NewKerala.com

US Panel Urges Nepal to Protect Tibetan Refugees Amid Rising China Influence

The US House Appropriations Committee has urged the State Department to engage Nepal on protecting Tibetan refugee rights, including renewing registration halted since 1995. The FY2027 report expresses concern over rising Chinese influence in Nepal, which has led to tighter restrictions on Tibetan religious and cultural practices. The committee recommends maintaining funding for Tibetan refugee assistance in Nepal and India at previous levels, proposing $18 million for cultural preservation and diaspora support. It also urges Nepal to honor commitments to the UNHCR principle of non-refoulement to prevent returning refugees to potential persecution.

Key Points: US Panel Urges Nepal to Protect Tibetan Refugees

  • US panel urges Nepal to protect Tibetan refugee rights
  • Calls for renewed registration of refugees lacking legal recognition since 1995
  • Flags rising Chinese influence increasing vulnerability of Tibetan communities
  • Proposes $18 million in FY2027 for cultural preservation and refugee support
2 min read

US panel urges Nepal to protect Tibetan refugees, flags rising Chinese influence in FY2027 report

US House Appropriations Committee urges Nepal to protect Tibetan refugees, flags rising Chinese influence in FY2027 report; calls for renewed registration and funding.

"The Committee backs continued funding to support Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal at levels consistent with previous years. - US House Appropriations Committee"

Washington DC Ma, y 5

The US House Appropriations Committee, in its fiscal year 2027 report, has urged the US Department of State to engage with the Nepalese government to ensure the protection of the rights of Tibetan refugees.

It specifically called for renewed efforts to register all Tibetan refugees, many of whom have lacked legal recognition since the registration process was discontinued in 1995, according to a report by Phayul.

The report highlighted "growing concern" over the increasing influence of the People's Republic of China in Nepal, cautioning that this has made Tibetan communities more vulnerable. It noted that this influence has led to tighter restrictions on basic freedoms, including curbs on religious and cultural practices, as cited by the Phayul report.

In its recommendations, the committee emphasised that funding for Tibetan refugee assistance programs in Nepal and India should be maintained at levels similar to previous years to ensure continued humanitarian aid. The United States has traditionally provided substantial support to Tibetan communities while also aiming to counter what it terms as "malign influence" in the region.

Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, around $23 million was allocated for Tibet-related programs. In July 2025, the State Department restored $6.8 million in aid for Tibetan communities across South Asia, including Nepal, after earlier budget cuts, Phayul reported.

For FY2027, the committee proposed ongoing financial assistance, including $10 million for cultural preservation initiatives within Tibet and $8 million for refugee and diaspora support programs in India and Nepal. It also urged the Secretary of State to press Nepal to honour its commitments to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prevents returning individuals to countries where they could face persecution, as noted in the Phayul report.

"The Committee backs continued funding to support Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal at levels consistent with previous years. It remains a concern that Tibetans in Nepal are unable to fully exercise certain fundamental rights due to agreements in recent years between Nepal and the PRC, which have increased the vulnerability of Tibetans both residing in and passing through Nepal," the report stated, as quoted by Phayul.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

M
Michael C
I've worked with NGOs in Nepal and can tell you firsthand: these Tibetan refugees have been in legal limbo since 1995. No registration, no rights, no future. Yes, China is a powerful neighbor, but human rights are universal. The US should push more on documentation reform, not just write checks.
P
Priya S
As an Indian, I have complicated feelings. On one hand, Tibetan brothers and sisters deserve dignity and protection. On the other, why should the US dictate to Kathmandu? India has its own strategic ties with Nepal, and we should be the ones mediating—not Washington. This reeks of Cold War-era meddling. 🤷‍♀️
R
Rohit L
I'm all for humanitarian aid, but $23 million for Tibet programs? That's a lot. Meanwhile, malnutrition is rising in parts of India. What's the US doing about that? Plus, if China is "influencing" Nepal, so is the US. It's just they call their influence "engagement." Double standards everywhere. 😤
T
Tanya I
The non-refoulement principle is key—Nepal cannot send these people back to face persecution in China. But Nepal is caught between a rock and a hard place. Beijing gives them economic lifelines; Washington gives them moral lectures. Till the world gets fair and balanced, we need both. But let's not pretend the US is acting out of pure altruism.
J
James A
As an American, this seems like another way to poke Beijing. I'm not saying

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50