Stop atrocities
April 2, 2008
I strongly disapprove the way Nepalese Government is treating Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu. I understand Nepal has insurmountable pressure from China, but the pictures and footages appearing in International media is hurting image of Nepal.
Nepal is notorious for suppressing movements in an inhuman way; if the movement eventually succeeds, they later form a panel to probe those atrocities. They produce reports on the offenders, but do nothing about it. In case of these helpless monks, I doubt there won’t even be any probe commission established.
I know Nepal is in no position to confront China, and I do understand Nepal’s Tibetan policy. But, this is blatantly stupid way of opposing the protest. I strongly believe those refugees have rights to protest peacefully without disturbing Nepalese infrastructure. If Chinese have problem with that, tell them: unlike them, we allow reporters to cover the news and spread it globally. Besides, Chinese would rather approve peaceful protest in Nepal than more buzz generating atrocities of Nepalese administration.
Picture Source: Huffington Post
UPDATE (April 3): I guess I was wrong about China, check this link
Entry Filed under: Let the picture speak, News/information and opinion. .
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1.
Beena | April 3, 2008 at 12:22 pm
is it still like that?i never knew tibetians were under sucha force..
one day all will be equal
BS
2.
Basanta | April 3, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Thank you for posting this Prajwoljee. Nepalese leaders and governments have reduced us to big neighbors’ slaves.
Tibetans have right of peaceful protests in Nepal.
It is really a shame for us that Nepalese governement is behaving with those monks and nuns like this.
I will post about this in my blog too. Thank you for reminding.
3.
Nnepali | April 4, 2008 at 9:54 am
I personally think there is too much “unconstructive” protest …
The protesters in KTM are not going to Chinese Embassy to hand in a petition or have a dialogue, they want to get there so that they can trash the place… We have seen this kinda protest too many times in KTM…
As the Chinese government have no intention of talking to these folks, all that is left is violence… for everyone to use to get their own way… so Nepali police, the protesters and the Chinese government will all use violence…
4.
Prajwol | April 4, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Beena,
That’s only part of what we are able to see, god knows what’s happening in Tibet right now with all that media censorship. I too wish one day we all be equal, but I know that’s not possible in this world. At least, we can strive to narrow the inequality bridge.
Basanta Ji,
Thanks for mentioning me in your blog
I agree with you, our government looks like a lame duck in front of those two big powers. We can’t beat them in war or economy doesn’t necessarily mean we lose our dignity too and fail to distinguish between right or wrong. Advocating if Tibet is part of China or not is completely different issue, and we sympathize our governments stand. But this brutality is not called for.
गाइ सरि छन साधु जो जो यहाँ जगत मा
सबको शरण बलियो जङी निशान हाम्रो ????
NNepali,
Thanks for quoting me in your blog
I agree to what you said in your blog. Couple of my colleagues already asked my opinion in this matter, and I too see lot of media coverage emerging from Kathmandu in news here.
Giving petition to Chinese Ambassador doesn’t make any sense, and I won’t be surprised if they have desire to thrash Chinese Embassy either. All they want is generate more ripples so that International community can step in and China can feel some pinch during the Olympics, which I think is very unlikely. India seems relatively harsh nowadays to Tibetans owing to their growing economic ties to China. And, America wants to ensure that the shelves in Wal-Mart are always intact with cheap Chinese goods. After Iraq fiasco, I doubt if they even have enough muscles to flex.
China wants to embrace the glory that comes with Olympics but fails to understand the repercussion that comes along. Seeing the Chinese attitude so far, I honestly don’t know how this thing will be solved. Only thing I can hope for is Nepalese government at least use some common sense.
5.
Gurkhahere | April 4, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I couldn’t agree more with your disapproval. It is so sad to see peaceful protestors being manhandled.
On a separate but related note, I wonder how hard it is for the security personnel. Do they spend more time and resources on maintaining order for the elections which is very pivotal in our nation’s future or do they spend time worrying about protests and petty crimes that although do not take away a lot of resources, do divert attention. Smaller protests like this can do a great deal of harm to the public image of the police and you start to wonder whether we can trust the same security system to keep order to conduct polls. Its not an easy job for our police force.
Going back to the main issue, I won’t be surprised if Nepal shuts down the Everest route due to pressure from our northern neighbor. How many more people will I have to respond to about my government’s actions? Am I ashamed? You probably know the answer.
6.
Prajwol | April 8, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Gurkhahere,
What you raised is another important issue; we do have to feel for these security personnel too. Did you see the movie Bourne Ultimatum? There Jason Bourne asks the other “asset” if he even know why he has to kill Bourne.
I think our security forces (not army) are in same boat, they simply follow the order, sometimes without even getting sense of it. I find this more funny in the context of Nepalese politics where some home minister gives order to quash the protest and make arrests, in few months government change and the same (previously arrested) leader issue order to arrest protestor comprising ex home minister. Though it might be political game for the leaders, the security personnel get the taste of vengeance and get transferred to remote places.
I think the Tibetan refuges heard your concern; they are deferring their protest during the CA polls
Yes pal, I do understand, I am answering few questions myself.
7.
Kevin | April 16, 2008 at 11:22 am
What the hell is HUMAN RIGHTS doing ??
Sad !!
8.
Prajwol | April 18, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Kevin,
Welcome to my blog. Yes, it is sad indeed. I think Human Rights are just watching, without any affirmative action.
9.
shakya | May 12, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Roit police responds in same manner in every situation, the beating, kicking, punching were same when our own Nepalis were protesting during JanaAndolan, it was even more severe than the things we saw during this tibetan protest supression then WHY people are making so much noise this time, all the international media is focusing on how nepali police acted on tibetans. Everybody knows why countries like US/UK supporting tibetans, its the fear they have for china emerging as the strongest power in the world. so yes it is a human right abuse if we look from one perspective but it is every countrie’s responsibility to protect embassies. The way tibetan protesters trying to get into the chinese embassy doesn’t seems like a peaceful way of protesting.so this event seems like more publicised by media.
10.
Prajwol | May 12, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Shakya,
Welcome to my blog, and thanks for your comment.
I think you are spot on about the media attention, and we also have some ideas on why there is this special media glare. But like you mentioned there is definite concern about the human rights. It’s wrong to oppress anyone like this, either Nepalese or Tibetans.
I am also concerned with “special media glare” hurting Nepal’s image . Like I mentioned in my post, everyone has right to protest peacefully in Nepal and Nepal also have theme of providing asylum to sane (at least in rhetoric: गाइ सरि छन साधु जो जो यहाँ जगत मा, सबको शरण बलियो जङी निशान हाम्रो ). But that however doesn’t give anyone rights to vandalize Nepalese infrastructure and institutions (Embassy included) in the name of protest. If Tibetans try to thrash Chinese embassy, they should be dealt severely. But a sovereign nation shouldn’t be blindly bashing monks if they protest peacefully.