The standing Committee of ATPD is deeply disturbed by reports suggesting that 18 Tibetan asylum seekers in the custody of Nepalese police were forced onto Chinese Embassy vehicles and driven back to Tibet, where they face the prospect of at least three years of imprisonment on charges of crossing the border without exit permits.
Over the past four decades, Nepal has played host to a large community of Tibetan refugees who arrived there in 1959 and thereafter. In addition, the Nepalese government has consistently followed a humanitarian policy of handing over new Tibetan escapees to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), who saw to their onward journey to India. As such, it is fair to assume that the fate of the 18 refugees does not reflect the policy of the Nepalese government. Rather, it was a case of junior officials, acting under pressure from over-zealous Chinese Embassy personnel in Kathmandu.
We are concerned that a totalitarian government could use its muscles to meddle so flagrantly in the internal affairs of a democratic neighbour. As such it should be a cause of concern for all. If the interference of this nature continues unchallenged, it will slowly eat into the fabrics of Nepalese sovereignty and democracy.
On the positive side, the deportation has invited widespread expression of concerns from the international community. Kathamndu-based embassies of the United States, Britain, Germany, etc. have joined the chorus of international condemnation against the deportation. We are particularly consoled by the demonstration of sympathy, either privately or publicly, by great many citizens of Nepal. Amongst them, Nepal Buddhist Welfare Association and Himali Sherpa Society have issued press statements, urging their government not to deport the Tibetans.
If the flight of Tibetans from their homeland is causing embarrassment to the Chinese government, it should clean up its acts in Tibet and respect the Tibetan people’s rights and freedom, at least as guaranteed by the Chinese constitution. Just as it is common for Chinese people to travel overseas, so should there be a relaxed policy on Tibetans wishing to travel out of the country for education and other legitimate purposes.
In our right as democratically elected representatives of the Tibetan people, we will continue to mount vigorous campaigns for international action against this and any other deportation of our people on their way out of Tibet.
Pema Jungney
Chairman
Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies
(Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile)
June 4, 2003
