Eighteen Tibetans, including ten teenagers, were given jail sentences of seven to ten months for "illegal entry into the Kingdom of Nepal". They had been apprehended by police on 15 April for failure to have the proper papers and were unable to pay the fines levied. The Nepalese authorities are currently threatening them with deportation, which would be the first such official deportation of Tibetan refugees from Nepal.

The notice to deport these recently arrived refugees was confirmed in a statement by Secretary Tika D. Niraula of the Nepalese Home Ministry. They would be deported to the Chinese police at Kodari at the Nepal - Tibet border. This would occur if and when the fines are paid or when the prison sentences have been served.

Two six year olds and a nine year old who were part of the group spent three days in prison before they were handed over to the care of officials from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Following their sentencing the 18 Tibetans were sent to Dili Bazaar immigration jail in Kathmandu. They joined a further nine Tibetans serving sentences of between three and ten years (see Urgent Campaign 5 August 2002, which documented 13 Tibetans who had been arrested and sentenced to imprisonment for similarily not having papers. Four of this group and an eight month old baby were later released after payment of their fines was made by well-wishers. This group, as far as we are aware are not threatened with deportation).

(Please note that Free Tibet Campaign does not advocate payment of fines for imprisoned Tibetan refugees except in extreme circumstances where there is a humanitarian emergency. Payment of fines is likely to lead to an escalation of the problem and increasing corruption and abuse of the system by Nepalese border police.)

To take action please see latest Urgent Campaign

 

List Of Tibetan Refugees Arrested on 15 April 2003

Tenzin Drolkar, 6 years old, female, released to UNHCR
Lobsang Dawa, 6, male, released to UNHCR
Pasang, 9, female, released to UNHCR

Yeshe, 13, male, 3 month sentence
Rinchen Dhondrup, 14, male, 7 month sentence
Gyaltsen Wangchuk, 14, male, 7 month sentence
Tenzin Nyima, 14, male, 10 month sentence
Lobsang Jampa, 16, female, 10 month sentence
Rigzin Dolma, 17, female, 10 month sentence
Tsultrim Gyatso, 17, male, 10 month sentence
Yonden, 17, female, 10 month sentence
Thubten Tsering, 18, male, 10 month sentence
Kesang Wangdu, 19, male, 10 month sentence
Tashi Choden, 19, female, 10 month sentence
Lobsang Phuntsok, 22, male, 10 month sentence
Tashi, 22, male, 10 month sentence
Lobsang Tenpa, 23, male, 10 month sentence
Yeshe Tsangpo, 23, male, 10 month sentence
Lobsang, 25, male, 10 month sentence
Lobsang Tenpel, 28, male, 10 month sentence
Gelek, 30, male, 10 month sentence

 

Tibetan Refugees Already Imprisoned

All are serving between three and ten years (see Urgent Campaign 5 August 2002)

Sangye Dhondup, 21, male
Lobsang Dhondup, 21, male
Dorjee Tashi, 23, male
Dukar, 28, male
Sonam Lama, 32, male
Palden Gyatso, 32, male
Choyang Dorjee, 33, male
Sechya Lama, 33, male
(all detained on 22 August 2001 and being held in Dili Bazaar Prison)

Heroka, 31, male
(detained 22 June 2000, held in Khar Guard jail)