A teacher from Thimpu

There was a pro-government rally in my area, but I did not attend so I was fired from my job. I was afraid to go home to southern Bhutan because all educated people were being arrested. But without my job, I had to leave.

I was arrested in July 1992. I was tied up and beaten by police all day. My mother came to the police station and appealed for me. They said they would release me if I signed a statement (Voluntary Migration Certificate). I signed in order to escape from prison. Then I had to flee.