By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, November 2: The Taiwan Legislative body, the Legislative Yuan, has approved an amendment to the immigration Act to grant residential permit to stateless nationals including Tibetans who arrived in the country before June 29, 2016.
According to Focus Taiwan’s report, Tibetans who arrived in Taiwan from India and Nepal prior to June 29, 2016 will be given residential permit provided they have not been forced to leave the nation and once their identities are confirmed by the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission.
Kolas Yotaka, a ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator, estimated that with the new amendment, around 16 stateless nationals will be able to obtain the residence and work permits.
“A great number of Tibetans have been forced to leave their homes over the past few years as the Chinese government continues its oppressive rule in Tibet, particularly after 2009,” Yotaka said while adding that family members of dissidents and self-immolators are also subjected to punishments.
Prior to the amendment, the old bill only allows Tibetans who have entered Taiwan from India and Nepal between May 21, 1999 and December 31, 2008.
