The International Association for Tibetan Studies had planned to hold a seminar in Nepal from August 23-26, drawing participants from multiple countries and organized through the Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies at Kathmandu University. The conference was canceled after top government officials requested that organizers not proceed with the event, according to Prof. Sagar Raj Sharma of the Center. Officials did not provide specific reasons for the cancellation request.
Nepal has established a longstanding policy of maintaining strong diplomatic relations with China and has prohibited activities perceived as supportive of Tibetan political causes. The country has stated it will not permit protests, rallies, or activities directed against nations it considers friendly. Government authorities have deployed police to disperse several demonstrations organized by Tibetan refugees residing in Nepal.
Tibetan refugees constitute a significant population within Nepal and have historically used the country as a transit point to reach the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism who resides in exile in India. While Nepal permits annual celebrations marking the Dalai Lama’s birthday, these observances are confined to monasteries and schools, with police maintaining surveillance of the events.
China has governed Tibet since 1951 following the occupation of the Himalayan region by Communist forces. According to international observers, the subsequent decades have been marked by extensive political repression, including the destruction of certain Buddhist monasteries and restrictions on political and cultural expression outside the framework of Communist Party authority. Nepal has not yet issued an official statement regarding the conference cancellation.
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