Statement by Thinlay Lama made at a press conference at Hotel Ambassador, Kathmandu, August 5, 2011
As we know, in the last few days we have seen reports in the media about Tibetans who sought refuge in Nepal. In order to clarify some issues and also to tell the media world about the problems faced by the Tibetan refugees, I have invited you for this conference.
We all know very well that historically Nepal and Tibet, which is currently ruled by China, enjoyed a close relation economically, diplomatically and culturally from the ancient period. As two sovereign nations in history, Nepal and Tibet had signed numerous agreements. During the modern period, three major Nepal – Tibet treaties were signed in 1789, 1792 and 1856, which is a fact of history. In fact the marriage of Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti of Patan to King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet sealed our relationship further, not only as neighbor, but our ‘Samdi' marriage relationship.
After China and India signed the Panchsheel Treaty in 1954, Nepal not only recognized Tibet as an autonomous region of China, but also abrogated all the privileges and rights enjoyed by Nepal in Tibet. These facts are engraved in history and nobody can change the according to their will.
Based on the close historical relationship, Tibetans who had to leave their country were given political refuge by the then government of Nepal, which allowed them to settle here. In spite of our country being landlocked and with limited resources, we supported the Tibetan refugees and this gesture is internationally appreciated even today. During this critical time in the history of our nation and for half a century since, we provided the exile community with emotional support for which they are always grateful to the government and people of Nepal.
After coming into exile, the Tibetan Welfare Office was established as a non-political, non-profit social organization, actively working to help the Tibetan refugees' voices be heard by the government of Nepal. The Tibetan Welfare Office's aim was not against any individual, society, or any country. It only aimed to be a coordinator between the Tibetan refugees and Nepal government and to acquaint the Tibetan refugees with the law of the land and also provide various protections guaranteed by the international organizations for refugees.
The Nepal government used to issue refugee identity cards (RC) to refugees, but this practice was discontinued and the last RC was issued in 1998. Children who have since become adults and would now be eligible, as well as many children who were born and brought up in Nepal are now unable get an RC, with the result being that these people have no means to become part of Nepalese society and cannot get driver's licenses, travel documents and all other basic documentation of one's livelihood. Therefore, we appeal to the Nepal government to continue granting RC's to the genuine refugees.
There is a large number of Tibetans born and brought up in Nepal. An RC helps them to stay in Nepal legally. Beyond that, they are not allowed to engage in legal business, seek higher education opportunities, or any other legal rights. It is a fact that such rules not only stop them from making any economic and social contributions to the community and the country, but they are a waste of precious human resources.
We appeal to the Nepal government to allow RC holders to do business, open industries, give opportunities for employment and allow them to establish non-political, non-profit social organizations. We request that the government drafts the necessary law addressing the problems faced by Tibetan refugees for inclusion in the new constitution of Nepal.
For the last several days the Nepalese national media have reported that Tibetans have acquired fake Nepalese passports and that the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office issued birth certificates signed by Trinlay Gyatso to Tenzing(15 yrs) and Chering Lhamu (12 yrs) vide certificate number OT/KM/11/7100 on Feb 8, 2011. Newspapers also reported that the Tibetan Refugee Office in Boudha also gave necessary recommendation letters. The two persons were arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport while trying to travel abroad.
It is a fact that normally this office issues birth certificates, marriage certificates and necessary recommendation letters to bona fide Tibetan refugees of Nepal after ascertaining facts from the Tibetan Refugee Transit Center and all other concerned offices.
Accordingly, this office enquired about the two persons in question with the Tibetan Refugee Transit Center, the Refugee Office at Boudha and found no record of such certificates being issued. We conducted a further inquiry with the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala and found no record. Therefore, we want to inform you that the documents produced by them are fake and Mr. Tenzing and Miss Chering Lhamu are not Tibetan refugees.
We are serious and alert on the issue of non-Tibetan refugees obtaining documents meant for the Tibetan refugees. This is the only official organization that looks after the welfare of the Tibetan refugees in Nepal and we request all those concerned to inform us in the future if anybody is making such fake documents.
This episode has surely harmed the image of Tibetans who are living with dignity in Nepal and scattered all over the world living their lives peacefully and preserving their religion and culture. Hence, we strongly wish to state that the current media reporting is baseless and we request all Nepalese media to tell the truth and only the truth.
We are always ready to cooperate with all those concerned with the welfare of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. We expect the same cooperation from the government of Nepal, international organizations, human rights groups, intellectuals and all communities of people in Nepal.
