed Bhattarai, Former Secretary, National Human Rights Commission
- Bikash Basnet, Director, Advocacy Forum Nepal
- Dr. Birendra Mishra
- Dinesh Tripathi, Senior Advocate
- Debendra Prasad Adhikari, Ph.D.
- Indra Aryal, Chair, HURON
- Kapil Aryal, Human Rights and Justice Centre
- Khagendra Oli
- Vidyadhar Mallik
- Manisha Shrestha, Conflict Victim Women National Network
- Manju Gurung, Pourakhi Nepal
- Mukunda Raj Kattel
- Nirajan Thapaliya, Director, Amnesty International Nepal
- Om Prakash Sen Thakuri, Executive Director, Legal Literacy – Nepal
- Pooja Pant, Voices of Women Media
- Pradip Pokhrel, President, HUDEP
- Raju Prasad Chapagai, Coordinator, Accountability Watch Committee
- Rajan Kuikel, Vice-coordinator, Accountability Watch Committee
- Reshma Thapa
- Tika Ram Pokharel, Justice Centre Nepal
- Umid Bagchand, President, RTI Federation