02 June 2003
U.S. Deplores Nepal's Forced Repatriation of Tibetans to China
(U.S. appeals to Nepal to offer protection to Tibetan asylum seekers) (390)
The State Department issued a statement June 2, saying the U.S.
government deplores Nepal's forced repatriation of 18 Tibetan asylum
seekers to China May 31.
"This action not only violates international norms and practices
regarding the humane treatment of asylum seekers, but also tarnishes
Nepal's long-standing and well-deserved reputation for tolerance and
hospitality," a statement issued by State Department deputy spokesman
Philip Reeker said.
The Reeker statement said the U.S. government urges "Nepal to return
to its previous long-term practice of allowing Tibetans to seek
protection in Nepal for onward resettlement."
Following is the text of Reeker's statement:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release June 2, 2003
STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
Nepal: Expulsion of Tibetan Refugees
On May 31 in Kathmandu the Government of Nepal turned over to
representatives of the Peoples Republic of China 18 Tibetan asylum
seekers, including minors, to be forcibly repatriated to China. The
United States deplores this outrageous development. This action not
only violates international norms and practices regarding the humane
treatment of asylum seekers, but also tarnishes Nepal's long-standing
and well-deserved reputation for tolerance and hospitality. In the
past, Nepal has demonstrated its respect for the rights of asylum
seekers by granting access to "persons of concern" by local
representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
Our Embassy in Kathmandu has informed the Nepalese Government at the
highest level of our concern about this specific incident. The status
of Tibetan refugees in Nepal is a long-standing issue that is often
raised in Kathmandu. Senior U.S. officials recently met with Nepalese
and Chinese officials in Washington to stress our views on this issue.
The United Nations High Commission on Refugees has said the forcible
return of the 18 Tibetans to China without a status determination
constituted a refoulement (forced return), which is clearly contrary
to international norms. We condemn the behavior of Nepalese officials
and Chinese diplomats for their role in forcibly returning the asylum
seekers to China. We call on Nepal to return to its previous long-term
practice of allowing Tibetans to seek protection in Nepal for onward
resettlement.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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