Int’l Human Rights organizations urge govt to respect rights of Tibetans

Various three international human rights organizations have urged the government of Nepal to respect rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association of Tibetans living in Nepal as government prepares to thwart possible ‘anti-China protest’ on the eve of the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

Issuing a joint press statement, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists said these rights are guaranteed for all persons in Nepal by International Human Rights Treaties to which Nepal is a party including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

March 10 is marked as the Tibetan Uprising Day, which commemorates the 1959 rebellion against Tibet’s occupation by China, forcing the 14th Dalai Lama to flee from Tibet. “Since 2008, the government has carried out preventive arrests and policing restrictions on demonstration and freedom of movement that deny the right to legitimate peaceful expression and assembly during anniversaries and festivals marked by Tibetan community,” the statement said.

“Chinese government has in the past put strong pressure on Nepal not to allow Tibetans to protest,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “We can see that in trying to comply with the wishes of the Chinese government the Nepali authorities have effectively banned any gathering of Tibetans violating their freedom of movement.”

Local government authorities in Kathmandu have mobilized over 1500 police personnel including Armed Police Force in the Capital city and increased surveillance in and around the Chinese Embassy, Consular Section, Swoyambhu and Bouddha keeping in view of possible ‘anti-China’ protests on Thursday.

The statement alleged that Nepali government ended up imposing a blanket ban on the movement of groups of Tibetans at a time when they are celebrating Lhosar including important religious pilgrimage in an attempt to appease the Chinese authorities. “The government of Nepal claims that demonstrations violate “one China’ policy. However, the government can not set aside its domestic and international legal obligations in pursuit of this policy,” it further said.

Some 20,000 Tibetan refugees are said to be currently living in various parts of Nepal including in the capital city Kathmandu.

- Asian Tribune -