DANGEROUS CROSSING: - International Campaign for Tibet
DANGEROUS CROSSING: - International Campaign for Tibet
DANGEROUS CROSSING: - International Campaign for Tibet
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>DANGEROUS</strong> <strong>CROSSING</strong>: CONDITIONS IMPACTING THE FLIGHT OF TIBETAN REFUGEES l 2010 UPDATE<br />
27<br />
<strong>CROSSING</strong> THE HIMALAYAS<br />
<strong>Tibet</strong>ans faced continued dangers on the <strong>Tibet</strong> side of the border if caught trying<br />
to escape or to return to <strong>Tibet</strong>. The dangers <strong>for</strong> guides leading <strong>Tibet</strong>ans across the<br />
mountain passes have increased in recent years, as longer sentences have been<br />
imposed on those who are caught.<br />
The value of guides <strong>for</strong> <strong>Tibet</strong>ans lies in their knowledge on how to evade both<br />
Chinese border security and the Nepalese police (or to negotiate with the latter in<br />
terms of ensuring a safe journey to Kathmandu), and to navigate the difficult<br />
terrain and mountain paths. The fee received by <strong>Tibet</strong>an guides used to be around<br />
$80-$350 per person, often a year’s wage <strong>for</strong> rural <strong>Tibet</strong>ans – but reports since<br />
2006 suggest that as the risks of the journey have increased, so have the fees. But<br />
<strong>Tibet</strong>ans still know that refugee groups led by a guide are much more likely to<br />
arrive safely at the TRTC in Kathmandu than those without a group guide.<br />
The Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu. Nepal and <strong>Tibet</strong> share deep cultural and religious ties - Nepal is the birthplace<br />
of the Buddha, and many Himalayan peoples practice <strong>Tibet</strong>an Buddhism. (Photo: ICT)
Change language