• Text size Normal size text | Increase text size by 10% | Increase text size by 20% | Increase text size by 30%
  • Also available in French

UNHCR gravely concerned about deported Tibetans

Press Releases, 31 May 2003

31 May 2003

GENEVA – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees today (Saturday) expressed grave concern about the fate of 18 Tibetan asylum seekers deported to China by Nepal. The Nepalese authorities decided to go ahead with the deportation on Saturday, ignoring last-minute appeals by the UN refugee agency and human rights groups. UNHCR learned that the deported group included eight unaccompanied minors, some as young as 13.

UNHCR officials described the move as a blatant violation of Nepal's obligations under international law.

The 18 were part of a group of 21 Tibetans who arrived in Nepal in mid-April. Three children from the group were handed over to UNHCR, but despite numerous pleas the Nepalese authorities refused UNHCR access to the rest of the group.

On Friday, UNHCR sent an urgent letter to the Nepalese Prime Minister's office, urging the government not to send back the Tibetans and pointing out that such a move would represent an act of "refoulement" prohibited by international refugee law. The urgent plea was made amid reports that Nepal was contemplating a deportation of the group.

Until now, the Nepalese authorities have allowed UNHCR to screen Tibetan asylum seekers and resettle them in third countries in accordance with the UN refugee agency's mandate. The "refoulement" Saturday represents an alarming departure from that practice.

• DONATE NOW • • GET INVOLVED • • STAY INFORMED •

 

Related Stories

more documents

UNHCR country pages

UNHCR Tents Reaching Earthquake Survivors in China

The UN refugee agency has provided 11,000 urgently needed tents to China to help with emergency shelter for some of the 5 million people left homeless after the devastating earthquake that struck Sichuan province on May 12, 2008.

The tents, which were manufactured in China for UNHCR, have been transported to the quake zone. The first 2,000 tents were airlifted to the zone and arrived in Chengdu on May 25 and the remaining 9,000 arrived not long after. These tents can provide shelter for 55,000 people. They have been distributed in the cities of Aba, Deyang and Guangyuan, close to the epicentre of the quake.

Posted on 4 June 2008

UNHCR Tents Reaching Earthquake Survivors in China

UNHCR donates tents for China's earthquake victimsPlay video

UNHCR donates tents for China's earthquake victims

The May 12 earthquake in China's Sichuan province caused widespread destruction and death. UNHCR is responding by donating thousands of tents to help give displaced families some shelter while they rebuild their homes.