Bhutanese Man Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Christian Film

ICC Note

In a letter to ICC, Bhutan officials defended the decision of the court. ICC strongly believes that this is the cause of religious persecution and calls for release of the Christian man.

10/29/2010 Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on October 6, a court in Bhutan sentenced a Christian man to three years in prison for showing a film about Christianity.

According to the government-run daily Kuensel, Prem Singh Gurung was found guilty of attempting to promote civil unrest and showing a film without authorization.

On October 22, ICC wrote a letter to the representatives of Bhutan at the UN, protesting the sentencing of Mr. Gurung. ICC stated that Mr. Gurung has the right, under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to disseminate his religious beliefs.  

In response to the letter, Bhutan officials defended the sentencing today stating that although they respect freedom of religion, ‘no person shall be compelled to belong to another faith by means of coercion or inducement.’ The officials, however, haven’t demonstrated any evidence of forceful conversion by Mr. Gurung.

ICC’s President, Jeff King, said, ‘The international human rights standard in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulates ëEveryone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.” Mr. Gurungís actions are protected under this provision. We urge Bhutan to respect its obligations as a member of the international community by releasing Mr. Gurung. “

For further information on Mr. Gurung and actions that you can take to ask for his release, please go to: http://www.persecution.org/prisonerfocus/. Please contact the officials of Bhutan in your countries and politely ask them to release Mr. Gurung.

Bhutan Embassies

US: 212 6822268
Belgium: 3227323880
Switzerland: 41227990890