Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02KATHMANDU466
2002-03-05 12:25:00
SECRET
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

UIGHURS IN NEPAL

Tags:  PREF PTER PHUM PREL NP 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T KATHMANDU 000466 

SIPDIS

GENEVA FOR RMA
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL
BEIJING PASS CHENGDU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2012
TAGS: PREF PTER PHUM PREL NP
SUBJECT: UIGHURS IN NEPAL

Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski. Reasons 1.5 (b),(d).

S E C R E T KATHMANDU 000466

SIPDIS

GENEVA FOR RMA
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL
BEIJING PASS CHENGDU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2012
TAGS: PREF PTER PHUM PREL NP
SUBJECT: UIGHURS IN NEPAL

Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski. Reasons 1.5 (b),(d).


1. (C) At least 15 Chinese Uighurs have entered Nepal in the
last three months, according to a UNHCR protection officer
(strongly protect). Six were taken into custody by Nepali
officials in late December, 2001. Of these, four requested,
and received, UNHCR protection. Three of the four were
subsequently handed over to China. The fourth remains in
custody along with two who did not request refugee status.
The protection officer knows of approximately nine other
Uighurs currently at large in Nepal and seeking UNHCR
assistance. UNHCR maintains regular contact with these
individuals.


2. (C) Some of the Uighurs interviewed by UNHCR were able to
converse in Urdu. One group claimed to have engaged the
services of a guide in China who smuggled them across the
Chinese border into Nepal at Kodari, a route commonly used by
undocumented Tibetans. Of the Uighurs who made refugee
applications, all claimed to have been persecuted for their
political beliefs by the Chinese government.


3. (S) At a diplomatic reception March 1, the UNHCR
Representative to Nepal (protect) asked the Ambassador if he
"knew about the Uighurs." UNHCR was aware of where these
individuals had come from, the Rep acknowledged elliptically.
Comment: Post has heard rumblings about Uighurs from China
entering Nepal, but UNHCR's remarks were the first public
confirmation of this phenomenon. Given the Rep's demeanor
and the fact that some could speak Urdu, we have strong
suspicions that some of these Uighurs may have spent some
time in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan. End Comment.
MALINOWSKI