endstream endobj 95 0 obj <> endobj 96 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 73/TrimBox[0 0 538.583 708.661]/Type/Page>> endobj 97 0 obj <>stream The largest communities in Kathmandu and Pokhara constitute up to 1000 people. Following the Tibetan uprising in 1959, thousands of Tibetans fled their homeland. 0000005925 00000 n 0000107875 00000 n 0000010173 00000 n The Tibet Journal With his partys victory in the Punjab by-elections, he is pushing for early general elections. There is also an entire industry developing weaving and selling carpets. Kelsang is currently a second year student studying Social Work at St. Xaviers College in Kathmandu. %PDF-1.4 % Beijings no limits partnership with Moscow is likely to destroy its dream of having European astronauts fly to the Chinese space station. Nepal should be praised for hosting thousands of Tibetan refugees for decades, but this is not enough. 0000002823 00000 n In 1995, the UNHCR requested the Nepalese government to issue RCs to at least all the Tibetans who arrived before 1989. The foreign ministry spokesperson said the government was not aware of the meetings. Since it is impossible for Tibetans in Nepal to get citizenship, which gives them such rights as right to own property or purchase a business, many resort to risky options such as purchasing fake citizenship papers which is very risky and usually costs between NPR 3-5 lakhs. For Tibetans-in-exile, this means that the influence of Beijing will not diminish in the near future. Due to the personal nature of these conversations, I am currently pondering changing the academic style of my writing (that I have gotten used to at Duke) for my final write-up to reflect and convey the narratives I have collected in the most honest and intimate way possible. They said there are many Tibetan students who currently do not have RCs, which means that they face the inevitable risk of not being able to attend colleges, or get jobs, or even move freely domestically. On a positive note, the government accepted many recommendations that, if adequately and effectively implemented, could address some of the human rights challenges that Tibetans face in Nepal. It distributed aid after the earthquake in April 2015 and promised investment in infrastructure. did not accept) important recommendations it received from UN member states regarding Tibetan refugees on 21 January 2021, as part of the countrys third UPR cycle. Asia, Asia With a personal account, you can read up to 100 articles each month for free. On May 20, U.S. Under-Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, who is also the Joe Biden administrations Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Uzra Zeya, visited Nepal. The treaty was widely believed to be targeted at Tibetan refugees. The government must commit to further measures to protect Tibetans as well as refugees transiting from Tibet to India.. 94 0 obj <> endobj A few of them are worried that China could increase pressure on these remaining areas of opportunity. 0000031229 00000 n Among the 30 Tibetans arrested were members of the Tibetan government-in-exile. According to Kelsang, it was the same year that China increased pressure on Tibetans in Tibet because of the Tibetan protest on March 4, a few months shy of the infamous Tiananmen Square massacre that took place on June 4. hb```&VB cc`a 3C(k>039 Ru xr@UT/0`Tc> }]EFcs};;HxqqxqX(:L(.,9CI%PXKPTsSY-Y2XHH\t&:j8"&O*c6$t8mZY"]AqCP00$6S$h RhR$T;@FqhC9Wf3@sN(e6ds!|a4,Fpk9 It is concerned over Nepals strict surveillance of Tibetan refugees, restrictions on their assembly and free expression of speech. According to many educated Tibetan youth like Kelsang, Tibetan residents in Nepal are eligible for Nepalese citizenship legally as they fulfill all the requirements under Section 6 of Nepals Citizenship Act. The issue will test Nepals diplomatic skills. While India provided intelligence support for the Kham rebels fighting the Peoples Liberation Army, the CIA trained the guerrillas and provided them with arms and financial support. Asia, Central

Copyright 2022 Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute. Sheltering refugees must also mean giving them full protection in accordance with relevant international human rights principles and treaties. HTO[u?1{GnGtv+ma3RbIiB0DD2!AZI1bWJmc/~+~s|m gC%AR. Such recommendations called on the government to: ensure the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly (six recommendations); protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities (four recommendations); and protect the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities (one recommendation). [Bawk]0E!Bn(wq-|l6 plDNb[r_'$g(1c.nv<8r|1Hn l7x/0cWOv'/iG#WS_On?>%.`.`?O|4Ncm y 8CIY|J)DA^X;KN{*G= _ ,$AVl @s>| 2lj"qSJdGxTU}jSdjkC In return, China is requiring stricter security from Nepal along their shared border that stretches 1236 kilometers (781 miles). Many of them live in former detention camps that have transformed into permanent settlements. FIDH: Ms. Eva Canan (English, French): +33648059157 The Importance of Refugee Certificate (RC): I identify as Tibetan because I was born into a Tibetan family. