FOREIGN SECRETARY ADMITS NEPAL UNDER PRESSURE FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000324 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF CH IN NP SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY ADMITS NEPAL UNDER PRESSURE FROM CHINA OVER TIBETAN PROTESTS REF: A. SECSTATE 27872 ¶B. KATHMANDU 305 ¶C. KATHMANDU 275 Classified By: Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On March 19 Deputy Chief of Mission Randy Berry raised U.S. concerns with Foreign Secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya regarding the Government of Nepal's recent crackdown on peaceful protests by Tibetans. While under pressure from China, the Government of Nepal (GON) confirmed minimal force should be used against protesters. The United Nations Mission in Nepal, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Nepal have also been troubled by the GON's actions and approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Tibetan refugee numbers have not yet been impacted by events in Tibet or Nepal. Demarche Points Delivered -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On March 19, Deputy Chief of Mission Randy Berry raised U.S. concerns (Ref A) with Foreign Secretary Acharya regarding the Government of Nepal's recent crackdown on peaceful protests by Tibetans (Ref B). The DCM called on the Government of Nepal (GON) to exercise restraint in dealing with the protests, to allow protesters to peacefully express their political and religious views, to release all those detained or arrested for peacefully expressing their views, and to abide by Nepal's long-standing commitment to treat Tibetan refugees in a humanitarian manner, including hosting long-staying refugees and allowing newly arrived Tibetans to transit to India. The DCM also asked why the Kathmandu Chief District Officer allegedly issued arrest warrants against 12 Tibetan government-in-exile and community activists. GON Under Pressure from China -------------- ¶3. (C) Acharya commented that the Government of China (GOC) had come down hard on the recent protests in Tibet, and was putting the GON and Government of India in difficult positions. He stated that both the GOC and GON viewed expression of social or cultural values by Tibetans as acceptable, but as soon as protesters addressed political issues, the GOC put pressure on the GON to stop the protests and enforce its 'One China' policy. Acharya reported that within the past week protesters have painted graffiti and caused minor damage to the wall surrounding the Chinese Commercial Office, a building separate from the Chinese Embassy. He claimed that police intervened only after protesters tried to force their way into the United Nations (UN) House and the protesters switched from chanting prayers to voicing political views. Acharya stated the Foreign Ministry had repeatedly asked the Home Ministry to ensure the police used minimum force when dealing with the protesters, but admitted that tear gas had been used on the peacefully-demonstrating Tibetans. Acharya replied that he did not have any information on arrest warrants, but had encouraged the police to release detainees as soon as possible. And Facing Concern from UNMIN and OHCHR -------------- ¶4. (C) Acharya revealed that he had received phone calls from both Ian Martin, Head of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN),and Richard Bennett, Head of the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). OHCHR issued a press statement March 17 urging the GON to respect the right to KATHMANDU 00000324 002 OF 002 peaceably assemble and freely express one's views, including a statement that the UN had not requested that the demonstrators be dispersed. A UN employee who works at UN House told Emboff that the protesters had not attempted to force their way into the UN House. UNHCR Also Concerned -------------- ¶5. (C) The DCM discussed the protests by phone March 18 with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative Daisy Dell and told her post would be approaching the Foreign Ministry on the issue. UNHCR Associate Protection Officer Amit Sen told Emboff March 19 that, while the detentions are disturbing and inappropriate, all detainees have been released the same day. To date no Tibetan refugees have approached UNHCR seeking protection or resettlement. UNHCR has been most concerned by the alleged issuance of arrest warrants against 12 prominent government-in-exile and community activists. According to Sen none of the twelve have yet been arrested. Kalsang Chung, Director of the Tibetan Refugee Reception Center (TRRC) and one of those named on the alleged arrest warrant, suspected the list had been prepared by the GOC, not the GON. Even if Chung were arrested, post expects the TRRC would be able to maintain basic operations, assuming no additional interference took place. Chimi Dolkar, a Tibetan Youth Congress leader and another named on the alleged arrest warrant told Emboff March 19 that an unidentified man had appeared at her house this morning and asked about her whereabouts. Dolkar was not at home, but reported she was concerned she would be arrested at the airport when she attempts to depart for the U.S. on March 21 to participate in an International Visitor Program. Possible Impact on Refugee Numbers -------------- ¶6. (C) According to staff at the TRRC and UNHCR after the 1989 uprising in Tibet, Tibetan refugee numbers in Nepal doubled. Acharya reported that the GON had not yet seen an impact on refugee numbers, but admitted the GON was concerned about this possibility. He remarked that, given the heightened Chinese security presence on the border now, versus 1989, it would be much more difficult for potential refugees to cross the border. Sen echoed this concern, and was particularly worried that this would be the case when more Tibetans would need to leave Tibet because they were involved in the protests, or were perceived to be involved. Sen reported UNHCR was considering resuming escort missions. While these missions ease a refugee's transit from the Nepal border to Kathmandu they, however, do not assist the refugees in getting across the border. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) The daily cycle of peaceful protests, detentions, and release by the end of the day has not yet let up, though numbers of those participating have decreased. Both post and Foreign Secretary Acharya expect that until the Olympics are over, the GOC will be particularly sensitive about Tibetan issues and maintain strong pressure on the GON to crack down on protests with any political overtones. Post will continue to monitor the protests and engage the GON on this issue. POWELL