チベットNOW＠ルンタ

2011年8月7日

亡命政府在ネパール代表一時拘束の件

ネパール代表のティンレー・ラマ（写真RFAより）

在ネパール、ダライ・ラマ代表事務所代表のティンレー・ラマが８月５日、ネパール警察により８時間に渡り拘束され尋問を受けた。
この件はBBCでも報道され一時ちょっとした騒ぎとなった。拘束された後、ネパールの国際人権事務所や世界的チベット支援組織の働きかけにより彼はその日の内に何とか解放された。
日本でも共同通信発信によりmsn産経ニュースが取り上げておられる＞http://p.tl/S_Sb

ただこの記事の中では「『２人はチベット人ではないが、書類を偽造して難民資格を得ていた』と認め、謝罪する声明を発表した。」となっているが、これは正確でないように思う。まず２人はチベット難民ではないがチベット人である。彼の記者会見の記録を読む限り彼が何かを「謝罪」したとは考えられないからだ。最後に資料として彼の記者会見の発言を付す。
（実はすぐこの後記事を発信した記者と食事を共にするのでこの件は確認する）
追記：「謝罪する声明を発表した」の部分はすでに差し替えられているとのこと。情報源はネパールの新聞から。

事の始まりは先々週の火曜日にカトマンドゥ空港から１５歳と１２歳のチベット人学生が渡米しようとしたときに始まる。２人はチベット福祉事務所（代表事務所）が発行したというチベット難民認定書とネパールパスポートを持っていた。パスポート検査で引っ掛かり、彼らは渡航できなかった。パスポートは偽造されたものとされ、チベット福祉事務所の発行した証明書も問題ありとされた。

この件を報道したネパールの各新聞は「ネパールに住むチベット人たちはネパール人になりすまし仕事を得ていたり、偽のパスポートを作っている。亡命チベット人福祉事務所も偽の証明書を発行している」と報じた。

これを受け、代表のティンレー・ラマは８月５日の朝、市内のホテルで記者会見を行った。

カトマンドゥの難民一時収容所とチベット亡命政府の記録を調べた結果、彼ら２人はチベット人難民ではないこと、福祉事務所も２人に何らかの証明書を発行した事は無く、従って書類は偽造されたものであると明言した。

また、このような事件が起こる背景にはネパール政府が中国の圧力により１９９８年以降ネパールに住むチベット人に対し正式な身分証明書を一切発行しないことがあるとして、政府に対しチベット人に対し以前のように身分証を発行する事を要請した。

実際、在ネパールのチベット人の多くが身分証や出生証明書がないために、政府の学校に入る事ができず、就職することにも困難をきたす。運転免許証も得られず、パスポートはおろか、普通に飛行機に乗る事もできないのだ。

また、RFA等では彼が今回拘束された背景にも中国の圧力があるとコメントしている。まず、最近在ネパール大使に就任した中国大使はネパールに住むチベット人に対し更なる圧力を掛ける事を政府に要請している。時期的に今、中国からの政府使節団がネパールを訪問中であるし、ネパールの軍事代表団が北京を訪問中である。その上、チベット亡命政府の新首相ロブサン・センゲ氏の就任式を３日後に控えているという日であった。代表の拘束には中国大使館の働きかけがあったのではないかと疑われている。

参照：８月６日付けphyul英語　http://p.tl/aIfz
同日のRFAチベット語版http://p.tl/_moV

以下は８月５日、ティンレー・ラマの記者会見の記録。

Kathmandu, 5 August 2011.

As we know, for 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, currently ruled by China, enjoyed a close relation economically, diplomatically and culturally from the ancient period. As two sovereign nations in the history, Nepal had signed numerous agreements. During modern period, three major Nepal-Tibet treaties of 1789, 1792 and 1856 A.D were signed which is a fact in the history. In fact the marriage of Nepalese princess Brikuti of Patan to the king Songtsen Gampo of Tibet sealed our relationship further not only as neighbor but our ‘Samdi’ marriage relationship

After China and India signed Panchasheel treaty in 1954. Nepal not only recognized Tibet as the 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 them according to will.

Based on close historical relationship, Tibetans who had to leave their country were given political refuge by the then Government of Nepal and allowed 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 during half a century we provided the exile community with emotional support for which they are always grateful to Nepal Government and the people of Nepal.

After coming into exile, Tibetan Welfare Office has been established as a non political, nonprofit social organization and actively working to help the Tibetan refugees and to reach their voice to the Nepal Government. Tibetan Welfare Office’s aim is not against any individual, society or any country. It only aims 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 (Ali, i.e UNHCR).

Earlier, Nepal Government used to give Refugee card (RC) to refugees but this facility discontinued with the last grant of IC officially being in 1998. Children who have attained the maturity period and many children who are born and bought up in Nepal could not get IC. With the result these people have no means to introduce themselves in Nepal and could not get driving licenses, travel documents and all other basic facilities of livelihood. Therefore, we appeal to the Nepal Government to continue granting RC to the genuine refugees.

There is a large number of Tibetans born and brought up in Nepal. RC helps them to stay legally only. Beyond that they are not allowed to engage themselves in legal business, seek higher education opportunities and any other legal rights. It is fact that such rules not only stop them from making any economic and social contributions to the community and the country but is a waste of precious human resources.

We appeal the Nepal Government to allow RC holders to do business, open industry, give opportunity for employment and allow them to establish non political, nonprofit social organizations. We also request the Government to draft necessary laws to address the problems faced by the Tibetan refugees in Nepal for inclusion in the new constitution of Nepal.

For the last many days Nepali national media have reported that Tibetans have acquired fake Nepali passports and the Tibetan welfare office issued birth certificate 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 letter. The two persons have been arrested at the 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 bonafide Tibetan refugees of Nepal after ascertaining facts from Tibetan Refugee Centre and all other concerned offices.

Accordingly, this office enquired about the two persons in question with the Tibetan refugee centre, Refugee office at Boudha and found no record of such certificates being issued. We made further enquiry with the office of 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 Tibetan refugees. This is the only official organization that looks after the welfare of the Tibetan refugees in Nepal and we request all concerned to inform us in future if anybody is taking advantage of 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 professing their livelihood peacefully and preserving their religion and culture. Hence while we strongly wish to state that the current media reporting is baseless but request all Nepali media to tell the truth and truth only.

We are always ready to extend necessary cooperation with all concerned about the welfare of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. We expect the same cooperation from Nepal Government, international organizations, human rights groups, intellectuals and all communities of the Nepali public.

Thank you

Thinley Lama, Chief Coordinator