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) since 2008, Nepal has signed intelligence-sharing agreements with China, operationalized border security cooperation, partially enforced a ban on Tibetan public demonstrations, and deployed armed police in Tibetan neighborhoods on politically sensitive dates. Suspicious about the military content and wary of antagonizing China, Nepal rejects a U.S. disaster mitigation program. (Brussels, Geneva, Paris) The Nepali government failed to commit to respecting and protecting the rights of Tibetan refugees in the country during the United Nations (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR), FIDH and its member organization International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) denounced today. The first in a series of post-NSL cyber laws may ironically weaken the tech sector and make Hong Kongs internet less secure. There is neither the possibility to integrate into everyday life in Nepal, nor to live with Tibetan identity," said Baumann. (22.07.2016), With Chinese power growing and Western support fading, Tibet's new government-in-exile may have its hands tied. Unlike formal interviews that are generally more structured, these conversations revolve around their personal narratives and range from an hour to three hours. Why is the Nepalese government refusing to provide Tibetans in Nepal with citizenship? 0000060143 00000 n They have suffered from a lack of access to basic rights such as education and employment because they have not been issued identity cards. Due to lack of documents such as RC (Refugee Identity Certificate), many Tibetan refugees in Nepal were/are currently stateless which means that they do not have any proof of residence, are perpetually prone to harassment by officials, and have very limited political and economic rights. "We are striving for a balance of foreign relations between India and China," he said.

(28.04.2016), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who led a years-long Maoist insurgency, has taken over the top office for the second time. Amidst all this, it is the refugees in Nepal who bear the brunt of the geopolitical tussle. China, therefore, considers other countries engagement with Tibetan refugees as interference in its internal affairs. A couple of the interviews and correspondences also took place in other places such as Narayani and Dhulikhel. 0000133840 00000 n

It is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. In interviews earlier this year, Dahal insisted that relations with China be maintained. China wants Nepal to maintain effective control over their activities, whereas the U.S. wants to engage refugees partially to get back at China. The trickle into Nepal has continued since then. The government also refused to accept two other recommendations that called for the respect of the principle of non-refoulement. 0000007725 00000 n Consequently, Nepal has not been able to address the concerns of China or the U.S. The economic crisis was made at home, a result of structural political and economic weaknesses. 0000005744 00000 n Report, Trans-Pacific Lastly, the government did not accept all three recommendations calling for the ratification of the 1951 Refugee Convention, and one recommendation that called for the adoption of national legislation in accordance with international standards on the protection of refugees. As Sino-American tensions increase, Nepal will find that the balancing line is increasingly thin and more tenuous. 0000007703 00000 n But development aid doesn't come for free. 0000002599 00000 n Us, Write Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi had met Nepali Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand ahead of Zeyas visit to Nepal. I identify as Tibetan because my ancestors originated from Tibet (written in Tibetan script). Nepal is caught between the U.S. and China and their competing narratives, and has acted to heed issues of concern they have raised. According to Tsering, an RC is extremely important for Tibetans in Nepal because without it, they cannot purchase a sim card or automobiles, or apply for a license to drive, or ever dream of going abroad to study by obtaining a travel document. Additionally, since 1990, it has refused to recognize Tibetans crossing the border illegally into Nepal as refugees. The operation ended after Nepal mobilized its Army against the Khampa. 0000005947 00000 n Privacy Policy | According to a confidential document from the American embassy in Nepal published by Wikileaks in 2010, Beijing is demanding that Kathmandu strengthens border troops. 0000005264 00000 n Instead, children born to Tibetan refugees inherit the uncertain and insecure status of their parents. In 1958, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) began a covert operation of support to the Khampa uprising. ICT: Mr.Kai Mller (English, German): +4915124067212, Adilur Rahman Khan, FIDH Secretary-General, COPYRIGHT 2022 - FIDH : International Federation for Human Rights , International Federation for Human Rights. ei2k@#8y Nor does it issue them identity cards. |Press contacts They also completely stopped providing Tibetan refugees coming to Nepal with permission to settle or transit to India. *(PxvSEyb@%|no78E{ww-.

