E/CN.4/1995/31/Add.3 page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, represented by its Chairman-Rapporteur, Mr. L. Joinet, and by two of its members, Mr. L. Kama and Mr. K. Sibal, visited Bhutan from 17 to 22 October 1994. The visit was pursuant to an invitation by the Royal Government of Bhutan, contained in a letter dated 8 August 1994 from the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the Working Group’s Chairman-Rapporteur. By that letter, the Working Group was invited to visit Bhutan "in connection with the alleged case of arbitrary detention which is presently being considered by the Working Group". The reference is to the case of Tek Nath Rizal, submitted by the Working Group to the Bhutanese Government on 14 October 1991, which has been the subject of a lengthy correspondence and exchange of information between the Government and the Working Group and regarding which the Working Group has not yet adopted a decision. While it was clear that the Working Group, in the course of its visit to Bhutan, would examine the above-mentioned case, it was also obvious that the scope of the visit would not be limited to one particular case, but would concern other problems pertaining to the Working Group’s mandate. The Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan promised the Working Group, and indeed extended to it, its full cooperation in facilitating its mission to the country. 2. During its visit to Bhutan, the Working Group stayed in the region of the capital, Thimphu. It was granted two audiences with H.M. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It was received by, and held talks with the Foreign Minister, Lyonpo Dawa Tsering; the Home Minister, Lyonpo Dago Tshering; the Minister of Trade and Industry, Lyonpo Om Pradhan; the Chief Justice, Dasho Sonam Tobgye; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dasho Pasang Dorji; the Chairman of the Royal Advisory Council, Dasho Karma Letho, accompanied by the other members of the Council; the Chief of the Royal Army and Police, Goongloen Gom (Lieutenant General) Lam Dorji; and the Chief of the Royal Bhutan Police, Colonel Tandin Dorji, accompanied by the Chief of the Special Branch in the Royal Bhutan Police, Major Kipchu Mangyal. 3. In addition the two principal Thimphu Detention the Working Group as it wished. to the above-mentioned discussions, the Working Group visited prison or detention facilities in the Thimphu district: the Centre and the Chamgang Central Jail. In both facilities was able to interview freely and privately as many detainees 4. The Working Group also held informal meetings with a number of representatives of international non-governmental organizations dealing with technical assistance, as well as several United Nations agencies operating in the country, who briefed the Working Group about their experience in the country. 5. The Working Group would like to express its gratitude to the authorities of the Kingdom of Bhutan for the help and cooperation extended to its members during their visit to the country.