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Bhutan

June 1, 2001   Christians Forced to Take Oath Affirming Allegiance to Buddhism

The government of Bhutan has stepped up its persecution of Christians. Bhutanese authorities and police moved in to churches on Palm Sunday to register the names of believers. Many pastors were detained, interrogated, and threatened with imprisonment. 

The authorities want Christians to stop witnessing and have closed many churches. Forms have been circulated requiring Christians to comply with ‘rules and regulations governing the practice of religion’. 

Bhutan is the only Buddhist kingdom in the world. It has no written constitution or bill of rights and there is no legal guarantee of freedom of religion. 

Non-Buddhists suffer political and social discrimination and conversions to a faith other than Buddhism and Hinduism are illegal. All government workers must take an oath affirming their allegiance to ‘one nation, one king and one religion’.

A Bhutanese Christian says there is: "Very harsh persecution. Christians are asked to abandon their religion or leave the country. They are not allowed to gather. In some places, they are beaten very badly. 

"Christians face termination from employment, cancellation of trade licenses, withdrawal of all state benefits and expulsion from the country. Freedom of religion has been taken away."

In January, pastor ‘Yakub’ was arrested and beaten for leading people to Christ. During his 15 days in jail, he shared his faith with the other prisoners, many of whom were serving life sentences. Several became Christians. Yakub has been told to renounce his religion or face exile.

Bhutan joined the United Nations in 1971 and is morally bound by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guaranteeing the "right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion" including the "freedom to change religion or belief".

CSW is calling on Bhutan to bring her law and practice into line with international standards and to halt discrimination against Christians.