However, they are still not granted citizenship. ", China considers the fleeing Tibetans to be a threat to its sovereignty. 0000006823 00000 n As more Tibetans tried to escape from Tibet to get away from the martial law practiced by the Chinese authorities in Tibet, the Nepalese government cooperated with China by increasing its border security with Tibet. The student wanted to peacefully celebrate the 81st birthday of the Dalai Lama in July along with hundreds of exiled Tibetans. However, it was her visit to two Tibetan refugee camps in Kathmandu that caught the most media attention. hYko+>DJl'Ny85AX#y%MJr$?G0hgg /LxTK&2XkHkvhK>s%989*sx~6wI#(oh1Lj A+-$uh'PV.5Nh~*A 4XP{Ld|;3l.Z>{YKJ` Her trip followed a flurry of high-level visits by American officials since Nepals ratification of the $500-million Millennium Challenge Compact, in February 2022. It has been three weeks since I came to Kathmandu, and I have managed to meet in person and interview in total 23 Tibetans in different locations including heavily Tibetan populated areas such as Boudhanath, Jawalakhel, Thamel and Swayambhunath, and less dense areas such as Pharping and Trivedi. This disagreement was triggered by protests in southern Nepal by the Madhesi ethnic group, who felt disadvantaged by the new Nepalese constitution. 0000035141 00000 n 0000001151 00000 n As a result, it has taken ad hoc measures. The CIA used Nepali territory to support the Khampa operations. Contact A lot of these conversations are focused on the lack of documentation that make Tibetan refugees vulnerable to harassment by Nepalese police and officials. Nepal is caught amid a moral dilemma and geostrategic competition. Money, Tokyo 0000035901 00000 n 0000032190 00000 n Without documentation refugees cannot go to school and also have difficulty finding work. They had gathered in the neighborhood of Boudha in the northern part of Kathmandu, but before the celebration could begin, police arrived and cleared the area. I also met with Tibetan students currently participating in the daily programs of EduLift, a registered non-profit educational initiative in Boudhanath. The responses given by the Nepali government during the UPR are insufficient to guarantee the fundamental human rights and the legal status that Tibetans living in the country deserve. Enjoying this article? The document also states that "China rewards Nepalese forces by providing financial incentives for handing over Tibetans who want to flee across the border. Asia, South It examines the coverage, understanding and impact of the Tibetan refugee issues on Nepali media and vice versa. I keep referring to these open-ended interviews as conversations because thats how they played out in the field. On the one hand, Nepal has increased surveillance of the Tibetan refugees. It is he who gave me important insights on the status of Tibetan refugees residing in Nepal, specifically on the issue of citizenship. The House speaker is reportedly planning a trip to Taiwan in August. Pressure is increasing on Tibetans living in Nepal as the influence of Beijing in the Himalayan region grows. (03.08.2016), Meanwhile, China has become the largest investor in the poorest country in South Asia. 0000034435 00000 n To access this article, please, Access everything in the JPASS collection, Download up to 10 article PDFs to save and keep, Download up to 120 article PDFs to save and keep. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. Around 20,000 Tibetans live in Nepal. hbbd```b`` Dr|@$.Q`,^f{`]`i0 %Dl Rz"d\DVYDz$.L 30}l&30=z ` c 2. It reports that Nepal has sent back some Tibetans caught near the Sino-Nepali border in recent times, despite the risk to their lives. India would get contracts for hydropower and China would finance infrastructure in the context of its new Silk Road project. Many fled to Nepal or via Nepal to India. Those who arrived before 1989 had the permission from the government to stay and those who came after 1989 and were denied that permission. The only option available and feasible is to purchase fake documents, which is a huge risk in itself. On the other, China shows inadequate confidence in Nepals ability to control the activities of the Tibetan refugees. Similarly, another recommendation that called on Kathmandu to step up efforts in the fight against segregation and discrimination of ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, did not enjoy the governments support. endstream endobj startxref Either way, it showed that Nepal was either clueless about a foreign officials activities during her visit and that the official did not feel the need to inform her hosts of her plans, or that she went ahead with the meetings despite Nepals reservations. Click here to subscribe for full access. +(64|CC IQUM6j! This lack of legal status leaves them vulnerable to crime and human rights violations with no recourse before the law. "We had been preparing the celebration for months," said Lama with anger and disappointment. The research has found that Nepali media does not show uniform face on the coverage of Tibetan issues. View, About China had promised to take strong measures in response. Southeast The UPR report of Nepal will be adopted on 8 July, during the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council. In November of the same year, the Chinese Premier visited Nepal, and in the following month of December when the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nepalese government banned the Tibetans in Kathmandu from celebrating or engaging in any cultural activities. All Rights Reserved, Smith Warehouse, Bays 4 & 5, 1st Floor, Box 90403, Durham, NC 27708-0403, Meet the 2021 Human Rights Certificate Seniors, Meet the 2020 Human Rights Certificate Graduates, North Carolina Human Rights History Capstone, Palestine/Israel: Comparative Approaches to Rights and Justice, Racial Equity Learning Arc by the Equity Paradigm, Commissioning Truths: 30 Years after Nunca Ms, Mass Incarceration and the Carceral State, Our Right to Say: Gentrification and Durhams Future, The 99 Percent: Poverty, Justice and Human Rights, RightsWatch: Human Rights in the Age of Trump, Dangerous Memories: facing the past, making the future series. According to Tibetan news agencies, authorities had given permission for the celebration honoring the Tibetan leader. Tibetan refugees may be tolerated in neighboring Nepal, but they are forced to live isolated from society and in an uncertain legal situation. Nepals policy and statements have changed based on whom it is dealing with. Videos and images on social media showing complete devastation of the complex appear to support their claim. I was able to interview him several times at his workplace and also over a 3-hour morning run. Hail Tibet! (written in Nepali Bhasa/Devanagari). Beijing considers the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile to be separatists. Even though I have selected 1-2 interviews here, I have used the notes taken from all of my interviews to inform the analyses.

