11 October 2005
Jailed Tibetans fear deportation.
(TCHRD) Nepalese authorities have arrested two Tibetans in the last two weeks in relation with visa offences. Sonam Tsering was arrested on 07 October 2005 after having just arrived in the Swayambunath area of Kathmandu from the TAR. On 09 October 2005, he was handed over to the Nepalese Immigration Department who subsequently fined him for travelling without documents. Since Sonam was destitute, he was unable to pay the penalty and was sentenced to three years in Dilli Bazaar Jail in Kathmandu. Earlier, another Tibetan, Norbu Tsering, was arrested on 24 September 2005 at the Nepal-Tibet border while on his way back to his home in Shigatse Prefecture, TAR. After being handed over to the Immigration Department on 28 September 2005, he too was fined for having no papers, which he was also unable to pay and consequently was sentenced to three years' and three months in Dilli Bazaar Jail. Tibetans in Nepal fear that after they serve out their jail sentences, Nepal might quietly deport them to the PRC where they are likely to face punishment.