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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

International Tibetan studies conference moved online after Nepal government cancellation

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The 17th Seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies, initially canceled by the Nepal government, will now proceed online.
  • Government officials cited sensitivity and security concerns, reportedly influenced by pressure from Chinese officials worried about pro-Tibet demonstrations.
  • Organizers and a Western diplomat expressed concern that the cancellation infringes on freedom of expression and could damage Nepal's academic standing and international reputation.

The 17th Seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS), previously instructed for cancellation by the Nepali government, will now be held online, organizers announced Saturday.

We hope Nepal will reverse this decision and allow Nepali citizens to exercise their freedom of expression and association.

— Western diplomatCommenting on Nepal's decision to cancel the Tibetan studies conference, reportedly due to Chinese pressure.

Kathmandu University had been directed by the government not to host the week-long conference. Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karkee and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai personally delivered this instruction to university officials. Sources indicate that Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming met with senior government officials, urging caution due to concerns that the conference could become a platform for pro-Tibet demonstrations. Security agencies also reportedly warned of potential protests and self-immolation incidents.

A Western diplomat, speaking anonymously, expressed concern that Nepal's decision, reportedly under Chinese pressure, compromises its sovereignty and urged the reversal of the decision to uphold freedom of expression. Organizers had previously warned the Education Minister that cancellation would harm Tibetan and Himalayan studies, damage Kathmandu University's academic reputation, and negatively impact Nepal's economy, tourism, and academic collaborations.

It would be damaging to Kathmandu University, which would lose an important platform to showcase its strength and build new academic networks. It is also likely to cause reputational damage to Nepal through negative press coverage, and will have long-term repercussions in terms of economy, tourism, and academic collaborations.

— Françoise Robin, acting president of the IATS, and Ulrike Roesler, secretary general of the IATSIn a letter to the Education Minister warning about the consequences of canceling the conference.

The IATS board emphasized that canceling the conference is not in the interest of fostering academic excellence and sought the minister's support for its continuation. They stressed the need for immediate clarity, as neither the board nor the convenors had received any official written communication regarding the cancellation.

The IATS Board cannot imagine that the cancellation of the conference can be in the interest of the Ministry of Education, which aims at fostering academic excellence.

— IATS boardExpressing their view on the government's decision to cancel the academic seminar.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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