Everrest 2008: 600 Protesters Detained in NEPAL

Protests have erupted inside Nepal over the past couple of days. Nepal, which has been fairly quiet in regards to Tibetan protests, has finally been hit with the rage. Over 600 Tibetan protesters have been detained in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, since yesterday. All of the protests are centering on the Chinese Visa Office in Kathmandu, as well as the United Nations office.

Nepal’s security has dispatched hundreds of police officers to the region in hopes of being able to discourage the protests, but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen.

Tibetan protesters are showing up in waves of taxis, vans, and cars.

It is noted in the Los Angeles Times that authorities have downgraded their tactics when encountering protesters and are not using violence as a means to an end. It is also noted that Nepal is releasing protesters after only a day in custody. In the past, Nepal has been using forceful measures to stop the protesters and anti-china demonstrations, including hitting the protesters with batons or beating them and dragging them through the streets. After increased scrutiny by the United Nations and international rights groups, Nepal has backed off a bit on their approach.

Nepal does still stand by their notion to not allow any protests against ‘friendly nations’, including China. They have guaranteed China that no political uprising against the host of the 2008 Olympics will be happening in Nepal–even though that looks to be a bit mistated as the press starts to get wind of the previous two days events.