DHARAMSHALA, India, December 27 (ANI): China has expanded its surveillance efforts beyond its borders into Nepal, with reports indicating that American technology-enabled surveillance cameras have been installed at multiple locations to monitor the movement of Tibetan people.
According to reports emerging from Nepal, a large number of covert surveillance cameras have been installed across Kathmandu and along the Nepal border. Sources allege that the cameras are not intended for public safety but are being used to closely monitor Tibetans living in or transiting through the country.
China, widely known as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and surveillance technology, has reportedly imported surveillance camera technology from the United States for this purpose.
The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has strongly opposed and condemned the actions of both China and Nepal, saying such measures severely restrict the freedom of movement of Tibetans.
Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Dolma Tsering told ANI that Tibetans have long been aware of the surveillance and that it has created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
“This is nothing new. Tibetans know that because of the surveillance cameras, they are intimidated from participating in human rights protests or speaking about violations happening inside Tibet,” she said. “At every crossing point in Nepal, there are secret cameras monitoring Tibetans, and it is very unfortunate that development is not being balanced with respect for human rights.”
Tsering said the issue should be raised by United Nations member states. She pointed to the extensive surveillance inside Tibet itself, saying that in Lhasa there are more CCTV cameras than windows in houses, highlighting what she described as China’s focus on domestic control.
She alleged that Tibetans in Nepal are also being intimidated, claiming that the Nepal government has become overly influenced by Chinese leadership. She said both China and Nepal are signatories to various United Nations declarations and that issues of transnational repression should be raised on international platforms.
Tsering further noted a sharp decline in the number of Tibetans reaching the Tibetan Reception Centre in Dharamshala, once a key transit point for refugees arriving via Nepal.
“There are only one or two Tibetans now. People are no longer coming through Nepal, which used to be the route to the free world, because Nepal has become a puppet in the hands of Chinese leadership,” she said, adding that Tibetans no longer enjoy freedom of movement.
She alleged that Tibetans entering Nepal are sent back to China, discouraging others from attempting the journey.
“The inflow has really minimized. There is no freedom of movement. Even monasteries and private homes are intruded upon,” she said.
Tsering warned Indian policymakers that developments in Tibet could eventually have implications for India’s borders. She also alleged that historical Tibetan place names are being replaced with Chinese names and cautioned against assuming that sovereignty is guaranteed.
“With the expansionist mindset of Xi Jinping, you never know where China’s influence will spread, and the nearest one is India,” she said.
Lha Gyari Namgyal Dolkar, a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said China’s authoritarian surveillance model is now being exported beyond its borders.
“China has been controlling the movement of Tibetans globally, whether through human resources or direct surveillance,” Dolkar told ANI.
She expressed concern over the reported use of U.S. surveillance technology, saying technology companies worldwide, including those in the United States, must be cautious about how their products are used.
“This technology is being turned into a tool of suppression not just against Tibetans, but potentially against Uyghurs, Mongolians, and Hong Kongers as well,” she said.
Dolkar also urged Nepal to take note of the situation, warning that increased surveillance in Kathmandu could further restrict the movement and safety of Tibetan refugees who have historically used Nepal as a transit route to India and other countries.
She said sovereign nations, including Nepal, must pay close attention to the implications of such surveillance measures and their impact on human rights and regional security.
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