Wikipedia

Crime in Bhutan

Bhutan has a low crime rate.[1][2][3] Petty crime is sometimes reported in the country. Violent crime is very uncommon. Some cases of drug abuse are reported. alcohol abuse is a problem. In general, drug trafficking is low. The most serious threat to Bhutan's security is terrorism by different groups from India who are staying in the nation.[4]

In June 1999, television was introduced in the country. Bhutan was the last nation in the world to have television.[5] Some people think the introduction of television did not fit with Bhutanese culture. They say it is a reason crime increased.

Non-political crime

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Violent crime is very low in Bhutan.[6] Levels of theft are low.[6] Petty crime like pickpocketing are sometimes reported in the country.[1] Juvenile crime has increased. The highest rate of juvenile crime was reported in 2003 when 63 youths were convicted across the nation. Rape is not a large problem. In 1999 only 10 rapes were reported in Bhutan.[2] Homicide rate is low. In 1998, homicide rate per 100,000 citizens was 2.78.[6] Bhutan is a source and transit country for human trafficking.[6] Women are trafficked from Bhutan to other countries for commercial sexual exploitation.

The first case of corruption in Bhutan was reported on April 5, 2002. A man was charged with embezzlement.[5] Four cases of white-collar crime and violent crime were reported in April 2003.[7]

In 2011, Bhutan was ranked 38th out of 182 countries for corruption (least corrupt countries are at the top of the list).[8] Its score was 5.7 with 10 being the highest possible.[8]

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Slight drug abuse has appeared in the country. Free trade with neighboring India and the refugees make Bhutan vulnerable to drug trafficking.[6] Bhutan is close to certain areas in Nepal and North-East India where intravenous drug use is high.[6] Because of this, Bhutan has had an increase in intravenous drug use.[6] Marijuana, which grows as a shrub in Bhutan, was only used to feed pigs before the introduction of television.[5] Hundreds have now been arrested for using marijuana.[5] Use of amphetamines and benzodiazepines smuggled from India is rising in Thimpu and in the Southern Bhutan.[6] Drug trafficking and production of opium, cannabis and other drugs is not a large problem in the country.[6]

Alcohol consumption is the most serious addiction related problem in the nation. Alcohol abuse is reported in nearly 80% of domestic violence crimes.[6]

In 2004, selling of tobacco products to Bhutanese citizens was outlawed in the country.[9] This made Bhutan the first nation in the world to ban tobacco sales.[10][11][12][13] Severe punishment was added for selling of tobacco.[9] Karma Tshering of the Bhutanese Customs said, "If any foreigner is caught selling tobacco products to Bhutanese nationals, he will be charged with smuggling. Tobacco will be treated as contraband."[9] However a black market in tobacco has grown in the country.[12]

Terrorism

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Many groups from India have set up training camps in the southern part of the country.[4] The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Bodo Liberation Tigers Force (BLTF) had bases in Bhutan in 2002.[4] Terrorists were involved in murders, extortion and kidnappings.[4] Bhutan told the terrorists they must leave the country by December 2001. In December 2003 there was a military campaign to remove these groups.[14] Many terrorist camps were destroyed.[14] It is thought that terrorists are trying to make retaliatory attacks against Bhutan.[14] On September 5, 2004, a bomb exploded in Gelephu killing two people and injuring twenty seven.[14] The NDFB was suspected behind the attack.[14]

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Consular Information Sheet: Bhutan Archived 2008-03-28 at the Wayback Machine Bureau of Consular Affairs
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Bhutan". Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  3. ↑ Gyurme Dorje (1999). Tibet Handbook. Footprint Travel Guides. pp. 831. ISBN 1-900949-33-4.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Dilip K. Das, Michael Palmiotto (2006). World Police Encyclopedia. Taylor & Francis. p. 102. ISBN 0-415-94251-9.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Fast forward into trouble The Guardian
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 http://www.unodc.org/pdf/india/publications/south_Asia_Regional_Profile_Sept_2005/09_bhutan.pdf Bhutan] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
  7. ↑ Dilip K. Das, Michael Palmiotto (2006). World Police Encyclopedia. Taylor & Francis. p. 98. ISBN 0-415-94251-9.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Corruption Perceptions Index 2011 Archived 2012-08-10 at the Wayback Machine Transparency International
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bhutan forbids all tobacco sales BBC News
  10. ↑ Latest News: Bhutan becomes first nation to ban tobacco sales Archived 2007-08-11 at the Wayback Machine The Nation
  11. ↑ Bhutan becomes first nation to ban tobacco sales
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Two years after tobacco ban, Bhutan still awaits law Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine Indiaenews.com
  13. ↑ Bhutan bans all tobacco sales ABC News
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Dilip K. Das, Michael Palmiotto (2006). World Police Encyclopedia. Taylor & Francis. p. 103. ISBN 0-415-94251-9.
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