Urgent Action Needed for Refugee Rights
A new petition by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is drawing attention to the tough situation faced by Tibetan refugees in Nepal. Since 1995, due to increasing pressure from China, Nepal has stopped giving important documents to Tibetan refugees. This lack of paperwork prevents them from traveling, working, or going to school, taking away many basic rights.
Nepal: A Challenging Refuge
Many Tibetans now see Nepal as a “second Tibet,” where the level of repression is only second to that under Chinese control in Tibet itself. The situation has worsened with more surveillance and spying, done together with Nepali authorities, which limits Tibetans‘ freedom to express themselves and follow their cultural and religious practices.
Violation of International Agreements
The petition highlights that Nepal is not keeping its promise made in the 1989 Gentleman’s Agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This agreement was supposed to protect Tibetan refugees, but now they are stuck in a difficult and uncertain situation.
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Call for Support
The TCHRD is asking people to sign their petition to help Tibetan refugees. They want the Nepal government to sign international agreements on refugees, follow the rule of non-refoulement (not sending refugees back to places where they could be harmed), and allow Tibetans safe passage through Nepal to India. They also want laws to protect refugees’ human rights and for Tibetans to receive documents that allow them to live, work, study, and travel.
Appeal to China and the International Community
The petition also asks China to respect Nepal‘s sovereignty and stop its activities against Tibetan refugees. It calls on the international community to put pressure on China and Nepal to ensure the rights and protection of Tibetan refugees, including offering them chances to resettle in third countries.
This plea for action underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Tibetan refugees in Nepal and the need for immediate international attention and support.
Click here to sign the petition
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