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RIGHT OF RETURNA Chinese governmentreception office for returned“Tibetan compatriots.” Thisoffice in Tingri handlesTibetans who once livedin Tingri and who still mayhave relatives there.Officially, China has allowed Tibetans living in exile to apply for permitsto travel to Tibet since the 1980s but, in fact, the issuance of traveldocuments has been arbitrary and unreliable. In February 2002, theChinese Embassy in Kathmandu adopted a new approach, promotingto “patriotic overseas Tibetan compatriots” visits to families and friendsand “to worship Buddha.” Two types of permits are available: a temporaryone-year pass, and a relocation-pass for those wishing to return to Tibetfor good. xx It is not clear whether Nepal will allow Tibetans to re-enterwhen the permit for Tibet expires.Although China may have a legitimate interest in promoting travel linkswith Nepal, Tibetans in Nepal have been skeptical of what many see asa potentially dangerous political scheme to lure them back to Chinesecustody. Tibetans with valid permits have been detained by police on theTibetan side of the border for up to several months. In some cases, theChinese embassy in Kathmandu has directed permit applicants to handover their “Green Books,” documents issued by the CTA to all Tibetansunder their administration. China certainly keeps records of Tibetanswho return from exile, and there is concern among Tibetans contemplatingtrips home that the application process would add to an alreadyextensive web of knowledge about the Tibetan community, both insideand outside Tibet, including who is connected politically to whom.China continues to be suspicious of voluntary returnees, and newdetention facilities have been built proximate to border crossings.Interrogations take place first at these facilities, then in Lhasa, andthen in their hometown for some period after their arrival back in Tibet.Returnees have difficulty finding jobs in Tibet, as they are basically onparole, required to report regularly to local officials and attest that theyare not engaged in “splittist” or political activity. xxi20
In the 2001 report, Dangerous Crossings, ICT made a number of recommendationsfor the Nepalese and other governments, UNHCR, andconcerned non-governmental actors regarding needed improvements inthe situation of Tibetan refugees. Those recommendations have beenrevisited and updated, as needed, to assess the progress or lack thereofin improving the conditions of Tibetan refugees.For governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs):1. Commend the government of India for providing a place of safety andongoing humanitarian care to the Dalai Lama and Tibetans in exile andassuming the financial burden of such care on the resources of India.Improved: The Indian government and the CTA reached an agreementto facilitate transit of Tibetan refugees and for the provision of IdentityCards for refugees. In 2002, ICT awarded the people of India the Lightof Truth award to commend them for their humanitarian response to theplight of the Tibetan people.2. Commend Nepal for shelter and hospitality to Tibetans in exile butexpress concern over incidents of refoulement and ill-treatment of transitingTibetans in border areas, as well as the arrest and imprisonment ofTibetan refugees transiting through Nepal.Deterioration: Western governments and NGOs continued to pressthe Nepalese government on the treatment of Tibetan refugees with novisible results. A congressional staff delegation that traveled to Nepal inDecember 2002 found Nepalese officials to be unresponsive, and thesituation has deteriorated over the past year.RECOMMENDATIONS AND BENCHMARKS3. Encourage an exchange of notes between the UNHCR and theNepalese government that would formalize the “gentlemen’s agreement.”No Improvement: Nepalese officials seem uninterested in formalizingthe arrangement. ICT is unaware of efforts by the UNHCR to encouragethe Nepalese to do so.4. Recognize the UNHCR for the creativity of its approach in establishinga system to bring Tibetan refugees from border areas to Kathmandu.No Improvement: Due to the scandals that erupted in 2002, theinternational community was not in the position to commend the UNHCRfor its work in Nepal.21
Page 1 and 2: dangerous crossingConditions Impact
Page 3 and 4: International Campaign for TibetMay
Page 5 and 6: An ICT human rights monitor travels
Page 7 and 8: Once Tibetan refugees successfully
Page 9 and 10: Most Tibetan refugees are so obviou
Page 11 and 12: Nepal is not a party to internation
Page 13 and 14: Dili Bazaar prison, Kathmandu’sma
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Page 21: July 25A press conference called by
Page 25 and 26: 10. Provide an identification card
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