DANGEROUS CROSSING: - International Campaign for Tibet

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR TIBET
Since March 2009, the area surrounding the Chinese consulate in Kathmandu
has been a restricted zone for Tibetan protests. The consulate,
situated at a bustling crossroads in the city, was effectively shut down
by Tibetan protesters at times in 2008, Any Tibetans carrying out protests
in this area will be arrested immediately. In order to further limit
the occurrence and publicity of Tibetan protests, at times of political
sensitivity, such as March 10 Tibetan Uprising Day, it is common for
Nepali riot police to surround Tibetan areas in Kathmandu, effectively
constraining any would-be protests. In July 2010 Tibetans were intercepted
en route to the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations south of
Kathmandu, with more than 100 Tibetans detained.
Measures of control which limit freedom of movement have also increased
within Tibetans’ daily lives in Kathmandu. Spot ID checks from
police in Tibetan areas have become common. They are so prevalent in
Boudhanath, in fact, that young Tibetan men without papers observe
a self-imposed curfew of 6:30 p.m. because they fear being hassled,
fined or detained by police.
b) Arrests, detentions and Supreme Court action
Tibetans in Kathmandu face detention for non-violently protesting, for being
suspected of planning protests and often, simply for being outside after dark
without identity papers. There is no Nepali law which details the treatment
of Tibetans or mentions ‘anti-Chinese’ activities and, as such, when Tibetans
are charged and detained it is usually under the general crime of ‘social offenses.’
In recent years it has become increasingly apparent that most Tibetan
detentions are a way to demonstrate Nepal’s commitment to a one-China
policy. Of considerable concern to ICT is that, fines are prohibitive and arrests
and detentions are often preemptive and increasingly frequent, widespread
and of increased duration. Nonetheless, Tibetans still attempt to raise their
concerns to the United Nations, the Nepal government, and the international
community by exercising their right to non-violent public protest.
Reflecting Nepal’s shifting policy towards the Tibetan community, construing
free speech and political demonstrations directed at China as “criminal,” a
Nepal Home Ministry spokesman stated that: “The government is [sic] stick to
one China policy and we will not allow activities directed against our neighbors...
It is natural that precautionary measures should be taken to control
criminal activities.” 201
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