Bhutan presented its third national report to the UN Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism on May 8 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In his statement to the review body, foreign minister Dr Tandi Dorji highlighted the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan as the foundation for protection and promotion of the fundamental human rights and the significant progress Bhutan made since the country presented its second UPR in 2014. While highlighting the challenges of lack of appropriate institutions, resource constraints and state of national readiness to assume greater international obligations, Lyonpo reiterated the commitment of the Royal Government to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the continued pursuit of state policies to further enhance the situation of human rights in Bhutan.

“Ninety-six Members States took the floor to commend the progress made by Bhutan and recommended actions to address existing gaps,” a press release from the foreign ministry states.

The Royal Government will review the recommendations received from Member States in the coming days. The Human Rights Council will adopt the report of Bhutan’s Third Universal Periodic Report on the situation of human rights in Bhutan in September this year.

During the visit, Lyonpo Dr Tandin Dorji held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Norway and Switzerland, Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide and Ignazio Cassis. Lyonpo also met the United Nations High Commissioner for the Refugees Filippo Grande and the representatives of Society Switzerland Bhutan.

Staff Reporter