Nepal hands Tibetan detainees to UN

Ten Tibetans arrested for illegally entering Nepal have been handed over to the United Nations, immigration authorities said Monday, after earlier suggesting they might be deported.

The eight men and two women were arrested on Saturday after crossing the border into Nepal, where immigration authorities said they were questioned about possible involvement in "anti-China activities".

"We took statements from each of the Tibetans, who said they crossed the border to go to India to meet their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama," said immigration official Chandra Nath Gautam.

"We found no proof of any involvement in anti-China activities in Nepal and we have decided to hand over all the arrested Tibetans to the United Nations." Nepal, already home to around 20,000 exiled Tibetans, has traditionally allowed new arrivals to transit through the country.

But it is coming under growing pressure from Beijing to clamp down on demonstrations against Chinese rule in Tibet, and has repeatedly pledged not to allow such activities on its soil.

KATHMANDU, Tuesday, AFP