On February 1, 2005 the Nepalese King seized total control of the
government and placed most government ministers under house arrest. He
declared an indefinite state of emergency and the suspension of all
civil liberties.
The week preceding the King's coup, the Nepalese government had
issued notice to the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office in Kathmandu ordering both offices to
close immediately allegedly because they were not legally registered.
The notice was unexpected as the Office of the Representative of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama has been operating in Nepal since 1960, when it
first rallied international support and coordinated emergency care for
thousands of Tibetan refugees who fled in the immediate aftermath of
China's invasion and occupation.
In recent years, we have documented an increase of Chinese government
influence in Nepal and our monitors suggest that China's pressure
provoked the Nepalese government to close the offices. Indeed, the
Chinese Foreign Ministry commended the closures as a legitimate
expression of Nepal's sovereignty.
While the closure of the Representative's office is likely a
political gesture to China, the closure of the Tibetan Refugee Welfare
Office raises immediate humanitarian concerns because it serves as the
implementing partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees --providing rescue, shelter and other assistance to Tibetan
refugees in Nepal.
This is the season when most Tibetans make their dangerous crossing
over the Himalayas to the Transit Center in Kathmandu run by the Tibetan
Refugee Welfare Office. Approximately 1,000 Tibetan refugees are there
now. Their future is now in question.
Our human rights monitors are keeping close watch on events unfolding
in Nepal. Our staffs in Washington and Europe are working quietly and
deliberately through government channels to avert further action against
the Tibetans and to create conditions for a swift resolution.
However, in the coming weeks, quiet diplomacy may reach its limits.
At that time, we hope we can count on you to help increase pressure on
the Nepalese King so that the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office can
continue its vital protection work.
In 2004, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile government
asked ICT to do whatever is possible to assist Tibetan refugees. This is
a crucial time for our work and our members like you.
Please donate today to help ensure that ICT resources remain sufficient
for information gathering and analysis, governmental work, and many
other ways we support the Tibetan refugees.
China is making serious efforts to convince Nepal that its age-old
cultural and religious ties with the Tibetans are counter to Nepal's
national interests as a friend of China. We must always be ready to
match their efforts and defend the fundamental human rights of the
Tibetan people.
Sincerely,
John Ackerly,
President
