By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KATHMANDU, Nepal – This past Saturday 106 Tibetans were detained by Nepali authorities. About 20,000 Tibetans live in Nepal, forming the largest Tibetan exiled community. Since the Chinese crackdown of the Tibetan protests in March, even more Tibetans have been crossing into Nepal.

In the 1990s, Tibetans who choose to leave their homeland were allowed to stay. However, since the new Maoist regime took over in August, the Nepali government has implemented a much stricter policy against exiled Tibetans. Tibetans are routinely checked for refugee certificates or United Nation’s documents. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) based in Nepal helps Tibetans migrate to a third country. Many migrate to Dharamsala in northern India where the Dalai Lama lives in exile.  Those Tibetans without proper documents will either be referred to the UNHCR or deported back to China where they could face sanctions by Chinese authorities.

Tibetans have demonstrated in the capital, Kathmandu, mainly outside the Chinese Consular office since the Chinese crackdown earlier this year. The new Nepali government accused Tibetans of disrupting the way of life of the Nepali citizens. Nepal has faced some political pressure from China over the anti-China demonstrations. The new Maoist Prime-minister, Prachanda, recently returned from a visit to China where he met with Chinese leaders. In China, Prachanda met with Chinese President, Hu Jin-tao, and reaffirmed his belief in the controversial One-China policy, which recognizes Tibet, Hong-Kong, Macau, and Taiwan as a part of China. Since Prachanda’s return, the Nepali government has banned anti-China protesting and the recent crack-down on Tibetans have been aimed at discouraging their protests.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Nepal to Tackle Illegal Tibetans – 13 September 2008

BBC – Tibetan Monk Speaks Out – 21 March 2008

Reuters – Nepal Says to Deport Illegal Tibetans Back to Tibet – 11 September 2008