Defense, China If the present is the prologue, Nepal is likely to be a pawn in the great geopolitical game without a handle on the events, and Tibetan refugees will be the ones to suffer. The influx of large number of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around the Boudha stupa (Tibetan: ). A recent visit by an American official to Tibetan refugee camps in Kathmandu appears to have not gone down well with Beijing. Chinas approach to the COVID-19 pandemic is hampering strategic efforts to rejuvenate the IC industry. | Mobile version. $sy @1k^[ (e`\>/c,K#L11f(Id]Jy -021na`KM_A Cj+ %PDF-1.7 % Yet, there were reports that the government was cognizant of this. At the same time, Nepal has committed to protecting the rights of Tibetan refugees. My fieldwork in the aforementioned locations in Kathmandu consisted mostly of observational research and conversations over tea/coffee/dinner. Take a look at the beta version of dw.com. For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions ;_Wr^}K8i^ The United States failed to match Beijings intense, coordinated diplomacy across Southeast Asia during the COVID-19 crisis. 0 "And it will be nearly impossible that more Tibetans will be able to establish themselves there. The United States risks falling behind China as Nepal weighs its options in dealing with the pandemic. It views Tibetan issues through the lens of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and maintenance of the Chinese Communist Partys control over the region. He explained to me how after 1989, the Nepalese government stopped issuing permission to Tibetan refugees coming from Tibet to stay in Nepal, and how this decision made by the government led to the creation of two different types of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. Observers posit that Western pressure was the primary reason for Nepal not signing the extradition treaty with China during President Xi Jinpings visit to Kathmandu in 2019*. 162 0 obj <>stream Even if Nepal was not aware of Zeyas visit to the Tibetan camps, China watched it carefully. We use cookies to improve our service for you. This was reported by The New York Times here. Power, Crossroads 0000001227 00000 n Pro-Tibet protest in Pokhara, Nepal, on March 17, 2008. We're not done yet! 0000008597 00000 n "There is no perspective in the country, especially for young people who are suffering under policies that are becoming fiercer. I was introduced to him through a friend of mine who interns at the same NGO. The newly elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will most likely not change the current situation for Tibetans. Tibetans have also faced restrictions on religious and political celebrations and Nepali authorities have continued to impose bans on their public gatherings. The government failed to accept a key recommendation that called for the registration and verification of all Tibetan refugees, followed by the issuance of identity documents. ", 2022 Deutsche Welle | Much of the West is eulogizing the former Japanese prime minister. But officially, Tibetans can work in these sectors only with the possession of a residence permit. Asia, Pacific 0000033416 00000 n Its Foreign Policy 2077 8.1.7 states that Nepal will not allow any activities within its territory that affect the national interests of its neighbors. 0000010308 00000 n You can find more information in our data protection declaration. In 2019, then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that his Nepali counterpart had reassured him that Nepal would continue to protect the rights of the Tibetan refugees living in Nepal and their right to non-refoulement. Despite the challenges, I have never seen a more promising time for our people to find common ground.. The Nepali government must take urgent steps to grant legal status to Tibetans and ensure their fundamental rights are respected and protected.. Accessibility Statement | %%EOF The West and INGOs allude that Nepals response to Tibetans is the result of increasing Chinese influence over the government. Even with an RC, they do not have fundamental rights including freedom of speech and assembly, let alone the right to own property, travel freely domestically or internationally, or participate in political and cultural activities (such as celebrating the birthday of the Dalai Lama). From just small three sections in its infancy the LTWA has grown into a full-fledged cultural and academic establishment with ten separate specialised departments. A participant at the 14th Nepal-China Bilateral Consultative Mechanism held on May 25 said that China indirectly expressed reservations about Zeyas visit to the Tibetan refugee camps. Currently, Nepal hosts around 20,000 Tibetan refugees who live in 12 designated camps in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Boudhanath area in Kathmandu where a lot of Tibetans currently live. He now has wide support and a desire to talk, but can he still stop the revolving door of Nepalese politics? 0000002381 00000 n The view of Kathmandu from Swayambhunath. It features articles on Tibetan history, art, philosophy, literature and language, and includes book reviews. Since 1989, Kathmandu has not issued official documents to Tibetans. Outside of the settlements some refugees have found a niche working in tourism or selling Tibetan souvenirs. 