Published by: World Tibet Network News, Thursday, March 28, 1996

EXTERNAL AI Index: ASA 31/04/96

20 March 1996

Further information on EXTRA 41/96 (ASA 31/03/96, 18 March 1996) -

Arbitrary detention / Ill-treatment

NEPAL

14 Tibetans:

Youdon, f, 38

Bakar, f, 27

Sonam, f, 26

Norbu Tsering, m, 35

Sonam, m, 35

Sonam, m, 18

Lhundup Gyatso, m, 20

Tenzin Jampel, m, 21

Thubten Kelsang, m, 22

Pema Gyalpo, m, 35

Namgyal Dorje, m, 28

Thubten, m, 25

Tenzin Gelek, m, 19

Lhundup Tenzin, m, 26

and five Amnesty International members

Fourteen Tibetans and five Amnesty International (AI) members remain detained in Kathmandu following mass arrests made at an AI demonstration against human rights violations in China held on 18 March 1996. The five AI members are expected to be released on 21 March after appearing before a District Magistrate.

All the remaining detainees are held at the Hanuman Dhoka central police station. They were initially detained at the Mahendra police club but were moved from there at 11pm on 18 March.

Other detainees, including Dr. Rajesh Gautam, the General Secretary of Nepalese human rights organization Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), and several AI members, including Nepalese Section President Charan Prasai and former President Krishna Pahadi, were released on 20 March.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters in English or in your own language:

- demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in relation to peaceful campaigning activities in Kathmandu on 17 and 18 March 1996;

- seeking assurances that all those held are being treated humanely in accordance with international standards;

- seeking assurances that no Tibetans will be returned to the People's Republic of China where they may be at risk of further human rights violations;

- urging that non-governmental organizations, including Amnesty International, be allowed to continue their peaceful campaigning activities without further harassment.

APPEALS TO:

Prime Minister:

Sher Bahadur Deuba [Salutation: Dear Prime Minister]

Office of the Prime Minister

Singha Durbar

Kathmandu

Nepal

Faxes: +9771 419 680; +9771 227 286

Telegrams: Prime Minister, Kathmandu, Nepal

Minister of Home Affairs:

Khum Bahadur Khadka [Salutation: Dear Minister]

Ministry of Home Affairs

Singha Durbar

Kathmandu

Nepal

Faxes: c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs +9771 220 684

Telegrams: Home Affairs Minister, Kathmandu, Nepal

Inspector General of Police:

Motilal Bohara [Salutation: Dear Inspector General]

Police Headquarters

Kathmandu

Nepal

Telegrams: Inspector General of Police Bohara, Kathmandu, Nepal

Faxes: +9771 415 594

PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: His Excellency Mr Surya Prasad Shrestha, Embassy of Nepal, 12a Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QU. Fax: 0171 792 9861

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 18 April 1996.

+-----------------------------------------------------------+

+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +

+ the UA scheme in general, please contact: +

+ Ray Mitchell +

+ Amnesty International British Section +

+ 99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue +

+ London EC1R 4RE email: rmitchellai@gn.apc.org +

+-----------------------------------------------------------+