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Biggest Tibetan Women protest in Nepal: 600 arrested
Posted: May 11th, 2008, by admin
May 11, 2008 KATMANDU, Nepal - Police detained more than 600 female Tibetan protesters, including many Buddhist nuns, on Sunday after breaking up several demonstrations against China’s recent crackdown in Tibet.
It was the largest number of protesters detained on a single day since Tibetan exiles began almost daily protests in March against Chinese policies in Tibet and the first time that only women demonstrated.
The protesters held three separate rallies in Katmandu but were quickly stopped by police. More than 600 protesters were being held in detention centers in Katmandu, said police official R.P. Dhamala.
Photo: Tibetan women shout pro-Tibet slogans in Kathmandu May 11, 2008. Nepali police detained 562 Tibetan women at an anti-China rally in Kathmandu on Sunday, the first all-women protest against Chinese rule in their homeland, officials said. REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar (NEPAL)
The first group was stopped even before they could enter a street from an open area where they had gathered.
“Just to create what is happening in Tibet we wanted to do a silent march here, a peaceful silent march,” said Doma Tsomo, who was among the protesters. “Unfortunately even before we could start police started arresting people.”
A second group managed to enter the street but was quickly stopped by police and taken away in buses and trucks. The third group, which was smaller, protested near the Chinese Embassy’s visa office and was also detained.
Detained protesters are generally freed by police later in the day.
Photo: Tibetan exile nuns shout anti-Chinese government slogans as the Nepalese police tries to stop them during a silent peace march to protest against the Chinese government, in Katmandu, Nepal, Sunday, May 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Nepal’s police have broken up almost all anti-China protests by Tibetan exiles during the past several weeks and detained participants. Officials say they will not allow protests that could harm Nepal’s friendly relations with neighboring China.
The Tibetan exiles have mainly been protesting in front of the United Nations offices and the Chinese Embassy in Katmandu.
Security has been stepped up around the embassy since the protests began, with hundreds of police posted on the streets leading to the building.
The United Nations and international rights groups have criticized Nepal for using what they say is excessive force to stop the protests. Police have beaten people with batons and dragged them through the streets while detaining them.
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