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Bhutan's
new Constitution
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Bhutan Politics |
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Bhutan Information |
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Crown
Prince conducts public consultations on the Constitution in Dagana
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08
February 2006
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| His Royal Highness discusses the draft constitution informally with the
people |
| His
Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, reminded
the people of Dagana that the process of drafting and implementing Bhutan's
Constitution had been commanded by His Majesty the King for the welfare
of all Bhutanese citizens and the security and sovereignty of the country,
now and in the future. |
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Bhutan was not following a trend but consolidating
the rapid and profound achievements of the past.
"The
people of Bhutan have been entrusted with a great responsibility which
we must make every effort to shoulder as power is devolved to the people,
keeping in mind the interest of the people rather than ourselves," said
His Royal Highness. "Without this concern for the greater good it will
be difficult to fulfill the needs of the people and the country."
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| His
Royal Highness was received in a traditional chipdrel ceremony by the people
of Dagana who had gathered in the thousands for the discussions on the
draft Constitution on February 5. The draft was read out to the people
in Lhotsham-kha and discussed article by article as His Royal Highness
clarified the queries and doubts raised by about 3,000 public representatives. |
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His
Royal Highness said that His Majesty the King had commanded the distribution
of the draft Constitution to every household as well as all agencies and
organisations in Bhutan so that the people would have the opportunity to
suggest changes to the draft and to clarify doubts. His Majesty had also
personally visited the dzongkhags to discuss the Constitution and commanded
His Royal Highness to meet the people of Dagana and deliberate on each
and every article at length. His Royal Highness encouraged the people to
fulfill His Majesty's command by taking active part in the discussions.
The
people expressed their worry that the Constitution and democracy may be
coming too early to Bhutan given the large rural population whose interests
may be forgotten if the Monarchy were to devolve power to political parties.
His Royal Highness said it was true that His Majesty's reign had brought
immense growth and progress to the country and that the people's aspirations
had been fulfilled. However, His Royal Highness said, this was the reason
why the time was opportune for such profound political changes. The people
and government shared a relationship of trust and faith in each other and
still had the benefit of the guidance and support of His Majesty. In such
a time of peace and prosperity and under such a leadership, there was the
greatest chance of success.
The
people asked for the clause requiring the King to step down at the age
of 65 years to be removed from the Constitution. His Royal Highness said
that the concern of the people, not just of Dagana but of all the 20 dzongkhags,
was a reflection of their love for the King. His Royal Highness said that
the people had been further saddened by the command in December, 2005,
that His Majesty would step down in 2008, at the age of 52 years. His Royal
Highness explained that His Majesty felt that the Constitution must be
drafted to benefit the people of the country not only in the present but
hundreds of years into future. For this reason the clause had been personally
proposed by His Majesty.
On
article 3, 4, and 5 - on Spiritual Heritage, Culture and Environment -
His Royal Highness said that these provisions were unique to Bhutan and
that they were incorporated because of the central role that they played
in the life of the nation. His Royal Highness said that spiritual and cultural
heritage were of fundamental importance to a landlocked country between
giant neighbours. As for the environment His Majesty's farsighted vision
had ensured that the largest sources of Bhutan's revenue were the rich
natural resources and biodiversity.
On
Article 7, Fundamental Rights, the people voiced their apprehension that,
with freedom of religion, Buddhism may be undermined. The Chief Justice
said that, although Bhutan was a developing country, the fundamental rights
enshrined in the Constitution were among the most comprehensive in the
world.
He
said that, while Bhutan was a Buddhist nation, it was also one with respect
for people of all faiths. He added that it would be the absence of such
respect and tolerance that would create problems, as it had in some countries
around the world, rather than the freedom that Bhutan's Constitution provides.
His
Royal Highness said that the Constitution was a Constitution for all the
people of Bhutan and that it would not discriminate on the basis of religion,
gender, or caste. He said that the best way to safeguard the fundamental
rights of the people was to ensure the success of this democratic transition.
| In
other words, to fulfill one's fundamental duties. |
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His
Royal Highness replied to questions on the Articles related to the National
Council, National Assembly, and Political Parties. He explained the process
of elections to these bodies as well as their functions in detail. He reiterated
the importance of the people choosing the right candidates and political
parties. He said that the people should also make the effort to understand
the functions of these institutions and the role that the people themselves
could play. If this responsibility was neglected the problems faced by
people in other countries would begin to take root and the interests of
the people would be forgotten by those in government.
