By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Dec 13: The Nepalese police have reportedly detained five Tibetans on Sunday morning for peacefully commemorating the 34th anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize day in Kathmandu, Nepal, according to multiple sources.
According to Kunsang Tenzin, a human rights advocate speaking to Voice of America said that the detainees were engaging in a peaceful observance of the significant event when the authorities intervened and arrested them. “The detention took place during a gathering where a group of Tibetans had congregated to commemorate the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The detainees were peacefully serving tea to the public and were not engaged in any form of protest or demonstration at the time of their apprehension,” he said.
The Tibetan individuals held in custody in Nepal were later released on the same day at approximately 6 pm. While in custody, there were no reports of mistreatment or adverse conditions faced by the detainees. Sources indicate that they were released without any apparent health issues or injuries.
However, their release was subject to certain conditions imposed by the authorities. It was reported that the detainees were required to submit their identification documents for their release. As a majority of them did not possess the necessary official identification, they reportedly submitted their Green Book instead, a document of voluntary contribution to the exile Tibetan government, known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration.
Last week, a comprehensive report, “Languishing in Limbo: Tibetan Refugees in Nepal” jointly published by the Dharamshala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in collaboration with the Asian Dignity Initiative (ADI) based in Seoul comprehensively highlights the continued violations of Tibetan refugees’ rights, particularly their freedom of expression and assembly. It sheds light on the challenges faced by Tibetans, especially during significant anniversaries such as the Nobel Peace Prize anniversary commemorating the conferment of the prestigious award to the Dalai Lama in 1989.
According to the report, during events like the anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize award to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan refugees in Nepal continue to encounter impediments in exercising their rights to peacefully assemble. The report emphasises instances where Tibetan refugees have faced restrictions, detentions, or interference from Nepalese authorities while commemorating significant events or expressing support for the Tibetan cause.
The detention of the Tibetans sparked immediate reactions from Tibetan support groups, and condemned the actions of the Nepalese police, citing it as a violation of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
