H.E. Mr. Tshering Tobgay (Prime Minister of Bhutan)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS (FIRST DRAFT, INCOMPLETE)
The Bangkok Dialogue on the Rule of Law “Investing in the Rule of Law, Justice and Security for the Post-2015 Development Agenda”
A popular Bhutanese proverb says: Gyalpoi cheypa bang, Bang-gi rewa deki, Deki-gi tsawa thrim.
Which means: A king loves his people, His people desire happiness, the source of happiness is rule of law.
This proverb showcases the importance of the rule of law. But more importantly, and more significantly, it places the responsibility of ensuring the rule of law squarely on Bhutanese kings. It is most frequently quoted by His Majesty King Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck.
He noted that the Bhutanese nation state was founded 400 years ago and the laws enshrined under a great code. In it, the rule of law is compared to a silken knot. A silk scarf is light and does not ordinarily weigh down on a person. But it's knot - the silken knot - is tight when wrapped around a person, and becomes progressively tighter for a person trying to escape. Similarly, the laws were designed to be light on law-abiding people, but, like the silken knot, firm and uncompromising on people who transgress the law.
He said Bhutan's monarchs have championed the Rule of Law to ensure the happiness of their subjects. The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, placed his people's happiness at the centre of his development agenda by emphasising that "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product". GNH is built on four pillars. One of them – the most important – is Good Governance. And good governance is ultimately about the Rule of Law.
Bhutan enjoys the unique distinction of being the only country in which a serving monarch, at the peak of his popularity, established democracy, and did so against the will of his people. First, he bequeathed a Constitution to the people. That was drafted over 5 years by a 39-member committee who consulted the constitutions of over 100 countries. After that, His Majesty the King travelled the length and breadth of the country to personally discuss the draft with all his people. Only then was it formalised and adopted.
He said that although the MDGs agenda was designed to improve the basic human condition, particularly that of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, “progress has been uneven and inequalities exist among and within nations. The poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and children, have largely still been left behind. The post-2015 development agenda must take ownership of these basic problems and tackle them head on. In addition, it must attempt to carefully balance economic, social and environmental priorities in order to protect the planet's limited resources, promote sustainable consumption, and to address climate change.”