Thank you,
Thinlay Lama, Chief Coordinator
As we know, in the last few days we have seen reports in the media about Tibetans who sought refuge in Nepal. In order to clarify some issues and also to tell the media world about the problems faced by the Tibetan refugees, I have invited you for this conference.
We all know very well that historically Nepal and Tibet, which is currently ruled by China, enjoyed a close relation economically, diplomatically and culturally from the ancient period. As two sovereign nations in history, Nepal and Tibet had signed numerous agreements. During the modern period, three major Nepal – Tibet treaties were signed in 1789, 1792 and 1856, which is a fact of history. In fact the marriage of Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti of Patan to King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet sealed our relationship further, not only as neighbor, but our ‘Samdi' marriage relationship.
After China and India signed the Panchsheel Treaty in 1954, Nepal not only recognized Tibet as an autonomous region of China, but also abrogated all the privileges and rights enjoyed by Nepal in Tibet. These facts are engraved in history and nobody can change the according to their will.
Based on the close historical relationship, Tibetans who had to leave their country were given political refuge by the then government of Nepal, which allowed them to settle here. In spite of our country being landlocked and with limited resources, we supported the Tibetan refugees and this gesture is internationally appreciated even today. During this critical time in the history of our nation and for half a century since, we provided the exile community with emotional support for which they are always grateful to the government and people of Nepal.
After coming into exile, the Tibetan Welfare Office was established as a non-political, non-profit social organization, actively working to help the Tibetan refugees' voices be heard by the government of Nepal. The Tibetan Welfare Office's aim was not against any individual, society, or any country. It only aimed to be a coordinator between the Tibetan refugees and Nepal government and to acquaint the Tibetan refugees with the law of the land and also provide various protections guaranteed by the international organizations for refugees.
The Nepal government used to issue refugee identity cards (RC) to refugees, but this practice was discontinued and the last RC was issued in 1998. Children who have since become adults and would now be eligible, as well as many children who were born and brought up in Nepal are now unable get an RC, with the result being that these people have no means to become part of Nepalese society and cannot get driver's licenses, travel documents and all other basic documentation of one's livelihood. Therefore, we appeal to the Nepal government to continue granting RC's to the genuine refugees.
There is a large number of Tibetans born and brought up in Nepal. An RC helps them to stay in Nepal legally. Beyond that, they are not allowed to engage in legal business, seek higher education opportunities, or any other legal rights. It is a fact that such rules not only stop them from making any economic and social contributions to the community and the country, but they are a waste of precious human resources.
We appeal to the Nepal government to allow RC holders to do business, open industries, give opportunities for employment and allow them to establish non-political, non-profit social organizations. We request that the government drafts the necessary law addressing the problems faced by Tibetan refugees for inclusion in the new constitution of Nepal.
For the last several days the Nepalese national media have reported that Tibetans have acquired fake Nepalese passports and that the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office issued birth certificates signed by Trinlay Gyatso to Tenzing(15 yrs) and Chering Lhamu (12 yrs) vide certificate number OT/KM/11/7100 on Feb 8, 2011. Newspapers also reported that the Tibetan Refugee Office in Boudha also gave necessary recommendation letters. The two persons were arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport while trying to travel abroad.
It is a fact that normally this office issues birth certificates, marriage certificates and necessary recommendation letters to bona fide Tibetan refugees of Nepal after ascertaining facts from the Tibetan Refugee Transit Center and all other concerned offices.
Accordingly, this office enquired about the two persons in question with the Tibetan Refugee Transit Center, the Refugee Office at Boudha and found no record of such certificates being issued. We conducted a further inquiry with the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala and found no record. Therefore, we want to inform you that the documents produced by them are fake and Mr. Tenzing and Miss Chering Lhamu are not Tibetan refugees.
We are serious and alert on the issue of non-Tibetan refugees obtaining documents meant for the Tibetan refugees. This is the only official organization that looks after the welfare of the Tibetan refugees in Nepal and we request all those concerned to inform us in the future if anybody is making such fake documents.
This episode has surely harmed the image of Tibetans who are living with dignity in Nepal and scattered all over the world living their lives peacefully and preserving their religion and culture. Hence, we strongly wish to state that the current media reporting is baseless and we request all Nepalese media to tell the truth and only the truth.
We are always ready to cooperate with all those concerned with the welfare of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. We expect the same cooperation from the government of Nepal, international organizations, human rights groups, intellectuals and all communities of people in Nepal.
Thank you,
Thinlay Lama, Chief Coordinator