2022 Diplomat Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. QXsp1$H]? 0000035163 00000 n Meanwhile, Western countries and some international non-government organizations (INGOs) tend to view the Tibetan issue through the lens of human rights. I have also taken the liberty of checking for statistical and historical evidence reported online through the United Nations Nepal Information Platform, International Campaign for Tibet, and Human Rights Watch when the participants refer to specific events during conversations. for Us. Santosh Sharma Poudel is a faculty at the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu and a co-founder of Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe). Legal notice | In China and South Korea, reactions are far less positive. 0000031484 00000 n Therefore, RC is a very important document to have as it does not only give Tibetans in Nepal the permission to remain in Nepal with limited rights, but is also the pre-requirement to apply for and obtain a Travel Document. p}S_\bby:dQ0es~[t[e&1G4 Special editions have been dedicated to single topics such as the Tibetan government and court systems, the Muslim community and the visual arts. Abzhan admits a role in the events that led to his arrest, but suggests the situation was a set-up by the Kazakh authorities. Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.

Since the Nepalese government refuses to provide Tibetan residents with citizenship, and/or any form of legal status, the Refugee Identity Certificate (RC) is the only available form of documentation that can provide some very limited security from being harassed by Nepalese officials. These quotesquite interestingly in three different languages: Nepali, Tibetan, and Englishprovide insights regarding their background, their preferred language for day-to-day use, and the extent to which they have integrated into their host societies. Tibet, along with Taiwan and Tiananmen, comprise the critical 3Ts for China. By document, they refer to RC (Refugee Identity Card), which a lot of the Tibetan youth do not possess. Days before she embarked on her South Asian tour, the president of the Tibetan government-in-exile Penpa Tsering had toured the U.S. Nepali officials feigned ignorance of Zeyas meeting with the Tibetan refugees. However, it lacks an overarching principle in its policy vis--vis Tibetan refugees. The journal also publishes articles related to Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia and the Trans-Himalayan regions which have geographical and cultural affinities to Tibet. It was naive to believe the group would ever give it up. 1. 0000036580 00000 n x':Q8pDS$N8hNQ2VE7PlrvkcaqqQII:C{? In 2015, relations between India and Nepal were strained by the six-month blockade of the border between the two countries, for which the government in Kathmandu held New Delhi responsible.

Just $5 a month. However, they shouldn't expect much from the new pro-Beijing government. Based on the personal narratives of the Tibetans I have met with so far, I have categorized todays update into two subtopics. Despite evidence to the contrary, in its response to these recommendations, the government claimed it was abiding by this fundamental principle that stipulates no one should be returned to a country where they would face persecution or danger. Weaving and selling carpets is a source of income for Tibetan refugees in Nepal. For students like Kelsang, who are currently studying and are the first generation in their families to attend college, seeking citizenship because of the rights that comes with it is a more practical option than the alternative which is statelessness, and would leave them with no legal rights and opportunities for education and employment. 0000008948 00000 n Since Tsering and Phuntsok both attended schools in Nepal, they are well aware of the fact that it is very difficult to get admitted into a school or get a job in the long run without an RC. Request Permissions, Published By: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Read Online (Free) relies on page scans, which are not currently available to screen readers. "Before the police could arrest me, I escaped with the others through the back door," said Pasang Chunda Lama. Citizenship for Tibetan Refugees in Nepal: According to the UN Refugee Agency estimates, half of the refugees living in Nepal have no documents. USAID, for instance, provides direct financial support to the refugees. I also had the opportunity to meet Tibetan students/youth at different Tibetan schools (including Srongtsen Boarding School and Namgyal School in Boudhanath), and Nepalese colleges. 0000031462 00000 n Will his opponents in the civilian and military establishment concede his demand? In order to be as accurate as possible in my note taking, I have requested most participants to write their quotes directly on an A4 sheet that I can keep. In accordance with what I have heard through the conversations I had, it seems that the Nepalese government is still unwilling to issue RCs to Tibetan refugees in Nepal in spite of the obvious problems and daily struggles that Tibetans face.