Tibetans demonstrate in Kathmandu again; OHCHR concerned over 'arbitrary arrests'
Tibetan exiles have again staged demonstration in front of the United Nations office in Lalitpur Monday, protesting the Chinese government's clampdown on 'pro-indepence' demostrators in Lhasa earlier this month. A few protesting refugees were injured in a scuffle with the police when the latter tried to disperse them. Police arrested some two dozen Tibetans from the protest.
Tibetan refugees have carred out a series of demonstrations in the Nepali capital since March 10.
National and international human rights groups have criticised the police action on the protesting Tibetans.
The Nepal government has repeatedly said it would not allow any activities against China in Nepali soil.
Meanwhile, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) has expressed deep concern at the recent "arbitrary arrests and detentions" of several hundred Tibetans and Nepali human rights workers in Kathmandu.
"The individuals appear to have been arrested on the grounds that they were participating or planning to participate in protests related to incidents in Lhasa. OHCHR has also been informed that among the individuals arrested were a number of prominent Nepali human rights defenders," an OHCHR release said.
"These actions by police violate individuals' basic rights to freedom from arbitrary detention and freedom of movement, in addition to impairing the individuals' rights to peaceful assembly and expression."
Saying all persons have right to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression, the UN rights agency also reminded Nepal has international law obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to uphold these rights.
"While it is permissible to limit these rights where necessary to protect such interests as public order, a Government cannot suppress demonstrations merely on the basis of disagreement with the political opinions expressed. Authorities must ensure that they act only in the circumstances authorized under international and Nepali law," OHCHR said. nepalnews.com mk/ia Mar 24 08
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