The Bhutanese Leading the way.
A Bhutanese citizen has been deported from Perth, Australia by Australian authorities on 18th March 2025.
When the paper asked about the case to the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Australia, the embassy said, “Regarding this case, we were informed of a Voluntary Escorted Removal of a Bhutanese citizen from Perth on 18th March 2025. Following receipt of this information, the relevant Australian authorities have been requested for further details including the reasons for this person’s removal. We are yet to receive a response from them. We have nothing further to add.”
According to informal sources the Bhutanese citizen committed a crime due to which his visa was cancelled.
Under Australian Law he had the option to leave voluntarily or be detained and taken back and it seems he chose the first option.
However, since there are security concerns given the crime he committed, the Bhutanese was escorted by two Australian officials till Paro airport.
The Department of Immigration in Bhutan is aware about the case but despite repeated attempts there was no information provided for what is a public case.
Foreign Ministry officials in Thimphu also remained tight lipped about the case giving rise to the question of why so much unnecessary secrecy was being maintained.
Apart from the deportation itself the lack of information by the Department of Immigration and the Foreign Ministry underscores once again how difficult access to information has become and how even routine information is being hidden from the media.
