Tibetans in Nepal targeted by authorities: summary arrests and raids
Kathmandu ( AsiaNews)- In order
to please the Chinese government, on March 10 Nepalese authorities arrested a
group of Tibetans who were demonstrating against Beijing on the anniversary of
the failed anti- communist uprising of 1959. Police
sources confirm: those arrested have been identified as Jumpa, Sonam Tashi, Sonam Chodung,
Kansang Poldon, Mingma, Apa, Jigned Lama, Suzil Lama, Tanzim Padma and Padma
Dolma. The
police has not revealed the charges against them or the place of their
detention.
As
a result of its failed anti-Chinese uprising, in addition to the Dalai Lama
also a large number of Tibetans left their country to settle in India and
Nepal. There
are about 20 thousand Tibetans in Nepal, whom the government keeps under tight
control to avoid problems with Beijing: almost all are interned in 18 camps,
mostly in the Kathmandu Valley. A
decade ago, Nepal and China began to strengthen economic, political and
diplomatic ties. Kathmandu is afraid of losing the rich Chinese entrepreneurs and
so does all in its power to avoid tension.
In
this context, the government- led by Congress- banned
Tibetans from celebrating the anniversary. The
police patrolled the camps for about a month, conducting surprise night time raids.
Despite
this situation, some refugees in Hattisar were able to hoist the Tibetan flags
and shout anti-Chinese slogans.
Tsering Lama, an activist for Tibetans human rights in Nepal, says: "Many Tibetans couldn't sleep well for many days because police raided their camps and even bedrooms. This is really terrifying us. On March 10, we were banned from leaving our camps and police forced us to remain within the house. We were not allowed to go for prayers. This violates our religious rights".
.png)
