Rights activists condemn police action on Tibetans' demonstrations

Human rights activists in Nepal have expressed serious concern over the police action in the recent peaceful demonstrations of the Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu.

"We condemn such kind of use of force and arrest that restricted them to submit their memorandum to the United Nations," a joint statement issued Wednesday by 15 prominent human rights activists said.

Tibetan refugees in Nepal have organised peaceful protest programmes in Kathmandu since last week in support of the peaceful movement in Tibet.

Baton-charging and use of tear gas shell on the demonstrators on March 17 and 18 by the security personnel had injured some protesters and restricted them from submitting the memorandum to the United Nations.

"The excessive use of force by the security personnel upon the peaceful protest not only violated the Nepal's law but also violated Nepal's obligation under international law," they said.

They also cautioned the government that actions that violate human rights would question the government's commitment to democracy. nepalnews.com ia Mar 19 08