American Journal of Public Health
Volume 96, Issue 11, 2006, Pages 2061-2064

Dangerous journey: Documenting the experience of Tibetan refugees (Article)

Dolma S. , Singh S. , Lohfeld L. , Orbinski J.J. , Mills E.J.*
  • a Department of Political Science, York University, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • b Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • c Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
  • d St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • e Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada, Centre for International Human Rights Law, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom, McMaster University, Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, HSC-2C12, 1200 Main St W, Hamilton, Ont. L8N 3Z5, Canada

Abstract

Objectives. Since the 1950 invasion of Tibet by China, Tibetan refugees have attempted to flee into Nepal over the Himalayan mountains. We documented the experiences of a group of refugees making this journey. Methods. We conducted semistructured interviews with 50 recent refugees at the Tibetan Refugee Transit Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal. Results. Participants ranged in age from 8 to 56 years, and 21 were female. The average length of their journey from Tibet to Nepal was 34 days. During their journey, a majority of the refugees encountered authorities or became involved in altercations with Nepali Maoist groups. Most of these interactions resulted in extortion and threats of expulsion. Several Tibetans were tortured, beaten with weapons, threatened with being shot, and robbed. Three women were sexually assaulted at gunpoint. Conclusions. The refugees who took part in this study experienced physical and mental hardships and, often, human rights abuses on their journey to Nepal. International pressure is needed to prevent human rights violations and reduce potential long-term physical and mental health effects associated with this dangerous crossing.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

China Tibet refugee mental health human Life Change Events Refugees theft middle aged violence health status United Nations Coercion Human Rights Abuses qualitative research human rights abuse school child Humans Adolescent male female Infant police Child, Preschool social welfare Article Prisons adult normal human Interviews Nepal threat sexual crime hunger Torture time Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33750433586&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2005.067777&partnerID=40&md5=f4b28aca61e963629accc8f1ce61e198
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.067777
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English