Dharamsala, July 28 – The International Campaign for Tibet has published a new report documenting the “dangers for Tibetans in Nepal due to the Chinese government’s focus on Tibetan issues in its relations with the Nepalese government, and shifting internal politics in Nepal.”
The report notes that the Nepalese government has adopted a hard line against expressions of the Tibetan identity in Nepal, despite strong cultural and religious ties among the Himalayan peoples that have existed for centuries. Long-staying Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu and in settlements close to the Tibet-Nepal border are increasingly demoralized — and fearful — as the Nepalese government relinquishes its historic and sovereign interests in response to incentivized political pressure from Beijing and its sympathizers,” said a statement by the Washington based Tibetan organization.
Mary Beth Markey, Vice President of Advocacy of the International Campaign for Tibet, said: “Nepal’s political leadership is betting that the internal benefits of assuaging China in the cause of oppressing Tibetans will be greater than the costs of abandoning principles rooted in traditional legal and historical concepts. While long-staying and transiting Tibetan refugees bear the brunt of this approach, bending to China on fundamental freedoms and the rule of law presents a real risk to the Nepalese people and their democratic institutions.”
The ICT report also documents the insecurity and danger for Tibetans who enter India through Nepal which, it says, has beefed up security at the border with Tibet by deploying Armed Police Force under China’s instruction. “Somewhere between 2,500 and 3,500 Tibetans are registered each year by the UNHCR as “persons of concern” and provided assistance at the Tibetan Refugee Reception Center in Kathmandu.” However, since March 2008 only 652 Tibetans arrived safely at the Kathmandu reception center last year and just over 300 Tibetans have arrived this year.
The ICT says Nepalese government is adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to Tibetan protestors. Nepalese police used excessive force against the Tibetan protestors apparently under directions from China. The ICT report said the Maoist-led government allowed Chinese diplomats extraordinary and extrajudicial influence in dealing with Tibetan issues in Nepal. “Chinese embassy personnel were witnessed and photographed working behind police lines guiding the handling of protests and arrests of demonstrators, even going so far as to direct the positioning of Nepalese police officers.”
The Nepalese police arrested 15 Tibetans including 2 women for anti China protests at the United Nation’s office in Kathmandu on July 14, 2009. The 15 Tibetans were later released.
