Bhutan
Government
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Transnational Issues
| Government | Bhutan |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan |
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Government type:
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monarchy; special treaty relationship with India |
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Capital:
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Thimphu |
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Administrative divisions:
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18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse |
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Independence:
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8 August 1949 (from India) |
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National holiday:
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National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) |
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Constitution:
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no written constitution or bill of rights; note - the King commissioned a committee to draft a constitution in 2001, but has yet to be approved |
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Legal system:
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based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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each family has one vote in village-level elections |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Jigme Y. THINLEY (since 30 August 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms)
elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: NA |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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no legal parties |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) |
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International organization participation:
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AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US
consulate(s) general: New York |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) |
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Flag description:
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divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side |
Reporter's notebook from Bhutan: Crashing the lost horizon - Oakland Tribune VoiceofSikkimReporter's notebook from Bhutan: Crashing the lost horizonOakland TribuneThe Bhutanese government says everyone is treated equitably. Bay Area refugees told us we needed to go to the southern districts of Tsirang, ...Fears of 'demographic inundation' behind Bhutan's refugee crisisOakland TribuneBhutan Democracy, Refugees And Other IssuesEurasia ReviewBhutanese regime and its art of lyingNepalnews.comall 9 news articles » HC direction to Kerala Govt - IBNLive.com HC direction to Kerala GovtIBNLive.com... Government to accept advance tax from Megha Distributors, promoters and agents of Sikkkim and Bhutan lotteries, for selling lottery tickets in Kerala. ...Collect advance tax on lotteries: Kerala HCExpress Buzzall 2 news articles » Move to ban state paper lottery would be opposed:Chandy - IBNLive.com Move to ban state paper lottery would be opposed:ChandyIBNLive.com"State government has the power to take action against the promoters and distributors of Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries for violating rules. ...and more » |
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