Tibetans Detained In Nepal
Concern continues over the arrests of peaceful demonstrators and Tibetan activists by security forces in Nepal.
The international community continues to express concern over thearrests of peaceful demonstrators and Tibetan community activists bysecurity forces in Nepal. U.S. State Department deputy spokesman TomCasey issued a statement following the detention of three Tibetancommunity leaders, Ngawang Sangmo, Tashi Dolma, and Kelsang Chung onJune 19th. The three activists are being held without charge by Nepaliauthorities. The U.S., said Mr. Casey, is calling for their immediateand unconditional release. Hundreds of Tibetan refugees havealso been arrested in protests outside the Chinese consulate in Nepal.Nepali authorities have reportedly used excessive force in making thearrests. “The ongoing harsh treatment of peaceful protesters duringtheir arrests by the Nepali police is distressing,” said Mr. Casey. Hesaid the U.S. understands and respects Nepal’s national securityconcerns and the importance of protecting diplomatic premises. Mr.Casey also said that the United States urges Nepal “to ensure thehumane treatment of peaceful protesters and to adhere to itsinternational human rights obligations as Nepal continues on its pathas a democratic nation.” A joint statement issued by diplomaticmissions to Nepal of Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, the EuropeanUnion, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States alsoexpressed strong concern over the detention of the Tibetan communityleaders and the reported mistreatment of protesters by Nepali police. Protectingthe rights to free speech and assembly, including the right to conductpeaceful public demonstrations, is an important test for Nepal’s newgovernment. Nepal recently abolished its two-hundred-forty-year-oldmonarchy and established a Constituent Assembly. U.S. Deputy AssistantSecretary of State for South and Central Asia Evan Feigenbaum called ita “very historic leap for Nepal.” But political violence remains aconcern. “Our basic message to every party in Nepal,” said Mr.Feigenbaum, “is that the degree to which we can work with parties inNepal will depend very directly on the degree to which they continue toembrace the political process and abandon violence.” Nepali security forces too need to use restraint and respect the human rights of Nepali citizens and foreigners alike.