On
Article 23, Elections, the people asked if there were any restrictions
on the participation in politics by members of the royal family, religious
personalities, and civil servants. His Royal Highness explained that, under
the draft Election Act, persons in these categories would not be permitted
to stand for elections or to join politics other than fulfilling their
duty as citizens by voting. In the case of royal family members His Royal
Highness said that they would be required to renounce their status as royal
family members if they chose to participate in politics.
His
Royal Highness said that, in any case, he felt that the duty to serve the
country and people did not fall on the King alone but on members of the
royal family as well. The honour and privilege of being a member of the
royal family brought with it a profound duty of service to the King, country
and the people.
His
Royal Highness added that religious personalities played a pivotal role
in ensuring the peace and well being of a nation steeped in spirituality
and culture. They had, throughout history, in good or difficult times,
conducted prayers for the nation's peace and prosperity. Like royal family
members the religious community played an irreplaceable and important role
that could not be performed by other institutions. Such personalities occupied
a special and sacred place in the nation's life and would be unbecoming
for them to participate in politics.
Civil
servants may, if they felt that they could better serve the country, choose
to resign from the civil service and participate in politics. However,
no civil servants would be permitted to join politics while they were a
member of the government bureaucracy and institutions.
On
the Articles on the Royal Audit Authority, the Royal Civil Service Commission,
and the Anti-Corruption Commission His Royal Highness informed the people
that the relevant Acts had all been drafted and would be submitted to the
National Assembly for deliberations by the people's representatives.
His
Royal Highness said it was important to ensure that corruption did not
take hold in Bhutan, especially at this important juncture of political
development. He said that, being spiritual people, Bhutanese officials
and layman tended easily forgive those guilty of corruption. He told the
people that it was their duty to build upon the strong and prosperous nation
and pass on to future generations of Bhutanese a bright future.
Those
guilty of corruption and other such acts jeopardized the nation's very
stability and progress. They must be punished according to the law, without
fear or favour, and unhampered by misplaced piety.
When
all 34 Articles had been discussed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince
reminded the people that the process of democratisation in Bhutan had been
taking place for over 25 years. He said that His Majesty had constantly
endeavoured to lay strong foundations to enable people to acquire the capacity
to decide their own future.
Today
the country had numerous local bodies with directly elected representatives
who had decades of experience in decision-making, development planning,
and budget allocation as well as elected representatives in the nation's
highest legislative body, National Assembly. The country had enjoyed immense
peace and progress without any of the problems that plagued other regions,
such as corruption, discrimination, crime, and political instability. His
Royal Highness said that the people must not waste this opportunity - in
a time of stability and under the guidance of a peerless leader - to build
a strong political system for the future.
His
Royal Highness said that he felt deeply privileged because he had the good
fortune to learn about service and love for the country, about the vision
for Bhutan's future, and about hard work and integrity - everything he
knew - from His Majesty the King. He added that most of the people at the
meeting would be even better informed and knowledgeable because they had
worked together with His Majesty since 1972, many years before His Royal
Highness was born.
His
Royal Highness said that the Constitution and the many changes it would
bring were a reflection of the confidence and faith His Majesty had placed
in the people. "It is our duty to work to fulfil His Majesty's vision,"
said His Royal Highness.
"After
all it is a vision for the happiness and well being of all Bhutanese citizens."
His
Royal Highness thanked the people who had travelled long distances for
the meeting. He said that the discussions had been fruitful and that he
was happy with the keen participation of the people.
The
people of Dagana expressed their deep gratitude to His Majesty for the
profound vision in empowering the Bhutanese people through decades of tireless
effort. They recollected the threat to Bhutan's sovereignty and security
and His Majesty's sacrifice and personal leadership during the military
operation in 2003. The people offered prayers for the long lives and continued
leadership of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
As
His Royal Highness hosted a tokha for the people of Dagana after the meeting
many people told Kuensel that they were overwhelmed by the presence and
the confidence of the young Crown Prince.
However,
many people expressed their concerns over the changes taking place. As
54-year old Rinzin of Drujegang said: "Monarchy is a time tested and most
suitable system for Bhutan. It has realized the aspirations of the people.
Politicians on the other hand are always associated with political problems.
I hope this will not happen here. But if our King and Crown Prince so command,
we must play our parts in bringing in the new democratic system. We hope,
however, that the Monarchy will continue to provide close guidance and
ensure a visionary Constitution that will stand out among the Constitutions
of the world."
| This
article was contributed by Ugyen Penjore and Rinzin Wangchuk, Kuensel,
Bhutan's national newspaper, 2006 |
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