Nepalese police break up anti-China demonstrations by Tibetans

Aug 28, 2008, 12:11 GMT

Kathmandu - Nepalese police on Thursday broke up anti-China protests by Tibetan exiles in Kathmandu and arrested more than 100 demonstrators, officials said.

The protest was the latest in a series of anti-China demonstrations by Tibetan exiles who are demanding greater political autonomy for Tibet and guarantees of human rights and religious freedom.

'Some 110 Tibetans were detained after they tried to break through police lines near the Chinese embassy's consular office,' the Kathmandu police office said. 'Protests are banned around the Chinese embassy, and the protestors violated government orders.'

Most of the detainees were expected to be freed Thursday.

Tibetan exile leaders said they would continue their protests despite the end of the Beijing Olympic Games but fear Nepal's new Maoist-led government might be more harsh in curbing their demonstrations.

The protests began in March on the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising in Tibet against Chinese rule, and Tibetan exiles have been holding rallies almost daily since then.

In July, Human Rights Watch accused the Nepalese government of cracking down on Tibetan exiles because of Chinese pressure. It also said more than 8,000 Tibetans had been arrested since March.

More than 20,000 Tibetans live in Nepal, concentrated mainly in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara in western Nepal.

Nepal's government said it recognizes Tibet as a part of China and will not tolerate any activities that might harm relations with its northern neighbour.