Human Rights in China (HRIC) is appalled at the shooting
of Tibetans crossing the Nangpa Pass from Tibet to Nepal on September 30, 2006.
At least one individual, a young nun, was killed, and several others injured.
People's Republic of China (PRC) border police are believed to be responsible.
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) reports that at least 10 children
have been detained since the shooting. More than 40 Tibetans have reached Nepal,
but there have been previous incidents in which the Nepalese government has
violated the international principle of nonrefoulement, which prevents
states from forcibly returning refugees to a territory where their lives or
freedom would be threatened.

HRIC urges the Chinese government to
guarantee the safety and well-being of the detained children and to release them
to their families, and to invite an independent expert to conduct an
investigation into this incident. In support of action urged by the
International Campaign for Tibet, HRIC also:

• Calls on the U.S. government and governments to lodge official objections
  with the PRC government regarding its flagrant violation of human rights
  standards, which resulted in the shootings and at least one death.
• Calls on the U.S. government and other governments to register their
  strong concern with the government of Nepal, to ensure the full protection of
  those Tibetans now in Nepal.
• Urges the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide
  vigorous assistance and ensure the protection of the Tibetans now in Nepal,
  who remain in vulnerable situations.

For additional
information, see:

• International Campaign for Tibet, "Tibetan nun shot dead; other Tibetans
  feared killed on way to Nepal," October 5, 2006, available at
  http://www.savetibet.org/news/newsitem.php?id=1036.
• International Campaign for Tibet, "Image of nun's body in snow at Nangpa
  Pass," October 11, 2006, available at
  http://www.savetibet.org/news/newsitem.php?id=1038.
• International Campaign for Tibet, Dangerous Crossing: Conditions
  Impacting the Flight of Tibetan Refugees, 2005, available at
  http://www.savetibet.org/documents/document.php?id=174.
  
  
• Romanian video footage, as posted on Pro TV, a private Romanian television network.