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No punishment, no matter how harsh, can truly compensate for the losses suffered by the victim’s family and society as a result of any crime, especially rape or murder. Our goal should not be to match pain with suffering, but to create a society where such crimes become less frequent. The recent arrest of a suspect in the murder of a 13-year-old girl in Thimphu shocked Bhutan. As a country founded on Buddhist principles and committed to achieving Gross National Happiness, we find ourselves at a crossroads between our desire for justice and the fundamental values of compassion and restorative justice.
While emotional reactions to such a heinous crime are understandable, we must resist the urge to abandon our principles for the sake of revenge. Naming and shaming suspects can trigger public vigilantism and demands for retributive justice, which goes against our Buddhist traditions and our constitutional democracy based on the rule of law.
As His Holiness the Dalai Lama reminds us, “A moment of anger can destroy all the positive actions accumulated over thousands of years through generosity, offerings to the Buddha, and observing the Vinaya.” We must respond to this tragedy with wisdom and compassion, rather than being guided by destructive emotions that may provide temporary catharsis but ultimately lead us away from our national spirit.
Bhutan’s commitment to Gross National Happiness requires a justice system rooted in restorative and rehabilitative principles. Our Penal Code already provides for life imprisonment – a harsh punishment that serves as a deterrent and is consistent with our values. We must have confidence that our legal system can effectively deliver justice without resorting to extrajudicial measures or public shaming.
The practice of naming and shaming suspects, while satisfying, has proven to be ineffective in preventing crime elsewhere, and Bhutan is no exception. Moreover, the practice not only violates the privacy rights of the accused, but also those of their innocent family members. Such actions can lead to unintended consequences, bring shame upon the entire family, and can expose those who engage in such behavior to legal consequences. Family members can sue for invasion of privacy.
Rather than channeling our collective pain into acts of revenge, we should focus on long-term solutions that address the root causes of such crimes. This includes strengthening awareness programs, teaching self-defense techniques, improving employment opportunities, and introducing comprehensive sex education in schools. These proactive measures, grounded in our values of compassion and wisdom, offer a more sustainable path to preventing future tragedies.
As we grapple with the pain and anger this tragic event has unleashed, let us channel our emotions into constructive action. We can support the victims’ families, advocate for improved safety measures in our communities, and work to build a more compassionate and just society. These actions will do more to honor the victims than any act of revenge.
As Bhutan navigates this difficult moment, we must reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and our founding principles of compassion and wisdom. By rejecting the vengeful impulse and embracing a restorative justice approach, we can emerge from this tragedy as a stronger, more united nation—one that honors the victims by building a society where such crimes become unthinkable. This is the true path to justice and healing that aligns with our deepest values and offers hope for a better future for all Bhutanese.
Sonam Tsering
Lawyer, Thimphu
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.
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