Tibetan Refugees in Nepal Deported

Democracy Alert

[June 10, 2003]

Tibetan Refugees in Nepal Deported

Asia
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The World Movement for Democracy has learned that on May 31, 2003, 18 Tibetan refugees were deported from Nepal to China, where they would face the risk of persecution. This was the first time in Nepal that Tibetan refugees under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) protection were deported. This action by the Nepalese authorities violates international norms and practices regarding treatment of refugees. The Nepalese government has its obligation under customary international law to prevent Tibetans from being returned home where their lives or freedom would be threatened.

The 18 Tibetans are among a large group who were imprisoned on April 17 by the Nepalese Immigration Department. The group entered Nepal in their efforts to reach Nelen Khang, the Tibetan Refugee Center in Kathmandu, and then to proceed to India.

Nepal and India are traditional primary transit countries for Tibetan refugees seeking political asylum.

Suggested Actions: Please write a letter to the Nepalese authorities addressing your concerns for the safety and security of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. Contact information can be found below.

Also, please circulate this information within your networks and encourage your colleagues to write letters as well.

Send your letter to:
Surya Bahadur Thapa
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Fax : + 977 1 422-3838 or + 977 1 422-8570

Sher Bahadur Deupa
Minister of State for Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Fax : + 977 1 227 187
Email: homehmg@wlink.com.np

Subarna Lal Shrestha
Director General of the Department of Immigration
Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: deptimi@ntc.net.np

Moti Lal Bohara
Inspector General of Police
Police Headquarters, Naxal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Fax: + 977 1 415 594

For more information about this situation: