Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KATHMANDU305
2008-03-17 11:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
CRACKDOWN ON TIBETAN PROTESTERS IN NEPAL CONTINUES
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000305
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CH NP
SUBJECT: CRACKDOWN ON TIBETAN PROTESTERS IN NEPAL CONTINUES
REF: KATHMANDU 275
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Randy W. Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/
d).
Tibetans Protest, Police React
------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000305
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CH NP
SUBJECT: CRACKDOWN ON TIBETAN PROTESTERS IN NEPAL CONTINUES
REF: KATHMANDU 275
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Randy W. Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/
d).
Tibetans Protest, Police React
--------------
1. (C) Approximately 100 Tibetan refugees gathered the
morning of March 17 in front of United Nations (UN) House in
Lalitpur, Kathmandu's twin city, to protest peacefully the
recent reports of killings in Tibet. According to eyewitness
accounts police baton-charged the protesters at 11 a.m. and
detained approximately 75 of them 50 at the police hospital
and 25 at the Mahendra Police Club (a building used
occasionally to house large numbers of detainees).
Approximately two hours later the crowd of protesters, which
had grown to 1000, sat on the side of the road near UN House
chanting prayers. At 1:30 p.m. police closed the road and
again attempted to disperse the crowd, this time using batons
and tear-gas. (Note: Police sources reported to Emboffs that
they intervened only when the protesters refused to comply
with their request to disperse. Police stated 15 rounds of
tear-gas were used after five or six officers had been
injured in scuffles. End note.)
Many Detained and Warrants Issued
--------------
2. (C) Police sources informed Emboffs that police had
detained 47 protesters, seven of whom have been arrested.
Thinley Gyatso, representative of the Tibet Office for Nepal,
also reports that the KATHMANDU Chief District Officer (CDO)
has issued arrest warrants for an additional 12 local Tibetan
leaders. Among the 12 are three with the Tibetan
"government-in-exile" (including Gyatso, and Kalsang Chung,
head of the Tibetan Reception Center) as well the president
of the Tibetan Women's Association, and several Tibetan Youth
Congress leaders. Latest reports are that 50 Tibetans are
still being detained at the Metropolitan Armed Police Force,
Barrack No. 2, seven at a police station near UN House, and
two injured protesters at Birendra Police Hospital.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) This March 17 conflict between police and Tibetan
protesters marks a higher level of violence and police
counter-measures than had been seen in the series of daily
protests which began March 10 (Reftel). Tibetan sources,
both eyewitnesses and participants, claim they are engaging
in non-violent activities. However, when the police charge
seemingly without provocation, some Tibetan youths fight
back. Although protests are common in Nepal, the nature of
the police response to these Tibetan protests appears
markedly different. A Police Superintendent told Emboff that
orders have come from senior Home Ministry officials to
disperse Tibetans as soon as they gather. The issuance of
warrants for local Tibetan leaders is also of concern. A
journalist who sometimes acts as a liaison for Tibetan
community leaders told Emboff that the 12 allegedly named on
the arrest warrant had asked him to approach the British
Embassy about the possibility of asylum, a request which the
journalist reported was denied. Post will continue to
monitor the situation and is considering how best to register
our concerns with the Government of Nepal.
POWELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CH NP
SUBJECT: CRACKDOWN ON TIBETAN PROTESTERS IN NEPAL CONTINUES
REF: KATHMANDU 275
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Randy W. Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/
d).
Tibetans Protest, Police React
--------------
1. (C) Approximately 100 Tibetan refugees gathered the
morning of March 17 in front of United Nations (UN) House in
Lalitpur, Kathmandu's twin city, to protest peacefully the
recent reports of killings in Tibet. According to eyewitness
accounts police baton-charged the protesters at 11 a.m. and
detained approximately 75 of them 50 at the police hospital
and 25 at the Mahendra Police Club (a building used
occasionally to house large numbers of detainees).
Approximately two hours later the crowd of protesters, which
had grown to 1000, sat on the side of the road near UN House
chanting prayers. At 1:30 p.m. police closed the road and
again attempted to disperse the crowd, this time using batons
and tear-gas. (Note: Police sources reported to Emboffs that
they intervened only when the protesters refused to comply
with their request to disperse. Police stated 15 rounds of
tear-gas were used after five or six officers had been
injured in scuffles. End note.)
Many Detained and Warrants Issued
--------------
2. (C) Police sources informed Emboffs that police had
detained 47 protesters, seven of whom have been arrested.
Thinley Gyatso, representative of the Tibet Office for Nepal,
also reports that the KATHMANDU Chief District Officer (CDO)
has issued arrest warrants for an additional 12 local Tibetan
leaders. Among the 12 are three with the Tibetan
"government-in-exile" (including Gyatso, and Kalsang Chung,
head of the Tibetan Reception Center) as well the president
of the Tibetan Women's Association, and several Tibetan Youth
Congress leaders. Latest reports are that 50 Tibetans are
still being detained at the Metropolitan Armed Police Force,
Barrack No. 2, seven at a police station near UN House, and
two injured protesters at Birendra Police Hospital.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) This March 17 conflict between police and Tibetan
protesters marks a higher level of violence and police
counter-measures than had been seen in the series of daily
protests which began March 10 (Reftel). Tibetan sources,
both eyewitnesses and participants, claim they are engaging
in non-violent activities. However, when the police charge
seemingly without provocation, some Tibetan youths fight
back. Although protests are common in Nepal, the nature of
the police response to these Tibetan protests appears
markedly different. A Police Superintendent told Emboff that
orders have come from senior Home Ministry officials to
disperse Tibetans as soon as they gather. The issuance of
warrants for local Tibetan leaders is also of concern. A
journalist who sometimes acts as a liaison for Tibetan
community leaders told Emboff that the 12 allegedly named on
the arrest warrant had asked him to approach the British
Embassy about the possibility of asylum, a request which the
journalist reported was denied. Post will continue to
monitor the situation and is considering how best to register
our concerns with the Government of Nepal.
POWELL