Tibetans in Nepal

Tibetans in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal
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A Tibetan girl smiles as she takes part in an event to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in the Nepali capital Katmandu.

Nepal is home to more than 20,000 Tibetans - for many from as far back as 1959, when the Dalai Lama, fled to India after a failed uprising against China.

. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Two-way ties between Nepal and China have strengthened in recent years, with China becoming a major donor of aid to, and trading partner of, its tiny neighbour, besides bringing major investments in infrastructure development, such as hospitals.

Nepal ceased issuing refugee papers to Tibetans in 1989 and recognises Tibet to be a part of China.

. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Human Rights Watch report published in April says Nepal faces intense Chinese pressure to limit the flow of Tibetans crossing the border and restrictions have helped stem the number of those fleeing Tibet.

Fewer than 200 Tibetans arrived in 2013, down from an annual average of 2,000 before 2008.

. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Hundreds of refugees from Tibet trek for days across treacherous Himalayan mountain passes to reach Nepal every year, and then cross into India where they are given political asylum.

Those captured by Nepali police are usually promptly handed to the U.N.'s refugee agency UNHCR.

Earlier this year, the U.N. human rights agency urged Nepal to register Tibetans, saying the lack of documentation put refugees at risk.

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Slideshow

A Tibetan nun holds prayer beads.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A Tibetan nun holds prayer beads.

Monks stand in front of a wall mural of the Tibetan flag.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Monks stand in front of a wall mural of the Tibetan flag.

Smoke rise from a traditional incense box.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Smoke rise from a traditional incense box.

A Tibetan girl in traditional dress takes part in the function.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A Tibetan girl in traditional dress takes part in the function.

Boys take part in the celebrations.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Boys take part in the celebrations.

A Tibetan girl gestures.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A Tibetan girl gestures.

A girl has makeup applied.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A girl has makeup applied.

A Tibetan girl gets help from her mother as she gets dressed for the event.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A Tibetan girl gets help from her mother as she gets dressed for the event.

Monks carry a portrait of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
. Kathmandu, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Monks carry a portrait of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

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