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tibetan crisis in nepal
- Subject: tibetan crisis in nepal
- From: cd@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 11:30:00
This is part of the serious regional problem close to Burma, and it
indicates a worsening of peace and stability in the region not
unaffecting these governments stand to burmese refugees. It is highly
regretable. Please excuse the distraction if any as it is not intended to
lessen the struggle for free burma, rather to strengthen it by
understanding, peace and compassion. in solidarity metta, dawn star
Police crack down on anti-Chinese protestors
More than 500 persons arrested
By a Kathmandu Post Reporter
KATHMANDU, March 18 - Police cracked down heavily on anti-Chinese
demonstrators, gathered in
downtown Kathmandu today. Over 500 people were arrested, which included
Amnesty International (AI)
activists, Buddhist monks, Tibetans and innocent pedestrians,
eyewitnesses said.The police repeatedly refused to verify the number of
arrests and give reason for the arrests.
AI activists, Buddhist monks and Tibet activists had gathered discretely
in front of RNAC building and in the
side streets of New Road for a peaceful demonstration to the Chinese
embassy. But their programme to
submit a memorandum there denouncing widespread human rights abuse in
China was thwarted when
legions of policemen started to punch and kick them into police vans.
Innocent ochre-robed monks totally unaware of the demonstration programme
and Tibetan-looking
pedestrians were also shoved into police vans.AI member Niranjan R.B.
told The Kathmandu Post that AI Nepal Section had collected signatures
last Friday to denounce capital punishment in China.
Today, AI had organized a peaceful protest programme and planned to
submit a memorandum and
signatures to the Chinese embassy as part of a month-long programme,
demanding improvement of human
rights situation in China.But the police aborted the programme by
arresting AI general secretary Subas Dhakal, chairperson Charan Prasai,
director Krishna Kandel, deputy director Anil Pant, former chairperson
Krishna Pahadi and about 50 other active members, R.B. disclosed.
AI had not invited the Buddhist monks and Tibetan activists, he said. The
monks and Tibetan activists
displayed placards that read ?Tibet is not a part of China?, ?We want our
country back?, ?UNO, where are
you??, ?No Human Rights in Tibet?, ?UNO, why don?t you talk to China??
and so on.
?We want human rights?, ?Long live Dalai Lama,? chanted some of the
arrested from inside police vans.
Mingma Gyari Lama, a Tibetan refugee, was angry at the indiscriminate
arrests and rough treatment meted
out to Buddhist monks and Tibetans by the police.
?Can?t we wear our traditional clothes?? she asked. ?The police have
indiscriminately arrested innocent
people who were out to shop just because they were clad in our
traditional clothes.?Pasang Gyalpu Lama, another Tibetan refugee,
expressed disappointment that peaceful demonstration is not allowed even
in a democracy. ?We have been allowed to demand for free Tibet even in
international arena except in Nepal,? he said bitterly.
Meanwhile, UML said today Anti-China activities are being encouraged in
Nepal under the pretext of free
Tibet, Taiwan and human rights.Chairman of the UML Publicity Department R
K Mainali issued a press statement late Monday, accusing the government
of ?inciting undesired elements to make Nepal a base for anti-Chinese
activities.?UML strongly denounces the undesired anti-China activities
such as gheraoing of the Chinese embassy and collection of signatures
being carried out by Amnesty International which is dominated by persons
affiliated with the Nepali Congress, Mainali said.
He also strongly urged the government to immediately prohibit such
undesired activities.